Donn de Yampert continues to provide Pasty Cam viewers with glimpses of life in the U.P., from nature to industry. Today's scenes combine the two, from the waterfront in Escanaba.

In the upper photo, steam rising in front of the LeBlock reminded me of cold December mornings in 1975 when I would drive to work on Front Street in Marquette. Descending the incline from downtown, I could see a ghostly cloud just above the surface of the harbor on days before the water had frozen.

By the way, the voice you often hear on our toll free pasty line belongs to Becky Howard, our daughter, who is 21 years old today. Happy Birthday Becky!

Donn does it again! Someday when he is a famous photographer, all of us who work and play with him in Escanaba area will say 'I knew him when...'
Merry Christmas

Are those logging ships? Breathtaking color reflections Donn.

The big one is an iron ore tanker and the little one is a type of dredge as we would use to keep the Portage Canal open to large ships. Thank you for your words, Dan Urbanski and Steve Brimm keep me going..........

The first picture is the large 604' iron ore freighter L.E. BLOCK. It was build in 1927 and has been sitting in Escanaba since 1986. The ship is uneconomical to operate as it does not have a self-unloading boom. At this time there are no plans to sail her again.

Thanks for the wonderful memories. As a kid I used to fish from the dock and view the big boats.Lived in Esky from 1932 to 1955.

Honestly...I think we need an...
'Escanaba in da moonlight' now! :o) Gorgeous shot!! :o)

Nice pictures. Reminds me of all the slides my Dad took of ore carriers when he was sailing on the lakes in the 50's. We hated sitting through those slides when we were kids, but they sure are wonderful now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BECKY! (I had no idea that the "Pasty Lady" was your daughter, Charlie!)

Nice to have a Copper Country connection in our camera club. My Mother's family all lived in Hancock and the male Karas's all went to Tech. We look forward to learning more about your area Donn and new areas to photograph in your back yard!

Barb

Used to see the L. E. Block when I was sailing the lakes, late 50s and early 60s. The Block boats are part of the Inland Steel Corp. fleet. The last boat I sailed was the E. L. Ryerson. She was the flagship of the fleet then. Haven't seen her now for a couple years. No self-unloader on the Ryerson either, she was 733 ft. at the waterline. To me, one of the prettiest ships on the lakes. The L. E. Block was sold to a Japanese scrap firm in the 90s, but the deal fell through so she sits at Kobasic's Basic Marine. Some people here don't like to have to see her rusting away. Kinda sad.

Hey, as I was reading thru the notes on 12-17, I saw a message from Andrew Oberlin. I was good friends with Jon oberlin while we were in HS. Our families met thru Hiawatha Bapist Missions get together at Dunbar WI. Any relation? If so ,where is Jon? What is he up to? I knew the whole Oberlin crew.

Used to fish those docks in the early 40's.

TO KEN, I agree, the Ryerson has always been the neatest ship on the lakes and has not been matched to this day, even the 1,000 footers don't compare for appearance. I guess it is layed up in the Green Bay area for tours. I almost went there last summer to tour it but couldn't fit it in my schedule. Some day I will make it. At first glance I thought this photo was the Edward L. Ryerson, had to take a second look.

This is a stunning picture. It captures so much!

Am I a day behind, or did they forget to put up a new photo today? :)

Alex, Charlie never forgets! He is pretty busy right now so the pic. will be put on today. Still a few hours left in the day so I bet he makes it. He always does. Hang in there, Alex.

Yep, can't ever remember him missing a day, though he's had a few close calls:)

Was trying to make out the home port name under
"L.E. Block". Looks like the last word is "Harbor". Anybody know?

jfootelitzner,
I assume that you're talking about my father Jon and not my Grandfather John. Acutally both are living in Iron River, MI. I can give you an e-mail address if you're interested in contacting him.

Re. Block pix, could be "Indiana Harbor"

Indiana Harbor is correct.

The ship is indeed rusting in Escanaba and it no longer is a pretty sight to see.......we have a beautiful new library with huge windows overlooking the bay in the reading room....this rusting hulk was moved in and we can no longer see the bay....just all the junk on the waterfront. "there ought to be law"........I think Escanaba is the only city in the UP with no condos......this would be a perfect site for a development!!