S.S. Badger

[BonS]

We've been thinking about crossing the lake on the S.S. Badger. Is this worthwhile? Any tips?

http://www.ssbadger.com/adventures.aspx
http://www.ssbadger.com/nichemap.aspx?nicheid=5

[Black Dog]

It's a nice trip, but may be weather dependant, and IMHO, kinda $$$$.

The trip, up and over the Michigan UP, is a beautiful ride...  One you won't regret.

Black Dog

[Revalator]

My son has done that trip, the ride is enjoyable and will save some time too

[Trynt]

It's a nice trip, but may be weather dependant, and IMHO, kinda $$$$.

The trip, up and over the Michigan UP, is a beautiful ride...  One you won't regret.

Black Dog

+1

[Jack B]

I live just a few miles from the Badger I took it across a few years ago it is a nice relaxing trip. If your coming from MO. It would be a nice break. I'll be riging over the top. If you need anything let me know. I'm first leaving on Thursday.

[JimC]

Jack,
Loth and I are leaving on Thursday also. My wife is no longer going so let us know what time you are heading out.
Jim

[BonS]

I live just a few miles from the Badger I took it across a few years ago it is a nice relaxing trip. If your coming from MO. It would be a nice break. I'll be riging over the top. If you need anything let me know. I'm first leaving on Thursday.

Thanks Jack, I'll keep you in mind.

Bon

[Jack B]

We will leave early
Maybe we can meet
More the better

[98 T]

Maybe Jim and I can leave "super early"?    and meet up with you ... 

Jim... whaddaya think about super early?   we'll talk later.... I can't wait to speak with local Yupers.. I've been practicing my accent,  ya dare hey....

[alph]

so it looks like it costs $107 for one cycle and one passenger, takes 4 hours to cross.  in 4 hours i can ride about 240 miles, and it would cost $40 for fuel, to go from bellaire Mi. to manitowac Wi.  the drive is about 400 miles taking you about 6 in-ahalf hours, on the other hand you still need to drive from bellaire to luddington which would take an hour-n-ahalf.....  adding four hours, making it 5 1/2 hours so for 1/2 an hour in time saved to cross with the fairy, it's costing you about $60 to save 1/2 hour.....  does that make sence????  i think i got myself lost somewere......if a train leaves chicago going west at 60 mph and another leaves saint louis heading........

i don't know, i'd reather ride!!  less confusing

[Oss]

alph

thats why I took the fast ferry from Muskeegon to Milwaukee   was 95 bucks for me and bike cause bike is free in June and they gave me all the tie downs I needed   I used 3 of em.  2.5 hrs on the ferry  = one great nap    after starting the day at 530 somewhere between Detroit and Ann Arbor it was perfect timing for the nap  I think I pulled into Lacrosse around 5 or so but I stopped to visit with Lothair and eat lunch also west of Milwaukee

[PapaHotel]

I took it last year, 2 bikes, a car and 4 people. There was a half price special on Wednesday, so I would check there coupon or specials section to see if you can save some $. I saved a day's worth of riding around the horn through Chicago. For me it was relaxing and really worth it. They have some activities to pass the time and the sea breeze was a wonderful thing too. Loved it.

[¿spoom]

alph

thats why I took the fast ferry from Muskeegon to Milwaukee   was 95 bucks for me and bike cause bike is free in June and they gave me all the tie downs I needed   I used 3 of em.  2.5 hrs on the ferry  = one great nap    after starting the day at 530 somewhere between Detroit and Ann Arbor it was perfect timing for the nap  I think I pulled into Lacrosse around 5 or so but I stopped to visit with Lothair and eat lunch also west of Milwaukee

Right now the Milw Express (fast one) would be over $500 for a car & 2 peeps. Vicki & I'll be on the SS Badger tomorrow on the 1:55pm run from Manotowoc to Ludington.

[Garry 2r's]

Here is another option for you faster, closer  but more expense have used it several times and is great and is about 1 hour or less south of where badger docks in MI  http://www.lake-express.com/

[registbass]

3 -4 yrs ago I stopped in Luddington , got a hotel and rode down to the beach . I kept hearing this loud horn blow and after 20 min or so I saw this huge boat come out and start heading out on the lake . thats when a local told me about the ferry and being the last coal fired ship on the lake and all that . I went on with my trip the next day , on around the lake across the Macinnaw brg , upper P thru Wis down thru Ill and home to In. But I've never forgotten that ship and have told the story a bunch of times . I would love to take that trip sometime , there were a bunch of HD riders in town that night taking the ferry across to the 105th anniv. thing in Milwaukee ,but I wouldnt have wanted to go on that ride with them . anyway , that ship looks HUGE from the beach and seemed like it took 30 min to disappear on the horizon . All I can say is "when its gone , its gone and you wont be able to do it then . " something for me to think about too.

[Jack B]

Better go soon the EPA wants to shut the SS Badger down because of coal ash being dumped into the lake

[cookiedough]

Heard the same thing Jack about the environmentalists, etc. wanting to shut down the ferry because of coal ashes dumping into Lake Michigan.  From what I hear if they do not upgrade their engines to NOT burn coal and go diesel or whatever and it seems they do not have the money to do, it will be shut down until funds are available to convert.  I have seen SS Badger several times and is really cool on the WI side to see it come in at night in the dark where you can get within feet of it coming right at you until it hits the large wooden barrier crashing into it enough so to shake the ground you are standing on about 15 feet away is all, pretty cool!  We've also seen it leave Ludington on the lighthouse pier upclose and it is pretty impressive to see, but like others have said, is pretty darn expensive unless find a discount.  Unless tired, I would recommend and have driven in car around Lake Michigan and is pretty scenic and cheaper to do going thru upper UP and mackinaw bridge was cool as well to drive across.

[Kaz]

The Badger is a histeric land mark isn't it?  How can they shut something like that down?

[gregk]

Done that 2 years ago going to Inzane in Mich.   We boarded past Midnight and slept going across the lake and sort of refreshed unboarding about 630 am.  Warning to you, you'll have to sleep in a seat that reclines some but not a lot. If you unboard in the morning you can get to Inzane in about 5 Hrs. With a stop or two.

[theredark]

I'm booked on the Sunday morning Ferry from Ludington!

[saddlesore]

 The Badger was given the OK for a couple of years more.  But I think it's on the condition that they stat the process of switching to diesel.
Right now all the coal ash gets dumped in the lake. I've watched it leave Manitowoc several times.  You can see the black smoke past the horizon.

[Dagwood]

Remember to bring your own tie downs. The Badger doesn't supply any. Also watch the grate that they park you on. There is an edge that is easy to trip on. Other than packing you in handlebar to handlebar, it is a relaxing way to cross the lake.

[fantsybikr]

booked for monday morning