Brockville Narrows

An actual spring-like day comes for some buoywork in the Narrows. With the plus temperatures and ice-free waters comes more traffic as the Seaway has been open for a few days.

There are also hardy boaters taking to the water.

Though they can be somewhat fool-hardy for the sake of a photo.

It is also time for some island residents to do some spring cleaning.

Spring Breakout

Our final icebreaking task for the season is to proceed to Picton to break out the cement dock for a vessel due the next day.

This video gives a brief glimpse into the sound and vibration experienced as an icebreaker pushes its way through the ice. Imagine this going on for hours on end even through the night, if necessary.

This assignment was straightforward. Make a track to the dock, clear the ice from the dock and bust out a turning basin to allow the vessel to leave once loaded.

The following day, we freshen the track in advance of the vessel and the job is done.

Across Lake St. Clair

The sun comes up behind Windsor to flash onto the Detroit skyline as we head out into Lake St. Clair with our second ice escort of what will turn out to be a long day taking ships through the remaining ice on the lake.

The cement vessel, Alpena, is heading north to Lake Huron and the port of Alpena.

Once he clears the ice, we head back towards the Detroit River. Passing Belle Isle, an unexpected sight greets us just offshore.

We saw this kayaker just ahead of us amongst the ice pans and slowed down to reduce our wake. I wonder if he realizes how easy it might have been not to be noticed by a ship expecting only to find ice in its path?

Spring is in the air

The upper Great Lakes are getting ready for the start of the shipping season and spring icebreaking, but around the Detroit River the winter icebreaking is almost over as warm temperatures and a relatively mild winter made for a light ice year.

Still, there was more ice this winter than the non-winter last year. 

The waters of Lake St. Clair flow down into the Detroit River bringing the melting ice down with it.

We brought this tug and barge down across Lake St. Clair to her berth south of the Ambassador bridge before tying up in Windsor across from our American icebreaking partners.

Slushy City

During a recent weekend in Chicago, I got to see a fair number of cyclists braving the wintry weather along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Unfortunately, the scourge of honest cyclists, the dreaded sidewalk prowler can be found in the Windy City as it can in Montreal.

You have to give him credit, though, for bluster as he rides the sidewalk right beside a bike lane six feet away.

I like the simple, effective signage the city uses to identify cycling lanes as well as upcoming intersecting lanes. They also stand out as an alert to motorists.

A trip out to the suburb of Oak Park was rewarded with some distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright homes as well as the imposing Unity Temple. The trend of winter cycling and helpful signage also continued.

The public transit system in Chicago was excellent but, next time, I will be checking out the sights of the city on two wheels.