Across the lake to Wisconsin

 June 5, 2021 Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin on the S.S. Badger

Ludington Breakhouse Lighthouse

There are railroad tracks  because the ferry used to transport railcars.

The 410' S.S. Badger was built in 1952-53 by the C&O Railway to haul railroad cars.  It was the last coal-fired, steam-powered ferry ever built in the United States.  

The crossing takes four hours.  There are multiple decks and areas to check out on board.  There is a little museum that tells the story of the ship which is now a National Historic Landmark.  

Finally, the port of Manitowoc comes into view.  Dozens of seagulls coast along in the air flow behind the ferry.  They are our welcoming committee and escorts. 

 Below is the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse which was built in 1895 and rebuilt in 1918.

Manitowoc has lots of beaches and Peter and Sydney meet us with a picnic lunch and a beachwalk plan.  The dunes are smaller than they were over near Arcadia.  The sand is sparkling white and the water crystalline blue.  This is a zero-mile day to remember.