The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1896-10-31
TRIP BY THE LAKES.
The Editor Realizes a Long Felt
Wish.

ing the scarcely OF money, our WISH
was not realized until this summer, and
We don't mind saying it would not have
/ been realized then but for the kind in
vitation We received to accept OF the
hospitality of the good ship "Thos.
/ Cranage," Of Bay City, Capt. Mcneil,
Master. And. right here allow us to
suggest to our readers that ii any of
YOU ever receive an invitation to take
/ this trip do not decline. Many friends
quite discouraged us by predicting that
we were starting too late IN the season +;
that it would be stormy, and that We
had better take all the winter clothes
We could fnd, but we-Mrs. Pratt and
yours truly"-determined to face the
terrors of the sea and suffer the conse-
quensts whatever they might be. And
they were lovely. We started on the
perfect a ternoou Of Tuesday, Septem-
Der 22ud, bound for the city of Buffalo,
The boat when we boarded it at Duluth
was loaded with S. 900 bushels of flax,
and everything was as clean and fresh
as newly cleaned house. The decks,
cabins, etc, had been thoroughly
scrubbed since leaving the coal dock ut
the West End, and as soon as we were
located in our apartments the captain
turned over the keys and gave US the
freedom of the boat, with but one re-
quest-which was terriblel-that we
should always be on hand tor breakfast
at 6 a. IN. We feel that the public ought
to know that we never missed the hour,
although we made a record for fast
dressing which cannot be beat. Sutii
Cient to say that the weather was per-
feet. On Lake Superior there was
scarlely ripple.
Thursday morning the 24th. at t
o'clock we reached the Sault, and as we
could not afford to miss this wonderful
! experience, we arose at the above
named hour expecting to pass through
| the lOCkes at once. But fortune favored
us while it tried the patience of our good
! captain very much. Two boats were
ahead of us and when they were low
! cred another one was to be brought
| back, and at this stage of operations
something went wrong, and we were
informed that we would have to move
over to the old locke. All this took
time, and at six O'Clock, broad day
| light, we were still in the locke, gain
ing fair view of the rapids and the
surrounding country.
1t is really beautiful place. The hills
back of the city are wooded, and at this
time of the year looked beautiful in
their autumnal clothing. Fine public
building, including fort and barracks,
occupy prominent positions on the hills,
and at their base the little city lies. On
either side of the locks, which re-
semble our slips only that they are
walled by solid stone masonry, are
prettily arranged parks, with fountains
playing, and rustic resting places from
which if You watch boat passing
through the lock you imagine that it
is moving on a beautiful green lawn.
The impression is singular indeed.
The descent made IS about Is feet,
and as the water rushes out beneath
the gates in front Of the boat one hardly
realizes that anything is transporting
until the gates swing back and
we are locked safely through. The
river is very rapid and boats are not
allowed to run at more than half speed
30 that the river scenery was long drawn
out for us. AS the day was perfect we
were out on deck ready to salute the
many, many boats which passed US.
The sunsets were exceptionally fine,
two of which shall never forget. 1t was
while we were on the st. Clair river.
From the deck Of the boat we could see
distinctly the Canadian shore on the
the one hand, and on the other
hand the American, the latter dotted
With little cities, beautiful farms and
orchards, interspersed with elegant
summer homes and popular resorts,
the varying tints of the leaves ami
! beautiful, peaceful stream upon which
we were dreaming all combining in
making a most enchanting picture,
But Of the sunsets | must tell. As
close my eyes now can never fail to
see them. All along the water is pale
pink cloud, blending prittily with gray
ones above, which are outlined with
gold, and as there tints shift about the
snn comes peeping through in all its
glorious yellow, casting rays Of light
that reach from its lar away corner,
over the calm water, into our very lap,
as we sit watching and waiting for the
last last glimpse OF the sun. All seems
calm and peaceful and the sky above Is
blue, dotted with swan-down clouds,
1 when, presto, change, and everything
turns 10 deep, deep red, ana the sun
owes INTO the water leaving everything