Catching the Oakglen

 Usually on Thursdays I will go take pictures at the airport.  I didn't feel like it tonight because it was pretty cold out and it was pretty cloudy.  After dinner, I decided to check Marine Traffic and I saw that a couple of ships were passing.  I couldn't pass up one of them.

After picking up a couple of prescriptions, I headed down to Belle Isle.  I wasn't sure if I was going to catch the Oakglen.

I was glad I did because she is one I haven't seen in close to four years.

She is what is known as a straight decker and is mostly used to carry grain.  If things are the same this year, the grain industry has been a bright spot for the shipping companies.

Based on the ships that I see moving right now, this year isn't going to be much different.

She was heading to Quebec City and if I remember correctly that is about another four days sailing.

This is after two days of sailing from Thunder Bay.

That route is about as far as you can travel on the St. Lawrence Seaway and still be in fresh water.

She continues down the river.

One more shot.

Catching Up With the Cedarglen

The next ship was kind of a surprise.  I wasn't really paying attention to the downbound ships because I thought I was going to head up to Port Huron and I would miss them.  So when I saw this one on Marine Traffic, I was kind of happy.

 Even though it's been a couple months since I've last seen her, I always like to catch the Cedarglen when I can.

 Especially since I've heard she's one of the ships that may end up on the chopping block soon.  Which would be a shame because she's such a unique looking ship.

 With the introduction of the Chinese built ships, these ships may end up being scrapped.

 Anyway, when I caught her tonight she was on her way to Quebec with a load of grain (I'm guessing).

 She continues on her way to Quebec.  I think that is another two day journey for her.

And she passes the next ship.

And the Cedarglen...

So the last ship was the ship that I really wanted to catch.

 The Cedarglen is a unique looking ship.  Sadly, I think she is on her way to the scrapyard.  Hearing that, I want to try and catch her as much as I can.

She is on her way to Quebec.

And a Passing Cedarglen

After catching the Callaway, I decided to head up to St Clair after looking at Marine Traffic.  What I thought wasn't going to be a busy day, turned out to be a fairly busy day.

 The Cedarglen is one of my favorite stern pilothouse ships.  She's got one of the more unique looking pilothouses out there.

 I believe she was on her way to Montreal with a load of grain but I'm not sure.

 Anyway, I thought I heard that she was not long for this world, but it looks like they've put some paint on her.

It will be a shame when I find out that she's on her way to the breakers.

 But it will have to do.

And she continues on her way.

Catching Up To the Cedarglen

The Cedarglen is another unique ship that I like.  It's also another that I heard might be facing the cutting torches in the near future. 

 It has been a little over a year since I her last and when I saw her, I heard the rumors that last year might be her last year of sailing for her.  Well, it looks like that might not be true.

Eventually these rumors will become true and it will be a sad day.

 Until then, I will try to enjoy her while I can.

 A shot of her pilothouse.  I kind of like the look of her damaged wing.

 She continues on her way down.

And one more shot of her.

Happy Canada Day

Because of the proximity of Canada to Michigan, I end up taking pictures of many Canadian related things.

Today is Canada Day and is celebrated all over in Canada.  It marks the formation of Canada as a single nation.  On July 1, 1867, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada were joined to form the Dominion of Canada.  This entity was divided into four provinces.  Over the years, the provincial structure would become what we know today.  It also marked the day that Canada would start it's march towards independence from the British.

So in celebration, here are some Canadian things....

 The Maple Leaf.

 The Snowbirds in a fairly impressive formation.

 A Canadian paratrooper.

 I like this picture because it shows how closely aligned the United States and Canada are.  I think its amazing that we still have one of the longest undefended borders after all of these years.

 Air Canada.

 A Canadian freighter.

 Another picture that shows the cooperation of two nations.  When the Lakes were frozen over, Canada was able to provide icebreakers to help break that mess up.

A Canadian frigate passes Detroit.

Soon to be Gone...Cedarglen

The next ship is another that I was hoping to catch soon.

 The Cedarglen is one of my favorite rear decked pilothouse ships.  She has one of the more unique looking pilot houses on the lakes.

 It is rumored that this is her last season of sailing but it was also rumored that she was only going to make one trip this year.  I think this is her second or third trip and I hope that it is not her last.

 Based on AIS, she is heading to Baie Comeau which is almost at the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River.  I hope that is not her last stop before continuing on to her scrapping point.

 If this the last time I see her..fare well.

 At anyrate, I couldn't have asked for a better day.

And she continues on her way.

A Glimpse of the Cedarglen

If I had stayed where I was, this is one of the ships that I would not have caught.

It turns out that the Cedarglen was pulling in behind the Ashtabula.  I think she was delivering stone to the same place.  At anyrate, I've heard that I should try to get to see her as much as I can because she may be destined for the scrap heap.  I hope not because she is one of the more unique looking ships out there.

Next up...the Cedarglen

It's getting closer to summer and one of the things I like about the summer is the fact that I can stay out a little later.  That actually makes heading up to Algonac (or wherever) worth.  If the ships are grouped tightly enough, I can catch a few in a couple hours.

 the next ship was the unique looking Cedarglen.  Because of her unique pilothouse, she is one of my favorite rear deckers.

 She looks really nice in the light of the setting sun.

This is probably one of the better spots for boat watching.  The background isn't too distracting.

 Almost a shot of her profile.

 The wind was pretty nice.

 Her reflections were caught in the water pretty well.

 And you even get a glimpse of your intrepid blogger.

And she heads down to Lake St. Clair.  I'm not sure where she was heading next.