Sault St. Marie, MI

There were so many interesting places to explore north of S. Ignace. Unfortunately, I had only two days, and one was already set aside for Mackinac Island. I planned to drive north, perhaps take a scenic cruise at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior. However, the morning was cold, blustery and rainy, not great for outdoor activities. I moved visiting Mackinac Island to tomorrow which was expected to be sunny. Today would be a drive around the north, with brief stops at places of interest. And that was how I ended up in Sault St. Marie, visiting the Soo Locks.

Sault St. Marie is a small town: for me, the main attraction was the Soo Locks at St. Marys Falls Canal. I parked Roxie on a side street and walked over to the park. The Army Corps of Engineers manages the Locks, entrance to the observation decks was through the visitor center. The exhibits were educational and interesting. The wall had a schedule with the ships that were expected in the locks and those that had departed.

I stayed out on the deck to watch the Whistler Majuro enter and leave the locks, moving from Lake Huron into Lake Superior. Pretty cool (and very cold, with the chilly wind blowing)

Now I can say I have seen all three great lakes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (with Lake Michigan at Petoskey State Park a couple of days ago). On the way back to the campground, I stopped at Castle Rock, a landmark listed on my visitor map. It was too cold to climb up to the rock although a few hardy visitors were up there. I checked out the gift shop at the entrance, admired the dream catchers hanging inside and left.

I stopped at a fish market just outside the campground. Chatted with the shopowner and bought a piece of smoked white fish for dinner. Wanted to get a jar of the famous Great Lakes smoked white fish dip, but they were sold out. Bummer! I hope to come back and spend more time in this part of the country.