On Monday, we were lucky to catch an iron ore freighter going through the locks. I couldn’t find much info on the SS Philip R. Clarke, other than it was built for the Pittsburgh Steamship Division of U.S. Steel. We arrived after the laker was already in the process of being lowered in the lock.
We watched as it reached the level of Lake Huron, 21 ft. below that of Lake Superior. The building with “Brix” on the side is stationary on the side of the lock, for reference.
At the same time, a Soo Locks tour boat was going the other direction in the MacArthur Lock, closer to us.
About 10 minutes later, it was ready to move upriver into Lake Superior.
The gates were opened…
…and the boat moved westward.
Later, we drove across the international bridge to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
I hope someday this area will be renewed, as the site next to the river and locks could be quite beautiful.
We were welcomed, and encountered very friendly people in our exploration of this twin city.
The sense of humor of the sculptor is apparent in these fishermen! Note the videographer on the left.
I’m not sure what the significance is of this sculpture, but it seems artistic against the backdrop of the fountain, with the Michigan city’s Tower of History visible across the river.
Another thought-provoking sculpture, a bigger-than-life-size table and chairs.
And we learned a little about the artist. The quote reads, “Whenever I’m asked to identify my best work, or my favourite, my answer has always been the same – the next one.”
We could just barely make out our RVs across the river, and I got a little closer with my digital zoom.
We stopped at the Visitor’s Center to find out more about the city. Jan and Bill decided to clown around with a moose.
After a not-so-good lunch at a Chinese-Canadian restaurant, we returned to the U.S. side of the river just in time to see the huge laker Paul R. Tregurtha going downriver with its load of iron ore, only 3 days after we saw it going upriver empty.
More pleasure boats were on the river this day, too. Some like it slow and peaceful, some a lot faster and thrilling.
It seems the fishermen got lucky and caught something worth keeping.
The Ojibway seems to have had a rough time in a lock at some point.
It was chilly enough on this August evening to wear jackets.
While watching the action on the river, we enjoyed a pretty sunset. The perfect end of a wonderful visit to The Soo.
We need to get back up there one of these years. We last stayed in the city park. Nice place Been a few years ago
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