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29/07/2013 1:47 am
It was a gorgeous, delightful, relaxing, laid-back weekend at the Howard and environs. From the setting up on Friday night and meal number one at Kingfish; to Capt. Kevin's talk, the rummage sale, and meal number two at Kingfish on Saturday; to the afternoon ride on the BELLE and meal number three on Sunday, things couldn't have been better. While the number in attendance was the same as past years, some of the usual suspects were AWOL (some on the AQ) but there were newcomers in their place. Special mention to first-timer John Carroll of St. Louis and a fourth generation Streckfus. As Keith and I were reviewing the weekend at Kingfish tonight, we were surprised by two guests: the first one was Capt. Jim Blum, who was enroute home from Cincinnati; and just as we were discussing it, surprise number two rounded to and landed across from the restaurant: the QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI. So in the next few postings is a pictorial review of the weekend. Next year will be River Ramblings #10 - plan to attend!
1) Some of the attendees waiting to board the BELLE Saturday morning.
2) The rock of the BELLE office, Kadie Engstrom, is handing out reservations.
3) The bow separates slowly from the wharfboat at high noon.
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29/07/2013 1:50 am
Saturday continued
The BELLE begins her afternoon cruise. As I watched her head upriver, I realized I had been doing this since 1952, the first year she docked in Rock Island rather than Davenport... 61 years, ouch.
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29/07/2013 1:54 am
The main event
Capt. Kevin Mullen told us about his 28 years on the BELLE. He thought he was threatening us at the beginning by saying he had a 6 hour presentation, but he could have gone on and we would have loved it! An hour and a half whizzed by and we could have heard more.
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29/07/2013 1:59 am
The Howard buildings
For those who may not be familiar with the Howard:
1) the family mansion, completed in 1894. This is where the steamboat exhibits are displayed. Even if you aren't interested in those, the architecture and woodwork and grandeur of the home is worth the admission!
2) The newly renovated Laundry Building, site of the River Rummage Sale.
3) The Carriage House, the pilothouse, DQ wheel shaft and MQ bell in distance.
One other building, the new Acquisitions Storage Facility(not official name), is across the street.
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29/07/2013 2:04 am
Sunday on the BELLE
Martha Gibbs graciously allowed Jonathan Tschiggfrie and Keith to play several songs after she did her traditional Sunday hymn medley. Another calliopist, Dave Tschiggfrie, was attending the video camera. (See YouTube). I was the only non Vox Calliopus in the bunch.
1)Martha at the keyboard
2) Keith and Martha
3) Keith, Martha, Jonathan
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29/07/2013 2:08 am
and finally...
1)The view from the lazy bench as Capt. Pete O'Connell is at work.
2) Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...
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29/07/2013 2:27 am
p.s.
Sunday morning David, Jonathan and I were invited to the Norrington Steamboating Enclave for brunch. Despite the late arrival of all of us directionally-challenged guests, the food was divine as well as the company!
1) one of many flea market gems Keith has found
2) the smokestacks were liberated from a trash pile in an alley
3) Keith, his dad Ken, Dave, Jonathan, and Keith's mom Janet
