The last time we went to Sault Ste. Marie with the kids was quite a long time ago, and we went to the Canadian side at that time because we all had passports. Incidentally, the Canadian locks are really cool because they let you walk across the gates when they are closed. I highly recommend seeing them if you are able to cross the international bridge. We do not have current passports now, so we were stuck on the American side for this trip. But that is not even where our story begins, because our first stop of the day was actual Point Iroquois Lighthouse. We have been coming to Point Iroquois as long as I can remember – I think it might be my favorite lighthouse. I love the stone fence around the front.
What I love the most about Point Iroquois, though, is that they let you climb up into the tower. The last time we were there was during COVID, so they were not open to people climbing up to the light, but this time it was back open. We were able to go up all together and I just love this stairs photo. I have one in the same spot of Keith and our girls from the last time we were able to climb up and it is one of my top photos of all time.
The big reason we visited Point Iroquois, though, was not the lighthouse or the museum. It was because the girls had only been able to spend about 10 minutes at the beach on Grand Island. So, they had asked for more beach time and more time with rocks. I am happy to say that Point Iroquois did not disappoint. Amazingly, while we were enjoying the beach, we saw a familiar ship heading towards Sault Ste. Marie – the same one we had seen heading towards Wisconsin when we were at Whitefish Point! We know it was the same because there is a painting of abstract people running on the white part of the ship that we were able to see through Keith’s camera’s viewfinder both times. This has never happened to me before – I guess we are boat chasers now! Lol.
After spending quite a while on the beach and in the museum, we were ready to head to Sault Ste. Marie. We had our picnic lunches while we drove, so we arrived ready to explore the sights. We started our adventure by paying a visit to the Torii Gate that is in the Soo Lock park. It is from the sister city in Japan, and we have always taken a photo there when we are in town, starting when my Japanese sister Yasuyo visited us for the first time in summer 1990. During that trip we took a sightseeing bus tour, and they showed us the Torii Gate, and a tradition was born.
The next thing we did was walk the length of the locks just to see how long these boats that pass through are. It took us a very long time to make that walk – the ships are super long! We found this enormous anchor as further proof of the size of the ships.
When we got up into the Soo Locks viewing platform, we were absolutely amazed to see the same ship headed towards the outer lock. I will take my ship chaser shirt in XL, thank you very much! Here is a photo where you can see the design of the ship as it heads into the lock – it really is quite distinct.
After the ship was at the lower level and on it’s way out of the lock, we decided it was time to head out. We did a little bit of shopping (I know, surprising, right?), met Big Foot, and then headed out to Walmart to pick up a few items needed for dinner.
I have to say, the Soo Locks could have been a bust if the ship we had been steadily stalking thoughout the week had not come through. I am not sure my kids will be up for another trip here, but I know Keith and I will likely venture up again. I’d like to go to the Canadian locks again as well. I like slowing down and waiting as a ship goes through – it is a nice breather in the sometimes phrenetic pace of vacation.
Have you ever visited Sault Ste. Marie? Did you do any tours? Do you have a favorite place to visit? Let me know in the comments!
Adventure. Create. Relate 