Everyday there is a briefing at 5:30 pm to tell us about the port and excursions for the next day. These are very informative about the area’s industry, founding, etc. Today, is Alpena located on Thunder Bay of Michigan. This city was a trade center since the early 1800’s and still is known for limestone and cement (2nd largest producer in the USA).
Our tender takes us up the Thunder Bay River to just in front of the NOAA Thunder Bay Museum and research center. What do they study and protect at he Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary? Easy answer – shipwrecks. Over 200 ships wrecked in this area since 1825. Lots of history and archeological studies are underway in this area with NOAA leading and organizing the researchers and scientists who arrive here to do their work. The website will tell you everything we learned.
We board a glass-bottom tour boat that takes us out into Thunder Bay to see some of these shipwrecks.
You can see a little bit of the wreckage through the glass bottom. One wreck is in just under 12 feet of water.
It’s a beautiful day to be out on a boat in Thunder Bay. The wreck sites are marked with NOAA buoys. We can see a dive boat in the distance and the beautiful Viking Cruise ship. The sky shows lots of airplane contrails.
After the boat ride, the tour takes us in the museum. In the theatre, we learn about the various studies, technology, and projects underway to study Lake Huron and the shipwrecks. NOAA is mapping the bottom of the lake and with this they also find new shipwrecks. They investigate these with a dive team and then archeologists and historians research determine the name of the ship and year. The museum is filled with information about the ships and also has a shipwreck simulation you can experience. Worth a stop if you ever are up in this area.
After wandering the museum, a short Lynn Tour of the city of Alpena. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail follows along Thunder Bay River and is a nice way to enjoy the river and walk to the city.
The main downtown is about 6 square blocks, easy to explore. There are restaurants, coffee shops, brewery’s and lots of little stores to shop. Wandering around at lunch time, it’s quiet on the street since most people must be eating! A nice town to visit. Fun to see two Amish girls eating an ice cream.
As I walk back to the tender to the ship on the Great Maritime Heritage Trail, more walking tours are arriving. The science being done here and the history of the shipping industry definitely make Alpena worth a stop.
Let me add, worth a stop in the summer. Based on the large mountain of salt being stored, it must be a hard winter here!
Traveling Lynn 