• Monday-What'sUP October 20 - 04:22 pm

If you're a boatnerd, like Carolyn Williams and Andrew Parker, you know when and where the big freighters will be passing by. So when the Algoma Transport entered the Keweenaw Waterway at the Upper Entry they were on hand to watch it pass by the lighthouse and head on through to its destination at the Mattila dock in Hancock. Not too many of these big boats pass through the Portage Canal, so it's always a big deal when they do. The Algoma was here in town, delivering the winter road salt supply, which you can see in the last two photos, being unloaded at the dock.

The fall colors were still going strong last week when these shots were taken, but the arrival of the "salt boat" here in the Keweenaw is just one more sign that winter isn't too far off. And if you live around Marquette or the higher elevations around the Copper Country you experienced a bit of the white stuff just a few days back already. The only consolation when that happens, is that it doesn't stick around too long, but we all know it's coming to stay before you know it.

Nice pix and weather! I wonder how they know when to stop, or do they just yell "Say when"?

Agree with you, Alex, the weather looked perfect that day so it's hard to believe that the snows are not far off. I'm sure the folks in that area are glad to see that load of salt for the roads.
Thanks Carolyn and Andrew, for having your cameras handy. And thank you, Mary.;)

The Algoma Transport is looking pretty awesome!

We have the technological know how to put a man on the moon so one would think that they could come up with something that would melt ice and not rust automobiles.

Great pictures of the Algoma Transport along her route!

Duane P. (Islandman43), around here they used a product to melt ice made from whiskey 'mash' which works great and in much colder temperatures than other products. However it's very pricey!

Great pics! I love to watch the freighters go by
when I'm up north. Thanks for sharing your photos,
Carolyn and Andrew.

A lot of places including the city I work for are now using beet juice and salt brine to help reduce the amount of salt that we use.

Cool! Looks like she could use a paint job, better get Maaco!

...or Earl Scheib, $19.95!

It's the salt.

Quite a boat!

Oh, the dreaded salt!! Go ahead, rust my brand new truck!! There are other solutions!

Greta Jones (Urbanescapees):
"Oh, the dreaded salt!! Go ahead, rust my brand new truck!! There are other solutions!"

Yes indeedy! Using stamp sand was a much better idea!

I so love watching those freighters. It's part of
the reason that we love going to Duluth and Two
Harbors up on the North Shore here in MN. If you
wait long enough, you're sure to see one coming in
or going out. Never a dull moment on the big
lake!

jbuck and john. Thanks for the info but I am afraid the poverty stricken backward little town I live in will stick with salt until there is none left anywhere.

I love pictures of the freighters on our beautiful
waterways!

Great big pile of white gold for the winter.