Hey all,
I just got home from a very fast-paced trip to the Northeast to visit the Str. MINNE HA HA of Lake George Steamboat Company and the Str. TICONDEROGA of the Shelburne Museum, in Shelburne, VT.
What a great trip! These boats are a MUST SEE for any steamboat fan. I mean this in all sincerity, you are missing out on two breath taking jewels of steamboat history if you don't include these two in your travels!
The MINNE HA HA was built in 1969 by the Dow Family (who also own the NATCHEZ in New Orleans) and features a set of Semple non-condensing steam engines as her propulsion. She runs 7 one-hour cruises a day on the lake from Memorial Day through Labor Day and some special cruises after the season as weather permits. She features a steam calliope built by Dave Morecraft and makes her presence known with no less than THREE steam whistles! She is a gem and has a crew of very friendly folks who are so proud of their boat and love steamboat fans!
The TICONDEROGA is restored at the Shelburne Museum about two and a half hours drive from Lake George. This is an excellent day drive trip from the Lake. She is a 1906 built sidewheel steamboat with a walking beam engine...the last of her kind in the US. She is in unbelievable condition for her age. To walk her decks is something akin to being on the DELTA QUEEN, as she has many of the same architectural features as this phenomenal time machine of the north.
I highly suggest that anyone who calls themselves a steamboat fan make plans to go to Lake George and spend a couple of days experiencing the beauty of the Lake and the Steamboat MINNE HA HA. She has two sister boats, the 1908 built MOHICAN (former steamboat, now diesel) and the 1989 built LAC DU SAINT SACRAMENT. All of these boats are worth your time and you won't be the least bit upset with your time traveling to see them!
While there, plan a day drive to Shelburne...you will be so glad you did!
I cant begin to tell you the fun I had on this trip. It was like finding a new link to the history of steamboating i didn't know existed!
Travis
Picture 1: The LAC DU SAINT SACRAMENT passing the MINNE HA HA
Picture 2: The Str. TICONDEROGA
Picture 3: The Paddlewheel of the Str. MINNE HA HA
I just got home from a very fast-paced trip to the Northeast to visit the Str. MINNE HA HA of Lake George Steamboat Company and the Str. TICONDEROGA of the Shelburne Museum, in Shelburne, VT.
What a great trip! These boats are a MUST SEE for any steamboat fan. I mean this in all sincerity, you are missing out on two breath taking jewels of steamboat history if you don't include these two in your travels!
The MINNE HA HA was built in 1969 by the Dow Family (who also own the NATCHEZ in New Orleans) and features a set of Semple non-condensing steam engines as her propulsion. She runs 7 one-hour cruises a day on the lake from Memorial Day through Labor Day and some special cruises after the season as weather permits. She features a steam calliope built by Dave Morecraft and makes her presence known with no less than THREE steam whistles! She is a gem and has a crew of very friendly folks who are so proud of their boat and love steamboat fans!
The TICONDEROGA is restored at the Shelburne Museum about two and a half hours drive from Lake George. This is an excellent day drive trip from the Lake. She is a 1906 built sidewheel steamboat with a walking beam engine...the last of her kind in the US. She is in unbelievable condition for her age. To walk her decks is something akin to being on the DELTA QUEEN, as she has many of the same architectural features as this phenomenal time machine of the north.
I highly suggest that anyone who calls themselves a steamboat fan make plans to go to Lake George and spend a couple of days experiencing the beauty of the Lake and the Steamboat MINNE HA HA. She has two sister boats, the 1908 built MOHICAN (former steamboat, now diesel) and the 1989 built LAC DU SAINT SACRAMENT. All of these boats are worth your time and you won't be the least bit upset with your time traveling to see them!
While there, plan a day drive to Shelburne...you will be so glad you did!
I cant begin to tell you the fun I had on this trip. It was like finding a new link to the history of steamboating i didn't know existed!
Travis
Picture 1: The LAC DU SAINT SACRAMENT passing the MINNE HA HA
Picture 2: The Str. TICONDEROGA
Picture 3: The Paddlewheel of the Str. MINNE HA HA
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