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Waiting on the Ferry
I tell this story often. I was doing a consult in Grand Rapids and they offered to fly me over from Milwaukee. I suggested the ferry–same price and I get to use my car. This surprised them and at each meeting for 2 days, I was introduced as: “this is Julio Rivera from Milwaukee, and he took the ferry.” The only exception to this was my last introduction where it was announced that “the meeting…
by chad℠ on Flickr.
Gov. Scott Walker understands Lake Express' pain. But he still hopes the SS Badger will continue to sail between Manitowoc and Ludington, Mich. That's the gist of a letter the governor sent last month to Sheldon Lubar, whose family built Milwaukee's Lake Express ferry that sails between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Mich. The owners of the two ferries have been feuding just as the federal Environmental Protection Agency is pondering whether to temporarily extend a permit that allows the Badger to continue to dump coal ash into Michigan. A vote in the U.S. House of Representatives last week stripped out language that would have allowed the Lake Michigan-crossing ship to keep operating.
By Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel
The Lake Express, facts & figures.
You know that feeling you get when you see a big ole' Rolls Royce around town, "Who is in there? Is it Donald Trump, Daddy Warbucks, Jay-Z & Beyonce? Well... let me help you out with the guesswork on who will be on arguably America's largest Rolls Royce tomorrow at 6am. Us bikers.
That's right, little known fact - but us adventurers will be taking the Rolls Royce powered Lake Express pushed out to sea by 12,000 horse power Rolls Royce built Kamewa water jets... It's a smooth ride too. While the boat powers up to 40 mph, it's still a steady ride on the front deck as your senses are dazzled by the drive into the world flattest, smoothest piece of glass. Yes, I've ridden this baby twice before, and I'm super excited to board this classy craft again at dawn.
We are all incredibly excited to ride America's fastest ferry tomorrow for the first leg of our journey on "The Bike Ride Across Lake Michigan."
So in case you were wondering just how fast 40 mph is in nautical knots or more infor about the ship, look no further than below the fold...
The Vessel
Lake Express is the first high speed auto/passenger ferry to operate on a route on both the Great Lakes and within the Continental United States. The aluminum hulled catamaran was built at Austal USA, LLC's aluminum shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Alabama and was launched on March 20, 2004. The ship began service on the route between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon, Michigan on June 1, 2004.
Lake Express...
Reaches speeds of up to 34 knots (40mph).
Is equipped with a self actuating computerized ride control system, providing a smoother ride and fewer cancellations due to lake conditions.
Uses state-of-the-art radar, fire suppressant systems, Global Positioning Systems and engine room monitoring systems.
Is powered by 4 MTU Detroit Diesel 4000 engines producing 3000 hp each which drive four independent Rolls-Royce Kamewa water jets.
Traverse The Lake by Boat, Traverse The Lake by Bike.
Traverse The Lake by Boat, Traverse The Lake by Bike.
On Friday, August 19th up to 9 adventurous explorers will shed the daily grind, and grind out over 200 miles in a weekend barrage of bikes, boats & brotherhood. The trip sets sail aboard the Lake Express across to the sandy dunes of Muskegon where they will meet friends & rode support from Chicago & Detroit. From there it’s a 90 mile pedal to a campsite before the next morning that they can board the S.S. Badger is what may be one of the last years the coal powered ferry will operate. From there it’s another 40 miles until the Wisconsin dunes of Harrington Beach, and the next day, back to Brew City for some cold beers and if they’re lucky, brunch.
The timing for this trip couldn’t have come at a better time, the weather looks perfect to ride and just today ABC announced that the western shores of Michigan was voted “The Most Beautiful Place in America.” As Leelanau County has been home to some of the travelers, they couldn’t agree more.
Aug 17th, 2011 Excerpt with hyperlinks:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, tucked away in the northwest corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, won the title of "Good Morning America's" Most Beautiful Place in America.
(Source: ABC News)
“As as most of us have traveled the world & are working professionals, it’s easy to overlook the beauty of the land & lakes around us that make where we live so wonderful.” Says Organizer Ryan Thompson, Social Marketing Strategist for Mark Travel & Funjet Vacations. “Back since the days I lived in Chicago I still recall the beauty of living in Leelanau County and always wanted to ride through there on what I called the C to C, or Chicago to Canada – while that may happen someday, I think we’ll start the tradition this year with square one.”
“The Bike Ride Across Lake Michigan” starts at dawn Friday and will end Sunday afternoon back in Milwaukee.
The ride will be documented using social/mobile media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & a Tumblr Blog.
CONTACT INFO: @RyanThompson| [email protected] | mobile: 262.247.6160 | Flickr | Blog | Map
