Boarding in Houghton to the South Entry Lighthouse

We board the Keweenaw Star in Houghton, MI.  Our first gaze is upon the majestic Portage Canal Lift Bridge as several boats pass underneath.  Take in the valley in which two towns cozy up and view Michigan Tech University, Ripley Ski Hill, and old mining factories.  We first travels eastward on the Portage Canal passing passing by Torch Bay and Chassell Bay. We encounter several boaters along the way fishing off Bootjack. As we enter into the South Canal the large open vastness of the bay gives way to the tiny confines of the canal. Homes dot along the western shore, and some islands on the eastern. We all are excited as the first lighthouse is just around the next bend.