Lake Superior

[Bob_In_MN]

My wife had one of her dogs entered in a show in Duluth this weekend, so we packed up the RV and parked at one of the local Marinas--they provide full hook-ups. Decided to take a couple of pics during our stay.

First Pic--looking out over the St. Louis River just before going down into Duluth.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Friday we jumped in the car and headed North past Two Harbors MN. About 20 miles north is Split Rock Lighthouse. It has been out of service since the 1960's, but is maintained for tourists. The manager actually lives (with his family) in one of the 3 keepers houses. One other house was preserved to show how the keepers lived.

This shot is from some distance as we were approaching the lighthouse.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Another shot of the lighthouse close up.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

We walked down to the lake and I took a pic from below. In 1905 there was a storm so fierce that waves actually came over the cliff--there's still a ship wreck not far from the lighthouse that is great for divers.

All materials to build the lighthouse were brought in by boat and lifted up the cliff. There was a steam powered crane on the other side of the lighthouse from where this pic was taken. No roads existed in the early days so all keepers and supplies were brought in by boat.

Later, a tram was built (located about where I am standing when I took this pic. The tram replaced the steam crane that was toppled in a storm.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

I doubt this pic will turn out, but I'll attach it anyway. Thursday night, the fog started to roll in and I snapped a shot of the fog being illuminated by the lights on the lift bridge.

 

[rancar]

Beautiful countyside Bob. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Pristine environment and lighthouses are always interesting to learn about maritime history.

How did your wife's dogs do in the show?

...Bob

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Last Pic--caught this guy coming into port to pick up a load of something (I'm standing just outside the RV). All ships come through the lift bridge (located to the right of the pic). The entire bridge span raises straight up to accomodate any size ship.

Duluth and the North Shore in general are unknown to most outside of MN and WI, but if you are ever in the MN for any reason, it would be worth your time to drive up for a couple of days.

Bob

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Hi Bob

Thanks for asking--she didn't do much on Friday or Sunday, but Saturday she took reserve, which means there was one female dog the judge though was better. No points for reserve, but she's a young dog and is doing well for her age.

Bob

 

[Boondox]

Bob -- That's a beautiful shot!!! The power of storms can be awesome! I well remember thinking the ocean was so calm...and then other days where blue water was hitting the bridge windows of the USS Callaghan, a magnificent destroyer that up till that moment I considered one of the strongest forces on earth! And another time on the USS Gurnard, a fast attack submarine, we heard metal grating sounds several miles away and investigated. Turned out to be a supertanker whose bow had been pushed in 50' by a rogue wave. Twisted that metal like it was made of Playdough! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Pete

 

[RobS]

Beautiful pictures Bob. I've always heard there are really only four Great Lakes... and one Superior /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Pete,

I got a small taste of the power of storms on Saturday. If you look at my last pic (the one of the cargo ship), you will see that in the background there's a ridge that goes higher as you get away from the lake. You can't tell it from my pics, but Duluth (being on the lake) sits well below that high ridge.

Well--Saturday night I was visiting an RV down the row and it started to rain (not heavy, but big drops) so I walked back to my place and my wife pointed to the ridge and said "look at the fog rolling in". I'm not an experienced sailor, but I know that in Duluth, the fog generally comes in from the lake and not over the ridge, so when I saw the people out on the pier running like mad, I knew what we were seeing was a wall of water.

I told everyone to get into the RV with the dogs and I started putting my awning down. The rain and very strong winds were on us in an instant. I litterally hung onto one end of the awning and there was another guy on the other end just to keep it from ripping off the RV. Less that 5 minutes later the sun came back out and it was beautiful again. I walked down to the other RV to make sure they were OK. Luckily they were, but there was a travel trailer next to them--no one was home when the storm hit and the awning was ripped off the rig.

I can't imagine what that storm would have felt like to someone out in a boat on the lake. Sounds like you've experienced some pretty exciting times on the water.

Regarding the pic from below the lighthouse--the rock face is over 100 feet and I remember thinking what force it took to splash water up and over that cliff.

Bob

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I love those big ships. Here is a pic of one unloading coal at the NiMo plant in Dunkirk.

 

[Bird]

Bob, that really is pretty country around there. I believe the RV park we stayed in when we were there was on up the coast at Silver Bay. And of course, we had to visit that lighthouse; very interesting place. I believe the great storm of 1905 wrecked or damaged 20 ships. But while we were there, the water was amazingly smooth, calm, and clear.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Bird,

Before I logged on this morning I wondered if any other TBN members have been up the North Shore. I was not surprised that you, being a full time RV'r, had made the trip.

You're right about the storm of 05--the large loss of ships (29 to be exact)was one of the things that lead Congress to appropriate the needed $75,000 for the lighthouse.

We had the same type of weather as you when we visited--calm and sunny. I'd like to be sitting on top of that cliff when the waters get rough--I'm sure it would be a great vantage point.

Bob

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Robert_in_NY

Yeh--there's just something about those ships. I didn't take any pics, but where the ships pass thru the lift bridge, there's 2 cement walkways that that go out into the lake a least a football field's length. At the end of the walkways are small lighthouses (I assume to be used to guide the ship in). You can walk out on either side and view one of these ships come in or go out--it's a pretty amazing site.

Bob

 

[CRJCaptain]

Thanks for the beautiful pics Bob...my brother lives in Thunder Bay and I was able to visit that area for the first time a few years ago...beautiful area.