Rapids and Locks

Part of the rapids on the St. Mary River that divides Canada and Michigan.  These rapids are the reason for the Soo Locks.  The International Bridge is in the background.  We hiked out on an island that extends into the rapids on the Canadian side to obtain this photo.

Standing on the Canadian Lock which is only used for pleasure crafts. 

Upon leaving Canada, I put away my wealth of Gordon Lightfoot tapes and CDs.  We had been listening to them most of the trip.

Goosed in Wawa, Ontario

This huge Canada Goose is one of the most photographed in the area.  The town is Wawa.  Didn't catch why...probably a native name.  I am posing like the goose.  Case puts up with a lot.

This is a quaint inn and famous restaurant run by a family from Austria.  Wonderful accommodations and great food.  Then I remembered... Austrian family.....hmmm....sound of music...

...so when I saw the gazebo outside our room, I leaped (hardly) around in it singing, "I am 60 going on 61...."  you get the idea.  Lake Superior in the background.

Ontario

 Ouimet Canyon at a north part of Lake Superior.  It is so huge that the camera can't truly convey it.  The geologists DON'T KNOW how it was formed.  There is a sign explaining the 2 theories. 

Jo with Winnie-the-Pooh in White River, Ontario, his hometown.  Before WWI a Canadian army lieutenant bought a female cub and named her after his hometown of Winnipeg.  When the Lieutenant went to war, he gave Winnie to the London Zoo.  A.A.Milne and his son Christopher Robin visited Winnie often.  She sparked the idea for Milne's fictional character of  the Winnie-the Pooh.  Case and I had a picnic lunch at Winnie's park - and I thought that Winnie was male, didn't you?

I Know People in High Places

I bumped into Pope Francis at a religious bookstore.  Couldn't resist.

This is Kakabeka Falls near Thunder Bay.  Oh, the noise!  It is wonderful!

Here I am adorning a very large chunk of amethyst.  Behind me is the open pit mine where they very carefully extract the purple gemstone for jewelry.  Whatever is not jewelry quality is used for other items.  And then what is leftover gets thrown into a pile for people like us to pick up and take home for $3 a pound.  The experience was worth it.  There are many mines like this north of Thunder Bay.  This one is the best.  This is my second visit to this mine AND it won't be my last.

I wore my Packers sweatshirt the entire trip.  It was definitely a conversation starter with strangers.

The Grand Portage

Way back when Europe wanted beaver skins to make men's hats...the only way for voyagers/trappers to get their skins to Lake Superior was the Pigeon River shown here.  They had to "portage" 8 miles around these falls.  Then they would carry needed supplies on their trip back to the west and the north by river.   This process developed into a large business - The Northwest Company and later, the Hudson Bay Company. 

This is Case with a "portager" friend who carries 90 pounds on his back with a forehead strap.  These portagers would carry supplies west and furs back on the 8 mile trail (16 total) in 6 hours.  This photo taken illegally in the National Grand Portage Museum.  I had to plead guilty to the curator and promise not to take anymore photos inside the museum.

Travel Blog Interruption

I interrupt the irregularly scheduled blog with this news flash....

Evergreens are already being harvested to make into wreaths and garland at places around here to send where you are so you can buy and have for Christmas...70 days away. 

Every year at this time when the "bough hunt" begins, I shake my head. It's so early.  Better to buy from the independent tree/wreath farmers who leave the northwoods to sell their own product in parking lots...definitely, fresher than the big retailers.  Of course, we think Obama owes us so we cut our own from the national forest.  There is a $5 fee per tree, but, like I said, Obama owes me.  I am on Obama care.  'Nuf said.

From a previous year....

...still with saw in hand.  You, go, Case!


We did get a few flurries last night....