MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS

Monday, February 12, 2018

Aboard the America Cruising on the Mississippi River

There we are, aboard the America and cruising now on the Mississippi River...

It is 11:33 AM on July 8, 2017 and I'm taking pictures of our cabin.

With balcony and great view.

We did opt for the 4th deck, cabin 403 of the America.

Two settees and a TV.

Photo taken after lunch at 2:45 PM as Pieter finally manages to take his nap after having been 2 days with me in the car...

At 17:09 we were in Edgard on the Mississippi river and we both are on our balcony.
Pieter sure did enjoy those HUGE barges on the Mississippi river.
Both of us had never expected such heavy freight traffic is going on.
We also had no idea that this river isTwsome 800 yards wide and almost congested with transport. Two thirds of the entire U.S.A.'s grain production goes via the Mississippi to New Orleans, also for export.
It is much cheaper than via rail or by truck!
It is a slow streaming river. We did some 8 miles stream up and downwards we made 15 miles per hour.
One could easily keep up by bike with that speed...

Fascinating to see those barges, only problem was that they are too long for capturing in one photo!

Now you can see the end of it...

Pieter sure enjoyed studying these freighters with his binoculars and I enjoyed them too.
From our private balcony on the 4th deck.

An interesting study...

Still in Garyville...

Here I show you the full width of the Mississippi, at Garyville, Louisiana.

Now standing on the front of the 4th deck and we're at Mount Airy, Louisiana around 17:25.

Pieter looking very happy!

Mount Airy, Louisiana and a bridge is coming in sight now... (to the left).

Wallace, Louisiana at 17:38.

Still in Wallace, nearing the bridge.

Wallace, close to bridge and Pieter is looking up at the Pilot's House for the captain's maneuvering...

By 17:43 we ware almost under the bridge in Wallace, Louisiana.

Pieter is looking up to the Pilot House and admiring the captain's skill!

At 18:30 we enjoy our first delicious dinner and have a very peaceful and good night in our cabin.

What a perfect first day!

Travel next with us to Houmas House, the crown jewel of Louisiana's river road...

Thanks for your visit.

Related links:
Our Long Awaited Mississippi River Cruise | previous post by me
The Roosevelt New Orleans with View of Mississippi and French Quarter + New Orleans Cooking School | previous post by me
7th North American Mushroom Conference at The Roosevelt in New Orleans | previous post by me

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Our Long Awaited Mississippi River Cruise

When I had posted on October 15, about my Bridal Gown, the one that I made myself, I was going to lead you into this very post.

But things happened and we had to take a detour...

My dear husband Pieter had severe heart issues but for now, he is stable again.

So let's go back to that post, where I also showed a photo of my late first husband Frans, see link below this post.

It was through him, that our Long Awaited Mississippi River Cruise became reality.

One never knows if from heaven there still are messages delivered... One surprise was that from the Graphic Sector I did receive a pension on behalf of my late husband, in a lump sum due to the limited time he'd worked there.

So we could start planning our long awaited Mississippi River Cruise with American Cruise Lines newest paddlewheeler America, launched in 2016. Click the link for actually seeing the America on the Mississippi.

Even if it was a dreary looking day when we started out, here I am looking happy.

This dream took only 29 years, from March 7, 1988 till July 8 of 2017!
Starting our short 5-day cruise: Highlights of the Mississippi...

This time I had to drive the approximately 950 km all by myself as Pieter is no longer driving long stretches. With one stop at a hotel in Alabama, we made it to the INTERCONTINENTAL New Orleans Hotel's Classic Room where we stayed the night of July 7, before embarking on our cruise.

InterContinental New Orleans Classic Room's Desk.

A perfect shower at this InterContinental New Orleans, Classic Room.

Convenient towel bar on sliding door...

Handlebar in shower.
One can easily pick up ideas from such great hotels.

While I just relaxed and checked my MacBook, husband Pieter walked around the block.
As you can see, the InterContinental is located close to Lafayette Square and right in the center of New Orleans.

Top right you see my MacBook and the lower part of the building at top left is where we parked our car. Just crossing the building and than crossing the street with our carry on.

What would we do without our iPhone?
Car parking left and to the right you see the InterContinental New Orleans.

The Tower makes you exit just across from the InterContinental Hotel, very convenient.

Always make sure to check your surroundings!

Weather on July 7, 2017 when we arrived in the afternoon. Every afternoon thunder...
High humidity too in New Orleans area!

After a good breakfast buffet we arrive at the cruise terminal by bus.

Husband Pieter hardly can stand still for a picture, he's ready to embark on our new adventure!

Happy Pieter in front of the America Paddlewheeler.
By the way, the paddlewheel is only added for nostalgia and it is in fact a very high tech, modern river boat!