Between the cities of Houghton and Hancock, lies a body of water known as the Portage Lake Shipping Canal. This time of year it becomes better known as the Portage Ice Pack. Olivia Bartlett braves the icy spectacle to take us on a stroll towards the Keweenaw Star and The Ranger III, docked on the Houghton side. Looks like there's been some snowmobile activity out there too.

Editor's note: Pasty.com is not advocating going out on the ice either by snowmobile or by foot... in other words, please do not try this at home!

For all you folks looking for a reliable, fast dial-in ISP, anywhere in the country, I can personally recommend Pasty.net. Ok, I can hear you all saying, sure, she works for Pasty.net of course she's going to give them the thumbs-up, but now I'm speaking from experience. I'm using the Nationwide Dial-in here in Brunswick, GA, while vacationing here in the deep south. Also used it in various states on our trek southward. It's amazingly fast and there hasn't been a time when I couldn't connect... makes it seem like the U.P. is only a click or two away!!

Wow! First one to check in before heading off to work.

I wonder if she continues walking far enough, if they'll make the bridge go up for her! :)

maybe if she's walking backwards :)

Yikes! I didn't realize the Keweenaw Star and the Ranger III stay in the water (or ice) all winter!

Hey Rachel- you want to go for a walk?

Re the Ranger. Beautiful shot-Do they keep the ice cut away a few feet from the ship to prevent damage from the pressure of the ice against the hull or isn't that a problem?
Enjoy this site on twice daily basis, keep up the good work.

Yikes!! I don't care how thick the ice gets on the Portage Lake. There's a strong current running all the time -- all snowmobiles and people would be smart to stay off the ice, especially as we start having warmer, sunny days.

The boat docked in front of the Ranger III is not the Keweenaw Star; it's the Isle Royale Queen from Copper Harbor. The Keweenaw Star is docked down near the Isle Royale sands. If walking or snowmobiling on the ice in the area of the Ranger III care should be taken to stay away from the ship, there's a bubbler system near the bow to keep the thruster tube from freezing and the ice in that area is very thin.

In my "days at Tech" I used to tend bar and wait tables at the (then) Northern Lights restaurant atop the (then) Ramada Inn. All winter long, day and night, we would see snowmobiles racing on the canal. Late in the season pressure ridges would develop in the narrow sections and really make those riders bounce - saw a few accidents out there but never saw anyone go through (though we had the number for Houghton police handy,.....just in case.)

HAHA thanks for the "don't try this at home"!!

beautiful, crisp blue sky, clean white snow, sure would love to be cattin around in that weather. on the ice or up in the bush doesn't really matter, just getting out in that mid winter sun is exhilerating.

Ice is already starting to break up on Keweenaw Bay near Baraga. Guys have pulled their ice shanties back to shore. Pretty soon you won't see any more snowmobile tracks out there on Portage Canal. Or at least we hope not! Spring is coming.

Yeah, must be nice to have some snow.... I'll be thinking of that when I'm running along Topsail Beach, NC this afternoon in the 60+ sunny weather!

John I also worked at the Northern Lights then I moved out to New Hampshire for three years then I moved back to MI. for college. New Hampshire is a beautiful State still would like to move back some day. Which are did you move to?

Hey Sarah! I am waiting for news broadcasts around here of people getting stuck out on ice caps. In Macomb County they have to pay now after their first rescue. I think it's just easier to wait until spring!

An e-mail today from our daughter and son-in-law in Z'Hills, Florida says that the Robins are bunching up in big flocks there! Coming back all ready? I had to move a bunch of snow to get to my pole barn. There is no frost in the ground here! We're headed for 10 days in Florida on the 27th. Will get to hear the crack of the bats at Lakeland. Have tickets to the Tiger/Pittsburg game on the 5th of March. Play ball! Think Spring!

So, CN in Wisconsin - I am in Temple, New Hampshire. Where did you live while you were here? What did you do at the Nor. Lights?

Am I gonna sign up with an ISP called Pasty.com and have my email address be marge@pasty.com? What would the flatland touristers think?

I lived in Milford New Hampshire and when I worked at the Northern lights in the mid to late 80's. I washed dishes and did prep cooking. I believe I worked there the same time you did.

Debbie, pastyorders: My parents got the pasties in St. Louis, Mo., and enjoyed them so much. They were so happy to get a touch from home. This site is such a wonderful thing, especially for people who had to leave the UP because the mines closed. The mine in wakefield closed in my Junior year in high school. If it didn't I, would be working there now. Thanks for all the help.

CN in Wisconsin - I work in Milford, NH! Small world, eh? Did you work in the kitchen with Tim N.?

PAUL,Webberville...Have a great time way down yonder.As nice as it's been up here lately,I figure I can wait for the warmer months...I have a great yooper tan.My face is nicely colored.Don't know if it's from the sun or the wind.heh heh..

Hey Joe Finn:You stated you worked in the mines in Wakefield. I dont know you age but I had an uncle who worked there by the name of Elmer Lusa, nickname Spooner. He had two sons, Dick and Bill and a daughter Lois. My mother came from Wakefield Her name was Amy Lusa. Any chance you knew any of them. Ray Martin

Dave of Mohawk good catch on the Isle Royale Queen, I was just there two weeks ago and have some pictures of both of them. I have a question, if they keep the ice away from the Ranger III why don't they do it for the Queen I would think that the ice would damage her?

It's not that the ice will damage the hull of the vessel; it's heavy enough steel, both the Queen and the RIII. The only reason for the bubbler at the bow of the RIII is because of the bow thruster tube. Most of the freighters when they are laid up for winter the thruster tubes are out of the water when all the ballast is pumped out. The RIII thruster tube is still below surface and may get damaged if it didn't have the bubbler.

How the heck do you know so much about the Queen and the RIII?

Dave,Mohawk, is this dave aho? do you work on the rangerIII? how do you know so much?

Hello Dave of Mohawk,
Dave of yellow jacket says hello. Your old neighborhood is now being guarded by an old Laurium boy. I lived across the street from your old house from Sept. of 1991 to May of 1992. Lot of fond memories of W. Acorn. See Ya Around.