Crossing the River
Our route to Maine was planned to cross southern Ontario, Canada. Leaving from Trenton, MI presented us with the problem of how to cross the Detroit River and enter Canada legally. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic are not allowed on the Ambassador Bridge or through the Detroit Windsor Tunnel. There was another little known possibility, the Detroit Windsor Truck Ferry. I was very familiar with this operation after spending a career with the U.S. Customs Service.
The ferry operates from a heavily industrialized area of Detroit near Zug Island. It specializes in carrying commercial vehicles across the Detroit River that are prohibited from using the bridge or tunnel because they are over-weight, over-sized, or carrying hazardous materials. Brian and I have been accused of all of the above, so it seemed like the perfect solution.
I had contacted the operator of the Detroit Windsor Truck Ferry to find out if we could use his service. Mr. Ward was receptive to the proposition (it may have helped that I have known him since the operation began). I informed him that we would be crossing on June 11. We were told to be at the dock about a half hour before departure (odd hours from Detroit) so that they could have all of their manifest information transmitted to Canada Customs in a timely manner.
The 14 miles from my house to the ferry dock was uneventful with the exception of the pouring rain, cold conditions, and a SMART bus driver who challenged us to a race down Jefferson. We checked-in at the ferry office and mooched some coffee while we waited for the word to board.
The bikes shared the barge with a single tanker truck. The bikes rested against the rail of the barge and we rode in the tug boat Paul E. No. 1, out of the weather. The ride to the Windsor side of the river was about 20 minutes and we docked near the Windsor Raceway. We reported to Canada Customs, were admitted to Canada, and proceeded down the road.
We were really doing this! After all of the talk and planning, we were on the way. We had just completed the hardest part of the trip, getting started.
Go to Truck Ferry for more info.
