Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Not your typical Monday: Morning commuters keep ferries busy

Megan Waletzki, 8, far left, of Dodge, Wis., holds her blanket as she walks toward a boat, on her way to daycare in Goodview, with her mom, Donna. Wisconsin residents waited in line Monday on Latsch Island to board one of two ferry boats which crossed the Mississippi River to Levee Park in Winona. (Photo by Melissa Carlo/Winona Daily News)

By Käri Knutson / Winona Daily News

Moods were upbeat as people made their Monday morning commute by ferry. By 9 a.m., more than 1,000 people had already been moved across the Mississippi River.

The Island Girl and Mississippi Explorer took turns crossing the river. The trip took about three minutes with about five minutes for docking.

Kinks on the first morning included lack of parking. The Centerville Curling Club’s lot in Centerville, Wis., was full by 6:30 a.m. Many mentioned carpooling to the drop off sites or having someone pick them up to ease the congestion. Others talked about leaving a car on whichever side of the river they worked so they could use it during the week.

The Interstate Bridge was closed last Tuesday after it was inspected by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and deemed unsafe because of corroded gusset plates. Officials are discussing whether to repair the bridge or replace it.

Most people were happy the ferry saved them gas, even if it didn’t save time.

“It was awesome,” said Lisa Abertowski who lives in between Trempealeau and Centerville.

She made the trip with her four-year-old twins, Cole and Claire. Abertowski works as a private caretaker in Homer. Since the Interstate Bridge closed last Tuesday, she had been driving through La Crosse which took her an hour and 10 minutes.

“This whole experience is hilarious,” one commuter said as she exited the boat.

If this becomes a long-term solution, it may not seem so funny. Getting to work was still a challenge for those who

didn’t work along a bus route.

“It will go quicker once we get situated,” said Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand.

The ferry rides started at 5:45 a.m. and were scheduled to continue until 11 p.m. The Explorer is based in Prairie du Chien, Wis., and usually gives site-seeing tours.

“There are not many times we give a three-minute cruise,” said Explorer Captain Eric Dykman.

People took pictures of the river with their cell phones.

“Cheers everyone,” one lady said as she raised her coffee thermos. “To our maiden voyage.”

Passengers laughed as one of the Explorer’s crew asked how many people had purchased a day pass. Not one hand went up.

“We’re in this whole situation together,” Barb Laufenberg said.

She lives in Trempealeau, Wis., and works as the office manager for the Winona Agency in downtown Winona.

“It’s an adventure. Who gets to take a boat to work?” Laufenberg said. “Two years from now, I might feel different.”

Becky Holzer made the voyage with her 2-year-old daughter, Isabella.

“I go boat,” Isabella said as she smiled at the Mississippi.

Holzer lives in Fountain City and had been taking a 124-mile roundtrip to work compared with the 20 miles it used to take prior to the bridge closing.

Brian Espe lives in Rushford, Minn., and works at Terry’s Electric in Fountain City, Wis. His boss came over in a boat one day to pick him up for work. He also tried out both the Wabasha and La Crosse routes. Neither was as convenient as his normal 31-minute trip.

“This isn’t so bad,” Espe said. “I’m happy today.”

Deb Ferguson, from Galesville, Wis., and Robin Delong, from Trempealeau, Wis., both work at Winona State University.

Ferguson also owns Ferguson’s Morningside Orchards in Galesville, and has several employees who commute from Minnesota. She enjoyed the ride, although she’s still trying to figure out a new morning routine.

“It felt like the first day of school,” Ferguson said.

For the ferry schedule, visit www.cityofwinona-mn.com.

Contact Käri Knutson at kknutson@winonadailynews.com or (507) 453-3523.