Winter layup over, it’s back to work on Lake Superior

It seemed like only yesterday that the last laker of the season was pulling into the harbor in Duluth/Superior, the unofficial declaration of winter’s arrival in the Northland.

It was mid-January.

• Feb. 15: Deep in winter, Duluth’s ship repair season hums

And it was a short winter because on Tuesday the Edward H. Gott pulled out, confirming that — despite what might appear outside your window today — spring is underway.

The ship was heading for Two Harbors to load up iron ore pellets. That’s a half-hour trip by car. The Edward H. Gott reached its destination 12 hours later.

Also departing yesterday was Indiana Harbor, the first ship to arrive in the port for the winter layup.