A Short Trip To The US

[nivrip]

So, after we had done Memphis we went down to the river and got on board this...……………

The American Queen, the biggest surviving steamboat in the world. And, yes, it is really driven by a steam engine which dates back to the 1930s. I went down to the engine room and spoke to the engineers who told me all sorts of interesting facts about the engine

The paddle at the back which I originally thought was just for show, but then found that it actually does drive the ship.

The above pics show how lavish are the fittings. Lovely lounges, its own small theatre, fairly tiny swimming pool and the Chart Room, full of interesting documents and details of the steam engine itself.


A magnificent boat and we had to live on it for a whole week.

 

[Becky]

Those boats are a lot bigger than I thought they'd be! Where did you travel from and to?

 

[nivrip]

Where did you travel from and to?

Memphis to New Orleans stopping off every day. Wonderful.

More pics to come.

 

[Becky]

Sounds like a great experience

Also I blame you for the fact I've had this song in my head all day...

 

[nivrip]

The trip down the Mississippi lasted a week and we got to stop off every day at various towns along the way.

This place, in Vicksburg, houses the Coca Cola Museum. Full of interesting facts.

One of the many antebellum mansions along the river. Fabulously appointed but sad in that they all only existed because of the slave trade. This one's in Natchez.

Another antebellum house in St. Francisville.

View from the top of the Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest in the US, in Baton Rouge.

Another house at Nottoway.

A couple of the guides at Nottoway, very knowledgeable and entertaining.

 

[nivrip]

So, eventually got to New Orleans where we stayed for two days.

Typical New Orleans building with beautiful balconies and flowers.

The famous Jackson Square.

One of the many mansions along St. Charles Street. A lot of this area was not affected by the floods of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Lots of these very small police cars around. Probably good for the very narrow streets.

Typical streetcar. They travel all over the city and you can get a 24 hour ticket for just $3. A relaxing way to see the whole place.

We had a lovely Jazz Brunch here at The Court Of The Two Sisters. Great music, great food. Normally people sit outside in the courtyard but the heavens opened just as we arrived.


Then we flew home.

 

[floppybootstomp]

Fantastic pics Niv, really enjoyed looking at those, the Steam ship is fascinating

 

[Becky]

Looks like a great place to visit