More Black Warrior Pics

More pics
Sometimes the water was like a mirror.
Notice how the rollers even show the curve we just went around
And a nice "sternset"
S'
David D.

The next morning we woke to the Riverboat Landing at Tuscaloosa. Notice how they threaded the stage between the trees and onto the bank--pretty fancy work there!
We did a walking tour of the area, and ended up getting a private tour of the historic theater there (I know, it's a bus-man's holiday, but I had to see what another theater turned performing arts center looked like. They have most of the original finish, with the twinkling lights sky ceiling too!
We also noticed this former railroad station just up from the landing.
S'
David D.

Back again!
Had to shoot this sign, 'cause that's where we were "docked."
Here's a pic of the gal from the landing for Tuscaloosa's cruise sternweeler/
While we were in town, Mary gave pilothouse tours. I suspect she's had more time in the pilothouse than any of the current Discovery Guides (she worked as nightwatch person for a time & they get to "rest" in the pilothouse between watch walks--knowing Mary, she spent the time soaking up river knowledge). Great tour!
S'
David D.

While we were at the landing, our stern stuck out in the river a bit, making for a tight squeeze for passing traffic.
Here's what I'd call a real cliffhanger--I thought folks only built houses on cliffs in California!
Here's the pilothouse clearing one of the many low bridges on this trip.
S'
David D.

Ah locks--but no bagels!
Here's the view from our first lock--we were going downriver.
And the great doors start to open.
Finally, a view of the lock and dam.
A few more to post tonite.
S'
David D.

Here's a pic showning how the river meanders about.
And finally, sunlight sparkles off the water.
What a trip!! And I've only shown you parts of the first two days.
S'
David D.

THANKS Heaps!

David, Thanks for more great photos. Keep 'em coming. I don't have computer access over the weekend, so you have time to download the rest at your leisure. Those pictures are worth a thousand words. You've about convinced me I need to do the Black Warrior (oops - guess it won't be next year!) and I've already got all my vacation used up this year on her. Wonder where that eagle is? THANKS AGAIN. I sure enjoy your pictures.

Wonderful pictures David...keep 'em coming.

Jo Ann, we were told on the March cruise that the eagle was being stored at Robin Street, which I have a very hard time believing considering the source of this news and how totally empty Robin Street appears to be. We were also told on our May cruise both "the eagle was coming back soon" AND, "no way, Jose was the eagle EVER coming back". The only thing that I found encouraging was that we heard the former from multiple/many crewmembers and heard the latter from one person. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Which raises a question, and I apologize to my buddy for highjacking his thread:

Is there any plans for MAL to remove and store as spares the decorative partial AQ stacks at Robin Street? I was under the impression they were identical to the top peices of the real AQ stacks...or am I all wet here?

Bruno Krause;5878 wrote:

Is there any plans for MAL to remove and store as spares the decorative partial AQ stacks at Robin Street? I was under the impression they were identical to the top peices of the real AQ stacks...or am I all wet here?

Those stacks on the Robin Street Wharf are her original stack tops, sans the gold and red wire-net collars. They were removed from the original stacks, and placed on the wharf for decorations.

The eagle has flown the coop, if it was supposedly stored at Robin St. When I was there in April, there was nothing there but the big Welcome Steamboaters sign hanging overhead. Nothing was stored on the wharf decking. Only possibility would be if it were inside an office, but all those were cleaned out and locked up so I doubt if anything is in there.

Steamboat Mary

Steamboat Mary is TOPS! Rarely is someone like her to be found. She's a rare bird, alright, and a mighty fine steamboat gal.