| There are
many qualities to love about Lake
Superior. There's that sense of
seclusion that has you feeling the
world is your oyster and Superior
also leaves you imagining you are
challenging the greatest seas - an
inland ocean if you will - all at
the same time.
The only unfortunate
part for boaters is the restricted
season for which to enjoy the love
that Superior offers. The
long winters and unpredictable
spring and fall seasons only leave
four or five months for the
recreational boater.
Realistically, because of the more
northern location of Lake Superior
and the influential weather
patterns created by the lake, the season can be shortened to
three months of comfortable
(temperature-wise) sailing.
Just
as there is a great love for this
lake, there is also reason why
many fear it as well. Beneath its
beauty lies a powerful unknown
that you would never suspect from
an inland lake. Maybe there is
substance to the thought that a
shorter season makes for a more
appreciated season?
The
photos accompanying this article
were taken aboard the Misener
Steamships MV Selkirk Settler as she crossed
Lake Superior in typical November
weather. (courtesy:
Seagulf Marine Industries Inc.)
Natives
to Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin
and Minnesota are very accustomed
to the beauty that is associated
with a calm Lake Superior during
the summertime. Then, they can
also attest to the fierce strength
and power of the 'ugly-side' of
this lake at other times. As the
images depict, even the largest
sea-worthy vessels are more than
tested (as many have failed) by
the ferociousness of a Lake
Superior storm. Ever wonder why
the MV. Edmund Fitzgerald
didn't make it?
The
idea that Lake Superior can
sometimes become a nasty body of
water is not news to many. We've
all heard the stories and songs
that make this Great Lake a
legend. Aside from the amazement
of these photos, they do have you
feeling glad you're not aboard
that vessel or a part of those
unbelievable weather conditions.
For
those who cruise the waters of
Lake Superior (in better
conditions, of course) and even to
those who plan to in the future,
it is important to acknowledge the
wonder of this body of
water.
Even
though it can wreak havoc at
times, the lake is a beast that
can be tamed, especially during
the short summer months. While
this giant is asleep it is a
marvelous open space that every
water-loving individual should
experience.
By
no means is Lake Superior to be
considered a worry-free zone
during the summer. The weather can
shift on an hourly basis.
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