BELLE Race

Thanks, Ginnie. Wish you were going to be there too!

Debbie and I sincerly offer the same as Ginnie and Ralph. Safe flights, warm weather and good friends...give all hugs for us...and we'll be here rooting on the DQ.

We wish we were going with you, big time...If anybody is in the mood, drink a Sam Adams toward my spirit. You can put it on my tab...

Bruno

Homecoming

Just got a call form Ruth Gunther. She and Butch are flying down to Memphis to join us on the trip. We are looking forward to seeing the most loyal and most frequent floaters (130+) of the PaddleWheel Steamboat Society of America.
If all goes well they will be on board around noon and Ruth can sit in her chair in the Texas bar and tell tall stories about how it use'd to be. Long live the DQSC no matter what they call their "ships".
John

Were looking forward to meeting all our new steamboat friends..If are flights are all on time...(Were flying in late Thurs.) We should be on the boat around noon.
Sandy

Talked to Doc last night and he'll be flying up to Memphis Friday to join the clan. Since this is Buford's first trip upriver as Master, Doc will be out on the wingbridge with him giving him some tips from time to time. As Doc said, the view is a lot different 4 stories up from where the mate works the locks. Back when the First Mate made the afterwatch lockings this was not the case, but ever since the ruling that the Master has to make all the lockages, the Mate has been consigned to the bow... of course Doc will still have plenty of time to share his stories with the passengers. Thank goodness MAL didn't can that part of steamboating!!!

I know Buford will do just fine as master, just as Mike Williams did when he came up. Buford has crawled over every inch of that boat over many years and knows her inside out, and since the boat will be full of river rats who have traveled with him for a lot of years, he doesn't have to worry about critical eyes -- it will be old home week. He has always been a particular favorite of the venerable Miss Helen, who regards him as her own personal teddy bear. (Sorry, Buford ..)

It's also great news that Ruth and Butch are coming on the trip. My mother doesn't want anyone to sit in Ruth's chair in the Texas Lounge, even the few times Ruth isn't on a trip with us. That's RUTH's chair -- see, it says so, right there.

And, happily, Janie Greene will be along on this trip as well, so she and Doc will be exchanging whoppers for the edification of everyone. Gonna be gooooood.

Good Very Good Morning on a beutiful sunny day in Memphis...We arrived on time last night, after a very stress free flights from L.A.
We both must be very excited about getting on DQ...As were both up, and its not even 7am...I was expecting to wake up about 9 since their is a 3 hour time difference. Oh Well:)
I can't wait to meet all the wonderfull people you talk about, who will be on the DQ..and the people who post on this board, who will be cruising with us.
Sandy

Best wishes to ALL the steamboat buffs and buffettes for a wonderful and fun filled trip up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers! Just came across this faded photo, which I took aboard the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE, during the 1972 steamboat race (the Belle won!) showing some beloved river people who have passed from the scene, but are still fondly remembered.

In the back from left to right are Homer and Grace Hawley (parents of Capt. Doc Hawley), Charlie Dietz (longtime steamboat engineer and member of the original DQ crew in 1947), Capt. Jesse P. Hughes (revered Dean of Ohio River pilots) and Capt. Roy Barkhau, long with Greene Line and later with The Waterways Journal.

Keith, Your posting makes me realize how humbling it is to be able to be amongst such esteemed folks with so much history and knowledge. This is truely a great place!
And I wish all aboard a great time--and take care of the gal, OK? We can't wait to be back onboard next month!!!
Steamcerely,
David D.

Sandy,
Hope you get to read this--Have a WOWZIERS good time onboard, and be sure and let us all know how it is/was!
And now you know why I say,
OH boy, OH boy, Hurk!! --- STEAMBOATIN'!
Hmm, and I just thought of this one: (from "Diamond Dave" Dewey)
A Day on the DQ beats a pair of days fishin' !
🙂
S'
David D.

I just spoke with Sharon, who was down at the DQ today, amongst such company as all the Prater clan, Pat Carr, Barb Hameister, Joann Schoen and Butch and Ruth Guenther. Capt. Hawley was arriving in good order just as she was leaving....some neophyte deckhand asked him for an I.D. and wanted to search his bag! Sharon was quick to tell the deckhand that this was THE CAPTAIN, for gosh sakes! All were in a merry mood, and the boat expected to shove off right on time to make it to Louisville in high (but falling) water. Sounds like "the gang's all there"!

I hoped to see the DQ on the Paducah Skytracker webcam but this one is down since Apr 19th.

Carmen

Hi All...Were in Paducah!!!! But its Sunday and basically closed:(
Having a great time on board...We did get stuck in the mud in Memphis before we floated away...Got my kite up yesterday....but today their isn't enough wind...Its a very warm 89 degrees...and so far everyday has been beautiful.
I'm pretty sure we have met all who writes and lurkes on this board...Everyone is so nice.
Room 323 is the best cabin IMO on the sun deck...
Everyone says Hi...and wish more of you were here...I think we have several open rooms you could have used.
Sandy

Sandy,
WONDERFUL!! Glad to hear you are enjoying the trip.
Gee. open cabins. . . .RATS, stuck here working!
18 days to go--but not counting!! 🙂
S'
David D.

Hey David...Travis says Hi...and can't wait till your back...why? Because you can take his place while he is on vacation.
Sandy

Sandy,
OOOOOH KAY! Egads, I'd have to do a lot of book larnin' to fit his shoes! Um, and have to learn how to play the Calliope well too. Send our greetings, and I think he should give up his vacation to be on board with us!!
Say HI to Velda & Brian--I hope Velda's toe insurance is paid up when we re-board! :). For that matter, say hi to everyone!!
Hope you're still having a WOWZIERS time there!
S'
David
17 days, 11 hours. . . .

The boat has been cleaned up and decortated for tomorrows Belle race...everyone is very excited...I hear TV Camera's and the Mayor will be here...and even a rumor of the Queen of England...Bomb smelling dogs will be onboard...and divers under the boat...
We have had 5 days of beutiful weather...We just home for clear and beutiful skies for tomorrow.
Sandy

And here´s an article in the Courier Journal about today´s race

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/DERBYFUN03/705010329

Carmen

They cheated and we were robbed.....
Yes we lost...but they really did cheat bad...

Sandy

sandy mccluskey;5419 wrote: They cheated and we were robbed.....
Yes we lost...but they really did cheat bad...

Sandy

How is that? Did they have a helper tug??

Well, it is a "boat race", and you all know what they call boat races at the horse track!

The Courier Journal has a an online poll regarding this:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/DERBYFUN03/70502045

The Courier-Journal is all over the Great Steamboat Controversy. Hey, a little press isn't all bad. Steamboat racing is all in good fun. They've covered it better this year than in some past years. They even have photos.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/DERBYFUN03/70502055

sandy mccluskey;5419 wrote: They cheated and we were robbed.....
Yes we lost...but they really did cheat bad...

Sandy

I'm sorry, Sandy, the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE and her crew remain above reproach; they don't need to cheat nor do they. The BELLE has always been, as "Doc" Hawley says, "The little steamboat that could." The crummy Louisville and Jefferson County Kentucky politicians, well that's a horse of a different colour!

And here´s another article

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/DERBYFUN03/705030431

Carmen

It looks like the ugly MAL pseudo-logo is still on the DQ's pilot house. Here's a good picture of it. Maybe some day they'll replace it with something nicer.