
My Lake Superior
by Violet (Johnson) Miller
Lake
Superior is My Lake, Too
When I was three months
old, my parents began what became a 14-year tradition - the spring and
fall trip between Chippewa Harbor on Isle Royale, where we made our home
during the commercial fishing season, and winter lodging in Duluth, Two
Harbors or Grand Marais, Minnesota. We made the trip on the steamer America.
At these times of the year, stormy weather could be expected but, no matter
what the weather, I was not afraid or seasick. My siblings were not always
so lucky.
I
remember one fall trip when the whitecapped waves and wind were so strong
that the ship rolled from side to side. Passengers trying to play cards
in the salon slid back and forth across the room with each roll. Another
autumn trip, the lake was smooth as glass and the America went aground
near Wright Island. I can still see my dad standing in the lifeboat holding
his arms up to catch children that were tossed down to him. I don’t remember
how the women got into the lifeboat, but I’m sure they weren’t tossed like
we were.
Chippewa Harbor is generally described as the most beautiful cove on Isle
Royale, but was too shallow for the freighter. This photo was taken in
July 1929 by Fred Dustin of the University of Michigan. LAKE
SUPERIOR MARITIME VISITORS CENTER
An hour later, a surge of waves lifted the ship off the reef and we went
on our way.
One fall, Lake Superior was very angry when it came time for our trip.
The seas were so high and strong that the kegs of salt herring that had
been so carefully stowed in the hold rolled from one end to the other and
my mother’s sewing machine was damaged by them.
Mother would never let us out of the stateroom during heavy seas. We watched
the waves splashing against the porthole, laughing and clapping our hands,
but ducking instinctively away.
After
I moved to Michigan and married, my husband, Eino, and I owned a shop in
Copper Harbor for about 25 years. From our back porch, I could look beyond
the harbor and see the different moods of the big lake, then return to
the shop refreshed.
The steamer America made regular stops to deliver supplies and pick up
passengers and freight all around Isle Royale. LAKE SUPERIOR
MARITIME VISITORS CENTER
Two years ago, two Kansas friends and I made a trip to Rock Harbor on Isle
Royale. Lake Superior didn’t show a ripple on the way out - the return
trip was a different story. MY LAKE showed its other side and many passengers
felt a bit uncomfortable.
Calm and still or a towering wave dashing against the rocky shore - that
is My Lake Superior.

Violet Miller is an 83-year-old who now makes her home in Stockton, Kansas,
but well remembers the years her family wintered over, one of which is
the basis for her teacher’s (Dorothy Simonson) Diary of an Isle Royale
School Teacher, a book published by the Isle Royale Natural History
Association. Violet keeps her lifelong fascination with Lake Superior fueled
by reading Lake Superior Magazine.
My Lake Superior
“My Lake Superior” is a series of reader-contributed essays in which everyone
is
invited to express their feelings about the lake. Writing, photographs
or
illustrations will be considered. Send your contributions to:
“My Lake Superior,” LSM, P.O. Box 16417, Duluth, Minnesota 55816-0417.
Those accepted for publication will receive an exclusive Lake Superior
mug.