A few travel-related thoughts as the Independence Day weekend nears:
FERRY WOES: The two Ohio River ferries closest to Huntington are out of service, although one could be back on the river soon.
The ferry at Augusta, Kentucky, went in for its five-year Coast Guard inspection a few weeks ago. Problems with the hull were found, so a new hull was installed. In a phone interview this week, Skip Miller, president of Augusta Ferry Authority Inc., the nonprofit that operates the ferry, said the ferry could be back in operation next week if the latest round of repairs in addition to the new hull satisfies the Coast Guard. The repairs will cost the ferry authority an estimated $450,000 to $500,000 Ƶ Ƶa pretty bad lickƵ Ƶ he said, adding, ƵNothing you can do but what they tell you to do.Ƶ
Fares collected from ferry passengers donƵt cover all costs of operating the ferry, so the commonwealth subsidizes the service, Miller said.
The Sistersville, West Virginia, ferry has been out of service after its only pilot was arrested on charges not related to the ferry itself. The Sistersville ferry board is looking for another pilot so the ferry can resume running and bring people to town. ItƵs an important part of life there.
The good news is that the annual fireworks cruise will run next weekend. The ferryƵs Facebook page reports that retired captain Bo Hause will return to the pilothouse one more time the evening of July 6 so people can enjoy seeing the annual Independence Day fireworks show from the river.
STICKS: In the 1980s and 1990s and into the early 2000s I owned several vehicles with manual transmissions. A Volkswagen GTI was the most fun to drive. It was a nice little car I probably sold too soon. Driving a car like that is a total sensory experience.
This past weekend I read that the 2026 model GTI will be the first without a manual option. ThatƵs a terrible shame, although itƵs probably VW responding to people who actually buy cars instead of those who reminisce about them.
Most kids nowadays (people younger than 40) donƵt know what fun driving can be when you must use both hands and both feet to operate your vehicle. Two of my kids own vehicles with stick shifts. One is a small car thatƵs about 15 years old. The other owns a vehicle that requires a CDL to drive Ƶ something I donƵt have.
Manual transmissions are available in a few cars this model year. Most are in vehicle out of my price range, but a few arenƵt.
TURNPIKE: A few years ago my wifeƵs cousin was stuck on the West Virginia Turnpike for several hours because of a snowstorm. This week, a person I once worked with in Charleston was stuck on the Turnpike for eight hours because of high water. ThatƵs the problem with restricted access roads with few entry and exit points.
A couple of times when I drove the Turnpike northbound after midnight, it was kind of scary with all the tractor-trailer headlights in my rearview mirror on downhill (downmountain?) slopes.
Throw in how the tolls are $24 for a round trip from here to Bluefield, and U.S. 52 through Wayne, Mingo and McDowell counties looks good as an alternative in daylight and clear weather. Or W.Va. 10 to Man and then U.S. 52. I prefer scenic drives to four-lane travel anyway when I have the choice.
