Secret Place

Today I am going to share with you a secret place many people never see.  The first year Kev and I took our trip up to Aune Osborn I went into the office and spoke with Jeff (he runs the park with his wife) and asked him if there was any place that he would suggest we go that isn't all commercialized.  He mentioned  the name Rock Cut and gave directions on how to get there.  There was one small problem.  To get to Rock Cut you have to go down a two-track.  It's kind of hard to give directions to a two-track in the UP where there are two-tracks everywhere.  I remember our first trip out and how long it took us to find this remote place.  We (I) had to stop and ask for directions, but we finally made it and now... Rock Cut is part of our yearly trips north.

Micah took this picture of us at Rock Cut

The Rock Cut is a blasted out navigational channel that separates Neebish Island from the Michigan mainland down in Barbeau, Michigan over 15 miles south of the Soo. It is the physically most narrow spot on the St. Marys River outside of the locks. Imagine a lock without any gates or safety booms that is 5,000' long and is 300' wide and is 28'6" deep.  You only see downbound traffic at this location.  Upbound traffic goes around the other side of Neebish Island.  It is the only place that we have found that you actually have a sense of intimacy with these awesome vessels.

On this particularly beautiful day, we set out to watch the American Century navigate through Rock Cut.  It is amazing to see any ship move through these narrows, but particularly the big vessels.  The American Century is a thousand footer and for this reason alone we chose to watch her.

Word of caution.  This is not a place you take kids to play.  If a child were to fall in, it would be very difficult to get them out.  There is a 10ft drop into the river and the only way out is to rock climb.


As the American Century moved passed us the Captain came out and waved at us.  The kids got a great kick out of the big green hand.  They saluted us with their horn as well :)

Every time I see one of the crew I wonder what life must be like on a freighter.  Does he have family, how long is he on the freighter before he gets time off.  What do they see as they sail the Great Lakes.  What does their sleeping quarters look like, what kind of food do they eat.  Weird stuff like that...


Then in a matter of just minutes the freighter disappears around the point and it's time to walk back to the truck.

Two-track you drive down.

And because we are now away from the waters edge... Tyler is free to play.

So there you have it, our secret place... that's not so secret.  Let me know if you ever venture out this way, I can give you great directions!

Blessings!!