North Coast Drifter

21/12/2023

Great news!

NEWS RELEASE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District’s New Lock at the Soo project in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, awards $213.8 million contract Option 1B (Chamber Wall Monoliths) to Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC (KAT) of Westerville, Ohio.
Contract Option 1B includes construction of the lock wall monoliths, very large concrete wall portions that make up the sides of the chamber along the north and south side of the lock chamber. The chamber monoliths span between the Upstream wide wall monoliths and Downstream wide wall monoliths.

Read the full release: https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/3624668/chamber-wall-monoliths-option-1b-awarded-for-new-lock-at-the-soo/

21/12/2023

21/12/2023

“Wherever the wheels go…”

15/12/2023

Spent some time at one of the largest farms in the state of Wisconsin today. Located near Plainfield, Wisconsin.
The warm temperatures and low precipitation have allowed Farmers to get nearly all of their field work completed.

I’ll share more from this day sometime down the road.

Pictured here is the John Deere 9620RX.
A $560,000 BEAST!

13/12/2023

Time to show some love for the Tugboats too!
This is the CHEYENNE from Sturgeon Bay, Wi.

After spending most of its life on the East Coast, it’s now operating on the Great Lakes!
Owned by Captain Commodes

Here’s a link with much more information!

https://captaincommodes.com/tug-boat-cheyenne/

13/12/2023

Another image from the recent delivery to Briess in Manitowoc, Wi.

Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.

11/12/2023

A nostalgic look at the visit to Manitowoc last week by the M/V Saginaw. Tried to get the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and the USS Cobia in the frame too!

09/12/2023

Asylum Point in Oshkosh, Wi.

This lighthouse was constructed in 1937. It was never used as a navigational aid and subsequently was never lit.

09/12/2023

Unlikely happenings today….
The M/V Saginaw was in Manitowoc, Wi.
Meanwhile, the M/V Manitowoc was in, you guessed it….Saginaw, Michigan!
Here are some photos from Manitowoc, Wi.

*Check out Saginaw River Images - by Todd Shorkey to see exceptional photos from Saginaw, Michigan.

**If you know the waving crew member, please tag him!!
Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.

08/12/2023

A past visit by the Alpena to the Port of Green Bay - The Port of Call for All!

04/12/2023

Saturday afternoon was a short trip to Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
I was hoping for the clouds to clear before sunset. As you can see, that didn’t quite happen. Though the edge of the clouds weren’t too far away.
Nonetheless, I made made the best of it 🙂

This lighthouse was constructed in 1918 and is now privately owned.

03/12/2023

A recent arrival of The Arthur M. Anderson at Two Harbors, Minnesota

02/12/2023

Up bound Indiana Harbor
Rotary Park
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

30/11/2023

Adding to the excitement ;)

30/11/2023

Look at this epic shot from The Captain ET!

I’ve followed Captain E on my personal page for years. His photography never ceases to amaze. One his most memorable shots, at least for me, is a photo of a Union Pacific train near a very ominous looking thunderstorm. Give him a follow, if you haven’t already.

It’s begin to look a lot like Christmas up here in the northland! Interlake Steamship Company Mesabi Miner heading down into Little Rapids Cut yesterday afternoon.

30/11/2023

Here’s the latest from NOAA on the potential for Aurora tomorrow. It is looking REALLY good 😉
Though there’s a chance overnight tonight, I’m going to wait until tomorrow before hitting the road (might not have to go far).
📸

Here is a list of the Aurora resources that I use most often. A search on the App Store with also yield some great apps!!

https://www.spaceweather.gov

Space Weather by SolarHam
Space Weather Woman
Aurora Alerts by Soft Serve News
Aurora Borealis Observatory
Aurora Borealis Notifications

Tomorrow’s forecast 🤓
The only downside…Though the moon is waning, it’s still quite bright.

29/11/2023

According to Aurora Alerts by Soft Serve News, this is a GREAT chance to see the Aurora Borealis within the next 72 hrs. NOAA has predicted a KP7 at some point during that time frame ( see attached photos for KP explanation)

28/11/2023

A Keweenaw sunset.
Calumet, Michigan

27/11/2023

A recent ride to The Highground Veterans Memorial in Neillsville, Wisconsin.
A great way to close out the 2023 riding season!🇺🇸

25/11/2023

Warm late afternoon sun in Marquette, Michigan

24/11/2023

October images from the North shore of Minnesota

23/11/2023

For those in northeast Wisconsin…
Rising in the southwest at 5:54pm, watch for the cluster of satellites from the latest SpaceX launch! They’ll pass nearly overhead. Should be a great opportunity to see them, given the lack of clouds :)

23/11/2023

Privileged to catch up to the “Coasties” in Houghton, Michigan earlier this week.

Thanks for all that you do, especially keeping watch over the North Coast!
U.S. Coast Guard Station Portage 🇺🇸

23/11/2023

21/11/2023

The elusive Aurora Borealis remains just that….Elusive🤣. Hung out on M28 east of Marquette last night/ early this morning until 12:30 am. Much like the weather here on earth, space weather is also very unpredictable. With that said, it’s only a matter of time before I’m able to “catch up” with the Aurora again.
Decided to take advantage of the good weather and snowless beaches to look for Lake Superior Agates today.

20/11/2023

The current situation…Marquette, Michigan
Arrived early afternoon, much to my surprise, the Great lakes Trader and the Joyce L. VanEnkevort were delivering stone!

Currently awaiting the appearance of the Aurora…Hopefully🤞🏼

11/11/2023

🇺🇸Thanks Veterans🇺🇸

10/11/2023

This report by the legendary Mike Simonson is one of the best I’ve ever heard. Certainly the most captivating.
Though it’s a long piece, take the time, if you can.

Wisconsin Public Radio features in-depth news from WPR’s seven bureaus and NPR, entertainment programs, classical music and discussions on the Ideas Network.

10/11/2023

The battle between the cold air of the far north and the warm air of the south always seems to culminate during the month of November along the North Coast. For generations , Mariners have told stories about “The November witch”, “The witches of November” and others. The month of November, 1975 was certainly no different.

The Wreck of the Edmund FitzgeraldI was about to go to bed early and realized it was 35 years ago to the minute that she went down. I've always loved the son...