September 16. 2014

Well, I appear to have survived both the frog legs and the green beans. (Those who know me will know why  that's funny.)

The weather is still cool, but sunny again and rather nice by afternoon. We went through several more locks. Most of them had flocks of pelicans that would take off as we came by and not fly away, but just swirl around for a while then settle again. There are lots of big fancy and smaller neat-looking houses along the banks above the dams. I certainly hope they have lots of flood insurance!

At lunch there was a big fancy buffet in the dining room. I've got to say that their pecan pie is very, very close to being as good as my own. During lunch the band set up in the lounge just outside the dining room and played jazz standards -- very nice. 

That was just the beginning of the music today. Bobby and Jackie each did a solo set during the afternoon. Bobby played 4-string banjo, and there were very few there other than Chris and Sallie and me. So we got to teasing with him to see who knew the weirdest songs. Sallie won, hands down with a couple of Neil Diamond Side B's that are seriously strange.

Next we made a brief stop in Clinton, Illinois. That was partly because we could get to it since the river is high, and partly because it's the Captain's home town. Clinton has something over 7,000 residents, and I think almost a quarter of them turned out for the event. I'm still not sure if the Captain gave a plaque to the Mayor or vice versa, but there was a lot of handshakin'and speechifyin' down on the dock. A rousing calliope concert ensued.

Next was Jackie's solo act in the bar aft. (That bar is right in front of the paddlewheel which you can sorta see spinning through a row of round windows...I keep expecting to see a row of cherries turn up.) Again, Chris and Sallie and I were the only ones there for about half of it. We learned new lyrics to several songs from Jackie, and she may have learned some from us, too.

Then it was back to the Grand Saloon where the main show was another by the band plus the singers/dancers. This time it was more Baby Boomer music. Frankly, any Baby Boomers on this boat would be considered youngsters. I enjoyed the few instrumentals more than the vocals, although the kids do have a lot of energy. 

Finally after dinner, Jackie and Bobby were doing Beach Bash music in the bar. The bar waitress, Brenda, is really energetic, and between filing drink orders is really good a getting people up dancing and participating? There were several "contests" this evening, and Sallie won the limbo contest. As for myself, this Br'er Rabbit just laid low in the briar patch every time Brenda came near. But I am really enjoying all the good music on this trip. The quality of the entertainment here easily equals or surpasses that on the big cruise ships.

Other than frog legs and a few other specifics, I haven't said a whole lot about the food/dining on board. It is excellent. The menu choices are not gigantic, but there is always something for every taste, and if there is something you need, or something you cannot eat due to allergy or any other reason, they will do everything in their power to make you happy. The food is well prepared and attractively served. Wine is included with the meals, and soft drinks and bottled water are always free. If it sounds like I'm impressed with the American Queen, I am.