Tall Ships Duluth Festival
300,000 celebrate this grand event.
300,000 celebrate this grand event.
This mid-August Saturday is a picture perfect day for the Tall Ships Duluth Festival.
Just two weeks after I solo paddled across Lake Michigan I launch onto Lake Superior from a small beach on Minnesota Point. As I look north across this incredible sea of blue, I begin to question the wisdom of my plan to solo paddle across the world’s largest fresh water lake next year. It is a windy day and the heavy chop in the 1,720 foot long Duluth Ship Canal requires my full attention. The canal provides passage from the big lake into the harbor of Duluth, and on this day it is dangerously alive with conflicting currents. I wish I could pause and take in the view of the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, but a misplaced stroke here will undoubtedly result in a spill that could provide an unwanted horror show for those who have come to watch the collection of boats, great lake freighters, and tall ships coming and going to and from Duluth’s harbor. In the sheltered harbor I am greeted with a spectacular sight of brigantines, schooners, and other tall ships anchored in the calm water.Wood-masted tall ships hailing from all over the region, in fact from all over the world, are here. This picturesque harbor, once considered part of the industrial landscape, has turned into a ship watchers dream destination. Tens of thousands of spectators line the shore taking in views of these imposing ships reminiscent of a time long ago. To get a closer view I begin to paddle to the nearest tall ship, but, I am soon intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard. They give me a friendly suggestion to honor the buoy system and ask that I turn back. An unexpected event highlight is the arrival of the world’s largest duck likeness. This six-story duck is 78 feet wide and 89 feet long and weighs in at 30,000 lbs. It is a favorite among kids of all ages, including me. |