Lake Superior
Lake Superior is really an inland sea. The most westerly of the Great Lakes, it is a maximum of 360 miles long by 160 miles wide with a surface area of 31,000 square miles. Its easy to forget that this is fresh water until you find a quite anchorage that's been warming in the sun all day and take a dip.
With its commercial origins back in the days of fur trading there is still a good level of activity round its shores. There is a fair amount of commercial traffic on the Lake, up bound from the Soo locks to Duluth or Superior, or crossing the lake to Thunder Bay and back (see pic) carrying iron ore (taconite) or grain - these ships, up to 1,000 feet long, which only operate on the Great Lakes are called 'lakers'. Occasionally 'salties' (the local expression for ships that go out to the sea) can be seen as well.
The weather on Lake Superior can vary dramatically because of the presence of a large body of cold water next to some very hot central continental plains. This summer (2006) has been exceptionally hot with temperatures over 100 degrees F during July on the south shore and many impressive and violent electrical storms (and even one tornado effecting the Bayfield area). But when the wind switches to coming off the lake the temperature drops and it becomes very pleasant indeed.
Sailing on the lake is superb with many great routes between secluded anchorages or small or huge harbours. A careful eye needs to be kept on the weather as the waves here are short, steep and uncomfortable.
For more information get hold of a copy of Bonnie Dahl's 'Superior Way' - a very useful pilot with interesting historical information as well.
Pic on the left is the Aerial Lift Bridge at Duluth which raises a whole section of road 140' straight up to accommodate the lakers going in and out of Duluth. The lower section is just descending after Gypsy Dancer has passed through. The small cabin is were the operator works.