Day 48-July 31, 2010

Today: 21.22 mi
Trip: 703.33 mi

What a difference a day can make! It was gloomy when we paddled across the Superior Entrance but as soon as we crossed, everything changed. No joke! The sun came out, there were people on the beach and the water returned to the deep crystal blue we love.
Lunchtime approached as we neared the Duluth Entry. The lift bridge horn sounded and scared us but we were incredibly surprised to see a tall ship come through. The ship came out into the lake and raised all of its sails. What a grand sight.
On the shore we mingled with the locals and took in the many of the sights. We say a few more tall ships sail around and two had a mock battle when they met under the lift bridge. Cannons fired and horn were bellowing but in the end all survived.
After our long lunch we felt energized by the excitement in the air and continued on our journey. As our luck would have it, just as we were trying to cross the Duluth entrance, a mini freighter called the Sundew staged itself to enter. The good thing was he took up most of the channel so we crossed just behind him. He blocked many of the out going vessels which made for a fairly easy crossing.
Since we had been looking at the debris filled beaches the past few day we welcomed the rock shoreline of Minnesota. We paddled past many roadside parks, small cobble beaches, and people out enjoying life. We camped on a small cobble beach near the road and enjoyed the lights of Duluth before heading to bed.