Pointe la Canadienne is one of the most scenic of the harbors along Lake Superior's northern coast. Ridges of colorful rock line the harbor. There are small coves on the east and west ends of the harbor, providing anchoring options depending on wind direction.
The end of the western cove, where Last Dance was anchored, was circled by a rock beach over a half mile long. Round rocks of differing colored granite are piled along the shore.
Makes for difficult walking, but makes for a beautiful setting. The smooth rocks are evidence that the lake often brings rough waters into the cove, which have tumbled and polished the rocks. It would not be good to visit here when the lake was angry.
The mouth of the harbor has a large opening to the lake. A bit of a fog bank can be seen coming in off the lake, beginning to blanket the ridges at the east end of the harbor.
A Great Lakes fishing boat passes by the harbor. Fishing was once one of the largest industries on the Great Lakes, but overfishing has reduced the fish population to the point that only a few commercial fishing boats ply these waters.
One part of this large harbor has a sand beach where a small creek empties into the lake. A variety of landscapes inhabit Pointe la Canadienne. The beach landing was appreciated more than a century ago when a logging camp was constructed here, housing 1500 men involved in harvesting trees for lumber. Only one small, mostly fallen, log structure remains from that part of history.
Most of Point la Canadiene is part of a national park, protected to remain in its natural beauty. The only structure place here by the park service is the pair of red chairs capturing a view of the harbor entrance. Peace, quiet, solitude, beauty, only reachable by a long hike from an interior road or by boat.
