Friday, August 24, 2018

At The Soo

I left Wausau around 6:30 this morning in light rain, showers that lasted until I was a few miles in to Michigan.  Thinking about it (rain riding puts my thinking wheels in to overdrive) had me realizing that back in June I filled the same bike at the same Michigan gas station as today.  The last time I had 2 wheels in MI had been in 1979.  More on that in a bit.


Apparently my gloves are still shedding dye......


A few stops along the way for breaks rather than photos, I lost an hour and pulled into Sault St Marie in almost sunny skies.

A couple of these though......


I was checking in at the motel when I turned quickly and this happened.  There's been only one thing about the Himalaya I don't like and that is the sidestand.  It will have to change. 


The rain that I'd ridden ahead of was on it's way so I hustled downtown to the Locks.  Other than Homeland Security taking a much more active role the grounds looked as I'd remembered them.  








Then into the Visitor Center.










In June 1979 I was here, headed for St. John, Newfoundland.


In August 2018 I was here, planning a much shorter day loop into Ontario.


The 1000 footer through the Locks and heading east.







10 comments:

  1. The locks look interesting… And, it’s a spectator sport. It looks like you got nice box seats at some sort of sporting event. Did you manage to bend the lever back without it breaking?

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    1. The many locks on the Mississippi get spectators and the Soo versions get even more. 3 story viewing.

      I’m not going to touch the lever; it almost works better than OEM. I’ll really have to load the joint, most likely break it and not have a brake at all.

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  2. You had a grand day. If you change your plan and head to Newfoundland-wait for me!

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    1. Eric, not this week but I’d love to go again. Much was missed, even on a 3+ month trip.

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  3. Am also curious if you managed to bend the lever back....cool place to watch ships go by...

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    1. Dom, I don’t know of a better ship watching place. I wanted to (relive) camping river-side again but for a few reasons decided to motel instead.

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  4. I very much like the then and now picture, Doug. Forty years back, and yet it looks like yesterday.

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    Replies
    1. Sonja, some vivid and dear memories in that campground on the St Mary’s.

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  5. Bend'n your lever that's now in the letter " C " would mostly result in a small letter " i "....

    that long ..long... tanker..?.. grain hauler..?... a Nor'easter could spell it's doom.. so can I azoom.. it's just a great lakes rig. ?...

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    1. To my knowledge the thousand footers only carry ore and are land locked, too big to get out the St Lawrence. They were built for the Soo Locks and barely fit.

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