SOO Locks in Sault Ste. Marie

Our next stop was the SOO Locks in Sault Ste. Marie.  The locks are administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  The Soo Locks are the busiest locks in the world and they include the largest lock in the Western Hemisphere which was completed in 1968.  

The locks connect a section of the St. Mary's River known as the St. Mary's Rapids where the water falls about 21' from the level of Lake Superior to the level of the lower lakes.  When we went into the Visitor Center we found out that a large ship was coming into the lock in about an hour so we decided to have our picnic lunch while we waited.  We also visited the shop across the street to see what they had.  We spent our usual fortune in the tourist shops and bought postcards - 5 for $1!

Flowers in front of the Visitor Center

Front of the Visitor Center

Map of the Great Lakes in the Visitor Center

Back of the Visitor Center that Faces the Observation Platform

Ship Coming into the Lock

The International Bridge

The Mesabi Minor

 When we finished we went back to the Visitor Center and walked up on the Observation Tower and watched the Mesabi Minor go through the lock.  They go through so slowly that it is like watching paint dry but it was interesting to see this huge ship maneuver into a lock that maybe had a foot or two on each side to maneuver in.   It was mighty windy and cool outside so it was good to get back in the nice warm truck when we left.

Coming Into The Lock

Passing the Building

The Viewing Platform

Shopping Across The Street