• Wednesday-What'sUP July 9 - 06:11 pm

While Marsha Galbraith was in Hancock recently, she spotted the Ranger III heading to its home port in Houghton, after one of the many trips over and back from Isle Royale, so out came her trusty camera to snap a couple shots.

I'm not sure if Marsha had spotted the little yellow helicopter sitting in the Ramada parking lot when she was snapping these photos, but at first glance, I thought it might be just a model helicopter. After seeing her second photo with the Portage Lake Lift Bridge in the upright position ready for the Ranger's passing under, though, you can see the size of it in relation to the other vehicles in the parking lot. Quite the unique way to travel about, if you ask me, flashy color, too. Fun to capture one event happening (the Ranger's return, with the Lift Bridge at the ready) and find something else of interest in the photos, too. Well done, Marsha!

Never been on the Ranger, have been on the Queen a few times.

Know some Boy Scouts who were just over there; they didn't want to camp overnight! Kids these days!!

Sleek boat!

Love these pictures!!

It's hard to tell from the angle in the photo, but the helicopter looks like a Robinson R44.

Nice photos, Marsha, thanks!

Nice pix! I didn't know Ramada allowed helicopters. Heck, I would be there tomorrow, but my chopper is in the shop (and the butler is on vacation). :-)

Thanks again, Mary! Yes, I did notice the
helicopter. Should've taken a closeup, I guess!
After exiting the lift bridge when going north there
is a sign offering helicopter rides, and I assume
that is the helicopter!

the helicopter was part of bridgfest weekend. they, of course, were giving rides.

I've taken the Queen once!!! Spent a week at the lodge back in the day when you could do that.
A fierce wind came up the morning we returned. I was sick as a dog, as they say. Waves over 10 feet the captain told me as I staggered to solid land.
And that size wave isn't considered high!!!

Ride the Ranger while you can (at least for the next few years). The National Park Service has started the process to replace the Ranger III with a new vessel. I've been on board several times as well as taken all the other ferries and seaplane to Isle Royale. The Ranger may take the longest time at 6 hours but it's the nicest ride.

http://www.nps.gov/transportation/pdfs/MV-Ranger-III_Final.pdf

Also for those interested in a little onboard virtual tour, there is this:

http://www.uppanorama.com/p/Projects/aboard-the-usnps-ranger-iii/

We saw the yellow bird flying up the canal in
Bootjack. always enjoy pics of the Ranger.

I went to Isle Royale on my 14 foot Starcraft. If
you live, you can write a book. I did.
www.ayooperssummeronisleroyale.com

Dan:

I'd love to read your book but it appears the domain
name registration expired last week.

I've gone over in a 20 foot RIB, but 14 feet is a
tad small for me to be comfortable.