We were slow getting around again this morning, another night of great sleeping weather. The overnight low was 47 degrees. Today's high was a mostly sunny 67. Another beautiful, near perfect day.
We drove across the bridge to Hancock, and up to the top of the ridge, for lunch at the 4 Suns fish place. Sadly they were out of whitefish but my cod and Kathy's fish taco were great. Note the white, trike motorcycle at the right. It had a handicapped license plate.
Across from the restaurant was what had once been the Empire Mine. It is now a tourist attraction with some type of mine tours. I will go there if we manage to get back up here.
I don't think you can see it in the photo, but a sliver of the river shows along the trees.
At the other end of the restaurant parking lot was the Peterson Fish Market. We went in to buy some fish. They were out of fresh whitefish, something about weather issues on Lake Superior reducing the time out fishing. We bought a pound of smoked whitefish to snack on. It's pretty good.
After lunch I dropped Kathy off and went to the Carnegie Museum. There was a lot of interesting information about the geology of the area. There was also a video, from the late 50's, about the building of the bridge that connects Houghton and Hancock. It was built by American Bridge Division of United States Steel, who I worked for from 1970-77. Seeing the guys in their brown fiberglass hardhats, a trademark of American Bridge, brought back fond memories. It was also interesting watching the ironworkers. There were no fatalities during the bridge construction but with today's "help" from OSHA I suspect twice as many manhours would be required to construct the bridge.
Below are views from from the back of the Carnegie Building, looking out over the river.
The photo below is an enlarged portion of the above photo. Note the Empire Mine building up on the ridge.
A ski or sledding his across the river, complete with a ski lift.
I walked a couple of blocks over to the Post Office to mail some post cards. I wonder if all the vines on this building do much damage to the motar.
Later in the afternoon I took a walk along the river. Kids were playing in the water at one of the little beaches.
Looking down the boardwalk toward the bridge.
Looking back toward the campground and park.
The bridge is in what is called the "Intermediate Position". When it is in the "Down Position" there is only 5' of clearance above the water. In the Intermediate Position there is 30' of clearance. In the "Raised Position" there is 100' of clearance. The interesting thing is that the bridge was built for rail traffic on the lower deck and vehicle traffic across the upper deck, when it was in the Down Position. When it was in the Intermediate Position, as it is in the photo, vehicle traffic continued by using the rail lower section. Rail traffic across the river stopped many years ago. Unless a larger ship sails down the river the bridge stays in this position. I think maybe it has been raised to the Raised Position a couple of times while we have been here, but I've not seen it in that position. During some winter months, when there is no boat traffic on the frozen river, it is put in the Down Position and snowmobiles use the lower level.
God is good. I pray that He blesses you and yours. He has blessed me.
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