Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Looks Like Days Gone By- On this Old River








   Last night was a fun evening. It was so hot and the store had been very slow. I walked Sissy Home and saw a wonderful sight. Docked right out side, My Old Historic House, was this beautiful paddle wheeler. She was freshly painted and all done up with red, white and blue bunting. Her smoke stacks stood. tall and proud. People were getting off her at the Clarksville landing. We have lots of river boats through out the year, but the seldom stop and no one ever get's off. This  boat is fairly new. She looks great. It offers dinner and sight seeing tours. If it is a more than one day trip, the passengers have to get off, stay in a hotel and re-board the next day. she is not a sleeper.
   I meet the Captain and Owner. A very nice young man. he invited a small bunch of us viewers to come aboard and take a tour. I was delight and with my camera in hand, I snapped my was in and around the boat.
   "The Spirit of Peoria," is her name and sight seeing is her game. Peoria is in Illinois and up the river about 125 miles. This boat stops in Springfield,Ill. "Land of Lincoln." and Hannibal,Mo. Land of " Mark Twain. Mr. Twain, besides being Missouri's most famous writer, was also a river boat captain and probably  landed his paddle wheeler in this  same spot. You know me, never miss a chance to get attention to, My Old Historic House. I told the Captain we were right across the street from her. he wants more information and pictures, so maybe we will be added to the next site seeing tour. Yip,Yip,EEEEEEE.






    Even though the Spirit was a new boat she looked pretty good. Floral carpet, much like the ones of the late 1800's covered her floors. Shiny bright white tin ceilings  held up mini chandeliers. There was fancy velvet swags at the windows and river boat prints of all kinds decorated her walls.
   We toured the engine room, dining hall,  show floor and the wheel house.  There was a wonderful breeze coming off the water and it was so enjoyable to see the giant paddle wheel turn, throwing a fine mist of water about the hot evening air.
   The prices aren't bad. Especially for a 3 or so hour trip. I have always dreamed of a river cruse, so maybe I can now put it on my bucket list.
   Enjoy the pictures. Take the tour right along beside me. Who knows, next time the Spirit docks here in Clarksville,you just might be on it and across the street we will go for a tour of, My Old Historic House. The lights are always on and what a better experience could any one have.
   Seeing the beautiful boat dock and a personal tour, brought me some joy, after all, it was been 77 days since the flood season started on this river. We have had  a sand bag walls all that time. They are still here ,as we are not completely sure that it is 100% over.I know I am sure over it. Living on the river can be titled," The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." It is beautiful and good to see these boats go up and down and dock. To hear there music and see the smoke stacks in the sunset. . It is bad because there is always a danger of flooding. And the ugly, is the floods themselves. One has to give and take when living on the river. I'll take it all and give as much as I can. " Old man River, just keep rolling along!!!

















14 comments:

sue in mexico mo said...

How exciting! And right in your front yard!!!

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

That is a beautiful boat. I do hope they add you to the tour!I mean if I pulled up in front of your house, I would be knocking on the door for a tour!

Danny said...

Richard, thanks for sharing. The boat is a beautiful reminder of days gone by.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Oh, how exciting! I LOVE these riverboats! I think they're beautiful! I hope to take a tour on one someday, too! Good luck with your house tours! Twyla

Pamela Gordon said...

That is so interesting Richard. I would love to go on a paddle wheeler one day. Great photos. I love the red and white and blue of everything. It would be fun to travel the river like in the old days. Thanks for getting pictures of this one. Enjoy the summer. It's been very hot for us up here but will cool down after tomorrow to normal temperatures in the 70's instead of the 90's.

Susan said...

Oh, Richard. What a fabulous boat and tour. Thanks so much for sharing.

Can't say as I ever came home to see one of THOSE nearby! ha!

Great photos, too! Susan

Curtains in My Tree said...

Oh that would be so fun to be paddled down river in that beautiful boat
You have wonderful pictures to show us, thanks

I bet that was spirit lifting to see that docked at Clarksville

baby it's hot here today ,heat index 98


to you & Sissy xoxoxo

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Now that would be wonderful to add your historic home on the tour !
Have always wanted to take a paddle boat down the mighty Miss.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Now that would be wonderful to add your historic home on the tour !
Have always wanted to take a paddle boat down the mighty Miss.

victorian parlor II said...

Wow-what a beautiful boat! Thanks for sharing the pics-I felt like I was on board:).

Blessings,

Kim

Ann B. Kennedy said...

What a treat to have the boat come to your town! Thanks for sharing the great photos. I'd love to take a lazy trip down the river some hot summer day!

Texas Mom said...

I really enjoyed the pictures! Best of luck being included on future tours!! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Richard! Oh, what a beautiful paddle boat and you were able to get so close and inside! We have a 'fake' paddle boat here on the island called 'The Colonel'. I have been on a ride though and enjoyed it so much. When we lived in central Texas there was a retired paddle boat turned into a restaurant. It was so elegant and so special to eat there.
Hope you and little Sissy are doing well.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

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