riversights

Now you have opened a wide door.:) But I'll settle on one question: How did you enjoy Red Wing? We've admired that spot from the train, but it intrigues us as a steamboat landing, and we've contemplated making it a destination, of sorts, for extended stay.

We look forward to more river voyage updates. We would love to be kicking water with you. That Upper Mississippi segment looks interesting; perhaps we'll hear more about it from someone. But whatever mile of river is sliding by the guard, we envy those sitting on the Front Porch!:D

We can confirm that mayflies swarm. After leaving the AQ at Cincy, we scouted around northern Kentucky looking for sweet corn and thoroughbreds and found ourselves at the Sunset Cafe and marina by Warsaw. Deck seating was what we wanted, but were driven indoors with our liver & onions by the mayflies and a summer squall. It was just more adventure on the river!:D

We would definitely book with American Queen again, and were delighted with our wide veranda space near the Front Porch. It was perfect for early morning coffee, watching river traffic and the world go by, and pondering the secret life of mayflies.:D "Calliope" speaks with knowledge of the legacy. Trust the legacy.

We must look into the rails option, especially the sleeper, not having to fight for seat or berth or dining table. We've trained to Wisconsin Dells with the plebs. What a circus! And I used to think the hubbub was entertaining.:D Now we'll take the Pullman. Thanks for a great suggestion, and maybe you will review the Queen Mary 2 just as expertly as you have the AC for us.

Please give us some gossip from your Upper Mississippi voyage. Whatever the news may be, we want to hear it and discuss it with popcorn. Meanwhile, we need to know if Mark Twain would gamble the price of a new suit on airfare to New Orleans in December (from Seattle), considering last winter's siege of bad weather. What would a river gambler advise?:)

WOW...jumping catfish! That's great news about the AQ. Now the multitudes will swarm all over those 50% discounts!:D

Thanks to each one who replied with a newsy update for us. That's what we wanted to hear, that the AQ was still plying the great rivers, touching a port here and there. We are mooning over the holiday voyage schedule at the end of the year.:)

We are still savoring our voyage from Pittsburgh to Cincy Landing and an extended stay in northern Kentucky, but also wondering how the rest of July went for AQ, and what the future holds. If you have been steamboatin' since we disembarked in Cincy, please give an update from down river.:D Tease us! We are dying to travel again (at least vicariously).

Yes, we will rally for the port side of the lazy journey between Pittsburgh fireworks and Cincy Landing, mainly because we had never explored that piece of geography, so it was like drifting past a mysterious shoreline in a Mark Twain dream.

Algamesis Brothers is one we'll tuck away for next time. I'll make sure my Hertz driver (who squired us around the Kentucky shore and Cincy) gets the message!:D We are always in the hunt for excellent local ice cream (my wife seeks local popcorn, as well). A voyage is not complete without sampling local foods (like goetta) and listening to the cardinals calling to each other; we don't need to spend our money at faux honky tonks and franchised drive-ins. But a sausage festival, YES!:)

Yes, Greater's got raves, even from the crew pampering us at our table-for-two in the J.M. White Dining Room aboard the AQ. Alas, something had to be reserved for "next time" (there must be one). We hope to do the Green Derby, as well. But we sampled a lot of the Taylor's Daughters District up and down Fairfield on foot, and were squired around Covington (and beyond), starting at Pompillio's. Bocce is both fascinating and incomprehensible.:D

Contra the sad sacks who have registered disappointment, we experienced the American Queen's slow voyage down river from Pittsburgh as "fabulous" (like right out of the 50s). It was a near perfect 20th anniversary: "lost time on the river" (what every romantic dreams of). We dined along The Strip in Pittsburgh at every little shack mentioned in the comments, and when we arrived at Cincy, we started over...across the river in Bellevue and Covington. The recommended "opera creams" were too rich for me, but two scoops of UDF fresh peach ice cream was just right. Oh, back up river, my wife met Mothman, but she's still with me.:D

We are thankful for the news reel, even if the message is a sour note.:( Does this event change our planning, that is, on the personal level? I'm not sure how to even ask the question, but you experienced river hands will know how to respond. We really don't care if we are drifting, or tied up at the dock; it's all adventure and romance to us! Something to horrify the folks back home!:D

Soon we sally forth for Pittsburgh and our Ohio River voyage. We'll want to make a short walkabout and sample "what the natives eat" before the official program begins. Anyone savvy to what's local and tasty downtown?:)

Wow...that's a lot of Cincy "opera creams," even at today's prices. We hope they've got a marketing plan.:D

If we didn't have river watchers reporting these things, we would be navigating in the dark. Thanks for the "heads up"...and keep it coming. If the Delta Queen does run the river again, will it require massive refurbishing to make it so?

Thanks for the response, one that others will find helpful, too. Got to learn it from a river hand.

That's reassuring. "One less thing to worry about" is one less item in the bag. We love to travel light. Speaking of packing, do men wear slacks on these summer voyages? Or something like bermuda shorts, or both? What do the experienced voyagers wear?

Now we are really looking forward to Bellevue on the Ohio!:D I'm sure others are thinking about what they might miss by rushing home to Kokomo. Another question, but unrelated, regards insects on our voyage. Should we tote something for insects? Here, in our dry volcanic scabland, we are not pestered much.

Thanks again, very descriptive and helpful! I think we imagined trundling across the bridge pulling our luggage, but now a cab may be the ticket. But we do have most of the day to venture, so who knows?

We've made a note on Pompillio's in our journal, and appreciate the teaser. By the way, where does the Queen dock in relation to Bellevue? Thanks for your input; I'm sure others find it informing.

Thank you for the chat. Our curiosity about Newport is piqued. We anticipate the stroll and a fine meal in a historic district, maybe live music, too.:D

Okay, voyagers, what would you recommend for romantic postludes in Cincinnati? How about bed & breakfast venues in Newport on the Levee, or close by? What's been your experience? Got a suggestion that won't break the bank? :D

I'll echo the first sentiment, "Great review!" The long bus transfer was no surprise to us, being from Washington state. It's very reassuring that your experience was so positive. We want this company to flourish. Please share any afterthoughts regarding your journey.