January 6 – Ice Tug Formation

Sea smoke drifts across the Duluth Shipping Canal as ice-covered tugboats motor through the icy waters. Their red hulls emerge from the cold fog after escorting a Laker onto Lake Superior for its final crossing of the season. Steel meets ice, and the cold bites your fingers as soon as you take off your gloves to adjust the camera settings.

The final week of the Great Lakes shipping season demands constant attention. Tugboats, as well as the CGC Spar, work tirelessly to keep channels open, guiding vessels safely as ice forms and temperatures plunge.

I’ve always admired the grit and dedication of these mariners. Working long hours in bitter cold, they quietly do the work most never see. Watching them move through steam and ice is a reminder that perseverance often happens far from applause.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

January’s sharp air and stark beauty invite us to trust deeply, endure patiently, and remain thankful—especially in life’s most demanding seasons.