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Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 20:35:58 -0400 Subject: 08/09 - Crossing Lake Michigan on the Badger
After leaving Cabela's, we went West to the edge of Lake Michigan and stayed at a Super8 motel. We got up at 5:00am so that we could be packed and ready to load onto the carferry at 7:00am. The town of Luddington reminded us of Marietta with all of the tourist shops. It was very quaint. When we got to the loading area, there was already a line. I was glad that Kim had made reservations.
After we checked in, we watched 8 or 10 semi-trucks back into the Badger and pull out trailers. Then cars, cars, cars, motorcycles, bikes and people all unloaded. It was something to watch. You can see a picture of a semi backing in below. About 8:30 they started loading people. Then we waited while the vehicles were all loaded, which took until about 9:30. Bill and I went exploring the ship shortly after we sailed and were able to get some pictures of the car deck, which had two levels toward the bow. You can see a picture of our Suburban. Later, we found out that the gate that let us down to where we got the pictures was supposed to have been closed and we had been in an off limits area. People were restricted to the two people decks. The lower deck had a gift shop, restaurant, arcade room, movie rooms and staterooms for those who had made reservations for them.
We enjoyed the Badger ride very much. The weather was great and the water was smooth. We found out later that the ship can hold about 170 cars and uses 55 tons of coal to make the two trips a day. It is one of the last coal fired steamers ever built and has been in service for 50 years. The sister ship, the Spartan, has been idled and seems to be a parts ship (reminds me of Howie and Jacob with their cars!). One of the engines on the Badger was rebuilt last year and the thing that amazed me was they could still get rings, gaskets, and other parts from the original manufacturers! |
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