Ice Caves Virtual Tour

The Apostle Island Ice Caves have now officially closed for the season. In case you missed your chance to venture out across the hard water of Lake Superior to visit the caves, I have put together a Virtual Tour of the caves.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENTER TOUR

Cold and Clear - Spring is Here!

Yesterdays satellite image of Lake Superior showed the Northland still locked in ice.  With shipping season only days away, this truly will be a challenging month for the Lakers.

Ice fishing Lake Superior

Saturday afternoon turned out to be a cool, clear, and sunny afternoon. Perfect for doing some ice fishing along the shore of Lake Superior.
I took advantage of the weather and sent the little photocoter up for a look around at the fishermen and many portable ice houses put up to catch a few trout.

Stony Point Shore Ice

Lake Superior is beginning to lose it's ice cover and during this process, sheets of ice pile up along the shoreline.  Last evening I flew my little remote controlled photo copter over Stony Point, a scenic drive located along the North Shore, about 10 miles northeast of Duluth.
In this birds eye view, the setting sun, shimmering ice, trees, and water all combine to give us a glimpse of Gods creation. (Music by: Mary Beth Carlson)
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Ice Maneuvers - CGC Alder

CGC Alder

News!

This is shaping up to be an incredible shipping opener.  Due to ice conditions, convoys will probably be organized with multiple lakers being escorted by cutters.  Besides ice breaking operations, expect the big boats to start moving in about two weeks.

March 5th 2014

Frozen Moment!

The deep rich colors of dawn and the frozen landscape of Lake Superior extends for as far as the eye can see.  Only the Hand of God can create scenes like this -  and it's free. Don't miss the next one!

CGC Alder slowly making headway

After taking a well deserved evening rest off the shores of Barkers Island in Superior, the CGC Alder once again began the task of breaking the first path through the thick Duluth-Superior Harbor ice-pack.
Before the Alder resumed it operation, it made for some interesting images in the early morning hours with temperatures hanging around 5F.

Point of Interest - Interstate Bridge

Interstate Bridge next to Blatnik Bridge

Today, while I watched the Alter break harbor ice, I strolled out to the end of the old Interstate Bridge scouting for a photographic vantage point.
While the Alder didn't make it this far, I though you might like to visit one of Duluth's hidden secrets.
Built in 1897 the Interstate Bridge once spanned the St. Louis Bay. Open to pedestrians, horse-drawn vehicles and had access for two trains and a streetcar. The toll was set at five cents for pedestrians and bicycles, fifteen for wagons, and a dime for each head of cattle.
Over time the bridge was refitted for automobiles, the streetcar line would be removed and there would only be one railway in use. In 1961 the Duluth-Superior High Bridge was built to replace the Interstate Bridge so longer ore carriers could move through the harbor easier. The Interstate Bridge was dismantled in 1971. In 1981 the Burlington Northern sold the bridge to the Port Authority of Duluth for $1. In 1983, bridge remains were converted into a fishing pier that stand today.
This 360 degree view might give you a good perspective of what you can see. The Alder is out there in the middle.
Alternate Link

Tough going for the Alder

I walked out to the end of the Interstate Fishing Bridge this afternoon to watch the Alder backing and ramming into the thick harbor ice.  Winter does not want to give up the harbor easily. The Alder will earn its keep this year.