There are three free ferries surviving on the Missouri River. One of them is within five miles of Carter, MT, which – on this day – is right on Hwy 87, the road I’m taking from Great Falls to Fort Benton. How could I not take the detour?
I get through Carter (quickly, I might add), and head toward the River on Ferry Rd – essentially a gravel road – for the 3-mile trip. You can see why there’s a ferry (and no bridge) here, for while the ferry is close to Carter, it’s also close to Nowhere. But in this case, Nowhere is beautiful!! Big Sky country, indeed!! And wildlife (especially deer) to be seen with some regularity. The sky, the sun, the river . . . on this day, at least, it was a gorgeous Montana day!
I can tell I’m nearing the River, as the road begins to descend quickly, and I catch my first glimpse of the River. Soon, the Ferry is in sight.
I pull to a stop just above the ferry, near the house situated there, and get out of the car, There’s no one at the ferry, and I’m wondering how this works. I don’t have to wonder long. A pleasant woman emerges, and seems ready to take me across. I tell her I only want to go over and return, and this does not seem to phase her or diminish her smile. I like her instantly.
It turns out my ‘host’ is Vicki Perkins. She and her husband Brian (who I learn is in hospital with broken ribs from three-wheeler accident) have operated this ferry for over 20 years.
As we make our round-trip journey, we have an enjoyable conversation, and I learn much more. The ferry has operated here since 1917. In 2004, the older wooden ferry was replaced with this steel one, which is more durable. Vicki liked the wood one better – it ran on gas [this one is diesel] and was quieter, among other things.
The ferry is open for operation from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day but Sunday, and it runs from April until around Thanksgiving, depending on weather and other conditions. (This year it began on Mar 15). There have been “legitimate emergencies”, she says [fire trucks, ambulances, etc.] which have created some exceptions, though. For my own part, I’m imagining a fire crew headed to a fire, and having to take time to cross the river by ferry!
Vicki and Brian used to run the ferry by contract – now they are considered county employees. They usually split up their duties between them – Brian’s hospitalization has been doubly hard on her. Some years ago, all ferries came under the supervision of the US Coast Guard. While she has never seen an officer, she says, the uniform rules can create problems. They are now limited to no more than two cars and five passengers per trip, which, she notes, can make things interesting if a family of two parents and 4 kids pulls up!
I was also intrigued by the fact that the ferry on/off ramps need to be adjusted, as needed, depending on river height. I made my round trip at around 10 a.m. and she notes “the river has dropped over a foot already this morning”, and showed me previous imprints as evidence.
I could have visited another 20 minutes, but as we returned, another vehicle pulled up. We said our good-byes, and off she went with another ‘customer’.
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