Back in Lewis and Clark territory now.

Did you know Montana has ferries which transport vehicles across the mighty Missouri River?  Neither did I.  Mike has been in this area before and knew about them.  We took the day today (8/3) to travel north of Winifred MT to the Stafford McClelland Ferry.  

Missouri Breaks

Stafford McClelland Ferry

The cable in the photo is one of the ones which are used by the ferry.  Current is very swift here.

Anyone who winds up here has REALLY wanted to see it.  It is 17 miles on a gravel road from Winifred.  We drove up the ferry landing and wondered how to get it to come pick us up.  I finally saw a mail box with a sign "CALL HERE."  There was a small walkie-talkie in the mailbox I used to reach the ferry operator on the other shore.

(Note to the Downeys:  this ferry is a much smaller version of the one in Ireland.  Can accommodate two pickup trucks.)

We chatted with the ferry operator during the "crossing."  He said he takes about 100 vehicles a week during the busiest part of the season.  Some are local people but most are just drifters like us.

We drove a few miles on the other side of the river just to see what was there.  Scary road.  Tom (the ferry operator) said you can't use this road at all if it has been raining.  Turns to slimy mud and it's quite steep and twisting.

We are on the top of the cliffs on the north side of the river.