June 17-18 Sault Ste Marie MI

We moved one mile across the St Mary's River at Sault Ste Marie to the George Kemp Downtown Marina on the American side to see several of the attractions mentioned in the tour books. We phoned US Customs from the marina to clear back into the USA and they sent a pair of uniformed officers to the boat. The officers spent about 5 minutes aboard and took down all our information. Pretty easy.

Coast Guard Station and 'Tower of History' observation tower.

Museum Ship VALLEY CAMP, a 1917 steam powered freighter, is located next to our marina. Her length is 550 feet and beam 58 feet.

We spent several hours in the VALLEY CAMP, as this is a large and interesting museum. There are good displays of the life aboard ship showing the very large cargo hold, engine room, crew quarters, mess hall, pilot house and captains quarters. Inside part of the cargo hold were displays of shipbuilding and pictures of ships in early days. There are explanations of cargo and routes that the ships took picking up cargo and delivering it. There is a large display of shipwrecks and salvaged gear, including the lifeboats (destroyed) and bell from the EDMUND FITZGERALD, lost with all hands (29) November 10, 1975, near Whitefish Point in Lake Superior not far from here.

VALLEY CAMP looking forward to the pilothouse and Captains Cabin

VALLEY CAMP looking aft toward the crew quarters and mess hall.

Large freighter coming downstream out of the American Locks.

Tower of History observation tower affords good views of the surrounding area.

View of our marina and VALLEY CAMP from the tower.

Edison Power Plant on the American side has 26 large turbines and has been providing hydroelectric power for years.

Downtown Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

There is a free concert in the park featuring the band 'Syria Project' who play Finnish Reggae music. Pretty setting and good music.