Today we anchored off the coast by Silver Islet. The weather is very calm, such a change from some of our previous days here on the Great Lakes. They announed this morning that everything was running today ! SUCESS !

First up for Nana and I is a kayak excursion. We will take a zodiac from the ship to our kayaks, board the kayaks from the zodiac and then return the same way. This the area where we board the zodiacs and tenders.

We boarded the kayaks off a smal island in Lake Superior. Lake Superor is the deepest and hence the coldest of the Great Lakes. Lots of rock formations and different plant life to see. We then paddedled over to another island which was once a silver mine. Silver Islet was once the site of a rich silver mine located on a small island in Lake Superior, near the northern shore in Ontario, Canada. The Silver Islet Mine became famous in the 19th century for its rich deposits of high-grade silver ore.The silver deposit at Silver Islet was discovered in 1868 by Alexander H. Sibley. The site was initially just a tiny, wave-swept rock in the lake, making mining operations quite challenging. To facilitate mining, the rock was reinforced with timber and rock, and a small village was constructed nearby to house the workers. The mine became one of the richest silver mines in the world at the time, producing an estimated $3.25 million worth of silver between 1870 and 1884. The mine’s operation faced significant challenges, including harsh weather, flooding, and the constant threat of being overtaken by Lake Superior. Eventually, the cost of pumping out water became too great, and the mine was closed in 1884 when the pumps stopped working. The site of the mine is now largely abandoned, with the remains of the small community that once thrived there. However, it remains a point of historical interest, especially within the context of Canadian mining history. The legacy of Silver Islet is a testament to the challenges and rewards of mining in remote and difficult environments. The small rock that once held vast wealth now stands as a reminder of the area’s rich mining heritage. The picture underwater is the two mine shafts.

Nana loved the kayak excursion so much she went on it a second time today. They had an open spot and she took it.

Today was chocolate day for lunch. The desert chef made a fabulous display of chocolate treats along with many other tasty deserts.

This afternoon was a ride in the sumbarine. Our ships are equipped with two six-person submarines that allow passengers to explore underwater environments in areas where they travel. These submarines, typically yellow and similar in appearance to traditional submersibles, can dive to depths of several hundred feet. The submarines are designed to provide a unique perspective on marine life and underwater landscapes. They offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore beneath the surface of the ocean or lake, providing passengers with a view of underwater ecosystems that are usually out of reach. For our ride today we went down 210 feet and checked out the rockes on the side of the island. Unfortunately, no fish or something unusual. But, it was a unique experience being the submarine. I don’t think it was made for 6’4″ people as my legs were pretty cramped but the experience was great. The sub is very modern, with many saferty features and we spent about 45 minutes submerged in the water.