Sistersville Ferry Cruise

Sunday night was the annual Sistersville Ferry and Fireworks Dinner Cruise. We took the cruise last year and enjoyed it very much, so we were ready to do it again this year.

The night was beautiful, cool and clear, and the river running full from recent rains, but thankfully all the debris from a recent bad storm in the air had cleared so we had a smooth ride.

Our start was a little delayed--first, a barge had to pass by, and then the ferry captain graciously went back to get two ladies who missed the launch on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River. They were a little embarrassed, but such nice ladies, sisters raised in Sistersville but now living elsewhere.

We weren't the only ones waiting for the barge to pass. A whole flotilla of water birds waited too.

The cruise featured a simple dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers, macaroni salad and baked beans along with cold drinks, and a DJ playing requests.

People brought their own chairs, and there were several groups who seemed to be having a blast, as well as families and two couples celebrating over 50 years of marriage.

Nearly a sellout crowd for this year's cruise, with about 55 people on board, plus the crew.

I had a long and interesting conversation with two brothers who were full of stories and history about West Virginia. Their family had connections to much of the state's history--from Indian wars to oil and gas, coal, railroads, farming, and politics, their ancestors had their part in all of it. And ghost stories! Lots of them. I will be back in touch with them in future for more details, for sure. I was thinking as I listened that the river on which we were floating also has its fair share in history and stores too.

The ferry takes a leisurely pace on this cruise, passing Crab Island and then circling Wells Island, if I am reading the map of river islands correctly. There are numerous islands of all sizes scattered in the river, many of the them formerly privately owned but now within the Ohio River Islands National Refuge.

The barge ahead of us passes Wells Island

The day was waning as we headed back upriver.

The annual Sistersville fireworks were the climax of the cruise. We watched from the Ohio side of the river where the view was the best. Since we missed the firework's for our town's big celebration over July 4th, I was happy to get to see these. They were beautiful, and satisfyingly booming.

As we began the return journey, the moon peeped out over Sistersville.

Then, oddly, the ferry began turning around. It seems a few Ohioans had forgotten to get off while we were on their side of the river, so back we went! I can imagine that Bo, the ferry captain, wasn't too thrilled, but how kind to make the return trip.

It was a long drive home late at night, but so worth the trip. I feel now like I've truly celebrated the 4th in style.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Sistersville Ferry Cruise: Food, Fun, and Fireworks

Anyone who has been reading this blog for a while knows my love affair with the Sistersville Ferry. Located at the river's edge in the pretty Ohio River town of Sistersville, the ferry is the only one operating in West Virginia today, and it's future is constantly in doubt due to funding issues. But the people of Sistersville refuse to let the ferry service end, and have come up with many creative ideas to keep the ferry in operation.

The ferry cruises are one of those ideas. Offered only a few times during the year, the cruises are a leisurely float down the river, skirting an island and offering beautiful scenery along the way.Last weekend we were fortunate to accompany our good friends Barb (the ferry board's current leader) and Greg on an evening cruise that included dinner and fireworks.

The captain, who retired a few years ago from the US Coast Guard, gave us the rules first--where the life jackets were and safety regulations. It was a pretty good crowd, about 65-70 people altogether. the American Legion provided a simple dinner of burgers, hot dogs, and fixin's. No photos of that because, well, I was eating!

There was even a pirate on board. Actually, someone forgot to bring his hat ;)

I was completely relaxed as I watched the water flow by, noticed things on the banks that one never sees from land, and feeling the cool of the evening settle around us. After the past week of activity, this was a welcome break.

The river was almost perfectly calm, the sun was shining and a light breeze kept us comfortable.

The island we circled, with a little bitty baby island beside it--actually a chunk that broke off the big one.

 Boys doing what boys do best--being rowdy and having a great time on the river. I wish this shot had come out better--caught him completely upside down!

Someone's quiet little bonfire place on the river bank. Look how the color differs between the sun (above) and the shade in this photo.

 Barb and Greg, relaxing. (Greg is an amazing photographer, with many published photos, particularly of motor sports/racing. You can check out a few of them here.

A farm wagon waits for hay, high on the riverbank.

 The crumbling of "doctor's house" at Friendly, WV. The front entrance of this place used to face the river, and was really quite grand in its day. Such a shame this place was left to ruin.

A gaggle of geese watch us pass by, not even curious about  the noisy crowd on board.

Sunlight dusted the travelers with its golden light as the sun began to set.

 The Captain, high above, keeping us on a steady course.

And then the show really started...

Pink water!

Smaller craft wait on the river, their running lights on, for the fireworks to begin.

Onshore, someone lit those Japanese candle lanterns, that floated, flaming, into the sky.

But bigger things were yet to come--the annual fireworks show!

Larry and I watching the fireworks. Photo by Greg Gage (c) from the Sistersville Ferry Legacy Facebook page.

It was a fantastic evening, and an experience I highly recommend. Everyone on board remarked on how much they enjoyed the trip, and I know I will want to go again. The next cruise is scheduled for August 13th, loading at 6-6:30 pm. This one will be a karaoke and fun trip, something a little different! But before that, you can ride the ferry during the Second Annual Ohio River Ferryboat Festival on Saturday, July 30th, in Sistersville! Plan to attend, learn about the ferry, listen to the music, enjoy crafters and take a walk around this historic, picturesque town. Become a Facebook friend of the Ferry to see more photos from this remarkable cruise!

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

The Sistersville Ferry: In Need of a Little Help from its Friends

It has been one of my summer pleasures for the past 20 years. And it may go away. How said it would be to see the end of the Sistersville Ferry, a service in continuous operation for almost 200 years.

Will this be the fate of the Sistersville Ferry?

The ferry service began in 1817 and is one of only four ferries still in operation along the length of the Ohio River today--and the only one in West Virginia on this river. Think about what that means. It was here before West Virginia was a state, before the oil and gas boom of the late 19th century, before highways. It carried very early settlers across the river to build their cabins and trade with the natives. It has transported thousands of vehicles over the years. But now its fate is uncertain as the City of Sistersville is unable to come up with enough funds to keep it running.

Getting ready to board, on one of my many trips across the river.

Sistersville is a small town, and options for raising enough revenue for the ferry are limited. The Ferry Board has been working to come up with viable solutions but money is needed right now to open the ferry as usual for the spring season.

I've taken many of my family members to Sistersville to stay or dine at the Wells Inn and to enjoy the ride across the river. There is something about the simplicity of the mode of travel, the water lapping against the boat, the soft breeze, and the gently motion of the boat as it makes its way to the other shore. The ride is less than 15 minutes probably but it is one of the most restful experiences I know. The grandkids always wanted to ride the ferry when they came to visit. It is one of our best memories of their summer visits.

 The Sistersville Lions Club has come up with a timely fundraiser that could provide enough money to keep the ferry going for a while. The Lucky Hundreds raffle is an opportunity to win some cash while helping a good cause. Click on the image below to see it full size, and learn how you can be part of keeping the Sistersville Ferry afloat. I hope that the State of West Virginia will realize that the ferry is both a historical and economic benefit to our state and take steps to ensure its financial future. In the meantime, the Lions Club is to be applauded for taking action right now.

If you're interested in helping out, contact the numbers on the ferry, or contact me directly and I will steer you to the right people. And please do share this post. The Ferry needs all the friends it can get.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.