We accepted a load going from Battle Ground Washington to La Pointe Wisconsin. The dispatch message stated that we would have to take a ferry to get to the receiver. I was immediately over the top excited about that as I have never been on a ferry.

I called the shipper to confirm the load and directions. I was concerned about having the correct directions as the satellite image showed a house. Turns out it was a residence, but not just any residence. This was a beautiful property with a home that was well built and large. The garage had a two bedroom one bath apartment above it for “guests”, as the owner described it. He also rough cut fir trees in his front yard. He makes a variety of cuts, we were getting 3″ by 12″ planks. Some were 30′ long and some were 22′ long.

After quickly and efficiently loading about 47 thousand pounds worth, he chatted with me while I strapped and tarped. He showed me pictures of his classic car collection and explained that he has a classic car show in his front yard every year. He was a very interesting man and I hope I can load there again one day.

I called the receiver who was nice enough to arrange parking the night before with his brother. His brother owned a boat storage warehouse and there was more than enough room. This put us a mile away and was a nice quiet place to sleep.

We arrived at the appointed time and checked in, the lady who measured our truck and trusted me with a verbal weight was very upbeat and cordial. At one point she stopped and looked at me and said, ” I’m going to guess where you are from based on your accent. I am going to guess… Southern Alabama?”

Well that was close enough as I am from the Florida panhandle and I was impressed. “My turn,” I said and guessed “Canada… Ontario?”

She was a bit shocked and said “that’s pretty good”

I never did find out if I nailed it or not.

We waited patiently as they loaded about five cars onto the ferry lining the sides leaving room for us. The first thing that caught my attention was the ramps on both sides of the boat. This design is great because nobody had to do any backing during pick up or drop off.

We were directed with spotters onto the ferry and I was like a kid seeing his first whatever. I had been feeling, lately, like there wouldn’t be anymore firsts for us. Thankfully I was wrong about that. I took tons of pictures including one of the ferry captain. She was in the middle of putting her hair up and I, with sign language, asked if I could take her pic. She gave me thumbs up with a half smile about this little old guy with the enthusiasm of a five year old.

It was a beautiful ride with perfect weather and I couldn’t stop smiling.

I was greeted by the receiver who led me the few miles to their storage yard. They were very helpful in getting my tarps and straps off, folded, and put away. Then the boss used a logging unloader (a big clamp type crane looking thing) and he used it as if were a part of his body. He was good with it – and later revealed to me he’s been doing this for decades.

We got done and chatted for a bit. I learned he has been on this island for all his life (57 years). Also the island has a population of around 250, though tourist season brings 3000+ any given day. In the winter the water freezes over and they drive back and forth on the ice to the mainland.

After I was empty, they had me follow them to their house and gave me a baseball cap and a T-shirt with the company logo on it. 

This was one of my favorite loads to date. I have also been promised that if I return as a tourist, we will have a beer and a cigar together. That’s one future date I intend to keep. This is America’s heartland, and I am a better person for knowing places like this still exist.