Michigan Day 2 Continued

After leaving the Soo Locks we headed for the Tahquamenon Falls also in the upper peninsula. Our first stop is at the lower falls.

A few miles away are the more spectacular upper Falls.

Tahquamenon Falls are nicknamed "Rootbeer Falls" because of it's golden brown color caused by tannins from cedar swamps that drain into the river.

After visiting the Falls we had a delicious dinner at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewry and Pub http://www.superiorsights.com/tahqfallsbrew/index.html then we headed back to Mackinaw City.

We didn't have anything on the itinerary for the evening so we requested a trip to Mackinac Island knowing we wouldn't have much time but at least we could say we were there. Our cousin Dave made a few phone calls and got it all set up. So at 7:30pm we boarded the ferry for the island.

View of the Mackinac Bridge from the ferry.



Round Island Lighthouse



Fort Mackinac

Island House Hotel

There are no motorized vehicles on the island except for emergencies. Only bikes...

and horse drawn carriages.

Windermere Hotel

The flowers around the beautiful homes and hotels were so pretty but it was getting too dark to get good shots of them. Nevertheless I still took some.

The sun is setting and it's time to head back and catch the ferry.  Our time was way too short to do this place justice. I would love to spend a day and rent bikes and explore the whole island.
 A few last shots...

Boarding the ferry for the ride back to Mackinaw City.

So that ends a very full and fun packed day. Tomorrow we head south to Petoskey, Charlevoix and Traverse City.

Michigan Trip Day 2

Monday morning we headed out at 7:30 for Sault Ste. Marie on the north eastern end of Michigan in the upper peninsula. First we crossed the 5 mile Mackinac Bridge.

After arriving in Sault Ste. Marie we boarded the Hiawatha

for a trip through the Soo Locks. The Soo Locks allow ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower great lakes on the St. Mary's River.

Here we are entering the MacArthur Lock where we will be raised 21 feet.

In the lock being raised. Water is fed into the lock by gravity, no pumps are used. Filling valves in the bottom of the lock are opened to fill the lock while emptying valves are opened when a vessel is being lowered.

At the top waiting for the gates to open.

On our way up the St. Mary's River. Ready to pass under the International Bridge and the International Train Bridge right behind it.

The International Bridge to Canada.

A look back at the bridges.

The Algoma Steel Mill on the Canadian side.



Tug John Spence



This train bridge swings across the canal twice a day to let trains across.

Now we are in the Canadian Lock ready to be lowered. Once the valves are opened it only takes about 6 minutes to be lowered.

I took a picture of this building just as we started to be lowered. Isn't that red sandstone beautiful?

About halfway down. In the background you can see the swinging train bridge we just passed.

Almost at the bottom. I'm standing in the same spot. All I can see of the above building is the roof.

The Edison Sault Power Plant. This building is over 1/4 mile long.

The middle section

I didn't notice the lighthouse motif until I saw the photo.

We had a very full schedule on this day so I will divide it into 2 posts. Up next Tahquamenon Falls!