Earlier in the month, Danielle Putnam was down near the Straits of Mackinac and spotted six freighters out on the water, trying to make it through the ice on the Straits. One of her boat friends commented on her photos that they were one of those boats out there and they all were thankful for the Edgar B. Speer who blazed a trail through the ice for them all. It looks like they were in the midst of a snow storm, too.

Then later, when back in the Marquette area, Danielle captured the John G. Munson and the Wilfred Sykes together at the LS&I Ore Dock. It’s always neat to see one freighter at the dock, but two is a special treat for sure. Of course we won’t be seeing any further action at the Ore Dock again now, until mid-March when the Soo Locks open up again and the winter layup is ended.

Right around the same time Danielle was taking these photos, Andrea Guerriero was out in the Sault Ste. Marie area with her drone capturing night time video of the Algoma Buffalo meeting the Wilfred Sykes, with the American Integrity in background on the wall, waiting their turn. Andrea said toward the end of the video, if you look closely, you’ll be able to see the Edwin H. Gott trying to enter the Poe Lock. She added that the downbound footers had been having issues fitting into the lock because of the ice. The water was like glass this night and zero wind, so there are some beautiful reflections of the ship lights and the lights on land give it all a wonderful glow.

Just a reminder that Heikinpaiva events are happening in Hancock.
Click here: Visit Keweenaw for information about all the happenings taking place.
The schedule of events can be found here: Heikinpaiva Schedule

Hi
Although my vacation cabin is in the Straits area,
I think I only saw a ship once in winter. But my
family would only make one trip per winter, so not
much opportunity.

All of you have fun with Heikinpaiva. If there's
such a thing as a "Hysterical Reaction to Actual
Winter" festival, that's what our TV newscasters are
holding here in mid-Michigan.

Yikes…it’s the Sykes!
And I likes the Sykes
lights in the video too!

On a vacation in Duluth the John G. Munson came in
and gave the Lift Bridge it's salute it sound like
someone with a very sore/hoarse throat. Quite
distinctive from the other ore frieghters.

I love these last two photos. It's so nice to see
color. Very pretty.

A few years ago on our way to Alabama in April, we
spotted a freighter stuck in the ice in Lake
Michigan. Pretty soon there was an ice breaker on
its way out to rescue it. Very cool.

Here'ya go Janie T.

The John G. Munson really does have a full throated growl:

John G. Munson Salute

Here's another. It's one of my favorites:

Two Lakers Trading Salutes

D.A. thank you for these links!