• Tuesday-What'sUP July 7 - 03:39 pm

All around the Great Lakes, we're used to seeing boats in the water, but an unusual one just paid a visit to Houghton. It's a 290 foot cruise ship hailing from Canada, called the Clelia II. Dennis Kemper was on hand to snap a few shots of her, while it was docked near the bridge in Houghton. The Clelia II has 11 week long cruises between Toronto, Canada and Houghton planned for this summer. Looks like this ship is going to be a regular visitor to the Portage Canal.

As long as were talking ships, I couldn't resist tossing in a couple photos sent to me from Rod Burdick. This is the James R. Barker at the ore docks in Marquette.
Rod says: The Marquette docks aren't regularly used to load the 1000 footers like the Barker, with only a handful of them able to utilize the dock for loads (American Spirit, Mesabi Miner, James R. Barker, and Presque Isle).
He further states: Vessels take on ballast and a noticeable list to allow the loading chutes to clear the deck and enter the holds. Both sides of the ore dock are used for a load which tops 50,000 tons. The two photos here today, show the Barker on both sides of the dock loading its cargo.

Thanks to both Dennis and Rod for the boating report today!

That would be cool to take a cruise on Clelia!

The James R. Barker is awesome! Seen it many times coming and leaving in Duluth, Mn.

Just caught the Clelia II going thru the Soo Locks heading east.

I saw the Clelia II docked in Duluth on Saturday. I think it may have come in in Friday.

Again, GREAT pictures. We used to live near the St. Clair River in Marine City, MI; I used to sit on a park bench often watching many a 1,000-footer sail by. They are "awesome" when seen up close.

I agree Deb. I'd like to go on a cruise on it. It's beautiful!! Maybe we could go together. Get all of the Pasty friends together It would be a blast.LOL

I like that idea too, Cheryl.

So do I. Wish I'd have thought of it!

Ladies Im buying the Pasties for the Cruise! lol

Let's do it!! The Dr. and I can be your geologic tour guides..... ;-)

This is starting to sound like fun. I wonder how many of us are game?????

Sounds like fun!!

Count me in!

Found a link with some details. Way out of my budget right now, but it sure sounds like fun.

http://www.alvoyages.com/ships/clelia-2/159/1075

I could be the dance teacher. Every cruise needs a dance teacher.

Sign me up. I'll bake the pasties and pizza. Will also write the
trip blog if I get to steer for a while.

it would be a trip of a lifetime ....
mainly cause it would take me a lifetime to save up to pay for it. Cheap seats would run you $11,200 plus getting to the boat for 2 people. Suppose I could leave my wife at home.

That is one beautiful boat, though.

I checked into taking one of the Great Lakes cruises a while ago. It was more expensive for one person than it cost my wife & I when we did the Inside Passage cruise in Alaska (including airfare). Too bad, because it would be a great time.

How about a day cruise to Isle Royale on the Queen IV. It is a far better deal and you get to see a really unique place.
It would be a good year too. The number of regular park visitors is down with bad economy.