More of Sault Ste. Marie

Our campground was next to St. Marys River. It was the main channel for the freighters up bound and down bound.

 We enjoyed sitting outside and watching the freighters. Sometimes we would have a warning that they were coming and sometimes they were silent sentinels floating along the river.

Sunday afternoon, Connie wanted to go to Bulk Barn in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. So off we went to check out Bulk Barn. It is an interesting store that sells most of its items in bulk, you pick what you need. We visited one in British Columbia the last time we went to Alaska. Connie purchased a few items, then it was back to the American side. The wait to cross Friendship Bridge, going through customs, was longer as we re-entered America. It was an interesting trip for a Sunday afternoon.

Our next sightseeing venture was to Valley Camp Museum. It was not far from the campground. The museum is a 550 foot long freighter that details the life of a crew, the workings of the engine room, and also a memorial room to the Edward Fitzgerald.

 Here is a view from on of the portholes below the main deck. The pier is a public fishing area for Sault Ste. Marie.

 The deck was massive. The red covers would have protected the ore the ship transported.

I should have taken pictures of the life boats found after Edmund Fitzgerald sank, but it was so somber, I didn't. The two lifeboats gave an indication of just how violent the storm was that sunk the freighter. The first lifeboat had curled metal in the bow and some punctures in the hull. The boat was metal. The remains of the second boat were mutilated, it was only half a boat, and the metal was mangled beyond belief.

Once again, one section of the boat displayed stories of survivors saved by the Coast Guard.

We spotted Connie and Larry on the top deck after we had disembarked.

Another afternoon, Bob and I walked the Water Street Historic District to get some local geocaches. We finished our afternoon at Soo Brewing Company.
 
We enjoyed our stay in Sault Ste. Marie, but it was time to move on.