Bill's Adventure exploring the operational Ferries across the Missouri River.

Today, August 10, 2011 I took a little trip up Highway 87 and took two trips across the Missouri River Ferry's at Virgelle and Carter Montana. The McClellan Ferry north of Winifred is the only I left to visit.

Here is my Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) of my trip. I covered 358 miles and just had a wonderful time and met some really nice folks. Notice the track goes up to Big Sandy, Mt.  I dropped off a Cushcraft AR-2 VHF antenna to a amateur radio operator who indicated he needed an antenna.  The antenna was given to me with the understanding I give it away to some one who needs it if I did not use it.  Promise kept !!!!

I stopped in to visit the Virgelle Mercantile and had a Ice Cream Bar !!! Temp was 88 so it was most welcome..

Virgelle Ferry Heading back to the North Bank after dropping me off.  Beth the operator told me the name of the Ferry/Town is from combining two names Virgil  and Elle.  Virgelle's name was coined from the first names of Virgil and Ella Blackenbaker. Mr. Blackenbaker was a prominent sheep rancher and at one time was elected state senator.  I am on my way to the Carter Ferry. I made of Movie of the crossing but it is too big to put on the web...

Here is the Carter Ferry as I drove down the hill to the landing.  This is a two picture Panoramic to show you what a beautiful day it was...

Here are the Rules for the Carter Ferry !!! Ben the operator has been doing this for 17 Summers.  In the winter he and his wife go to Arizona!!!  I also made a movie of my crossing but it is also way to big to put on the web.

Carter Ferry Heading back to the North Side of the Missouri River after Ben dropped me off.  He said the roads to the south were a bit rough for about 30 miles before getting on Highway 89.... He was right !!!!

After I crossed on the Carter Ferry, the road took me south about 30 miles of dirt road through the middle of Montana's wheat fields  Combining was being done on the Winter Wheat and it was looking good. I counted 36 Combines on the way to Great Falls on the back roads of Montana.  The Ferries were originally put in place for the farmers of this area to shorten trips to town.  Oh,  the Spring Wheat was still nice and green and looking great.  I stopped and talked with two folks from the area and they both said good crops this year !!!!..