Hello! This post covers our time from Red Rock, Ontario, to Barker’s Island marina in Superior, Wisconsin. We left our last blog in Red Rock, needing to spend an extra day there due to weather. It ends with our journey as of today, on Lake Superior’s southern shore.
July 14 (Tuesday): Red Rock, Ontario
July 14 was a no-go day, so we hiked the Red Rock to Nipigon scenic trail: 6.1 miles with significant elevation (ropes were strategically placed along parts of the trail for assistance), narrow paths through the woods, lots of large boulders, river crossings, and shoulder-high meadow grasses. Somewhere along the way, we crossed the 49th parallel. We opted for the shorter 5-mile, level dirt service road next to the railroad on the return. Lunch at Melly Bee’s hit the spot! By the evening, the air was thick and smoky—the start of the Canadian wildfires.
July 15 (Wednesday): Red Rock to Thunder Bay, Ontario
About a 10-hour run; 86.4 miles. Underway by 6:00 AM and arrived by 3:50 PM. 8.9 miles per hour—we got a bit of a push from the current. Water temp ~70 degrees when we left; ~63 near Thunder Bay.
Due to the fires, we opted not to go to Isle Royale. We contacted the park rangers and were told that the smoke was very bad. We also heard reports about ferries taking off visitors early on account of the smoke. Disappointing, but when we’d arrive we’d have to stay on the boat—not be able to hike due to the air quality. As it was, we wore N95 masks on the boat while cruising.
The morning we left Red Rock, Rob washed ash off the boat.
When we reached Thunder Bay around 4 PM, air/visibility was better on land than on the water, but still uncomfortable—we used masks!
Great Thai dinner at Coco Bay!
July 16 (Thursday): Thunder Bay, Ontario to Grand Marais, Minnesota
Today we crossed back into the U.S.! Cleared customs via the CBP ROAM app.
We also crossed time zones!
About a 9-hour run; 80.3 miles. Underway by 6:00 AM, arrived around 3:00 PM. Water temp near Grand Marais: ~44 degrees.
Stayed 2 nights in Grand Marais due to weather. Cute town – restaurants, shops, groceries.
Thursday it stormed—Rob and I spent time catching up on emails and cleaning data from a study we had just finished in the Netherlands. After the rain, the air seemed better, though the weather map showed we were still in the red zone. It was the first time in days that we saw a yellow (not orange) sun and blue sky!
July 18 (Saturday): Grand Marais to Knife River, Minnesota
About a 10-hour run; 89 miles. Underway by 7:00 AM, arrived around 5:00 PM. We planned for a 6-hour cruise to Silver Bay but once reached, decided to go 3 more hours to Knife River. This would make for an easy 2- to 3-hour run on Sunday (Knife River to Superior, Wisconsin—south shore of Lake Superior). The fact that Silver Bay was hosting a fishing contest that weekend had nothing to do with it (Ha! Happy to not dodge fishing boats zipping in and out of the marina). We saw many fishing boats on this stretch of coast—boats, and houses/cottages. After being on the remote shore for several days, we felt like we were back in civilization.
VERY windy when we started off, 45 mph gusts. LT handled very well in the wind—sat there until Rob moved her.
VERY cold water along the way, ~42 degrees. There was some condensation in the engine compartment and along the prop shaft that Rob noticed during his engine checks.
Still wearing masks.
We reached Knife River around 5:20 PM, beautiful spot!
Goats on boats: The next morning, we noticed two goats walking down a nearby dock. Apparently, they belong to the local Wood Boat Club, and they are somewhat mascots of the marina. First time we’ve seen goats at a marina.
July 19 (Sunday): Knife River to Barker’s Island, Wisconsin
About a 3-hour run; 22.6 miles. Left around 9:30 AM and tied up at 12:50 PM after getting fuel and a pump-out.
Water temp ~61-68 degrees.
We are at Barker’s Island for a few days—thunderstorms tomorrow. Rob will change the fluids oil and transmission fluids and filters as well as the water pump impeller (I will likely help!). Also laundry 😊.
The water has been flat and easy this entire trip (aside from stormy days when we were tied up at the dock). The forecast for the next 10 days is pretty sporty.
As always, thank you for reading, and sharing in our trip around Lake Superior. And thank you for your prayers – they matter!
Thanking the Lord for a safe trip this far,
Amy (& Rob)
857.5 miles to date; 556 on Lake Superior!
857.5 miles to date; 556 on Lake Superior!
Red Rock to Nipigon Trail (6.1 miles)
Red Rock to Nipigon Trail (6.1 miles)
View of marina from trail
View of marina from trail
On way to Nipigon, we were where the arrow is; on the way back, we were where the photo is being taken!
On way to Nipigon, we were where the arrow is; on the way back, we were where the photo is being taken!
I know my hat is not fashionable, but I didn’t have mosquitoes buzzing in my ears!
I know my hat is not fashionable, but I didn’t have mosquitoes buzzing in my ears!
These rocks WERE the trail…
These rocks WERE the trail…
The trail…
The trail…
Somewhere along the trail we passed the 49th Parallel
Somewhere along the trail we passed the 49th Parallel
Back at marina - sky is starting to be impacted by fires
Back at marina - sky is starting to be impacted by fires
Ash from fires on boat the next morning
Ash from fires on boat the next morning
FIRST LOON SIGHTING! We heard them at Rossport, but this is our first (and only so far) sighting!
FIRST LOON SIGHTING! We heard them at Rossport, but this is our first (and only so far) sighting!
Orange sun shining on the water - Red Rock to Thunder Bay
Orange sun shining on the water - Red Rock to Thunder Bay
American White Pelicans are a welcomed site among the smoky/foggy vista
American White Pelicans are a welcomed site among the smoky/foggy vista
More American White Pelicans
More American White Pelicans
One more
One more
Passing sailboat on way from Red Rock to Thunder Bay - relied a lot on radar in these conditions.
Passing sailboat on way from Red Rock to Thunder Bay - relied a lot on radar in these conditions.
Dodging anchored freighters coming into Thunder Bay
Dodging anchored freighters coming into Thunder Bay
From Thunder Bay, Ontario to Grand Marais, Minnesota!
From Thunder Bay, Ontario to Grand Marais, Minnesota!
It’s smoky on the boat!
It’s smoky on the boat!
Coming in to Grand Marais
Coming in to Grand Marais
Grand Marais
Grand Marais
Walking around GM. Took off mask for photo :)
Walking around GM. Took off mask for photo :)
Pretty flowers of Grand Marais.
Pretty flowers of Grand Marais.
Leaving Grand Marais for Knife River - Windy conditions (for just the first hour or so).
Leaving Grand Marais for Knife River - Windy conditions (for just the first hour or so).
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way.
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way - NEW glamping domes!
From Grand Marais to Knife River - along the way - NEW glamping domes!
Cropped image of domes from The Harbors website
Cropped image of domes from The Harbors website
Made it to Knife River!
Made it to Knife River!
Morning in Knife River - for the first time in days, do not smell smoke in the air!
Morning in Knife River - for the first time in days, do not smell smoke in the air!
Morning in Knife River
Morning in Knife River
Common Merganser ducks in the marina
Common Merganser ducks in the marina
Fishing boat (Leland Tug’s logo is modeled after this type of boat). Exhibit in Knife River.
Fishing boat (Leland Tug’s logo is modeled after this type of boat). Exhibit in Knife River.
Original/restored viking ship, the Lief Erikson, that sailed from Norway to Duluth 100 years ago!
Original/restored viking ship that sailed from Norway to Duluth 100 years ago!
Flyer to celebrate the Lief Erikson voyage.
Flyer to celebrate the Lief Erikson voyage.
Knife River marina
Knife River marina
Goats at the Knife River marina!
Goats at the Knife River marina!
Leaving Knife River - lots of cottages.
Leaving Knife River - lots of cottages.
Research buoy - you never know what you’ll find on the water!
Research buoy - you never know what you’ll find on the water!
Bird perched on rock. Coming in to Barker’s Island marina.
Bird perched on rock. Coming in to Barker’s Island marina.
LT tucked in a Barker’s Island Marina in Superior, Wisconsin
LT tucked in a Barker’s Island Marina in Superior, Wisconsin
End.