We just returned from a riverboat cruise up the Mississippi, from St. Louis to St. Paul on the American Queen steamboat. What a relaxing way to travel on the Mississippi. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on this trip, as it was a step back in time and truly Americana at its best. The small towns we visited along the way were charming, and the locals were thrilled to see the boat come into town. In several of the stops, it looked like the whole town was on the pier to welcome us, and enjoy the sight of the American Queen themselves.
My husband and I were fascinated with the locks, and had plenty of time to study them as we passed through over 20 on our trip up the river. Onboard was Riverlorian Bobby, who gave us a little history of the region each day. We also passed through Hannibal, the home town of Mark Twain, which has inspired me to pick up some of his classics again.
The ship itself is full of beautiful antiques, with many comfy spots to sit and read, or just watch the river go by. By far the best spot on the boat were the rocking chairs or swings on the Front Porch, with a glass of iced tea and a cookie, as we cruised up the river. They also had a small pool and a respectable gym, to get in a quick workout.