From the Pacific to the Inland Northwest

This is a story of sea captains, a car ferry in an unexpected place, and true love.

Driving north from Wilbur over the rolling wheat fields along the northern edge of the Columbia Plateau, one will suddenly find the highway taking a steep plug over the ragged basalt cliffs of the Columbia River gorge to wind like a coiled snake around sharp, serpentine curves toward the river basin below.

Continue along the highway at the bottom and drivers will meet an unexpected sight in this rocky, arid country: the 116 foot car ferry M/V Sanpoil — better known as the Keller Ferry — bobbing up against a car...