It’s been a strange few years in Stow and Bemus Point without the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry making its regular rounds across Chautauqua Lake.

Thumbs up to all of the volunteers and contractors who have raised money and given their time and efforts to repair the iconic ferry over the past three years.

In 2018, the ferry was forced to halt its operation after it failed the 10-year hull inspection and lost its license. The hull was eroding as a result of water and snow leaking from the top metal deck into the hull. Metal beams on the deck also needed to be replaced. Hundreds of hours of labor and three years later, the ferry began trekking across the narrows of Chautauqua Lake over the Memorial Day weekend.

The ferry’s three-year absence is proof that county residents shouldn’t take the ferry for granted. There may well come a day when the historic vessel won’t be stationed in Stow to give drivers a flashback to a time when there was no Veterans Memorial Bridge over Chautauqua Lake, when the choice to cross the lake was either drive all the way around the lake or hop on the ferry to shorten your trip.

“Let’s get the new generation. If you have kids or grandkids that have never been on the ferry, come join. We’re here for you to enjoy,” Jay Kuntz, Bemus Point Stow Ferry co-president, told The Post-Journal last week.

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Take the trip. It’ll be worth the time.