sunny day in sistersville w.v. 

      we set sail down easy street sliding and a gliding past features known to me like steinecks bakery. i'm sure a lonely place since i stopped eating breads except as a luxury.was glad to see they are still open as i have been going to steinecks bakery since i was a boy. a different generation owns it today, but the maple cream puffs are to die for. only one is allowed as they will throw you into sugar shock as the smell of fresh baked goods is the reason i am not allowed to go in  anymore. it is intoxicating, to smell that aroma and taste the sweet morsels. 

     although the truck veers sharply as i past the bakery , we head on south past our other farm and further south past dover dam. up over st rt. 516, or seven mile drive, and  i continue taking st. rt. 800 past new philadelphia , dennison and points further south. 

     at this point i deviated over towards powhattan point ohio , and headed south on rt. 7 along the ohio river. the trees were at their peak in the southern part of ohio and vistas so beautiful it could only be ohio. mountains climbing up both sides of the ohio valley channeled the bright sunshine down to light our way. 

     i knew this to soon be the turning point in the trip and suggested we grab something to eat at next restaurant we came to. we stopped and as i was backing from the place noticed the ferry sign and looked down the hill to see a ferry boat to give rides across the ohio river. asked all with me if they care to give it a go , and all said yes. off down the hill we went. . immediately we were  ushered onto the ferry and then i asked how much. 

    i know a poor time to sweat details but you never know . thinking if you are buckeye going south might be one price , but if you are west virginian going north might be another. but i was relieved to find it was same price both ways. just depended whose license plates you had on. just kidding folks. looked like it could handle about 6 vehicles. but was glad when they took only 2 both ways. 

    the person in charge of money gathering whether he is  pursor or a first mate , informed me that the sisterville ferry is the only ferry service across the ohio river between pittsburg and cinncinnati, along the ohio river. on the other side of the river  we went into sistersville west virginia , and looked for a place to eat and ended up in a dairy queen. but it was sunday , and it seems past 3 pm. on sunday you should not eat in that area. but it was a good turning point in our trip , and across the river on the ferry and back up st. rt . 800 all the way to new philadelphia and points north . back up easy street and home where the view at the bottom awaited us. 

     a slight detour also included piedmont lake , a beautiful scenic lake , absolutely gorgeous this time of year.                                  it is known as cleveland avenue up here and st rt. 800 and when i was a kid it used to be called rt.8, if anyone remembers. before i-77 it was the the main road north and south in the state of ohio. driving down st. rt 800 will eventually land you in the small town of fly ohio. turn left and a quick right  and head across the river  and you are there. the operator said he is open most of the year , except for severe weather from 8am -6 pm . but you had better check before taking my word. 

     the picture below me shows the swing of the ferry always allowing the operator to go forward. after shoving off and accelerating one engine and reversing other he maneuvers the boat while still attached to the ferry to a forward looking position. and actually changes the direction of the push boat , always allowing him full visibility of what is ahead. this ferry service is a vital link in case of an emergency in that area. it would be 12 miles south or 22 miles north to nearest bridge to cross. and if something happened to either of those bridges the ferry would be indispensable. it is a ride i would suggest to all. you are able to get out of your vehicles and wander the deck if it is nice, we had a beautiful day with beautiful sights to see,