This has got to be a “boatnerds” dream, being able to be aboard a freighter as a passenger. Andrea Guerriero from DRE Designs Great Lakes Marine Products and Roger LeLievre from Know Your Ships were guests aboard the Herbert C. Jackson, sailing Lake Superior from the Soo to Marquette where the boat was loaded and they then sailed back to the Soo. Twelve hours there, 5 to 6 hours to load and then 12 hours back. Andrea says that normally to get on board like this, you have to buy raffle tickets or participate in auctions to win a trip, but she had this opportunity because of her Facebook page and what she does. (Descriptions courtesy of Andrea)

First photo was snapped while they were waiting to board and that in itself was an adventure according to Andrea. Kind of like, on your mark, get set, jump aboard… there’s a short little drop down platform that you step onto and literally just step on the boat but you have limited time to do it because the boat is only level with the lock wall for so long and there were four or five that were boarding, between Roger, Andrea and the crew who had to hop on so she said it was literally, zoom, zoom, throw bags on and hop onboard.

Second photo: And we’re off!!! That’s the Burns Harbor ahead of us… we will be arriving in Marquette around 10am tomorrow, loading ore for five or six hours then heading back and we’ll be arriving back here around 2:00 or 3:00am Thursday night!! (Friday morning). A huge thank you to Captain Feinman for having Roger and I aboard the Herbert C. Jackson for this trip!! So exciting!!!

Third photo: I took this from just outside our State Room on the Jackson as we pulled away from the Poe Lock in the Soo… I love the lights on the bridge and all the city lights and ship lights… This view never gets old!!

Fourth photo: Here’s the Lounge in our State Room… it was recently renovated and is looking great.

Fifth photo: Beautiful sunrise from on board the Herbert C. Jackson.

Video Description from Andrea: We are almost there… I just thought I’d show you the crew unlatching the hatch covers for the cargo holds so the hatch crane can slide along and remove the covers. If you’ve ever been to Duluth you’ll have heard this noise as they go past you at the Aerial Lift Bridge. Kind of cool to watch them doing it from on board the boat.

Such an exciting adventure. Stay tuned for tomorrow when we’ll have more photos from Andrea’s trip and another video.

An exciting adventure, indeed!

Holy wha, eh!

Very cool pics and video! Greetings from the Keweenaw. It’s just been fantastic to be here! No internet and poor cell coverage at best! lol We’ve been all over the U.P. This trip, checking off the bucket list. lol

Alex, been thinking about you and really hoping you’re feeling and doing better my friend!!

Happy 42nd anniversary to Vic, my better half today!!

I’ll try to check in more often, hope y’all are enjoying these summer days, sure is going fast! Have a beautiful day Pasty Fam!

Happy Anniversary, Uncle Chuck and Vic!

Happy Anniversary to Chuck & Vic! And Alex,
I echo what UC says.

These pictures are amazing. Ilove every one
of them. Quite the adventure for sure. And
yes, I've heard that noise many times in
Duluth. Thanks for sharing these.