It carries on - although very rarely for horse traffic these days.
State Highway 113 comes to a wet end as the road dips into the water on both shorelines. If you adhere to the stoplight instructions - when the ferry finishes it's seven minute trek - you will be instructed to pull your car onto the boat. 15 cars can make the trip at a time.
But's while it's purpose is utilitarian... the ferry is much more than that. It's free - the only free ferry in the state - and the adventure is priceless. It's been a free ferry since 1933 when the state took it over. The boat is the ColSac III (for Columbia and Sauk Counties that it connects). Nearly 292,000 cars made the crossing last year.
Where else can you stop your car in the middle of the road, get out and walk around, talking to your neighbors from nearby vehicles, watching the waves and relaxing on the beautiful passage.
While it's become a tourist attraction of it's own - it's not for show. The nearest bridges across the river are 15 miles to the east or west. It runs 24/7 from ice out until the river freezes.
The ferry isn't too far off Interstate 90/94 and worth the trip out of your way to enjoy. If you are biking the area, it's even more of a treat to wheel aboard.
On the north shore is a concession stand you can visit while waiting for the boat to arrive. If you are lucky, you will get there just as the ferry leaves - so you have nearly 15 minutes to relax and take pictures. We timed our visit last Friday at sunset.
One thing does get me to wonder.... with the ferry following cables that guide it from one side to the other... how boring must it be for the captain to cross back and forth? At seven minutes a trip - that's essentially four trips an hour - so 32 round trips before the captain can go home.
Bon Voyage!
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