8/24 - Day 11 - "The Soo"

Cloudy skies couldn't dampen our spirits as we began the day at the Bay Mills Casino's Breakfast Buffet. We were soon back in carpool formation for the short ride to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The morning involved an up-close view of the Soo Locks, where boats of all sizes traverse the 21-foot difference between Lakes Superior and Huron.

There are four locks on the American side, as shown in this aerial view in the Visitor's Center.  Only the two to the left are in continuous use these days.  The second lock from the left was expanded to handle the 1,000-foot freighters.

The observation deck provides great views of the Locks and the ships passing through.

This ship is hauling coal up-river to the steel plant across the river in Ontario.

After lunch on our own, we moved on to the Soo Locks Boat Tour, where we had a chance to cruise on the St. Marys River, up through the American Locks and back down-river through the Canadian side.

From the water, we could see Sault Ste. Marie's "Tower of History", the highest spot in town.

This barge has equipment to actually hoist the lock gates out for maintenance.

Entering the first lock, we could see the Administration Building.  The shelters in front of it are lowered into the locks when maintenance is being done during the winter.

A different perspective on the observation deck...

The Captain carefully maneuvers the tour boat to the side of the lock...

...while the crew secures the lines...

...aided by handlers "up top".

After leaving the lock, the skies were clearing as we passed under the International Bridge to Canada...

...and the parallel railroad bridge.  Since ships have the right of way, trains have to wait until the locks are clear to cross.

Essar Steel's Algoma plant dominates the Canadian shoreline up-river from the locks.  It can produce 2.8 million tons of steel each year.

In addition to the red and green navigation bouys, these yellow ones mark the international border.

The ship we saw in the locks in the morning is already off-loading thousands of tons of coal.

Finished steel waiting to be shipped - each roll weighs 40,000 pounds.

Entering the Canadian Locks, now used for pleasure craft only.

While the American side is focused on commercial shipping, the Canadian Locks are part of a huge waterfront park, with numerous hand-cut stone buildings.

Entering the Canadian Lock...

...then dropping 21 feet to the lower level.

Up close view of a 750+ footer.

The Edison Hydroelectric Power Plant is huge, over 1,300 feet long.  It was built in 1902 and is all hand-cut stone.

After the boat tour, we carpooled the short distance to The Antlers for dinner, surrounded by antlers and taxidermy from all around the world.