You're in northern Minnesota-yet, not 100 feet from you, a freighter from Africa is making its way under the gleaming Aerial Lift Bridge. (photo left). The Aerial Bridge was originally built in 1905, and upgraded in 1929 to the design you see today. It takes about two minutes to rise, and goes up 25 to 30 times daily during the height of the shipping season.
The Duluth-Superior harbor is the world's largest, farthest-inland seaport, and over 1,100 vessels drop anchor here each year during the April-December shipping season. Each carries iron ore, coal, grain and other cargo some 2,432 miles across the Great Lakes-and from there, to ports worldwide.
The ship at left is loading iron ore.The Superior Entry Lighthouse (photo) had stood sentinel over the Superior harbor entrance on the Wisconsin Point since 1913. Lakers, ocean-going vessels and water craft of all sizes, slip past so close you can almost touch them as they are safely guided into the world's largest inland port - 2,432 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
The Entry, as first charted in 1861, was 1500 feet wide and 4 - 16 feet d
eep. The channel is now 500 feet wide and 32 feet deep. Currents in the channel sometimes reach speeds of more than 3 mph.We also went to the Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center in Superior, WI. The Heritage Center takes you back to a time when ordinary people became heroes. The Center honors the lives of Medal of Honor recipient, Major Richard I. Bong, America's "Ace of Aces", and all the men and women of World War II who contributed to winning peace. There is also a fully restored P-38 Lightning aircraft, one of only 25 remaining in the world. This plane bears the markings of Richard Bong. Major Bong is credited with shooting down 40 Japanese planes. His Medal of Honor also is in the center.
The Center also talks about the women's roles during the war and their great effort. All in all a very interesting place.
Another interesting day, Friday another adventure.
Until later, Candy and Johnny
