BIll Ellzey: I'm thinking my next road trip will include some Louisiana ferries
With natural bayous and rivers all around, plus scores of man-made canals, south Louisiana has more than its share of bridge and ferry crossings.
Locals regard them as the essential means of getting to and from work. Vacationing travelers find them part of the adventure of seeing our unique, mostly flat landscape. It's akin to our fascination with the winding and steep highways through hilly and mountainous country.
Free cruises? Most of our ferries are free. A traveler can drive aboard ferries that take his vehicle and all occupants across the mighty Mississippi River at no charge. During a crossing, passengers can climb up into the ferry's superstructure to view passing tugs, push boats, barges, even ocean liners, either moored or moving along the river.
With longer trips restricted by COVID and the cost of gasoline, I am considering a tour of the state that would seek out all the ferry crossings I can find.
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Downriver? On the Mississippi alone, there is a crossing at Pointe a la Hache and another at Belle Chasse. Google lists still another at Chalmette. I figure that even with long waits at the terminals, I could ride them all in one day, including a drive as far downriver as the road system permits.
That would take me past Buras and Boothville to the end of the road at Venice. One summer, more that 50 years ago, I worked at a service company near Venice, cleaning a barge which carried fresh water to drilling rig locations along the Gulf.
It has been that long since I had a reason to drive that dead-end route. I wonder whether Ellzeys Hardware Store (no known relation) is still in operation in Venice.
Canal Street: Visitors to New Orleans are urged to enjoy some of the best views of the city from the Canal Street/Algiers Ferry. “Since 1827, the ferry has traveled across the Mississippi River to Algiers Point, a historic neighborhood with loads of 19th century village charm.” This ferry is NOT free. Pedestrians, including bicyclists, pay $2 each.
Upstream: Between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, I find the Plaquemines to Sunshine ferry. Elsewhere, the Louisiana Department of Transportation lists the Cameron ferry taking traffic on La. 27 across the Calcasieu River and the Duty/Enterprise ferry carrying cars and trucks traveling La. 559 across the Ouachita River, saving a 45-mile detour.
There are possibly similar crossings I haven't discovered, but I intend to try the listed ones as soon as I can.
Avoca Island: The status of the crossing to this Terrebonne Parish “island” across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is not clear. When working, this cable ferry provides vehicular access to private camps and little else. Bridging the waterway has been deemed too expensive, and camp owners can reach their properties by boat. Years ago, I crossed to the island using the ferry, only to return shortly after, having driven the length of its short road system.
Responding? Contact Bill Ellzey at (985) 381-6256, ellzey@viscom.net, billellzey312@gmail.com or Bill Ellzey, 312 Bellaire Drive, Houma, LA 70360.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: BIll Ellzey: My next road trip will include some Louisiana ferries
