We are on a road trip! We left Frankfort yesterday and wandered north on Michigan 31 through Traverse City, Elk Rapids (where we got married), Charlevoix and Harbor Springs and then across the Mackinac Bridge to Sault Ste. Marie, home of the Soo Locks in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (the U.P.).The Soo Locks are on the St Marys River and allow ships of all sizes to traverse the 21 –foot drop in elevation between Lake Superior and Lakes Huron and Michigan. In the late 1700’s, a Canadian company built a lock on the Canadian side of the river; it was destroyed in the war of 1812. A private American company built locks on the American side of the river in 1853. In 1855 the State of Michigan took over the locks; in 1881 the locks were transferred to the U.S. government, who today operates the locks toll free to all vessels through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Today there are 4 locks, one not in use. The oldest was built in 1914, the newest in 1968. The little private boat and the Soo Locks Boat in the pictures are going through the McArthur Lock (built in 1943 and named after General Douglas McArthur) which is 800 feet long and 80 feet wide. The big boat (Indiana Harbor) is going through the Poe Lock. Indiana Harbor is 1000 feet long and 100 feet wide. Poe Lock (built in 1968) is 1200 feet long and 110 feet wide. Needless to say that big boat inched its way into the lock. It was fun to watch the action.
We spent the night in Brimley, MI on Lake Superior shores…..at Bay Mills Casino and Resort. So we ate and slept well and cheaply at this Indian Casino and didn’t lose a lot of money!! Thanks to Roger and Jean for all the information about this destination.
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