http://www.steamboats.org/forum/ en Thu, 17 May 2012 07:45:09 GMT vBulletin 15 http://www.steamboats.org/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.steamboats.org/forum/ http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4679-geography-101-a.html Wed, 16 May 2012 18:03:02 GMT Here is the title of the most recent email ad I got from ACL: *Featured Mississippi River Cruise: Cincinnati - Pittsburgh* Oh well... Here is the title of the most recent email ad I got from ACL:

Featured Mississippi River Cruise: Cincinnati - Pittsburgh

Oh well... ]]> Judy Patsch http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4679-geography-101-a.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4676-american-queen-attracting-crowds.html Sun, 13 May 2012 22:03:58 GMT Just curious to know whether the crowds are gathering at the locks and dams as they had done in the past?

I'm only ten minutes from Hannibal Locks and Dam and we almost always had a packed house due to the dam's location with Hannibal on one side and New Martinsville, WV on the other. I know some of the dams are either closed or restricted due Homeland Security measures. Hannibal has a beautiful complex with a pavillion, walking trail, baseball fields, and facilities around it and even with the viewing platform closed a crowd always seems to gather the moment they hear the whistle or calliope. After four years of absence, I'm hopeful the AQ gets a lot of publicity at the locks. ]]> Taylor Abbott http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4676-american-queen-attracting-crowds.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4675-aq-wonderful-trip.html Sun, 13 May 2012 14:55:53 GMT Three couples that I know took the Kentucky Derby Cruise on the AMERICAN QUEEN and , without exception, they could not be more enthusiastic about... Three couples that I know took the Kentucky Derby Cruise on the AMERICAN QUEEN and , without exception, they could not be more enthusiastic about every aspect of the trip. They each said the experience was wonderful.
They left Cincinnati Friday afternoon, enjoyed a remarkable thunderstorm, locked through Markland lock and arrived in Louisville early Derby Day morning. All day long the AQ's "steam buses" (which are a real treat to see, it is said that it cost $9,000 each bus for the decals which cover the whole bus) ran shuttles between the boat and Churchill Downs and betwen the boat and the Seelbach Hotel.....Louisville's swankiest. At the Seelbach the AQ passengers were treated to a free open bar and buffet. It seems the women headed for the track while the men opted for the bar and buffet. The women placed their bets at the track and then caught the steambus to the hotel to watch the races on big screen tv's. What a great way to enjoy Derby Day in Louisville.
After the races the boat left the wharf and headed DOWNSTREAM with the intent of going down to Brandenburg before turning back upstream but fog caught them and they had to tie off in the willows. The whole day Sunday was spent cruising upstream through some of the prettiest stretches of the Ohio, passing up through McAlpine Locks at 4:30 PM. The next morning a stop at Madison before returning to Cincinnati.
Each couple said the experience was "5 star" from the food to the entertainment, from the cleanliness of the boat to the attitude and friendliness of the crew.
As I stated on here last summer after hearing John Waggoner speak the Howards, it appeared to me they were going to try to do their best to get steamboating "right". It seems they have done just that. ]]> Jim Reising http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4675-aq-wonderful-trip.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4674-its-keiths-turn.html Sun, 13 May 2012 03:41:36 GMT Keith is always posting birthday wishes to everyone, now its his day: May 13th. Since it is also Mother's Day, I predict the birthday meal will be at Kingfish, with perhaps a stop at the Dairy Queen near Daisy Lane on the way home...
A grand natal day to the Curator of exhibits at the Howard/ WJ Old Boat columnist/River Ramblings director/Ohio River oracle/and all around good guy! ]]> Judy Patsch http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4674-its-keiths-turn.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4671-new-article-queen-mississippi.html Wed, 09 May 2012 22:31:07 GMT New article on Queen of the Mississippi with new pictures and a video. New paddle-wheel steamer built in Salisbury - baltimoresun.com... New article on Queen of the Mississippi with new pictures and a video.

New paddle-wheel steamer built in Salisbury - baltimoresun.com ]]> Matthew Cooper http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4671-new-article-queen-mississippi.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4670-travisimo-gasco-facebook-page.html Tue, 08 May 2012 22:42:47 GMT Finally some overdue recognition for Riverlorian Travis Vasconcelos! Go to the Great American Steamboat Co. Facebook page for a feature on Travis,... Finally some overdue recognition for Riverlorian Travis Vasconcelos! Go to the Great American Steamboat Co. Facebook page for a feature on Travis, and so far many comments from his river friends attesting to his goodness and infinite knowledge of all things river. Well deserved Travis! ]]> Judy Patsch http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4670-travisimo-gasco-facebook-page.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4669-happy-birthday-carmen.html Mon, 07 May 2012 23:39:03 GMT A whistle salute in tribute to Carmen's birthday today! Hope you had a great day in every way. Keep up steam! ]]> Keith Norrington http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4669-happy-birthday-carmen.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4668-%2Aaqs-big-arrival-cincinnati-media%2A.html Mon, 07 May 2012 18:27:28 GMT Steamboating colleagues, The appearance of the grand AMERICAN QUEEN created quite a stir here in Cincinnati last week. Her four year absence... Steamboating colleagues,
The appearance of the grand AMERICAN QUEEN created quite a stir here in Cincinnati last week. Her four year absence appeared on local TV, radio and the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER with photos, interviews. The first news article last Wednesday a bit confused with the wrong company name, picture so close all you saw was several people and a deck railing. First edition said, "The AMERICAN QUEEN replaces the older retired DELTA QUEEN with wooden superstructure now serving as a floating hotel in Chattanooga, Tenn."

Cliff Radel, veteran ENQUIRER reporter, set all straight with a fine long piece with photos outside and inside in Friday's edition. Intervews with Riverlorian Travis Vanconcelos, passengers Barb Hameister, Carol Roth. Radel also intervied in more length a construction worker with an interest in steamboats who came down in the early morning fog to take pictures. Also an older couple celebrating their anniversary aboard for eight days; then the gentleman entertaining as Mark Twain. I held my breath reading, listening pepared for the words, "The queen is dead. Long live the queen!" It did not appear in print nor was it uttered into TV microphones.

The AQ looks terrific. I did not run down to see her due to strict security with visitors etc. Good seeing a working passenger steamboat back on our rivers. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati ]]> R. Dale Flick http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4668-%2Aaqs-big-arrival-cincinnati-media%2A.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4667-aq-radio-frequencys.html Mon, 07 May 2012 16:47:03 GMT We are booked on the American Queen in early June. I was wondering if anyone would know if this vessel has any dedicated radio frequencies. On... We are booked on the American Queen in early June. I was wondering if anyone would know if this vessel has any dedicated radio frequencies. On past ocean cruises I have enjoyed listing on a scanner as the ship docks and leaves port. It is a real hoot listening to some of the conversations between the crew as they try to please difficult passengers.
My scanner will also tune the maritime frequency band and I would be grateful for any suggestions on what channels would be most active on the lower Mississippi.
Thank you for any help. ]]> Jim Melton http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4667-aq-radio-frequencys.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4666-other-race.html Sat, 05 May 2012 16:26:00 GMT These are the basic ingredients for today's event. Enjoy. ]]> Lexie Palmore http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4666-other-race.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4662-race.html Thu, 03 May 2012 14:33:09 GMT So, I get up and turn on the tv and it's on the Weather Channel. So I push a button to change channels just as the announer says "Belle of Louisville". Frantically I push the buttons to get back on the Weather Channel and they are actually covering the race, which said Belle apparently "won". Aerial views of the 2 boats make the Belle look like a john boat next to the AQ. What other boats were in the race? Did the AQ run on a slow bell or dead slow? Was she having mechanical difficulty? Did somebody, ahem, play "The old Gray Mare" and/or "I'll be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You" on the calliope? And a great time was had by all. ]]> Lexie Palmore http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4662-race.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4660-qotm-news.html Wed, 02 May 2012 20:03:13 GMT Has anybody seen any recent news about Queen of the Mississippi i heard construction is supposed to be finished this month. Has anybody seen any recent news about Queen of the Mississippi i heard construction is supposed to be finished this month. ]]> Matthew Cooper http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4660-qotm-news.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4659-queen-has-arrived.html Wed, 02 May 2012 12:55:40 GMT On this bright and beautiful May morning I just drove alongside Riverside Drive en route to work at the steamboat museum. What a WONDERFUL sight to... On this bright and beautiful May morning I just drove alongside Riverside Drive en route to work at the steamboat museum. What a WONDERFUL sight to look across the Ohio and see the AMERICAN QUEEN at the Louisville landing along with the BELLE of LOUISVILLE and BELLE of CINCINNATI. After not seeing her for a few years I'd almost forgotten just how BIG the AQ looms over the riverfront!

Once again, we can happily and truly say it's going to be a STEAMboat race!

WELCOME BACK to the AMERICAN QUEEN! Best wishes and THANKS to ALL the boats and their fine crews!

PS: "The Sternline Telegraph" reports that the MQ bell will be lifted off the AQ via a Jeffboat crane barge and towboat later today! ]]> Keith Norrington http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4659-queen-has-arrived.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4658-london-news.html Wed, 02 May 2012 12:21:13 GMT A friend of mine found this very nice article on the American Queen in a London newspaper.
World's largest steamboat is 'Rollin' on the (Mississippi) River' again after four years and a $6 million refurbishment | Mail Online ]]> Ted Guillaum http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4658-london-news.html http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4656-qom-route-mississippi.html Tue, 01 May 2012 15:58:29 GMT The Queen of the Mississippi is being built in Salisbury, Maryland. Does anyone know what waterway route it will take to get over to the Mississippi... The Queen of the Mississippi is being built in Salisbury, Maryland. Does anyone know what waterway route it will take to get over to the Mississippi River. ]]> Mike Woodyard http://www.steamboats.org/forum/river-talk-cruises/4656-qom-route-mississippi.html