The last car ferry in Arkansas, Peel Ferry, is chugging right along as it has for decades, transporting people and vehicles across Bull Shoals Lake north of Yellville in Marion County.
When a road trip leads to this remote part of Arkansas, a cruise across the lake on the free ferry is a treat. A drive east just to ride the ferry and visit sights along the way makes a fine day out. The drive home from a visit to south-central Missouri in October offered another chance to enjoy the 20 minute ride across the water.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department operates the ferry. It's located at the end of Arkansas 125, near the Peel community, about 30 miles northeast of Harrison. Or, traveling from Missouri, Peel Ferry is five miles south of tiny Protem, Mo., 38 miles west of Branson.
Drive your car on the ferry, then get out and stretch your legs, maybe eat a picnic lunch and enjoy the ride across Bull Shoals Lake. If the ferry has left the dock just as you arrive, it may take 30 minutes for its return to your side of the lake.
Locals depend on the ferry to get across. For others, it's a tourist attraction. When we rode the ferry in October, there was a mixture. Passengers snapping photos were the obvious visitors. At the front of the ferry was a flatbed truck with two men in the cab. The bed was piled high with bags of cattle feed.
"Those cows eat better than I do," the driver said.
A tug boat is attached to the side of the ferry to push it along. The engine's deep murmur is quiet. Waves lap against the bow of the metal tug. It's OK to walk around on the ferry, enjoy the view and chat with passengers. The ferry runs every day during daylight hours, except during extreme wind or heavy fog.
When the ferry reaches the other side, the tug flips around on a pivot to face the opposite way for the return trip. Capacity is about 12 vehicles.
Last time we rode Peel Ferry in May 2014, several motorcycle riders wheeled their machines on board. The bikers had the ear of the two-person crew before we left the dock.
Why a ferry and not a bridge, one asked. The answer: About 60 to 80 people cross the lake on a typical day. It's more economical to operate the ferry than to spend millions on a bridge. Without the ferry, it's a long drive around the lake to the other side.
It's worth the drive from Northwest Arkansas to Bull Shoals lake just to ride the ferry. It's OK ride across, turn your car around, and ride back. And it's all free.
Flip Putthoff can be reached at fputthoff@nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWAFlip
Sports on 11/10/2015