False Detour Channel ferry?

Question

Are there any ferries that run across the False Detour Channel from Cockburn Island to Drummond Island? My grandparents and I are planning a trip to Canada and parts of the US. We want to go west toward Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota after we leave Caledonia, where I plan to search for some records, as we have some ancestors from there. I have been looking at some maps, and have noticed that if there is a ferry service between Cockburn and Drummond, we would be able to head north from Caledonia, take the ferry to Manitoulin, take the ferry to Cockburn, and then take the ferry across the False Detour Channel to cross back over into the US at the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and then head west to North Dakota. Since the channel contains an international border, I am afraid I may be disappointed in my hopes that there is such a ferry. I suppose another alternative would be taking the ferry to Manitoulin and then going through Espanola to Salt Ste Maries and re-entering the United States there. MapQuest has me re-entering the United States on HWY 3 N in Mt. Clemens, MI outside of Detroit and then going through Chicago to get to North Dakota, but I think that going through more of Canada would be more interesting. I've also thought of taking 17 and HWY 1 past Winnipeg all the way to Brandon or Regina and then going south from there to get to North Dakota, which would probably also be more interesting, but would probably take considerably more time. Does anybody know if there's a ferry? I would also appreciate any other route suggestions from people familiar with the country. Thank You.

Answer 1

Can't be done. Let's start with the Cockburn Island end. It has no ferry or bridge connecting it to anything else, so you can't get to Cockburn or Drummond from Manitoulin by car. Sault Ste Marie is the closest border crossing point from Manitoulin Island.



If you want to see some country and stay out of big cities, going via Manitoulin is a nice way. Reserve your place on the ferry, and arrive in plenty of time. But it's definitely the long way around. If you go via Manitoulin and cross at Sault Ste Marie you might be interested to know that there's a state ferry(google "SS Badger") crossing Lake Michigan from Ludington MI to Manitowoc in Wisconsin, near Green Bay. Saves going around and through Chicago, but the roads are much smaller and slower that way. The fast way from Caledonia to North Dakota is through Detroit and Chicago on the Interstates as your map search has shown you. Ludington had some lovely old "lumber baron" type houses.



You could also go west from Sault Ste Marie, Canada, along the north shore of Lake Superior to Thunder Bay and then south to Duluth. Or west along the south shore of the Lake from the US Sault Ste Marie to Duluth. Both are labelled as scenic drives but for my money the south shore is more interesting. Or perhaps that's because I've driven the north shore many more times. The drive from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg along 17 and 1 is, trust me, not that interesting overall. It has its points but is really kind of monotonous.

Answer 2

You are in an area that does not have a lot a roads and is very isolated.



Are you trying to make this as difficult as possible.



Your route in Canada around the North side of the lake is fine. If you look on any map you see there are few towns that is because there are few people in the area. Is is a long way of similar scenery with little to do except driving down the road. The road is fine and well travelled. As an alternate head west towards Minneapolis or Duluth if you want the RURAL experience and head North to Winnipeg and Brandon from there.From a scenery point of view there is not much between Winnipeg and Regina it is an easy drive on a divided highway if that helps. Driving south Towards North Dakota please note the locations of BORDER crossings there are only a few places to cross. Your routing will depend on the time you have to make this trip. The closest place to cross in that area is at Sault Sainte Marie.



Which Caledonia are you leaving from? Your island hopping will result in disappointment. This not a HIGH TRAFFIC area and there is no need for a ferry or border outpost that is staffed for tourists. Rest assured the area is patrolled for those that wish to cross illegally. Boaters have reporting stations . As the area is isolated it is not hard to find you if you are in a place you do not belong. This also not on a direct route from either Caledonia Michigan or Caledonia Ontario. You have discovered a nice place to vacation but it is not noted as an entry point for the US or Canada.



If you wish to go to the island just stay on high way 6 and go north to Espanola and join the Transcanada highway there. And either stay north around the lake to Winnipeg very scenic but not the most exciting of drives. Or come south at the Sault and go west from there.



Sorry the excuse that you just want a scenic drive does not hold water.



Enjoy your vacation and suggest you use the more regularly travelled routes to cross the border. If you wish to travel to Manitoulin Island take your binoculars and fishing pole you can use them there.



You are travelling through a part of North America that while scenic does not have a lot of services in some areas. READ YOUR MAPS with care if you do not see a town it is quite possible there is not one there are many large areas with few people. Leave the dirt roads for the locals.

Answer 3

When you get to the Regina area, note that the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society has one of the two or three largest genealogical collections in the country. The reading room of the Saskatchewan Archives Board in Regina is only open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.



Also, note that because of the oil boom in the vicinity of the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, accommodation in the area (i.e., Williston, Dickinson and the towns around them) is extremely hard to find.

Answer 4

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