• Monday-What'sUP June 6 - 08:24 am

Thanks to Mike Schneider, we get a glimpse of two of my favorite things, both snapped in the Marquette/Munising area. The first one being the sighting of a freighter out on the vast expanse of Lake Superior. No matter if that boat is closer to shore or further out, it is always something that makes me pause in the hurry of the day and wonder about the life of a sailor on the Great Lakes.

Mike also snapped a photo of a different type of rainbow. I'm sure there must be a technical name for this phenomenon in the U.P. skies, since it's not the usual arc rainbow, but I have no clue what it might be called. It reminds me of a sun dog or a sun pillar, so maybe it's a rainbow dog or rainbow pillar? ;-> Feel free to chime in and name that rainbow.

Love the classic freighter look!

Very nice!

We called that type of rainbow a sun dog.
Wikipedia says '... sun dog, scientific name parhelion (plural parhelia) from Greek word meaning beside the sun'
'Sundogs may appear as a colored patch of light to the left or right of the sun, 22° distant and at the same distance above the horizon as the sun, and in ice halos.'

Two of my favorite sights of Michigan....freighters and rainbows! Have seen some beautiful rainbows there! Thanks, Mike!

Because of the clouds, we can't tell where the sun is, but judging by the reflection on the clouds in front of the rainbow, I'd say it's behind the photographer. Thus, the definition of a sun dog probably doesn't fit. I'm guessing we're not seeing a rainbow arc because the low ceiling that the clouds create have cut it off. Just a guess, though. I'm no meteorologist. :) Happy Monday, all!

Hi Mary,
I agree, I wonder what the life on a Great Lakes freighter would be like. I would love to try it :)
The sunrise and sunset...must be amazing!

Great photos and post!
Carla

Great pics.

I've read over the last few years about the sailors on Lake Superior and the Great Lakes and their stories are amazing. On top of that you can bet that they see images like that sun dog, cat, or elephant or whatever you want to call it all the time! Plus the hundreds more that spark the legends we read about. You've got to love all that is intertwined with the Great Lakes! They truly are great in every way!

I at one time sailed on SS CRISPIN OGLEBAY and we would do about 10mph fully loaded. We would leave Duluth and it seems we took at least 15 to 18 hours to go past the Keweenaw from Ontonogan area to past Copper Harbor. Made one lonesome to be on shore and partaking in all th activities of a normal 20 year old. On other occasions we would leave Toronto and take 5 days to get to Minnesota.......

Eddyfitz I've always thought that you should write a book about some of your experiences about your ship. People like me can just dream or imagine what it's like. Could sit and listen to you talk all evening.

I'd read any book about stories about the Great Lakes! Go for it Eddy!