For the tone chasers - the JRB tone and 1000 footers are always fun.

[imwjl]

The James R Barker is one of the Great Lakes 1000 footers too big to travel all of them and with tone that always stands out. You can be on a MTB ride above Duluth and always know its salutes without seeing it.

The 1000 footers are interesting for how much they can maneuver on their own in the big rivers yet carry so much weight and handle Lake Superior that gets ocean nasty and worse.

The Duluth and Superior ports are also interesting. They contribute to eating and manufacturing all over the world. Salties (International) usually bring in wind turbine components and usually leave with grain. Minerals travel to different ports and go by rail all over the country.

At some times in the year you can be back country skiing in Keweenaw unable to see hear the low rumble of the "boats". They can be here shore or seek shelter in some storms. For the gear heads here, the 1000 footers have up to 17,000 horsepower.

The ports are interesting for rail fans too. Trains bring and take the shipping cargo.

[frankmcr]

Does the crew wear hearing protection?