Sault Ste. Marie
Sault St Marie was a charming little town. It is the home of the Soo Locks. We were able to watch the 1,000 foot freighters that use the Locks from our campsite float past the campground. It is a different point of view. We decided to take a boat tour of the locks. So on a beautiful sunny day, we took the short trip to the dock and boarded the tour boat for a two hour tour. It was very interesting to watch the water level while inside the lock raise 21 feet. Upon exiting the locks, we traveled around the St Mary River under the bridge to Canada. The bridge was pretty empty, as it was closed to all non essential travel. We entered a lock on the Canadian side of the river to return to the dock. So, technically we actual did enter Canada, but of course we could not leave the tour boat.
Sault Saint Marie
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Canadian Lock
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Cloverland Electric Cooperative Hydroelectric Plant, completed in 1902 and still operating
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Next to the ferry was the Museum Ship Valley Camp which is a retired Great Lakes Freighter. We explored the museum. It was an interesting place to explore, full of Great Lakes history, including a life boat recovered after the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Our final stop in Michigan was Copper Harbor. This is a very remote location on the Upper Penisula. First inhabited by Ojibwe people, who lived here for thousands of years before Europeans arrival. It was settled in the late 1800 by immigrants hoping to make a fortune mining copper (thus the name). It is a pretty area, the beautiful blue water, a charming lighthouse, a couple of water falls and an late 1800's fort, complete with actors. This area seems to be enjoyed by adventurers, as there are a number of visitors who take advantage of the islands numerous dirt bike trails. We choose to not take advantage of the trails this time. 😁
Next up: Wisconsin
Sault Saint Marie
