local color

We were going to try to see some ruins of a spa built around a magic spring and magic cave. But not getting there turned out to be most of the fun. First there was the construction slowdown, which involved sitting still until the jolly flagman waved us on. Several times. And then we became part of an Amish funeral procession, which perforce moved at a slow pace, seeing as the carriages were horsedrawn and the walkers were walking. We were about a mile from our destination—only a short ferry ride across the Current River to go—when it proved that the Akers ferry was out of commission due to the low river level. In a 4wd vehicle we might have made it across, but in the landshark Chrysler it was not happening, so we retraced our steps for an hour or so back home. However, we were better off than the folks  who wanted to cross from the other side. Dude we met below told us that, not knowing that the ferry (behind him) was out of service, a car drove on. Trying to back off they tore off their front bumper and possibly the whole front end. He didn't know. All he knew was that the car sat there on the other side for a couple days. No cell service in this neck of the woods!