Cruising the Ohio River
by Mary Jo
September was cruise time! As with our April cruise of the Chesapeake Bay, we 
an American Cruise Lines small ship cruise. Since ACL cruises only in American waters, it was much easier and less likely to be canceled than flying to Europe at a time when border restrictions are constantly changing. We decided on a cruise of the Ohio River, starting from Pittsburgh and ending in St. Louis. It would be simple to get to and from, and more important, it was a part of the US that we didn't know well, and which has masses of history.
The Ohio River was the southern border of a vast tract of wilderness that had been ceded to the US by Great Britain in the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the American War of Independence. The Northwest Territory doubled the size 
the young United States and covered all or part of what would become six states, but at the time, it was entirely undeveloped: no towns, no farms, no roads, only a handful of small forts.
When this vast new frontier opened up, the Ohio River became the road to the west. Ships and barges carrying explorers followed by soldiers and settlers braved rapids and unpredictable waters to travel all the way down to the Mississippi River and beyond.
The Ohio River is formed when the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join together at what became the site of Pittsburgh. Our journey started there with a complimentary night at the Drury Hotel, which was once a Federal Reserve Bank. You can still see the massive vault on the lower level. <G>
There was so much I didn't know about the Ohio River! It's dynamic and unpredictable, 981 miles long, it drops roughly 500 feet between Pittsburgh and the Mississippi, which is why 19 locks have been constructed to insure smooth passage along the river. They are very long locks since they must accommodate very long strings of barges. 
Another reason for the locks was to control floodwaters. In 1937 there was a monstrous flood that inundated towns and cities along the river for weeks. We were told that after the floodwaters subsided, residents along the river turned to the Army Corps of Engineers and said, "Fix this!" So locks were built as well as concrete embankments with flood walls along the top. Long concrete walls aren't terribly interesting, so many of the towns have striking 
murals painted on them. In most cases, the murals depict the area's history, and hence they're fascinating. Here is one of the images.
But so much for the facts. Our first morning on board, I was delighted to step out on the balcony and see the mists below. Magical!
Our first couple of days were relatively quiet. In older itineraries the first stop was Wheeling, WV, but that's off 
the itinerary now for reasons unknown. Covid? Shortage of dock space? Uncertain.
The second day we were scheduled for Marietta, Ohio, a town with a lot of history. In 1788, it was established as the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory. It was a vital stop on the Underground Railroad as slaves escaping from the south were free once they reached Ohio. It was also a regular stop on steamship routes. There are a couple of great museums there, the Campus Martius museum which focuses on the western expansion and the indigenous populations, and the Ohio River museum, which focuses on the river.
I would love to have visited them, but Oops! Marietta was having a sternwheeler festival that weekend and there were no parking places for 
our Queen of the Mississippi. <G> Yes, the river is unpredictable! But below is a picture of the wheel of our stern wheeler, which 
was part of the fun of this ship.
Next stop was Maysville, Kentucky, a charming and scenic town. The Gateway Museum there has an astonishing collection of miniatures. Right next door, the showroom of a local bourbon distillery was giving away tiny cups of bourbon slushies. They were delicious and didn't have a lot of bourbon flavor, which was fine by me. <G>
Next stop was Cincinnati, a substantial city with many interesting sights, including a museum of the Underground Railroad. Cincinnati is hilly, dramatic, and rich in history as well as architecture. A church tower near the river was pointed out to us. Its priest would go up in the tower and signal with lights when it was safe to bring fleeing slaves across the river to freedom.
Our ship was parked right by the Cincinnati Bengals football stadium, and that afternoon was the first game of the football season. This explained why people were walking around carrying gigantic stuffed tigers on their shoulders. <G>
Henderson, Kentucky is not large, but it's the site of the very impressive Audubon museum. The building is striking (a WPA project, we were told) as were the many splendid 
illustration of birds done by Audubon.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the cruise was Paducah, KY. ("Rhymes with bazooka.") I had no particular expectations of the town, so it was all great. Our guide was a native son who really loved his home town, and his enthusiasm was contagious. He was one of the best guides I've ever seen and he brought the city's history alive.
Twenty blocks of the town center are a historic district and on the National Register of Historic Places. The town is also one of 180 cities worldwide that are part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and there was amazing creativity wherever you look. Lower Town, the oldest part of Paducah, was badly run down until the city instituted a program to sell the old houses to artists for $1, with buyers committing to restoring their now homes. The 
results are terrific. (The town also has some of the best river wall murals on the Ohio.)
Paducah is also the home of the National Quilt Museum, which is fabulous. This elephant quilt hangs there. In non-pandemic times, there is a huge quilt show in which 35,000 committed quilters descend on this town of 25,000 people. (!)
The Ohio River empties into the Mississippi, where we turned right and headed up river. Cape Girardeau, Missouri also had really fine mural walls.
Our cruise ended in St. Louis, which was also a city of surprises. Founded by the French in 1764, it predates the Northwest Territory I discussed above. It was part of the Louisiana Purchase, another land acquisition which doubled the size of the United States, and included land for fifteen US states and two Canadian provinces, but that's a story for another day.
I'd visited St, Louis a couple of times for conferences, and my clearest memory was of a 
long ago RWA conference when the Mississippi was flooded and the famous Gateway Arch was standing out in the river, surrounded by water. (The conference hotel was only a block or so above the flood water line,) The Arch commemorates the settlement of the far west. Our ship was parked just below the Arch, and it was a splendid sight to wake up to.
We had another excellent guide showing us neighborhoods of really impressive urban renewal, and our coach drove around the humongous Budweiser beer brewery. There was a brief sighting of a couple of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. <G>
But the big surprise was the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, known as the new cathedral. (There's an old cathedral as well, also beautiful but smaller.) To be honest, I'd never 
heard of it, but the structure is famous for its mosaic covered interior, made up of 41.5 million pieces of tile. And it's STUNNING! As soon as I stepped inside, I snapped back to my college art history class and the word "Byzantine!" reverberated in my mind. The style is very characteristically Byzantine, and there probably isn't another place like it this side of the old Eastern Roman Empire.
These pictures are a good place to end my blog. What about you–have you visited any of 
the sights along the Ohio River? If so, tell me more!
Mary Jo
Great post, Mary Jo. I would love to make this cruise. I lived in southern Indiana and Ohio for many years, even worked in Louisville, but most of this was new to me.
I liked the detail of the minister signaling when it was safe for slaves to cross. Have you ever read the annotated version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin? The book was such an anti-slavery promotion campaign in itself that President Lincoln considered it a major trigger point for the Civil War. And the annotated version lays it all out. It’s truly fascinating. Today’s dismissal of “Uncle Tom” is definitely not warranted.
There’s also, btw, a rebuttal book by a Confederate woman, called Aunt Pricilla’s Cabin, claiming how benign slavery was, with everyone being one big, happy family, a distortion still being batted around today in some quarters. I recommend Tom, not necessarily Phyllis, though it’s important to understand all sides of important issues (looking at you, Covid-19) because if you don’t know how it’s broke, how ya gonna fix it?
Great post, Mary Jo. I would love to make this cruise. I lived in southern Indiana and Ohio for many years, even worked in Louisville, but most of this was new to me.
I liked the detail of the minister signaling when it was safe for slaves to cross. Have you ever read the annotated version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin? The book was such an anti-slavery promotion campaign in itself that President Lincoln considered it a major trigger point for the Civil War. And the annotated version lays it all out. It’s truly fascinating. Today’s dismissal of “Uncle Tom” is definitely not warranted.
There’s also, btw, a rebuttal book by a Confederate woman, called Aunt Pricilla’s Cabin, claiming how benign slavery was, with everyone being one big, happy family, a distortion still being batted around today in some quarters. I recommend Tom, not necessarily Phyllis, though it’s important to understand all sides of important issues (looking at you, Covid-19) because if you don’t know how it’s broke, how ya gonna fix it?
Great post, Mary Jo. I would love to make this cruise. I lived in southern Indiana and Ohio for many years, even worked in Louisville, but most of this was new to me.
I liked the detail of the minister signaling when it was safe for slaves to cross. Have you ever read the annotated version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin? The book was such an anti-slavery promotion campaign in itself that President Lincoln considered it a major trigger point for the Civil War. And the annotated version lays it all out. It’s truly fascinating. Today’s dismissal of “Uncle Tom” is definitely not warranted.
There’s also, btw, a rebuttal book by a Confederate woman, called Aunt Pricilla’s Cabin, claiming how benign slavery was, with everyone being one big, happy family, a distortion still being batted around today in some quarters. I recommend Tom, not necessarily Phyllis, though it’s important to understand all sides of important issues (looking at you, Covid-19) because if you don’t know how it’s broke, how ya gonna fix it?
Great post, Mary Jo. I would love to make this cruise. I lived in southern Indiana and Ohio for many years, even worked in Louisville, but most of this was new to me.
I liked the detail of the minister signaling when it was safe for slaves to cross. Have you ever read the annotated version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin? The book was such an anti-slavery promotion campaign in itself that President Lincoln considered it a major trigger point for the Civil War. And the annotated version lays it all out. It’s truly fascinating. Today’s dismissal of “Uncle Tom” is definitely not warranted.
There’s also, btw, a rebuttal book by a Confederate woman, called Aunt Pricilla’s Cabin, claiming how benign slavery was, with everyone being one big, happy family, a distortion still being batted around today in some quarters. I recommend Tom, not necessarily Phyllis, though it’s important to understand all sides of important issues (looking at you, Covid-19) because if you don’t know how it’s broke, how ya gonna fix it?
Great post, Mary Jo. I would love to make this cruise. I lived in southern Indiana and Ohio for many years, even worked in Louisville, but most of this was new to me.
I liked the detail of the minister signaling when it was safe for slaves to cross. Have you ever read the annotated version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin? The book was such an anti-slavery promotion campaign in itself that President Lincoln considered it a major trigger point for the Civil War. And the annotated version lays it all out. It’s truly fascinating. Today’s dismissal of “Uncle Tom” is definitely not warranted.
There’s also, btw, a rebuttal book by a Confederate woman, called Aunt Pricilla’s Cabin, claiming how benign slavery was, with everyone being one big, happy family, a distortion still being batted around today in some quarters. I recommend Tom, not necessarily Phyllis, though it’s important to understand all sides of important issues (looking at you, Covid-19) because if you don’t know how it’s broke, how ya gonna fix it?
I have been to Paducah and seen the murals along the river, and attended a quilt show pre Covid. Both were amazing experiences. I have also been to the St. Louis arch, but was too chicken to ride the elevator to the top. Since it rides in an arc, it frequently adjusts to a new sngle of travel. My sons thought it was cool. Other great sites are the St. Louis Zoo, which is huge and wonddrful, and the Missouri Botanicsl museum which has a splash pad for kids. These latter are on the grounds of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, which is now a huge park.
I have been to Paducah and seen the murals along the river, and attended a quilt show pre Covid. Both were amazing experiences. I have also been to the St. Louis arch, but was too chicken to ride the elevator to the top. Since it rides in an arc, it frequently adjusts to a new sngle of travel. My sons thought it was cool. Other great sites are the St. Louis Zoo, which is huge and wonddrful, and the Missouri Botanicsl museum which has a splash pad for kids. These latter are on the grounds of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, which is now a huge park.
I have been to Paducah and seen the murals along the river, and attended a quilt show pre Covid. Both were amazing experiences. I have also been to the St. Louis arch, but was too chicken to ride the elevator to the top. Since it rides in an arc, it frequently adjusts to a new sngle of travel. My sons thought it was cool. Other great sites are the St. Louis Zoo, which is huge and wonddrful, and the Missouri Botanicsl museum which has a splash pad for kids. These latter are on the grounds of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, which is now a huge park.
I have been to Paducah and seen the murals along the river, and attended a quilt show pre Covid. Both were amazing experiences. I have also been to the St. Louis arch, but was too chicken to ride the elevator to the top. Since it rides in an arc, it frequently adjusts to a new sngle of travel. My sons thought it was cool. Other great sites are the St. Louis Zoo, which is huge and wonddrful, and the Missouri Botanicsl museum which has a splash pad for kids. These latter are on the grounds of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, which is now a huge park.
I have been to Paducah and seen the murals along the river, and attended a quilt show pre Covid. Both were amazing experiences. I have also been to the St. Louis arch, but was too chicken to ride the elevator to the top. Since it rides in an arc, it frequently adjusts to a new sngle of travel. My sons thought it was cool. Other great sites are the St. Louis Zoo, which is huge and wonddrful, and the Missouri Botanicsl museum which has a splash pad for kids. These latter are on the grounds of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, which is now a huge park.
I have never been on the Ohio river, only crossed over it on bridges. Of course, I know your ending city very well, having grown up there. In the 1930s, our river excurson boat was a stern wheeler. We used to gather at the stern and watch those paddles turn! So that part of your journey stirs true memories.
Thank you for a great tour.
I have never been on the Ohio river, only crossed over it on bridges. Of course, I know your ending city very well, having grown up there. In the 1930s, our river excurson boat was a stern wheeler. We used to gather at the stern and watch those paddles turn! So that part of your journey stirs true memories.
Thank you for a great tour.
I have never been on the Ohio river, only crossed over it on bridges. Of course, I know your ending city very well, having grown up there. In the 1930s, our river excurson boat was a stern wheeler. We used to gather at the stern and watch those paddles turn! So that part of your journey stirs true memories.
Thank you for a great tour.
I have never been on the Ohio river, only crossed over it on bridges. Of course, I know your ending city very well, having grown up there. In the 1930s, our river excurson boat was a stern wheeler. We used to gather at the stern and watch those paddles turn! So that part of your journey stirs true memories.
Thank you for a great tour.
I have never been on the Ohio river, only crossed over it on bridges. Of course, I know your ending city very well, having grown up there. In the 1930s, our river excurson boat was a stern wheeler. We used to gather at the stern and watch those paddles turn! So that part of your journey stirs true memories.
Thank you for a great tour.
What a wonderful post, Mary Jo! Thank you for sharing your experiences and pictures with us. I lived in Ohio as a high schooler but my knowledge of the Ohio River was nil.
The mosaics and elephant quilt pictures are stunning!
What a wonderful post, Mary Jo! Thank you for sharing your experiences and pictures with us. I lived in Ohio as a high schooler but my knowledge of the Ohio River was nil.
The mosaics and elephant quilt pictures are stunning!
What a wonderful post, Mary Jo! Thank you for sharing your experiences and pictures with us. I lived in Ohio as a high schooler but my knowledge of the Ohio River was nil.
The mosaics and elephant quilt pictures are stunning!
What a wonderful post, Mary Jo! Thank you for sharing your experiences and pictures with us. I lived in Ohio as a high schooler but my knowledge of the Ohio River was nil.
The mosaics and elephant quilt pictures are stunning!
What a wonderful post, Mary Jo! Thank you for sharing your experiences and pictures with us. I lived in Ohio as a high schooler but my knowledge of the Ohio River was nil.
The mosaics and elephant quilt pictures are stunning!
Marietta is an amazing place to visit; it’s long been a favorite mini-vacation for our family. Across the river in West Virginia is much to enjoy also, including the Fenton Art Glass Company and the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. I hope you are able to enjoy both sides of the river there, sometime in the future!
Marietta is an amazing place to visit; it’s long been a favorite mini-vacation for our family. Across the river in West Virginia is much to enjoy also, including the Fenton Art Glass Company and the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. I hope you are able to enjoy both sides of the river there, sometime in the future!
Marietta is an amazing place to visit; it’s long been a favorite mini-vacation for our family. Across the river in West Virginia is much to enjoy also, including the Fenton Art Glass Company and the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. I hope you are able to enjoy both sides of the river there, sometime in the future!
Marietta is an amazing place to visit; it’s long been a favorite mini-vacation for our family. Across the river in West Virginia is much to enjoy also, including the Fenton Art Glass Company and the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. I hope you are able to enjoy both sides of the river there, sometime in the future!
Marietta is an amazing place to visit; it’s long been a favorite mini-vacation for our family. Across the river in West Virginia is much to enjoy also, including the Fenton Art Glass Company and the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. I hope you are able to enjoy both sides of the river there, sometime in the future!
What a wonderful tour! My nephew and his wife have taken several river tours in Europe and loved them. I think I would much rather be on a riverboat than an ocean liner any day. But since my touring days are over, I thank you for taking us along on this one.
I have been to Cape Girardeau and I will say that all of Southern Missouri is lovely. I have also been to the Cathedral Basilica several times for religious events and on one of those a priest gave us a tour of the place. As a work of art it can’t be beat, but for a religious service, I would prefer a smaller venue – with only hundreds of people instead of thousands (smile).
I have also been to the St. Louis Arch – many, many years ago. What I remember most, is the museum located on the Arch grounds. It was fascinating. I think it has been redone since then so it is probably even better now.
Thanks again for the lovely trip.
What a wonderful tour! My nephew and his wife have taken several river tours in Europe and loved them. I think I would much rather be on a riverboat than an ocean liner any day. But since my touring days are over, I thank you for taking us along on this one.
I have been to Cape Girardeau and I will say that all of Southern Missouri is lovely. I have also been to the Cathedral Basilica several times for religious events and on one of those a priest gave us a tour of the place. As a work of art it can’t be beat, but for a religious service, I would prefer a smaller venue – with only hundreds of people instead of thousands (smile).
I have also been to the St. Louis Arch – many, many years ago. What I remember most, is the museum located on the Arch grounds. It was fascinating. I think it has been redone since then so it is probably even better now.
Thanks again for the lovely trip.
What a wonderful tour! My nephew and his wife have taken several river tours in Europe and loved them. I think I would much rather be on a riverboat than an ocean liner any day. But since my touring days are over, I thank you for taking us along on this one.
I have been to Cape Girardeau and I will say that all of Southern Missouri is lovely. I have also been to the Cathedral Basilica several times for religious events and on one of those a priest gave us a tour of the place. As a work of art it can’t be beat, but for a religious service, I would prefer a smaller venue – with only hundreds of people instead of thousands (smile).
I have also been to the St. Louis Arch – many, many years ago. What I remember most, is the museum located on the Arch grounds. It was fascinating. I think it has been redone since then so it is probably even better now.
Thanks again for the lovely trip.
What a wonderful tour! My nephew and his wife have taken several river tours in Europe and loved them. I think I would much rather be on a riverboat than an ocean liner any day. But since my touring days are over, I thank you for taking us along on this one.
I have been to Cape Girardeau and I will say that all of Southern Missouri is lovely. I have also been to the Cathedral Basilica several times for religious events and on one of those a priest gave us a tour of the place. As a work of art it can’t be beat, but for a religious service, I would prefer a smaller venue – with only hundreds of people instead of thousands (smile).
I have also been to the St. Louis Arch – many, many years ago. What I remember most, is the museum located on the Arch grounds. It was fascinating. I think it has been redone since then so it is probably even better now.
Thanks again for the lovely trip.
What a wonderful tour! My nephew and his wife have taken several river tours in Europe and loved them. I think I would much rather be on a riverboat than an ocean liner any day. But since my touring days are over, I thank you for taking us along on this one.
I have been to Cape Girardeau and I will say that all of Southern Missouri is lovely. I have also been to the Cathedral Basilica several times for religious events and on one of those a priest gave us a tour of the place. As a work of art it can’t be beat, but for a religious service, I would prefer a smaller venue – with only hundreds of people instead of thousands (smile).
I have also been to the St. Louis Arch – many, many years ago. What I remember most, is the museum located on the Arch grounds. It was fascinating. I think it has been redone since then so it is probably even better now.
Thanks again for the lovely trip.
I lived in Ohio for a time. Cincinnati has a wonderful zoo and so does St Louis. It is strange though, both of them are all uphill. Seeing the exhibits are never on a down hill walk.
I was a class mother and we got to see Grant’s Farm and also visited with the Clydesdale studs and mothers and foals. Those are some of the most beautiful horses and so very calm and sweet natured.
I lived in Missouri for a time and Indiana too. The Ohio River is sort of like a poor relation to the Mississippi. People don’t seem to realize the beauty or the history.
Thanks for the wonderful post. Your pictures are terrific.
I hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
I lived in Ohio for a time. Cincinnati has a wonderful zoo and so does St Louis. It is strange though, both of them are all uphill. Seeing the exhibits are never on a down hill walk.
I was a class mother and we got to see Grant’s Farm and also visited with the Clydesdale studs and mothers and foals. Those are some of the most beautiful horses and so very calm and sweet natured.
I lived in Missouri for a time and Indiana too. The Ohio River is sort of like a poor relation to the Mississippi. People don’t seem to realize the beauty or the history.
Thanks for the wonderful post. Your pictures are terrific.
I hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
I lived in Ohio for a time. Cincinnati has a wonderful zoo and so does St Louis. It is strange though, both of them are all uphill. Seeing the exhibits are never on a down hill walk.
I was a class mother and we got to see Grant’s Farm and also visited with the Clydesdale studs and mothers and foals. Those are some of the most beautiful horses and so very calm and sweet natured.
I lived in Missouri for a time and Indiana too. The Ohio River is sort of like a poor relation to the Mississippi. People don’t seem to realize the beauty or the history.
Thanks for the wonderful post. Your pictures are terrific.
I hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
I lived in Ohio for a time. Cincinnati has a wonderful zoo and so does St Louis. It is strange though, both of them are all uphill. Seeing the exhibits are never on a down hill walk.
I was a class mother and we got to see Grant’s Farm and also visited with the Clydesdale studs and mothers and foals. Those are some of the most beautiful horses and so very calm and sweet natured.
I lived in Missouri for a time and Indiana too. The Ohio River is sort of like a poor relation to the Mississippi. People don’t seem to realize the beauty or the history.
Thanks for the wonderful post. Your pictures are terrific.
I hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
I lived in Ohio for a time. Cincinnati has a wonderful zoo and so does St Louis. It is strange though, both of them are all uphill. Seeing the exhibits are never on a down hill walk.
I was a class mother and we got to see Grant’s Farm and also visited with the Clydesdale studs and mothers and foals. Those are some of the most beautiful horses and so very calm and sweet natured.
I lived in Missouri for a time and Indiana too. The Ohio River is sort of like a poor relation to the Mississippi. People don’t seem to realize the beauty or the history.
Thanks for the wonderful post. Your pictures are terrific.
I hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
Mary M, the annotated edition of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN sounds like a really valuable read. AUNT PRICILLA’S CABIN–not so much. Didn’t Lincoln describe Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the book, as “the little woman who started this great war?” Great stories are powerful!
Mary M, the annotated edition of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN sounds like a really valuable read. AUNT PRICILLA’S CABIN–not so much. Didn’t Lincoln describe Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the book, as “the little woman who started this great war?” Great stories are powerful!
Mary M, the annotated edition of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN sounds like a really valuable read. AUNT PRICILLA’S CABIN–not so much. Didn’t Lincoln describe Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the book, as “the little woman who started this great war?” Great stories are powerful!
Mary M, the annotated edition of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN sounds like a really valuable read. AUNT PRICILLA’S CABIN–not so much. Didn’t Lincoln describe Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the book, as “the little woman who started this great war?” Great stories are powerful!
Mary M, the annotated edition of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN sounds like a really valuable read. AUNT PRICILLA’S CABIN–not so much. Didn’t Lincoln describe Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the book, as “the little woman who started this great war?” Great stories are powerful!
Yvonne Stam, I haven’t been to the Zoo or up the Arch, but I have visited the Missouri Botanical museum, and it’s AMAZING! So much to see, and we only got a sample.
Yvonne Stam, I haven’t been to the Zoo or up the Arch, but I have visited the Missouri Botanical museum, and it’s AMAZING! So much to see, and we only got a sample.
Yvonne Stam, I haven’t been to the Zoo or up the Arch, but I have visited the Missouri Botanical museum, and it’s AMAZING! So much to see, and we only got a sample.
Yvonne Stam, I haven’t been to the Zoo or up the Arch, but I have visited the Missouri Botanical museum, and it’s AMAZING! So much to see, and we only got a sample.
Yvonne Stam, I haven’t been to the Zoo or up the Arch, but I have visited the Missouri Botanical museum, and it’s AMAZING! So much to see, and we only got a sample.
Sue, isn’t there something hypnotic about paddle wheels? On our ship, there was a lounge right in front of turning wheel so one could watch it and drink tea or coffee. *G*
Sue, isn’t there something hypnotic about paddle wheels? On our ship, there was a lounge right in front of turning wheel so one could watch it and drink tea or coffee. *G*
Sue, isn’t there something hypnotic about paddle wheels? On our ship, there was a lounge right in front of turning wheel so one could watch it and drink tea or coffee. *G*
Sue, isn’t there something hypnotic about paddle wheels? On our ship, there was a lounge right in front of turning wheel so one could watch it and drink tea or coffee. *G*
Sue, isn’t there something hypnotic about paddle wheels? On our ship, there was a lounge right in front of turning wheel so one could watch it and drink tea or coffee. *G*
Kareni, I took lots of pictures of quilts, mosaics, and river murals, but had nowhere near enough space to post them! There was so much to admire and enjoy.
Kareni, I took lots of pictures of quilts, mosaics, and river murals, but had nowhere near enough space to post them! There was so much to admire and enjoy.
Kareni, I took lots of pictures of quilts, mosaics, and river murals, but had nowhere near enough space to post them! There was so much to admire and enjoy.
Kareni, I took lots of pictures of quilts, mosaics, and river murals, but had nowhere near enough space to post them! There was so much to admire and enjoy.
Kareni, I took lots of pictures of quilts, mosaics, and river murals, but had nowhere near enough space to post them! There was so much to admire and enjoy.
Lynne, there is NEVER enough time! I wish we’d been able to see more.
Lynne, there is NEVER enough time! I wish we’d been able to see more.
Lynne, there is NEVER enough time! I wish we’d been able to see more.
Lynne, there is NEVER enough time! I wish we’d been able to see more.
Lynne, there is NEVER enough time! I wish we’d been able to see more.
Mary T, I’ve also done European river boat cruises and they were fabulous. So much history and development takes place along rivers.
I agree with you that basilica is amazing, but for actual worship, I prefer a more intimate space over a building that feels like a (beautiful) aircraft hanger.
Mary T, I’ve also done European river boat cruises and they were fabulous. So much history and development takes place along rivers.
I agree with you that basilica is amazing, but for actual worship, I prefer a more intimate space over a building that feels like a (beautiful) aircraft hanger.
Mary T, I’ve also done European river boat cruises and they were fabulous. So much history and development takes place along rivers.
I agree with you that basilica is amazing, but for actual worship, I prefer a more intimate space over a building that feels like a (beautiful) aircraft hanger.
Mary T, I’ve also done European river boat cruises and they were fabulous. So much history and development takes place along rivers.
I agree with you that basilica is amazing, but for actual worship, I prefer a more intimate space over a building that feels like a (beautiful) aircraft hanger.
Mary T, I’ve also done European river boat cruises and they were fabulous. So much history and development takes place along rivers.
I agree with you that basilica is amazing, but for actual worship, I prefer a more intimate space over a building that feels like a (beautiful) aircraft hanger.
Thanks for the trip down the Ohio. I lived in Cincinnati for a while, in a house facing the Ohio River. We would sit in the front yard and watch the boats go by.
Thanks for the trip down the Ohio. I lived in Cincinnati for a while, in a house facing the Ohio River. We would sit in the front yard and watch the boats go by.
Thanks for the trip down the Ohio. I lived in Cincinnati for a while, in a house facing the Ohio River. We would sit in the front yard and watch the boats go by.
Thanks for the trip down the Ohio. I lived in Cincinnati for a while, in a house facing the Ohio River. We would sit in the front yard and watch the boats go by.
Thanks for the trip down the Ohio. I lived in Cincinnati for a while, in a house facing the Ohio River. We would sit in the front yard and watch the boats go by.
Annette, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It could hae been MUCH longer! I’m not very familiar with the Mississippi River, so I liked the Ohio river just fine! I credit the photos to the wonder of cellphone cameras. My first career was as a designer, so I looove taking pictures. *G*
Annette, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It could hae been MUCH longer! I’m not very familiar with the Mississippi River, so I liked the Ohio river just fine! I credit the photos to the wonder of cellphone cameras. My first career was as a designer, so I looove taking pictures. *G*
Annette, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It could hae been MUCH longer! I’m not very familiar with the Mississippi River, so I liked the Ohio river just fine! I credit the photos to the wonder of cellphone cameras. My first career was as a designer, so I looove taking pictures. *G*
Annette, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It could hae been MUCH longer! I’m not very familiar with the Mississippi River, so I liked the Ohio river just fine! I credit the photos to the wonder of cellphone cameras. My first career was as a designer, so I looove taking pictures. *G*
Annette, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It could hae been MUCH longer! I’m not very familiar with the Mississippi River, so I liked the Ohio river just fine! I credit the photos to the wonder of cellphone cameras. My first career was as a designer, so I looove taking pictures. *G*
Betty, watching the water and boats go by is one of the best of all possible occupations! There was a lot of traffic on the Ohio river. Fun.
Betty, watching the water and boats go by is one of the best of all possible occupations! There was a lot of traffic on the Ohio river. Fun.
Betty, watching the water and boats go by is one of the best of all possible occupations! There was a lot of traffic on the Ohio river. Fun.
Betty, watching the water and boats go by is one of the best of all possible occupations! There was a lot of traffic on the Ohio river. Fun.
Betty, watching the water and boats go by is one of the best of all possible occupations! There was a lot of traffic on the Ohio river. Fun.
Sounds like a wonderful trip to me. So are the rooms nice? Do you eat on the boat? I’ve only been on one cruise in my life and it wasn’t as neat as this one sounds!
Sounds like a wonderful trip to me. So are the rooms nice? Do you eat on the boat? I’ve only been on one cruise in my life and it wasn’t as neat as this one sounds!
Sounds like a wonderful trip to me. So are the rooms nice? Do you eat on the boat? I’ve only been on one cruise in my life and it wasn’t as neat as this one sounds!
Sounds like a wonderful trip to me. So are the rooms nice? Do you eat on the boat? I’ve only been on one cruise in my life and it wasn’t as neat as this one sounds!
Sounds like a wonderful trip to me. So are the rooms nice? Do you eat on the boat? I’ve only been on one cruise in my life and it wasn’t as neat as this one sounds!
Jeanne, if you click the link in the post for American Cruise Lines, you can see the rooms, which are indeed nice. All meals are provided on the boat: multiple choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. And the food is GOOD. I like that for dinner, you could order half portions, which I found useful. The portions are not skimpy. *G*
Jeanne, if you click the link in the post for American Cruise Lines, you can see the rooms, which are indeed nice. All meals are provided on the boat: multiple choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. And the food is GOOD. I like that for dinner, you could order half portions, which I found useful. The portions are not skimpy. *G*
Jeanne, if you click the link in the post for American Cruise Lines, you can see the rooms, which are indeed nice. All meals are provided on the boat: multiple choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. And the food is GOOD. I like that for dinner, you could order half portions, which I found useful. The portions are not skimpy. *G*
Jeanne, if you click the link in the post for American Cruise Lines, you can see the rooms, which are indeed nice. All meals are provided on the boat: multiple choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. And the food is GOOD. I like that for dinner, you could order half portions, which I found useful. The portions are not skimpy. *G*
Jeanne, if you click the link in the post for American Cruise Lines, you can see the rooms, which are indeed nice. All meals are provided on the boat: multiple choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. And the food is GOOD. I like that for dinner, you could order half portions, which I found useful. The portions are not skimpy. *G*
Great post, Mary Jo! I grew up in Parkersburg, WV and attended the Sternwheeler Festival many times. You also have to take a sternwheeler to Blennerhasssett Island if you want to visit the grand estate there, which is now a state park. It’s too bad the cruise didn’t stop there when Marietta was a bust.
Great post, Mary Jo! I grew up in Parkersburg, WV and attended the Sternwheeler Festival many times. You also have to take a sternwheeler to Blennerhasssett Island if you want to visit the grand estate there, which is now a state park. It’s too bad the cruise didn’t stop there when Marietta was a bust.
Great post, Mary Jo! I grew up in Parkersburg, WV and attended the Sternwheeler Festival many times. You also have to take a sternwheeler to Blennerhasssett Island if you want to visit the grand estate there, which is now a state park. It’s too bad the cruise didn’t stop there when Marietta was a bust.
Great post, Mary Jo! I grew up in Parkersburg, WV and attended the Sternwheeler Festival many times. You also have to take a sternwheeler to Blennerhasssett Island if you want to visit the grand estate there, which is now a state park. It’s too bad the cruise didn’t stop there when Marietta was a bust.
Great post, Mary Jo! I grew up in Parkersburg, WV and attended the Sternwheeler Festival many times. You also have to take a sternwheeler to Blennerhasssett Island if you want to visit the grand estate there, which is now a state park. It’s too bad the cruise didn’t stop there when Marietta was a bust.
That’s exactly what he is said to have said! Don’t know if that’s what he actually said as I was elsewhere that day. 😸
That’s exactly what he is said to have said! Don’t know if that’s what he actually said as I was elsewhere that day. 😸
That’s exactly what he is said to have said! Don’t know if that’s what he actually said as I was elsewhere that day. 😸
That’s exactly what he is said to have said! Don’t know if that’s what he actually said as I was elsewhere that day. 😸
That’s exactly what he is said to have said! Don’t know if that’s what he actually said as I was elsewhere that day. 😸
My mom and dad grew up in Paducah. I have a journal that my mom wrote while experiencing the 1937 flood you mentioned. The flood walls were built in Paducah after that disaster. It is wonderful to see what Paducah has done with their downtown area. So glad you enjoyed your stop there.
My mom and dad grew up in Paducah. I have a journal that my mom wrote while experiencing the 1937 flood you mentioned. The flood walls were built in Paducah after that disaster. It is wonderful to see what Paducah has done with their downtown area. So glad you enjoyed your stop there.
My mom and dad grew up in Paducah. I have a journal that my mom wrote while experiencing the 1937 flood you mentioned. The flood walls were built in Paducah after that disaster. It is wonderful to see what Paducah has done with their downtown area. So glad you enjoyed your stop there.
My mom and dad grew up in Paducah. I have a journal that my mom wrote while experiencing the 1937 flood you mentioned. The flood walls were built in Paducah after that disaster. It is wonderful to see what Paducah has done with their downtown area. So glad you enjoyed your stop there.
My mom and dad grew up in Paducah. I have a journal that my mom wrote while experiencing the 1937 flood you mentioned. The flood walls were built in Paducah after that disaster. It is wonderful to see what Paducah has done with their downtown area. So glad you enjoyed your stop there.
Nancy, Paducah was a delightful surprise. I knew about the quilt museum in advance, but there was so much that was unexpected and wonderful. The city has really done well by itself.
Nancy, Paducah was a delightful surprise. I knew about the quilt museum in advance, but there was so much that was unexpected and wonderful. The city has really done well by itself.
Nancy, Paducah was a delightful surprise. I knew about the quilt museum in advance, but there was so much that was unexpected and wonderful. The city has really done well by itself.
Nancy, Paducah was a delightful surprise. I knew about the quilt museum in advance, but there was so much that was unexpected and wonderful. The city has really done well by itself.
Nancy, Paducah was a delightful surprise. I knew about the quilt museum in advance, but there was so much that was unexpected and wonderful. The city has really done well by itself.