Both Arkansas Traveler and this blog were rudely abandoned for the winter.  Traveler was up on boat jacks inside a heated storage building in Superior, Wisconsin, in the southwest corner of Lake Superior.  The folks at Barker’s Island Marina treated her well and did a great job installing a new Simrad autopilot and depth sounder.  Another upgrade was switching to a heavy duty Lofrans windlass which has made anchor deployment and raising oh so easy.  Barker’s Island Marina did a near-perfect job and I give them high marks regarding everything that they touched.  And they cleaned up after themselves!!  There isn’t a smudge anywhere.

It is great to be back onboard enjoying the smells, the motion, and the warmth of our trawler.  That first step on deck brought a rush of memories and the colors of the teak were pure beauty to a boat-owner’s eyes as we entered the cabin.

It took several days to store our gear and bring in provisions for the galley.  There was work interspersed with sightseeing in the Duluth/Superior area.

The famous lift bridge at the Duluth Harbor entrance.

A 1930s-era Great Lakes fishing boat recycled as an outdoor concession stand.

Ground iron ore concentrate is mixed with clay and fired to make marble-sized taconite pellets suitable for shipping. These massive piers are for loading the taconite pellets into ships.

Duluth is filled with remarkable buildings, a delightful harbor-side promenade, delicious food-opportunities and interesting things to see and do.  Superior hosts the largest marina on the the big lake.  But our work here is done, the weather is clearing, and the lake beckons.

There is a time for birds and boats to drop their lines, take flight, and greet the lake…