July 3, 2024
Bodywork started on the homemade Doodlebug Tractor

Bodywork started on the homemade Doodlebug Tractor

aaabondohood

Garden Tractors

Today’s progress picture shows me starting on the bodywork after grinding the welds smooth. This bondo will be sanded smooth so the paint will look much better. I hope to get the rear section welds ground and filled as well this afternoon.

Gaylord Weather, Rain Rain

We lucked out so far and no freezing rain this morning but it is supposed to turn colder later today and start freezing. My back shed is going to get more water on top of the ice that is already 6 inches thick. As bad as it is I can still think positively. There are 100 things worse than 6 inches of ice on my back shed floor, haha.

Ice Breakers and Freighters Backed Up

Eight ships now backed up and waiting – The Pierre Radisson met the Mackinaw last night about 7:00. At 7:30 this morning they were going to head downbound with 2 ships following them and hopefully arrive at the Soo Locks . 6 more ships still wait near Detour for the two Ice Breakers to widen the track so the 1000 footers can make the sharp turns in the lower St. Mary’s River. It is common for them to get hung up on the ice during the turns. We really need warmer days and nights to start melting the thick ice on the Upper Great Lakes. The Coast Guard said today they could still be breaking the ice the first of May.

First Ships Through the Sault Ste. Marie Locks Today

About noon today the first two Freighters finally arrived at the Locks heading downbound. Taking nine days and four ice breakers and cost in the 100s of thousands of dollars. Once the ice breakers escort these two ships south to Detour they will turn around and escort 6 ships that have been waiting for several days to go upbound.

Have a great Friday!