Boatnerd Discussion Forum

The sound of waves gently breaking on the sand is wonderfully soothing and I feel emotionally, mentally, and physically refreshed by the experience -- something I desperately needed. So, shortly after first light, I headed out for quiet time at Lake Huron. But, before I even got to Port Huron, ship traffic distracted me. Come along on my morning adventure, and stay for the final two ships this afternoon.

Well you sure get a great group parading by home! Thanks for bringing your great shots of the river to all of us that are far away Dawn!

No chasing ships for me today. Stayed close to home and allowed the river traffic to come to me!

Early morning St. Clair River traffic.

Thanks Dawn

An absolutely gorgeous day along the St. Clair River -- so gorgeous that I split my day between photographing ships in the morning and working in my flower beds all afternoon.

Raindrops keep falling...and falling...and falling... St. Clair River traffic is definitely the bright spot in my day. Hopefully, yours too!

Very nice bookworm! Without u we would not be seeing how many mariners ply the St Mary's river. Thank u for your excellence.

Anyone living near or sailing on the St. Clair River today was in rain of varying intensity all day. Tomorrow is another day. Maybe the sun will come out from under its soggy cloud blanket!

Spectacular weather along the St. Clair River today. Noticed, especially along Marine City's riverwalk, the water level is definitely on the rise again and much of the walkway, south of the lighthouse, us already under water!

Fog horns at 06:30 and fog not only on the river, but increasingly on the highway, as I drove south -- mistakenly thinking I'd get out of it. So, you have to imagine seeing Edwin H. Gott (Two Harbors), Paul R. Tregurtha (Nanticoke), and Robert S. Pierson (Windsor) and noting their presence by only that fog horn! Rain came and went throughout the day.

A rainy morning and foggy evening led to some photos with mood.

Photographing ships from my favorite places (without including the ever expanding number of personal watercraft) is becoming a challenge. For just one ship I started at the closest location (1/2 mile from home) and, as it moved into range, a fishing boat drifted toward it and moved along with it. So I went two miles down river, and the same thing happened there. Finally, I was able to get a clear shot of the ship -- 5 miles from home -- but I did!

With dreary skies all day yesterday, I didn't have hopes of catching Callaway in good light, but...the skies parted (somewhat) as she approached Marysville. The forecast frost arrived overnight and we expect more tonight. Most of today's traffic was through here within the past week, so I was selective when going to the river.

Guest in Toledo, thanks so much for your detailed and illustrated reply to my question. Go safe and stay healthy.

The Alouette Spirit has 18 foot high steel walls, Dawn. The front hydraulic ramp, with front and port side doors, make possible the use of end-loaders, and other equipment, inside the steel walls. The canopy is 31 sections of heavy-duty tarpaulin that can retract forward or aft. In Toledo, the barge cargoes include slabs, coils, and grain. Your trips and pictures are greatly appreciated.

After a night of snow and rain...and more snow and rain.....totally weird, and limited (more or less) to Marysville and St. Clair, the day remained damp and overcast. Tonight and tomorrow night hold the possibility of frost but after that, it looks like Spring may have gotten the upper hand!

Guest wrote:Dawn, If you have fun today, just imagine what it was like in the 60’s & 70’s with so many more boats and some of the real old time vessels still around. Keep at it!

Guest, I may have experienced a bit of what you referred to, this morning. Robert S. Pierson, who was way behind Federal Leda and Sten Hidra as they crossed Lake St. Clair, was in the lead at Marine City, and down-bound Federal Dart met the parade -- all within eight minutes!

Saltie traffic has kept the water moving on the St. Clair River, and speaking of water, the level is rising again.

Winter and Spring are fighting for prominence along the St. Clair River today. Sunshine, then snow squalls with bone chilling winds from the north alternated all afternoon, but these photos may warm your spirits -- if viewed with a mug of something hot to drink!