Sault Ste Marie - The Miss Marie Lock Tour + Authentic Italian Dinner at Settimia and Giovani's

 

Today we head downtown and partake in the Miss Marie Lock Tour. 

Chris, Angie, Melissa and Sheila - All aboard the Miss Marie

It's a two-hour cruise through the St. Mary's River and the Sault Ste. Marie locks in both Ontario, Canada and Michigan, USA. The weather is quite warm but the breeze feels great once the Miss Maire is underway. 

Sault Ste. Marie Lock- National historic site

Entering the Canadian lock

The tour provides a unique perspective on the impressive lock system and the historical significance of the area. It allows us all to experience the movement of the boat through the locks and to enjoy the views of the surrounding scenery. There is a recorded narration explaining everything we saw, largely a repeat of what we read yesterday as we biked the edges of the canal. 

Cliff and Chris plus our Captain up above

Sometimes the voice recording is hard to hear but between Cliff, a very nice man we meet aboard the tour and Angie, we learn a lot from their local knowledge. 

Algoma Steel plant

We pass by the Algoma Steel plant, a major Canadian steel producer since 1901. It has a long, complex history in Sault Ste Marie but it plays a significant role in the city's economy and still remains it's largest employer. The plant is currently working on building an electric arc furnace to produce steel with a lower carbon footprint.

Izzy and Elia + Nova

It's quite hot on deck so Elia and her cousin Izzy take some cover in the shade below the deck we are on. Also with Elia is her favorite stuffed animal friend, Nova. She's hiding below Elia's chin enjoying the tour too. 

Sault Ste. Marie Michigan lock

Next the Miss Marie circles around and we come back through the American lock. Nearby the USA lock we are going back through is the "New Lock at the Soo' project, a larger modern lock designed to accommodate larger vessels scheduled to open in 2030. 

Angie, Melissa, Elia and Izzy - our hosts

Back in Canada we head for our departure dock. A final group photo of our hosts. We are so happy they suggested we all do this tour together. Fun time on board the Miss Marie. 

Big Ben bus tour

Walking to our vehicles we spy "Big Ben" the double decker hop on hop off bus tour in downtown. I love the vibrant colors. 

Once back on the dock we left from, we decide the weather is hot and we deserve a cool drink. Angie takes Elia and Izzy back to her parents home where we are all having dinner later. We hit the Northern Superior Brewing Company for some much needed shade. Very nice craft beer selection. 

Chris, Melissa and Sheila all enjoy our own flights of craft beer.

Italian feast - so nice

Later we are invited to an authentic Italian dinner at Settimia and Giovani's., Angie's mom and dad who immigrated from Italy to Canada many years ago. They are the sweetest people who welcome us with open arms into their home where we enjoy pasta and meat balls. The kitchen and table are in the basement of their home, something that is apparently very common in Italian culture. 

Settimia is a little ball of fire as she darts about serving everyone and explaining how she made all her delicious food including a super moist sponge cake. Giovani is quieter but very happy to answer all our questions about how they landed in Sault Ste. Marie. We will cherish this unique experience :)

Giovanni and Italian house wine we drank

Melissa and fresh growing basil

After dinner we check out the Italian garden growing in their huge back yard. Veggies and fruit growing like we have never seen before. Basil, beans, eggplant, grapes, apples, plums and flowers galore. The Soo is sitting at 46.5 degrees latitude so well below the 49the parallel. Warmth and humidity to help things grow. 

Later we head back to the RV for a quick final visit. Melissa and Elia are fly home tomorrow and we are heading east :)