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by Thomas H. Cubberly
My fascination with ferry boats began in 1955. My Dad's vacation was
the first two weeks of August every year and we drove to Mackinaw City
enroute to the Upper Peninsula. On this occasion traffic stopped miles
short of the old State dock. A man in a car drove South with a
loudspeaker saying "The ferries are on strike!" It was a long wait of
several hours before moving again. I remember playing in the birch
trees along the road.
But we made it on board! I can still remember doors slamming shut on
the car deck echoing back. We tossed popcorn from the upper deck to the
gulls which swooped to catch it and rarely missed. Then at St. Ignace I
can still see the men tying her to the starling looking up at us with
the green water swirling beneath.
The best part is that we did it again in 1956! The ships had names and
we hoped we would get the one we had before. I think it was the
"Wonderland." While waiting to drive on I remember the sparkles on Lake
Huron from the morning sun. The tower at the State dock was a wonder to
a seven year old. I can still see the "Mighty Mac" bridge, not quite
complete, her span not finished.
Just last year my Mother found slips of paper where she had written
notes on those long ago vacations. On one she had jotted down simply
that on the way home, in the back seat of that 1952 Buick, "Tommy
played ferry boat." I guess I did. And still do!
Over the years I have ridden many smaller ferries on the Lakes. But in
1982 I discovered Ludington and the Badger. I gazed with interest at
her two sisters, the City of Midland and the Spartan berthed there.
That did it! I would be back shortly for a ride on the Badger first. I
rode the Midland as long as anyone could to Kewaunee. The Badger rides
to Milwaukee were grand for their length of sailing. I make Manitowoc
twice a year now with regularity. I guess I still like the sparkle on
the water…and playing ferry boat.
Thomas H. Cubberly
Michigan Center
3/3/99
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