This Years Ramble on the River

Indeed, not ALL passengers are enthralled with the calliope, especially at later hours.

When I was a watchman on the DQ, I was making a round and while passing through the aft cabin lounge, a passenger stopped me and demanded that I "do something NOW" about somebody playing a radio too loudly in an adjoining cabin. When I investigated, it turned out that the "radio" he was hearing was actually the evening show in The Orleans Room! The passenger was not at all happy when I explained that I couldn't turn that off!!!

The points all of you have made are well taken. I hope you understand where I am coming from. I just want everyone who comes down to the river, from oldest to youngest, to experience a bit of what the DQ is about, which I believe would go a long way in building support for her.

And, thanks for the story Keith! It's ironic, and a shame, that some people who pay to cruise on her fail to appreciate the experience; from the calliope to the onboard entertainment or even the whistle. I too was a watchman, back in 1987, and recall a few people complaining about the whistle. But then, even I fall into the category of not appreciating the little things. If I could go back to my time on the DQ perhaps I would appreciate the fact that I was living my childhood dream instead of focusing on the negatives of life on the river...

Anthony, this past DQ cruise, I remember only one time that we didn't blow departure whistles and bells and one time we didn't do the departure/daylight lock calliope, both on separate occasions. Each time was a head scratcher.

The departure bell and whistles I'm not positive about, but the calliope I'm quite sure was played every departure and all daylight locks but one, as I go ga-ga over the calliope and am at Sundeck Aft every departure, every lock. Not really sure as to why it was missed for one departure...we all, standing around the calliope, were confused...I assume the calliope player was indisposed at that time, even though the band was not playing...

The calliope player was asked every time he played to do a bit more than his typical routine, and Perfesser TDS stepped up to the plate each time with a little extra.

Thanks for the report, Bruno. I'm very happy to hear it.

We passengers did "take the horns--er whistles" and played the calliope after one lock. Passage was a bit after 4 pm, so the perfesser was down in the Texas doin' his gig. Took a bit to get the Captain's attention (cross wind leaving the lock) but we got permission and the calliope was played (a bit late, but still!) AND we included The Delta Queen Waltz! Barbara Hameister
was the perfesser, and she really wailed on them keys!! I got to warm up the whistles though!! 'bout all I'm good for, athough for my Vox Caiiopus I played (one handed) the DQ Waltz, 'caus Barb lent me the music!! Alright!! OK, so I did a *few* sour notes. . . . I tune, I don't carry one! I'm considering taking some of my tools with me, the action on the piano in the Texas is awful!! (I rehearsed on it, one doesn't have to play well to feel a bad piano action!)
But I did note it seemed the whistle was used more often (still not enough, IMHO) but there were places where it sure seemed we should be playing for the towns as we passed by. I don't know who's decision that requires. I do know that for the Oct 19 trip (we choose to call it the Celebration Trip, not the Last trip--We ARE going to SAVE THE DQ!) there will be at least 3 passengers who can play a respectable calliope. BTW, the Co. did have a reparman on board in Cinci to fix that dead G, and hopefully clean out a few other notes that acted like there was junk in their bases.

From the Decks of the DQ

Here's a few pics thought you might like to see.

And the departing pic. . .

Dave,

I see the entire crew aboard the M/V JIMS DREAM....except myself. I must be off on the bow performing on the world famous JIMS DREAM fakealiope (pronounced Fake-uh-lie-O-pee).

~Travis~

Hmm, no proof you were there, eh Travis?? heh heh heh. Well we could hear you playing (although not very loud, the low notes really don't carry) so I guess that's proof! There's an infamous steam launch here called the "Fake-a-Loo" 'cause the owner got tired of being asked, "is it real??" It's one of the faster boats out here, with a three cylinder engine that the designer equipped with a Johnson bar that has "forward," "Reverse," "cut-off," and "Race" postitions. In "race," one supplants the wood fire with an atomizing oil burner. It has a modified B&W style boiler.
S'
David D.

Here are a few pictures that Karen took. Sorry for the blue tint but the camera was set on "indoors" accidently by me. I've adjusted them as best as I could with Photoshop.

Patrick Engle (englepj) : photos : Jim's Dream from Delta Queen- powered by SmugMug