We stopped overnight in Linwood, Michigan where we met Frank and Sandy Tietgens for our last leg to Sault St. Marie.

We stopped in a rest area to stretch our legs and take the picture.   The Ford was leading the way.

Crossing the Mackinac Bridge to the Upper Peninsula.

After crossing the Mackinac Bridge we were on the UP heading to

Aune Osborn Campground for five nights.  Here is a shot in our mirror of Larry and Frank following.

Seven rigs arrived on Wednesday with two more arriving on Thursday.  The first night here we all went out to dinner at The Antlers.  The place is full of all sorts of antlers (hence the name), stuffed animals of all kinds and a wide variety of memorabilia.  Every so often, they blow horns, whistles and sirens, ring bells and welcome everyone to the restaurant.  The horns and bells hark back to the Prohibition era.  When they went off, the feds were coming and it was time to run.   The food was good American fare.

On Thursday we took a boat tour through the Soo Locks under beautiful skies and great temperatures.  This ship is the Mesabi Miner, a 1004 foot long ore boat travelling empty to take on another load of taconite ore.

Here is the ship entering the lock next to the one we are in.  

A shot of the lock gates opening.

These blocks are a safety measure in the event that the lock fails.  They can be set, one on top of another like Lincoln logs to block the flow of water.  

This is the International Bridge to the Canadian side.  It goes to Sault St. Marie, Ontario.  Below it is the international railroad bridge.  

This is taconite ore pellets ready to be loaded into ore freighters.

We came back through the smaller lock next to the Saint Mary Rapids.  Lake Huron is 21 feet lower than Lake Superior and the Saint Mary's River joins the two.

The lock gates opening after we were lowered 21 feet.

After our lock tour, we ate at the 1668 Winery and Lockside Brewery.

Here is a view from our campsite at days end.

More adventures to come.