Riders of the Washington Island Ferry are making sure they get their traveling in before Santa makes his annual visit. Winter traffic to and from the island is usually reserved to work and appointments, but the holidays cause some extra traffic at the ferry’s Northport dock. Washington Island Ferry President Hoyt Purinton says the only thing that gets in the way of the holiday traffic boost is the weather.

Another reason for the uptick in traveling on either side of Christmas Day is the ferry schedule, which only has one morning roundtrip on December 25th instead of its usual four. Purinton is thankful for its passengers giving his crew a little extra time to spend with their families.