Topic starter
09/10/2007 1:33 pm
THE Queen was in Nashville yesterday and I got down to Riverfront Park just in time to watch the departure. It was a 6:00 P.M. departure and I was expecting a later one so I nearly missed it. I took some quick video with my cheesy camera of the tricky U-turn that they have to do in the narrow channel. It is always something exciting to watch and it came off without a flaw this time. Even though I am not a pilot or engineer I can tell that it take instant coordination between the Pilot House and the Engine Room. After the turn is completed the calliope is warmed up and they played "I'm Alabamy Bound", "Tennessee Waltz", and "The Delta Queen Waltz" that was written by John Hartford. I have posted the video on You Tube for all you You Tube junkies. The picture quality on You Tube is never very good with the best of cameras so my cheap video looks a lot like a Monet painting but the sound is not bad. You can find it by searching for "Delta Queen Steamboat" from the You Tube site.
09/10/2007 4:10 pm
WOW! Ted, great. The quality wasn't a problem. It was the playing of the Delta Queen Waltz as she moved away. How sad each trip is knowing that she might not run after next year. 🙁
Topic starter
09/10/2007 5:50 pm
Thanks Jo Ann, glad you enjoyed it. I am not sure who was playing the calliope last night but they were doing a bang up job. It has been several months since the DQ has been to Nashville although I did spot her a couple of weeks ago waiting in line to lock through as I crossed the Interstate bridge at Paducah. It always lifts my spirits when I cross a river and spot the boat on trips. It is amazing how many time I come across her when I am away from home. It was hard enough watching her leave last night. I don't know if I can even go down to the river next year when she is in port. I will just have to keep thinking positive that something good is going to happen.
09/10/2007 8:19 pm
My guess is that it was Travis playing the calliope so beautifully.
Ted, I've emailed you through this message board. Please check your messages and respond when you can. Thanks. Jo Ann
09/10/2007 10:55 pm
Oh my Gawd...We were just there...
Sure have me listen to the Delta Queen Waltz on the calliope. I'm sitting here crying, bawling my eyes out...and Deb's saying very quietly in my ear, " you know, we COULD take another one in November".
You can't take it with you, you know...I can't stand it, I gotta got back onboard...
Wonderful stuff Ted, mucho, mucho thanks! Travis, my friend, you're OK too in my book...
10/10/2007 1:34 pm
Thank you for that compliment Jo Ann! I appreciate it alot.
It was moi as we departed Nashville. Must sound better at a distance than it does at the keyboard.
~Travis~
10/10/2007 2:46 pm
Thanks, Ted, for sharing your video. Looked just fine and the steam music by Travis was, as usual, top of the line!