Dancing Crane Coffee House

I discovered a real jewel of a coffee house today while visiting Bay Mills which is west of the Soo. The Dancing Crane Coffee House is on Lakeshore Drive and is really worth the drive.

Dancing Crane has bagels, muffins and rolls as well as many games to encourage you to sit and enjoy. There are interesting articles for sale which makes it a comfortable spot to sit and sip.

There is a place for live music and some is scheduled in August. However, anyone is welcome to pick up an instrument and share their talents.

Cathy, whose husband cut the logs and build the coffee house, owns the Dancing Crane. She has a wide selection of fair trade and organic coffees and teas that she hand-picked for their taste. This means you will have a great cup of coffee no matter what flavor you order. And get this-a cup of brewed coffee is only $1.
The drive-up window offers convenience and even some good-natured kidding from the customers.
I'll definitely be returning to the Dancing Crane to try a latte and browse the assortment of things for sale.

Important Day is Sault History Passes Without Notice

Yesterday was an important day in the history of Sault Ste. Marie and I didn't hear anything about it all day. June 18 is the anniversary of the opening of the Soo Locks in 1855. I read the following piece this morning.

Today in Michigan history:

1855 - The Soo Locks open. The steamship Illinois became the first ship to pass through the Soo Locks, connecting Lakes Huron and Superior via the St. Mary's River at Sault Ste. Marie. Laborers worked two years building two 350-foot locks, arranged in tandem to overcome the rapids caused by the twenty-one-foot difference between the lakes. The state of Michigan operated the locks until 1881 when they were transferred to the control of the federal government. Today, the locks remain one of the world's busiest navigation routes. Via Michigan History Magazine

So it has been 154 years since the opening of the Soo Locks.

What are we going to do to celebrate?

Summer in the Soo

Today was the perfect summer day. The temperature was in the mid to high 70's with a soft breeze off the St. Marys River. The shipping traffic was moderate. I saw 9 boats pass out front. Between 11 and 1, I saw three 1,000 footers. This will help make up for the slow traffic the last week days.

The Soo is gearing up for summer. I'd like to hear what activities you enjoy here.

Next week is the Annual Engineer's Day at the Locks. This is the day when the Locks are open to the public and it draws a great deal of attention as it should.

Please send me your ideas for summer activities here. Comment on this blog or send me an email. Thanks for your help,
Brenda
saultboatwatcher@gmail.com

Whitefish

The whitefish in the Sault area is unparalled. If you have tried whitefish down state, it doesn't compare-even if the restaurant advertised it as 'fresh'. The whitefish is really fresh here.

We usually get our first whitefish meal of the year at Lockview in the Sault. But this year we stopped in Mackinaw City at Darrow's and I had a whitefish sandwich that was delicious.

What is your favorite spot for whitefish in the Eastern Upper Peninsula? Send me you favorites at saultboatwatcher@gmail.com.

Thanks

Famous People from Sault Ste. Marie

I came across a startling story last night. The news source was talking about possible candidates for nomination to the United States Supreme Court. Jennifer Granholm was the first mentioned (it was from a Michigan newspaper) but also listed was Kathleen Sullivan. It stated Ms. Sullivan was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Kathleen Sullivan is currently professor of law and former dean at Stanford Law School.

She was born in Sault Ste. Marie in 1955. I have not been able to track down any further information on her early years.

Do any of you have any memory of Ms. Sullivan or her family living in SSM?

I'll keep you updated on what I hear. I emailed Ms. Sullivan last night and asked a few questions. She is probably a little busy right now.

Sault Tea Party

Yesterday, April 15, tea parties were held all across the United States to bring light to the discontent that abounds concerning the direction the country is moving. The Sault was not left out of this party-time. I found this picture on Facebook of many Saulties dumping their tea into the Power Canal off the Ashmun Street bridge. I looks like a fun time to me.

What really impresses me is that there is no snow and not a cloud in the sky. It appears that spring has arrived in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lake Monster

Now that is not a photograph that I took but rather I got it off the Monster Quest file. But I watched Monster Quest tonight and saw an episode about a lake monster in western Canada. The story of the Ogopogo monster was eerily similar to a sighting my sister had in Lake Superior at Birch Point several years ago. I'm going to talk to her about it again and get all the details. I will share what I learn with my readers.

Have any of you had sightings of anything unusual like this in the Great Lakes or adjoining waters? I'd love to hear you stories. I know there are Native American legends that talk about these kinds of animals. I would appreciate any sharing you can do. Thanks, Brenda