Some photos from my DQ cruise

So here we are, on board. Here's a view of the MQ across the river. Linda all set for the Safety Drill, and at dinner. She's not having a good time, is she? I must mention that before this, we were met by Bruno & Debbie, and John & Carol, and Pat Carr & Pat Traynor. John gave us some Bennets (sp?) that were still warm! And then he presented me with a Paddlewheel Steamboatin' Society Name Badge! Wowziers!! I wore it with honor (and will at other cruises). He allowed that, since I'd already stayed aboard the DK, that this was my "second" cruise. These folks really made me feel at home and their presence made the cruise. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone so far-I'm so bad at names.
A few more pictures next before I fall asleep at the computer.

Here we are underway, and our first sunset (I think Linda's saying, "It's time for Dinner!), and first sunrise (my birthday too). BTW, our table became known as the "two desserts" table, as we had at least three birthdays.

Here's a mid-day sun rays pic, it was more impressive in real life, honest!
And, of course, the Calliope call, with good old "one finger" Dewey making noises so that Scott Joplin can spin in his grave, and me finished, That's what the applause and smiles are for; "he's done!!" I had practiced and was all ready to do a so-so job, but left all my music, and my "cheat notes" on what to see and where to go, on the counter by my back door in Oroville.
AAAUGH!
OK That's all for now, more tomorrow night.
Yeah, I didn't have any fun. . . Bored silly. . . . Right--NOT!
OH, if they do get those bathrobes, we'll have something to wipe the soot off the deck chairs in the AM! 🙂

Oh, David,

I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed your comments and your pictures. It helps remind me of how I feel everytime I get aboard our DELTA QUEEN. I had gotten a first hand report about how much you really enjoyed your trip. Your first post didn't fool many of us about how awful it was. Linda always smiling reminds me of what my cousin, who traveled with me on the DELTA QUEEN a couple years ago said about me. She said, "you started smiling the minute you got on the boat and you didn't stop until you got off". She calls it my DELTA QUEEN smile. I have to admit, it is true.

It's so good to know that our "lovely QUEEN" is still spinning her magic, capturing real steamboater's hearts and making people smile. No matter what "new" companies who own our boat try to do to her, she'll always be "our QUEEN". We'll miss the old crew and we'll miss our eagle, but they can't change what she does to us! The magic will always be there!

So as Bruno would say, "Gawd", I can't wait until my next trip. 31 days!!!!

And, by the way, Bruno, could I borrower that vest for my next trip? I'll return it to you when we're on the same trip in September.

David....Every morning the very first thing I do is come to this board with my cup of coffee...this morning all I can say is what a joy it is to look at all the pictures...I can't wait for my first cruise of DQ in 1 month.
I have a question? What deck and room were you in? Were those rocking chairs on the Sun Deck?

Sandy

David, how did you get those first pictures at the Erato St. dock so clear, as you were running and trampling anything in your way to get aboard????

Hi All, Frank Dillon here. I am the other half of Sandy, and we will be on the April 27th cruise out of Memphis. I am enjoying this board as well, and looking forward to our first steamboatin trip. I just wanted to introduce myself.

pat traynor

Sandy,
That picture of the chairs was taken on the Sun Deck. I think that all the tables, chairs etc. were probably moved around when they were working on the boat during lay-up, and they've just never been put back where we expect them to be. I'm sure this will happen before our trip in April.
Most of the crew is new, and were still sort of in training when we left - those that did return were busy learning the new procedures of a new company themselves, plus training the newbies. They were all working several jobs, and I think did a wonderful job under the circumstances....this too shall pass, I'm sure. We just have to be patient.

pat

Thank you Jo Ann. Was hoping to post more tonite, but I keep falling asleep (had a rehearsal and I just got in (10 PM my time), so tomorrow!
S'
David

Judy,
Well, actually I was just awe-struck at being in her presence and disbelief that I was actually there. I wanted to drink in every moment!
S'
David

Sandy,
We were on the sun deck, 333, great room! 335 was my folks' room and somehow it looked larger, just the way it was laid out, but both were nice and comfy, very much "home" for us!
Chairs seemed to move around as the cruise went along, think we could have used a few more actually!
Night All!
S'
David

Some more pictures:
DQ doing her "disappearing stack" trick so we can go under a bridge. I never caught it going down on video, just up! (videos later, after I figure out how to get them in the computer; we bought the camera just for this trip!--one less expense for the next one, right?
Travis playing "Happy Birthday" on the Calliope for mine. Pretty special when you have your own personal calliopist!! Travis was the greatest, never seemed to tire of my questions and puns.
And what I call a "Sternset" to end the day.
More later, I gotta go to work!! More problems at the theater, wish I were an audio engineer; the sound system is driving me craaazy! (hums and clicks that come and go. ) I hope I'll be awake enough tonite to post some more.
BTW, my postcards mailed from the boat still haven't arrived! (maybe they're with those missing S & D mags??)
S'
David D.

KIte Flying Day!
The first one I've titled "The Eagle has Arrived!"
A small crowd gathers--like no one would be interested in flying kites?
Lewie tries his hand at it (one of our table-mates, Lewie Young).
What fun, wind was sideways, so we didn't manage to tie up any string in the wheel--RATS! 🙂
S'
David

More Kite pics, this is the family group, my Dad, Linda & Myself
Debbie Krause & My Dad, Bruno & She wouldn't fly it, the were afraid of putting it the Big Muddy! Heck, I almost did!
The Queen must have approved, here's a rainbow in her wheel I shot during the flying.
S'
David

One last Kite, then onto the AQ & Natchez stop
My Dad insisted that the kite should go "waaay out there." The wind was so gusting I was afraid of losing it, but No Problem!
Our first view of the AQ (actually telephoto'd). Sorry guys, but the Maroon wheel to me just looks like a dirty red wheel. It also doesn't go over the blue well, looks like a thin wash of red over the blue (but that's just the car painter in me, others might like it). BLUE, on a steamboat?? Nah, I'm not superstitious, but why risk it? 🙂
Here's the "spies" from the DQ sneaking in on the AQ's lunch--gotta check out the chow! I will admit, the dining room sure looked like the photos I've seen of the J. M. White. It was good, 'bout the same as on the DQ--but they had more dessert varieties! (Yeah, our table was known as the "two dessert" table--but more on that later, time to go to work. I'll have more time Sat. morning to do this, have a show tonite and tomorrow night.
Coming up next: Natchez Pilgrimage (stay tuned--but wait, that's not all. . .!)
S'
David

Here's some interlopers from the DQ on the AQ's front porch, Debbie, Linda, & Bruno . Doesn't look like they're having a good time, does it?
Those are DQ smiles!! Ya get them bein' on th' boat!
This lovely gal greeted us on the landing. Thought her dress matched our wheel. Natchez was wonderful, my favorite shore tour--probably because so little of it was spent on the bus!
And here's the sunset as we wait to board the bus for the Natchez Pilgrimage. That was interesting, but kind of a "busman's holiday" for me, as we have similar events often at the PAC I watch over. (Just had one last night & tonite, local group doing "Honk" the musical of the Ugly Duckling).
Hope y'all are enjoying these, and that I'm not becoming boring.
S'
David D.

Here's the bridge from nowhere to nowhere. As I understand it, the contract was for a bridge accross the Big Muddy, nothing about connecting it!! (OK, joke on my part) Turns out, the father of the gal in charge of the show we're doing tonite ran (or owned?) the property that the approaches will take out. Small world!
And, a candid of my folks on deck enjoying the view and Mom's usual "whodonit" book. Maybe we'll loan her our copy of "Steamboat Gothic" that we bought at Judy P's house.
I hope this one works out, it's the AQ as we leave Natchez. Hey, ya can't see the blue at night!! 🙂 I will stick my neck out here and say that the Gold AQ lettering does stand out nicely against the darker background. (spin miester!)
S'
David D.

Some food pics, since a lot have been asking. Food was creatively served, although I have to agree with Jim Baker that the quality varied. The french toast was disappointing, but then my family has a recipe that goes back--I offered it to the chef, "Steamboat French Toast" but he just smiled. Actually, it's "Logging Camp. . " but I figure the woods loggers eat at least as well as steamboaters! (My grandpa was a woods cook for McCloud River Lumber Co. back in the 20s). I'd even share the secret with y'all, but this ain't a cookin' forum!
Here's a shrimp and steak plate, this one was nice and tender, my last night one was tough--ah well, the night before, the Prime Rib was good--although my potato was over-cooked. Might be because we were Main Dining--my choice so we could be on deck in the sun instead of in the dining room--but the down side was we were usually too full for the late night buffet!! Couldn't be the double desserts we usually had now, could it?
And a Pasta dish, nice, but not southern cookin'
Good chicken, the BBQ was great too, but I didn't get any pics!!??? Musta been too busy eatin'.
Onto more pics, the day is catching up with me!
S'
David D.

David, Don't you dare stop posting pictures. Boring? Pluhease, I'm saving them to my hard drive as fast as I can.

First picture of post #16, the picture of your Dad with the kite? Priceless...

Greetings Frank, and welcome aboard. You will have the time of your life!!
S'
David D.

I forgot to post these of the Natchez Pilgrimage pagent--I'm losing track of what I've posted and what I've THOUGHT about posting!
The youngsters around the maypole. I am amazed I got any pics without flash -- BTW, flash does no good at these distances anyway, just annoys everyone else!
These two 'stole' the show. The sat on either side of the stage and would march to center, flip their signs up and then take itty-bitty steps turning sideways 90 degrees and back again. Then "flip" goes the signs and they march back to the stage sides. Very vaudvillian.
A morning view from a window table in the Orleans Room. (What can you say about that, except "wish I was there!")
S'
David D.

This way to the Holy Grail
Come, Grasshopper, you may enter!
OK, this one only the machinery freaks will like! My steam friends will not believe that I didn't spend every minute down here! I did spend some time feeling the pulse here, it was great, and the engine room crew was very tolerant. There was one young woman, pretty fresh from college, very knowledgable and very bright, so think she has a real future on the water--but I could tell there was a lot of book learnin' there! (didn't know what a simpling valve was!--an important detail on a compound, just in case the high pressure gets 'centered') Mike was watchin' the main bearings and the pitman bearings like a hawk. Hope he gets that pitman thrust bushing made while they're in NOLA. But, now we're gettin' too mechanical here, back to our regular programming!
S'
David D.

I had to lay on the deck to get that one, the kite was so high!
Sure do miss you guys!
S'
David

Some land pics this time, from Vicksburg.
Amazing wall murals there, this one of the Sprague is outstanding. I almost cry when I hear about her, what a loss we've had, and more so when Travis told me what finally did her in after the fire. AAAURGH!!
Onward. . .Here's the geniuses behind the murals, doing another one.
And the Cario, what an amazing preservation. The wheel, after conservation--the engines look like they're even rebuildable! Not that we'd want to do that (curator in me).
Well, I have to downsize some more pics to post, and (other) things to do today before I open the theatre tonite (I hate to say this, but the job is really becoming unbearable after a week on the DQ.-- I suspect I WILL have to figure out a life change.).
So, stay tuned, lots more photos to come, just be patient with me, my slow computer, & 19K dial up!