Spark of Inspiration

If you are thinking of a fun getaway this summer, why not head to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. You can take the US Mailboat Tour and see mail jumping delivery in action.

Mail jumping started in 1873. As there were no real roads, mailed was delivered by boat. The tradition has continued. Six jumpers are hired by the Cruise Line to deliver mail from June 15 to September 15. They work closely with the U.S. Postal Service. It’s a yearly tradition, you can ride the boat as a tourist. Of course, the jumpers need to be young, fit, and agile. This is a bit dangerous.

They work from 7 AM to 1 PM. They sort the mail at 7 AM. By 10 AM, they start delivery to approximately 60 homes. Being a tour guide is part of the job too. They do have try outs. They say that each person falls into the water at least once in their career, when that happens they continue to deliver the mail in wet clothes.

Here is PBS Wisconsin, Wisconsin Life / Mail Boat Jumpers on YouTube.

I grew up on Lake Michigan, I would have loved a summer job like this.

Have you ever seen the mail jumpers?