S. S. Badger

[WDW]

I hope so!

I still play with trains too - full scale!


Taking in the sights with our Trolley ...but life is always better under a Palm Tree

2016 Coachmen Mirada 35 BH. - our Trolley
2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude

Western New York

[Tom and Patty]

We have had our Alpine with toad in tow on two different ferries on Lake Erie to Kelly's Island and South Bass Island.

Both times we drove the coach aboard and with excellent directing we left few inches wasted. I would imagine you would drive yours aboard.

A most excellent way to travel....even if ours were short. We would do it in a heartbeat just for the experience.


Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

[Rich-n-Linda]

Originally Posted by WDW

I hope so!

I still play with trains too - full scale!

I do, too. I'm Operations Manager and senior engineer on this little piece of history...



404 tons. 4,500 horsepower. Will run 80 mph. Uses the same fuel as the Badger! COAL!


Rich

[WDW]

Rich is that NKP 765?

My most favorite still under steam piece of history! I Worked excursion out of Buffalo in the 1980s.




Taking in the sights ...where my Trolley takes me.

2016 Coachmen Mirada 35BH

[pcurt23]

Originally Posted by ga80486

Has anyone here taken their Class A MH (with or w/o toad) across Lake Michigan on the S. S. Badger? I'm planning a 2016 trip from the Grand Rapids Mi area to Ludington, across the lake to Wisconsin, then up to the U.P to Pictured Rocks, returning across the Big Mac and down to GR.

Looking for suggestions for places or things to stay, see, avoid etc., and how's the ride on the boat?

Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.

Gordy

We have done the Badger trip 4 times. You haven't lived until you play Badger bingo. Make a reservation, They are usually full. We boondock the night before or the night after depending on which way we are going in the parking lot.

It is so simple, they do all the work. You arrive and pick up your tickets. Unhook the car and put it in the parking lot with keys. The rig goes into the parking lot with trucks. We usually stay in the rig until the driver comes to get it and then we board the boat. Just the reverse at the other end.

The trip is 4 hours and pleasant. There are several places to sit. A big tv lounge, a quiet lounge, they have a movie, and bingo, gift shop, cafeteria etc.

Using farmers math I think the crossing actually costs about 100 bucks each way if you compare it to driving around the lake and staying a night somewhere. Not driving through Chicago is worth every penny.

There is a casino in Ludington if you do not want to stay in the parking lot. In Manitowoc there is a fairground not too far.

Enjoy, we do not cross any other way.

[ADA]

The S. S. Badger is the last coal fired commercial ship on the Great Lakes and a treasure to be seen. She runs from Lundington to Manitowoc twice a day and loading/unloading is quite rapid and efficient (not all day as suggested earlier).

While crossing in our Great Laker from Manitowoc to Ludington last summer, I timed our departure such as to encounter the Badger midway headed towards Manitowoc. It was a perfect crossing day with calm waters and little wind. The Badger is an impressive sight coming up over the horizon and moves quite quickly and seemingly quietly across the waters. There is some visible smoke but much work has been done to trap particulates, and collect and offload ash in port as opposed to dumping midway. Hopefully these efforts will satisfy the EPA that has tried to shut down this enterprise which is so important to history and the economy of the two port cities.

After we docked in Ludington, we saw the Badger already coming back from the round trip and in the midst of docking. The ship comes in toward the east through the piers, swings the bow to the south, and drops anchor while backing along side the loading piers. The anchor provides additional steering control and helps slow the ship down while backing up. On a calm day, the captain makes this maneuver look easy, but I have seen it in high winds and waves and that is really quite impressive.

SS Badger, Lake Michigan Car Ferry | Manitowoc, WI - Ludington, MI

[belanga]

We did this and with the RV, Tow Car and 2 people I think it was around $300.00. This another of those only once in a lifetime and don't miss it. It is the same as the lunch buffet at the The Grand on Mackinac Island, $49.99 each. We enjoyed both but it was a once in a lifetime experience.

[Rich-n-Linda]

Originally Posted by WDW

Rich is that NKP 765?

My most favorite still under steam piece of history! I Worked excursion out of Buffalo in the 1980s.

Yep...NKP 765. We ran Buffalo to Corning again this year.


Rich