Planes, Trains, Automobiles (And Boats?!!)

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” was a classic Steve Martin movie about the ragged-edge (but hilarious) side of business travel. While never quite to that extreme, I have had some unusual business travel experiences over the years. My most recent was neither extreme nor funny, but just a very pleasant diversion from the ordinary.

Last week, I was on a four day blitz to see a few of the different operations owned by my new employer. One of these is in northern Wisconsin, in the small town of Sturgeon Bay. It’s a bit north and west of Green Bay, and not at all convenient to get to from anywhere! In trying to figure out exactly what my travel arrangements were going to look like, I got the idea of using the ferry that runs across Lake Michigan, as maybe being the most sensible when considering the current price of gasoline and airline tickets (and my point of departure). The ferry ticket was reasonable and convenient by comparison.

The name of the ship is the S.S. Badger. It started life in 1953 running mostly railcars from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin and back. At some point during our deconstruction of the railway industry, I suspect that the Badger was being viewed as a potential for the scrap pile also, but somehow it survived and is now an auto and truck ferry. Apparently business has been OK over the years, but I would think that the future may be getting brighter in light of $5.00 per gallon gasoline!

So having made my reservations, I showed up at the dock on a nice warm (and calm!), Wednesday evening in Ludington. I was going to make a night crossing which would put me into Wisconsin four-hours later. This boat is arguably little-Ludington’s biggest claim to fame, as there are Badger-goods sold everywhere, and Main street leads literally into the gaping maw of the 400-foot long Badger’s stern, where motorcycles, cars and even a few semi-trucks are gobbled right up. The ship was originally designed for 34 rail cars, so I’m not sure what that translates into for highway vehicles, but we seemed about half-full this night. She didn’t seem to sit any lower in the water once we were loaded up. We left right on time, with a Coast Guard escort, which I’m sure was never there in our pre-9/11, pre-Homeland Security world. They shadowed us for the first few miles and even checked out a boat which was sort of on a crossing trajectory to ours. No Iranians, I’m happy to report!

To cut to the chase, the trip was easy and relaxing as compared to the other modes of travel mentioned above. Once on-board you can wander the decks, play bingo, watch TV or a movie, sleep or eat. I suppose that the weather could make the trip considerably less enjoyable, but this night was about perfect. Although it was amazing how the early-summer air cools as you get out into the middle of that big bath of 50-degree water!

Just like in a railways lament which I wrote last month, I wouldn’t be surprised to see these types of transportation coming back into fashion. Actually, there is a newer and faster version running farther south across the lake. Maybe those that were scrapped, were done a bit too hastily. This is a steamship burning coal for it’s boilers, and we’ve got a lot of coal! Of course, the environmentalists probably wouldn’t have liked the line of coal-smoke which stretched out to the horizon behind us, but then unless it was powered by oars, you’ll never make them happy!

I was on this same ship many years ago, but I had mostly forgotten the ride and the little nuances of travel like this. What a nice change of pace it is! I must come back sooner next time.