Sault Ste Marie: soup & sweatshirt sales brisk

The first day of July. If that fact were not easily proven by a glance at a calendar, I'd wonder. We're in the north of Michigan for the 15oth celebration of the 1855 date when the locks at Saulte Ste Marie were turned over to the State of Michigan. The locals are apologetic but resigned. "After all, this is the UP" is a statement we've heard repeatedly since breakfast.

We did brave the elements and had a memorable, windblown experience at the locks. We watched two ships move through, one upbound and the other downbound. Technically, they were "locking through the system." The Sault Ste Marians don't even notice the ships. On the other hand, us tourists lean into the railings lining the lock, snapping pictures and calling out greetings to the crews rising or falling with their crafts.

Tonight's signature activity. The Great Tugboat Race. Can't miss it!