We’ve Been “Bridged”

Here is a picture of the aerial bridge from our motorhome at night.  Very pretty view here!

Ever hear of “bridge” being used as a verb?  It is common term around here because Park Point is only accessible by road when the lift bridge is down.  Being “bridged” is what happens when the bridge goes up and traffic comes to a complete halt, sometimes for quite awhile.  Sunday evening we took the photo of the inbound laker, and got back to Canal Park as it was entering the harbor.  After it passed, the bridge stayed up while another ship left, so traffic didn’t move for close to half an hour.  This is a part of life for those who live out here on the point.

“Mesabi Miner” became one of the newer “1,000 footers” built for use on the Great Lakes when it was launched in early 1977.  It is called a “self unloader” because of its automated conveyor system which can move 6,000 tons of coal or 10,000 tons of iron ore per hour.  More specs are available at http://www.boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/mesabi.htm

We looked up these details because it just passed in front of our windshield.  Here it is lined up on the canal out to Lake Superior. 

A bit later it entered the canal with the aerial bridge up and out of the way. 

The pilot house and bridge both blew their horns to each other as they passed. 

Just outside the canal there is still a lot of broken ice.  They will get to open water about three miles outside of the harbor.  Seeing this has been the highlight of our week so far.

Tomorrow will be interesting when the estate-sale people come to Joyce’s house to load up everything that is left.  They will buy everything and carry it off, which should be a whole lot quicker and easier than a series of garage sales.  Then the realtor is coming on Thursday morning to discuss the preparations for the sale of the house.  Going to be a busy summer!