Cruising Lake Michigan on the S.S. Badger ferry, Ludington to Manitowoc

And on to Wisconsin’s charming Door County

In October’s late afternoon sun, passengers on the S.S. Badger relax their way to Ludington, Mich., with a nap, a book, a game of chess, and gazing at Lake Michigan on one of the last ferry runs of the year. (Photos by David G. Molyneaux, TravelMavensBlog.com) CLICK on Picture for full screen

                                      Published by Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer

By David G. Molyneaux | TheTravelMavens.com

LUDINGTON, Michigan – May brings the return of travelers, lining up their vehicles at Ludington’s Lake Michigan docks to board the famed S.S. Badger. The ferry is a National Historic Landmark, as well as an enjoyable ride across the lake toward summer vacation destinations in Wisconsin above Milwaukee: to Door County, and all points west.

For Ohioans, the ferry between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is an alternative to the laborious multi-lane highways to Milwaukee, including the traffic crawl through Chicago. From Cleveland, the total drive to Manitowoc, north of Milwaukee, usually is at least eight hours. Charming beach vacation towns in Door County are another two hours north.

Riding the Badger is not really a timely shortcut — the 400-mile drive from Cleveland to Ludington is about six hours and the ferry ride another four hours. The choice is less about time and more about the fun that includes a break from the tedious concrete.

Besides, nearly everybody likes a boat ride. The 410-foot-long Badger, launched in 1953 to haul rail cars across Lake Michigan, is designed for all weather. You may sit outside gazing at the lake, inside near the windows or find a quiet spot to curl up in a chair for a snooze, perhaps play a rousing game of cards, while the captain does all the work to get you and your vehicle to Wisconsin.