Hi everyone--I am sorry I have not updated in so long. I have settled in to my new job as Riverlorian on the Mississippi Queen--well, I have given a few riverchats, and a few pilot house tours, and not fallen flat. I feel pretty comfortable so far. Of course, I love it! I do miss my close contact with the engines. On the DQ, I spent a lot of time down in the engine room. On the MQ, the closest I can get is the engine room viewing window. Each night, before I call it quits, I go to the window and place my palms on the glass. I sigh. They are so beautiful. I am hoping that before long I'll get an invitation to visit them in person.
I am getting to know this new boat. She is so big! You can fit a lot of people in the pilot house for a tour. Slowly, I am understanding what her various sounds and shudders mean. I knew the DQ pretty well, but it takes awhile to get to know a new boat. I'm learning to appreciate how hard it would be to steer her. She is different from my little boat--but Dave Hardesty, second mate on the DQ, told me, "Think of it as adding a new boat." I have, and I love it!
More than anything, I miss my crew members on the DQ. It was so small that I knew everyone. The MQ is so spread out and there are so many crew memebers that you are constantly seeing new people. I have my own room and bathroom, which you would think is an advantage, but it does cut me off from people, too. And all my engineering buddies? I always had a place to go. I haven't really found that place yet. I will. Right now, I am spending a lot of time reading and researching, anyway.
At the moment, I'm at the library in Paducah, one of my favorite stops. The wireless card on my laptop seems to have stopped working. This limits my ability to post easily. Hard to get things fixed when you are on a steamboat! So I apologize. I am writing a bit when I get the chance, and will try to download when I have the opportunity. I am thinking a lot about the future of these beautiful boats as I live my dream.
By the way, the Cincinnati Enquirer had a lovely article Sunday and Monday, a Tall Stacks preview. John Johnston, writer, and Michael Keating, photographer, spent a few days aboard the DQ several weeks ago. The result was a wonderful story, with both video and still. Look for it at www.cincinnati.com.
