Duluth

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Today was a travel day from Silver Bay to Duluth.  We had a nice stay in Tettegouche, however there were issues related to electrical power.  We have a whole trailer surge protector / voltage protector.  This shuts down power outside a window of 104 to 132 volts, for the purpose of protecting our electrical devices.   We were continually experiencing brownouts; voltage below 104.  It was frustrating as we had to limit our draw to something below 10 amps, otherwise the voltage would drop and the protector would cut off power.

Once at Ogston’s we no longer had the problem, so it was definitely a line problem at Tettegouche.

Not sure how long we will stay here as there is quite a bit to see in Duluth.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

There was a little spotty rain overnight and cloudy this morning.  We headed into town; first stop was the Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and Maritime Museum.  This is located on the shipping channel next to the lift bridge.  Inside are many interesting displays and the all important ship passing schedule.

The lift bridge is Duluth’s signature icon.  It has an interesting history.  The channel cut through here is the entrance to the harbor for both Duluth and Superior, WI harbors.  Back in the 1800s the two towns were competing for commercial shipping.  Superior had a natural entrance but their harbor was shallow.  Duluth had the deeper harbor but no direct access to Lake Superior.  So the towns people of Duluth dug a 3 foot channel. 

Unfortunately, while it provided a channel, it also cut off part of the town, so they constructed a structure over the channel with a trolley car that ran to either side.  The trolley ran on rails located in the overhead and suspended by cables.  Cars and people would enter the trolley and then be transported across in 2 1/2 minutes.

In about 1920 the bridge was increased in height and a roadway bridge was constructed.  This permitted passage between sides continuously until a ship needed to pass through.  The roadway is then hoisted up the 143 feet to allow ships to pass; then lowered for traffic.  That is what we have today.

Today we saw a couple of freighters pass, the Callaway and the Tregurtha.  Recall we saw the Tregurtha at the Soo, it is the largest ship on the Great Lakes.  Some pictures follow.

The bridge is in process of being lifted in this photo.

         Pretty cool!

We also walked along their 2 mile Lake Walk, which is all boardwalk, with a bike trail next to it.  Along the way was a wall mural of various marine related scenes done in mosaic tile.

The mural is several hundred feet in length. It took 8 people 8 weeks to complete. 

At the end of the walk was a really pretty rose garden, which to our surprise had many roses of all colors and varieties in bloom.  Really very pretty.

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Many more things to see, don’t touch that dial!