SS Badger (from Ludington Michigan to Manitowoc Wisconsin)
Today we had an event filled crossing on Lake Michigan via the SS Badger (the only remaining coal fired ferry on the Great Lakes). To start the day off we got up early (5:30 am) to give ourselves lots of time. The tickets said we had to be on the dock at 7:00 am or we would loose our reservation. What with packing the bikes, longer than expected travel time, and hitting every red light in Ludington we arrived at the dock at 7:40. Fortunately they had not given our reservation away to one of the waiting stand-bys and we managed to get on.
Other ferries like the one at Tobermory and the Cat from Bar Harbour have separate drive-on drive-off bike lanes, but not the Bagger. We parked the bikes at the back, right up against the hull in a small space at right angles to the car lanes. This bike area was raised up on a steel grating. You had to gun the bikes to get up on the grating and then hit the breaks because if you went too far the front wheel would fall down into a gap between the grating and the hull. Once parked, we went looking for tie downs. Unlike most other ferries, the Badger does not supply them. Fortunately Dave was able to dash off just as the departure whistle was sounding and purchase tie downs from the ticket office on shore. He has to get his exercise some way.
With the bikes secured, we enjoyed the four hour crossing of the lake. The Bagger has lots of on-board activities for both adults and children.
The real adventure began when it was time to get the bikes off the boat. The guy to Dave’s right managed to go forward instead of backwards and put his front wheel into the hole between the grate and the hull. Dave helped him pull the bike out. Unfortunately his front fender got scratched. The guy two bikes to the left managed to have his Gold Wing tip over. Fortunately it didn’t go all the way over thanks to his friend’s Harley- yes it fell against the Harley. Bev said it was just another example of a Harley and its rider supporting a floundering Honda. Dave and four other guys managed to get the big Honda up. Fortunately we experienced (aka lucky) ferry riders got off without incident.
Today we had an event filled crossing on Lake Michigan via the SS Badger (the only remaining coal fired ferry on the Great Lakes). To start the day off we got up early (5:30 am) to give ourselves lots of time. The tickets said we had to be on the dock at 7:00 am or we would loose our reservation. What with packing the bikes, longer than expected travel time, and hitting every red light in Ludington we arrived at the dock at 7:40. Fortunately they had not given our reservation away to one of the waiting stand-bys and we managed to get on.
Other ferries like the one at Tobermory and the Cat from Bar Harbour have separate drive-on drive-off bike lanes, but not the Bagger. We parked the bikes at the back, right up against the hull in a small space at right angles to the car lanes. This bike area was raised up on a steel grating. You had to gun the bikes to get up on the grating and then hit the breaks because if you went too far the front wheel would fall down into a gap between the grating and the hull. Once parked, we went looking for tie downs. Unlike most other ferries, the Badger does not supply them. Fortunately Dave was able to dash off just as the departure whistle was sounding and purchase tie downs from the ticket office on shore. He has to get his exercise some way.
With the bikes secured, we enjoyed the four hour crossing of the lake. The Bagger has lots of on-board activities for both adults and children.
The real adventure began when it was time to get the bikes off the boat. The guy to Dave’s right managed to go forward instead of backwards and put his front wheel into the hole between the grate and the hull. Dave helped him pull the bike out. Unfortunately his front fender got scratched. The guy two bikes to the left managed to have his Gold Wing tip over. Fortunately it didn’t go all the way over thanks to his friend’s Harley- yes it fell against the Harley. Bev said it was just another example of a Harley and its rider supporting a floundering Honda. Dave and four other guys managed to get the big Honda up. Fortunately we experienced (aka lucky) ferry riders got off without incident.
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