Live from the AMERICAN QUEEN

Friday pictures

1) Where is this?
2) Nature girl Barb Hameister
3) the refueling barge

Judy, I'll add my thanks for your postings. Sounds like y'all are having a blast!

Point Pleasant Pix

1) River Museum
2) a necessary evil
3) the museum staff: Jack Fowler, Martha and Ruth Fout

Last Friday shots

1) Mate John Cook, Capt. Joe Jamieson
2) Rambling River Rats Pat Traynor, Barb Hameister, Carol Roth watching the band show on shore
3) the end...good night from just above Greenup L&D....

Heavy is the burden...

Bob Reynolds;30318 wrote: Judy, I'll add my thanks for your postings. Sounds like y'all are having a blast!

Its rough, Bob, but anything for the .orgers!

Good morning from Maysville

Its a cool overcast morning, again, that's been the case this whole trip. At least the rain only lasts an hour or so at a time. Its probably hard to believe for those of you on land in the midwest, but it was really too cool and windy to sit out last evening.
I ventured into town looking for an opening in the floodwall to get stern shots, to no avail. But I did see the local artisans set up in a parking lot awaiting the passengers. The Premium tour left already for the Underground Railway Museum, but other than that not many passengers are roaming the streets yet.
As I sit here on the outer Front Porch, BJ Thomas and band are eating and relaxing in the interior porch area, a common occurrence on this trip. I suppose the Loving Spoonfuls might be out and about too, but I don't know what they look like. Overall this has been a very mellow group of passengers, save for that rowdy RRR bunch - and even they have behaved. I heard rumors that SM and JS were tearing up the dance floor in the Engine Room Bar during the 60s music night. I was sawing logs in my room by then.
As I think I mentioned last night, our trip will end at Schmidt Field, due to some marathon at the Public Landing. But no matter where it ends, I'm sure we'll be on time _ Capt. Jamieson has guaranteed it. Couldn't have anything to do with the fact he gets off the boat in Cincy, could it???? I had never met Capt. Joe before, but he is a great people person, roaming the boat rather incognito most of the time. Pilot Finley Fraser is also done tomorrow, with Capt. Rob DeLuca coming on board.
1) Here is that 'mystery' item I posted yesterday - its the ball atop the big AQ sign on the bow
2, 3) from the Maysville landing

More from Maysville

1) Our top level security outpost.
2) Its a long way to haul the water hose.
3) Something is over that floodwall...

More and more from Maysville

1) The local artisans are ready for us.
2) A view from behind the security line...shhh.
3) Hope this wall is sturdy.

Time to head back up to check out the town.

Judy Patsch;30321 wrote: Its rough, Bob, but anything for the .orgers!

My thanks too, Judy, for this great post. I had my time as an "insider", now get to see what it is like to follow vicariously and re- live old memories through the eyes of others. Bittersweet but nice, as I know so many have found.

Amazing, Keith, but I just uttered your name, wishing you were here. Could you please email me: [email protected]

Back on board

I left Suzanne and Alice to do the rest of the town after we toured the Russell Theater. It looks like quite a few of the pax have opted to walk rather than take the steamcoaches. Maybe waddle is a better term after all the eating we've been doing. Naptime while we're tied up so I can make it to Cincy, although I think we could get there by 9 PM if we went full ahead. I suspect midnight will be the latest, considering the packing the pilothouse crew has to do.

Thanks for the photos and commentary. Glad you finally got to see the Point Pleasant River Museum -- especially since you're a LIFE member! Jack, Martha and Ruth "keep up steam" and do a fantastic job at the museum, which is bulging at the seams!

We haven't used our new pilothouse at HSM as an ice cream stand, but it's an idea!

Judy,
Thank you so very much for your posts and pics, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed them! Please give Pat, Carol and Barb a hug from me. It was just a year ago last week that we were all together aboard the DQ polishing brass and silver. I can't wait to ride the AQ, and as soon as I get two kids out of college, I will!

Its Over

Unfortunately I guessed right about our arrival time. We had the stage out at Schmidt Field by 9:20PM. We had hoped to go down and pass the city front, but no soap. So, I've packed and now to post the final pix. I'd like to send a more detailed account via email, so if I don't have yours and you'd like more inside info on this trip, email me at [email protected].
1) the stern of a steamcoach at the ready
2) the Russell Theater
3) Remember the hidden TV behind this head? No more. The panel is screwed shut.

Last day

1)Capts. John Boyle and Joe Jamieson
2) the work of the bowthruster
3) artsy shot

Last day

1) The steam whistle in action - we had a couple of pilots who liked to blow it as a salute to the fans along the banks, and it sounds much better and louder than I remember it.
2) Augusta KY and some sort of sternwheel festival. Rosemary Clooney's house is the yellow one. Can you imagine if we had pulled in there for a quick stop???
3) The Augusta ferry

Last day

1) Mary Charlton is surrounded by Jo Ann Schoen, Carol Roth, and Barb Hameister.
2) Old Lock 34 at Chilo
3) the remains of Moscow Ohio after the tornado

Last day

1) The River Grill, where I ate dinner each night. In rainy weather, it is set up in the Front Porch. Unga is the Mr. Everything in this setup and does a fantastic job. Tonight's dinner included ribeye steaks, prime rib, pork roast, etc. etc. This is the best idea this new company has come up with!
2) Unga's little grill...
3) Is this New Richmond?

Last day

1) Someone asked about the MITCHELL. Here's the answer. Its right across from us now.
2, 3) Sunsets.

Last day

...and more sunsets..................................

Really the end...

Just off and on for the last time for these shots.

I Give Up

What and where is that hexagonal/octagonal structure? Can't remember that. Must be something new-ish.

Judy, Thank you so much for those wonderful shots. In case mine don't turn out at least I know there are some good ones out there somewhere. I've been home long enough to get the laundry started and to say hi to the cat. She's back outside now basking in the sun. From the looks of my dried up lawn we had none of those late afternoon showers we enjoyed on the AQ.

All in all I'd say it was a very successful trip. There are still some kinks to be worked out, but much better overall than we had been hearing. Being a teenager in the 60's I did partake and thoroughly enjoy the added entertainment, which I would not normally have done. It was so nice seeing so many of the crew from my days of cruising on the DQ. Certainly made it seem more like what we had become used to. And as Bill Wiemuth says "we're family". So even though my vacation time, nor pocketbook will allow, I certainly wish I could go again sometime soon. We'll have to take a look at next year.

So good luck to the company, crew and staff for a successful rest of the season. And now with all that deck time, as soon as I get this load of laundry on my backyard clothes line - watch out couch. It's nap time!!!!