• Thursday-What'sUP May 16 - 01:08 am

Paul Roberts once again was out and about exploring the Keweenaw when he spotted a freighter, off in the distance amongst the clouds and the fog. Today's boat though is a little bigger than yesterday's from Paul, with a much different job. I can't tell you the name of the freighter, but I can tell you it's "upbound" which means it's out there on Lake Superior's shipping lanes, headed from the port of Duluth, MN on it's way to either Marquette Harbor or to Sault Ste. Marie, MI, where it will traverse the Soo Locks and continue on it's way to deliver the goods that have been loaded into its holds. Shipping season is in full swing once again, so all of us boat nerds will once again be able to spot these big boats on the Big Lake.

I highly recommend visiting either Duluth, MN. or the Soo for an up-close view of these majestic Lakers! My idea of the perfect vacation! Never can have enough of it!

A side note: In case you missed our Pasty Cameo on Sunday, today (May 15) is actually the anniversary of the switch to automation of telephones in the Copper Country in 1966.

Mary, you do pick nice pictures, I have to put my two cents in though on the freighter lanes. Upbound is going up the lakes from the lower ones (either lower on a map or by water level) to the upper ones. So a ship upbound to a port in the USA is coming from the Soo heading west nearer shore on L. Superior and downbound lanes on L. Superior are further out and for ships going east. Either way they are always interesting to see and absorbing of my time in watching!

Well, well, well, it sure didn't take long for someone to "take the bait". Downbound it is then, thanks for the help!

Janie T. You might be interested in this site if you haven't seen it or can't get to Duluth for a freighter fix:
http://www.duluthshippingnews.com/
Lots of good pics of the big ones.

Richard, Thankyou, I know that site! I have had that one bookmarked for nearly 10 years! Should make me a honrary boatnerd? lol!

In the picture above, is that a wave, a freshwater whale or a piece of land? My first thought was Shamoo. ;-)

I AGREE WITH RICHARD L. I ALWAYS THOUGHT OF UPBOUND AS GOING WEST. HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL.

I love the picture. I never saw the one from yesterday yet. I'll have to do that when I get home from work. You can never go wrong with boat pictuers, pictures of the lake, lighthouses and waterfalls.

Thanks for the freighter picture to start my day. When ships used the Portage lake/canal in the past we could see many of them each day. Got my start viewing them in Hubbell and ended up sailing on them like many young men on the Keweenaw.

If the photographer is on the Keweenaw, then upbound is to the left. This ship is downbound.

Love the freighter pics too. Janie, I am finally going to the Soo this year! Along way from WVA but am making the trip to attend Engineers Day. There is an unofficial boatnerd picnic the day before at Mission Point. I am "soo" excited. Have you bought your ticket yet to win the the cruise on the Ryerson?!!! The raffle supports the boatnerd site which I am sure you already know. Yes, the ship is downbound. Thanks!

I agree with john preisler that ship is down bound, but still a super pic.thanks for sharing

Depends what coast of the Keweenaw the photographer was on???? East or West

Just thought about that it would not ;)

(notroll) Richard, thanks for the site for Duluth shipping news. Found photos of ship of a fellow I met after he retired as captain of Indiana Harbor. His sister-in-law is a good friend of mine. Always wanted to sit down with Jim and ask him for stories about his experiences. He once told us about his experience the day the Fitsgerald went down. Love hearing stuff like that! Maybe some day again.

For those who are wondering, when I took the picture I was in Copper Harbor.

Dotti....you will absolutely love The Soo! If you get a chance go to Whitefish Point and tour The Great Lakes Museum, and The Vally Camp Museum ship in the Soo where the lifeboats from the Edward Fitzgerald are on display. Sounds like you have a funtime planned, maybe this can be your start to making this trip annually! Oh and yes, I bought my raffle ticket, I told them to only send me the lucky one! Lol!

This day the ME Church burned on Calumet Ave.