Wheatland Ferry between Marion-Yamill counties

Today, as we travelled from McMinnville south-east to Woodburn, we unexpectedly came across a ferry... what a surprise.

This ferry travels 580 feet across the Willamette River, depending on the height of the river, and is powered by two electric motors connected to an on-board diesel generator. It's supported by two steel cables, one under water on the downriver side, and one overhead on the upriver side. It also uses the overhead cable for steering. It has a capacity of nine cars.

The first ferry was started in the 1850s. At that time, it was a wooden raft powered by men with wooden poles.

 Yes, that's a bathing suit drying on the sunny dash.