Topic starter
13/04/2009 9:15 am
On this day, the 34th anniversary of the NATCHEZ' first trip - hard to believe she's that old - I'm packing up and getting ready to head south for some real R&R. The NOLA temps have been in the 70s and low 80s, which are supposed to hold for the week I'm down there, thank goodness. This winter looks like it will never stop here. This weekend will be the French Quarter Festival, which is a wonderful food/music event for the locals. One special activity this year is a panel discussion about jazz on the river and on the PRESIDENT and Streckfus boats in particular. Doc will be on this panel, which is Friday about noon. Of course, as many trips as possible on the NATCHEZ will also be on my itinerary. You may have noticed fewer postings from me recently - this is partly due to working parttime on Census address validation, but mostly due to being rather bruised and sore from getting broadsided, on the drivers' side of my car, by a Volvo tank going at least 30 mph. Its driver wasn't looking at the road and ran a red light. My car was totalled, but amazingly both I and my passenger walked away just badly bruised. Since I'm still quite sore, I'll be travelling as lightly as possible so I'm not taking a laptop to drag through the airports. So I'll be offline while enjoying the environs of New Orleans, but I suspect a live from the levee report to Keith now and then. I'll take the list of requests for Doc to play, should he do a calliope concert this week.
13/04/2009 9:58 am
Judy, math has never been my strong point, but are you sure it's 39 years? I thought the NATCHEZ came out in 1975, which according to this calculator would make it 34 years. Still hard to believe, thoug!
I'm up here at Trempealeau, headed your way. I guess no cookies for me this trip, huh?
Topic starter
13/04/2009 12:48 pm
Yep, its 34 not 39, too early in the morning for math. And wouldn't you know it, you finally come up this way and I'll be down south!
13/04/2009 2:00 pm
Judy, have a wonderful time in New Orleans. I was just thinking yesterday that the Natchez was christened 34 years ago (on April 12th, first cruise on the 13th). Also, it was Easter Sunday, 1972 that my dad set foot on the levee at the Toulouse Street Wharf and thought, 'This would be a great place for a steamboat.' It was a coincidence, this year, that both fell on the same day, two important dates in river history. Once again, enjoy New Orleans, tell everyone I send my regards, and please remember to ask Doc to play "Goodbye, Little Girl Goodbye" for me. Thanks for taking requests and safe travels!
Topic starter
13/04/2009 7:09 pm
April 12, 1975
Here's a picture of Doc in front of the NATCHEZ on her christening day, April 12, 1975. Its obvious they had high water - looks like almost 17 ft!