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Exploring America by Barge
By Bobbie Green
Newest way to explore American Waterways
The visionary was raised in Louisiana near the river; it became the mainstay of his world. Everything came and went by the river, his work was on the river and he eventually became the owner of a tow boat business. The visionary wanted everyone to have the chance to see the heart of America's waterways, believing America may become too homogenized. The People and towns along our waterways represent many of the different cultures, attitudes and ways of life of those who helped forge this country. Based on all his previous life and business experiences the Eddie Conrad, the visionary, as referred to by his co-workers, put together the crew of the River Barge Explorer, the family, as they are described by him and began to build his dream.
Believing barge and tow to be the safest method of transportation on the river, he incorporated two connecting barges with a tow and wal-la what a treat for his barge mates, as the passengers are referred to.
The LaSalle barge is a floating hotel with 99 spacious identical cabins with great wall to wall windows and bathrooms with shower/tub combinations. They are able to accommodate some handicapped guest, with elevators and the spaciousness of the pubic rooms and hallways for wheelchairs and walkers. The hotel barge even has a self service laundry.
The forward DeSoto barge houses the public rooms and dinning room. The Purser's Lobby is the hub with all-around windows for viewing, comfy chairs and tables. On tap 24/7 is coffee, fruit juices, fountain drinks and a bottomless jar of homemade cookies. The Sprague lounge /cabaret is the place to be entertained.
Storytellers, historians and quite surprising to me was the world class entertainers, like jazz pianist Ronnie Kole, who has performed for many presidents or Jon Di Chiaro, classical guitarist, who has performed for the pope. Or the original blues man Bobby Rush, all performed while I was aboard and it was not their first or last time to entertain on the River Barge. The rousting gospel singers put the soul in our hearts and rhythm in our feet. The coolest (for the over forty) or hottest (for the under forty) place to be is the Passengers Bridge. Located to the front of the barge looking somewhat like the bridge of the star ship Enterprise, barge mates get the grandest view while listening to the actual radio communication between all the vessels on the river sitting in comfort of your captain's chair, or you may visit the pilot house almost anytime and converse with the friendly captains.
What makes the difference here from other river cruises you may have been on is the leisurely pace. Shore excursions are not taken until late morning or afternoons. One has plenty of time to enjoy the river rambling, getting to know the other guest. There is a library with books, cards, and games. On the sky deck two hot tubs, exercise room, friendly bar tender and my favorite, fresh popped popcorn, of course, plenty of deck chairs. If the workaholics leave their computer at home they would have no choice but to slow down and get on river time. Many previous passengers are returning with their families for a multi generational reunion or in groups with their fellow club members. Note there are no facilities for young children. Also unlike other river boat excursions, the tours may not always be guided. If the port town is in walking distance from the barge, mates may be given passes to all the local attractions and go to visit them at will. The guided excursions are tailored just for the barge passengers. One very memorable tour we experienced from the barge was to the Vicksburg National Military Park. One of the tour stops was at the state of Illinois Civil War Monument, one of the most impressionable in the park. It was modeled after the Roman Pantheon, the marble interior walls holds 60 bronze tablets containing names of all 36,325 participants in the Vicksburg Campaign. Our guide had us stand in a circle holding hands under the dome and sing God Bless America. There was not a dry eye in the house even among those visitors not with our group. A visit to this place in our history brought home to us generations later what was sacrificed by others for us. We were on the Delta South Barge Itinerary. The Barge Explorer has many different itineraries; each one along with the shore excursions, local entertainment and local foods, will give the guest a real distinctive taste of America.
The Dinning room features open seating and of course casual dress. Breakfast and lunch are buffet and dinner is served. The food theme keeps with the itinerary. Of course we ate southern, grits, pecan pie, and gumbo. Further north you will get bratwurst and sauerkraut. Just in case three meals cookies and popcorn do not keep you satisfied you are invited to raid the refrigerator kept stocked 24/7 with sandwiches, yogurt and deserts. You may keep your emergency food & drink stash in the electric cooler you will find in your room.
The hand picked family members who staff the barge, all have river related backgrounds. The smiling face of Barge Master Ed Clark conveys the heart & soul of the barge. His background is in Louisiana law enforcement and he is in charge of barge security as well. The barge is patrolled 24 hours a day. Clark has been the Barge Master since it onset nine years ago and says he has the best job in the word.
During the nine years five couples from the staff have met and married and he has made many new, now longtime friends among the barge mates.
The River Barge Explorer is all-inclusive, the basic price includes: accommodations, entertainment, all meals, tips, taxes, port charges, and scheduled shore activities. Only liquor and gift shop items are extra. Barge mates are not even charged extra to play bingo while aboard.
Exploring the heart of America along the American waterways in this unique fashion brings out the Tom Sawyer in all of us. For more information on the River Barge Excursions see your travel agent or visit www.riverbbarge.com
The visionary was raised in Louisiana near the river; it became the mainstay of his world. Everything came and went by the river, his work was on the river and he eventually became the owner of a tow boat business. The visionary wanted everyone to have the chance to see the heart of America's waterways, believing America may become too homogenized. The People and towns along our waterways represent many of the different cultures, attitudes and ways of life of those who helped forge this country. Based on all his previous life and business experiences the Eddie Conrad, the visionary, as referred to by his co-workers, put together the crew of the River Barge Explorer, the family, as they are described by him and began to build his dream.
Believing barge and tow to be the safest method of transportation on the river, he incorporated two connecting barges with a tow and wal-la what a treat for his barge mates, as the passengers are referred to.
The LaSalle barge is a floating hotel with 99 spacious identical cabins with great wall to wall windows and bathrooms with shower/tub combinations. They are able to accommodate some handicapped guest, with elevators and the spaciousness of the pubic rooms and hallways for wheelchairs and walkers. The hotel barge even has a self service laundry.The forward DeSoto barge houses the public rooms and dinning room. The Purser's Lobby is the hub with all-around windows for viewing, comfy chairs and tables. On tap 24/7 is coffee, fruit juices, fountain drinks and a bottomless jar of homemade cookies. The Sprague lounge /cabaret is the place to be entertained.
Storytellers, historians and quite surprising to me was the world class entertainers, like jazz pianist Ronnie Kole, who has performed for many presidents or Jon Di Chiaro, classical guitarist, who has performed for the pope. Or the original blues man Bobby Rush, all performed while I was aboard and it was not their first or last time to entertain on the River Barge. The rousting gospel singers put the soul in our hearts and rhythm in our feet. The coolest (for the over forty) or hottest (for the under forty) place to be is the Passengers Bridge. Located to the front of the barge looking somewhat like the bridge of the star ship Enterprise, barge mates get the grandest view while listening to the actual radio communication between all the vessels on the river sitting in comfort of your captain's chair, or you may visit the pilot house almost anytime and converse with the friendly captains.
What makes the difference here from other river cruises you may have been on is the leisurely pace. Shore excursions are not taken until late morning or afternoons. One has plenty of time to enjoy the river rambling, getting to know the other guest. There is a library with books, cards, and games. On the sky deck two hot tubs, exercise room, friendly bar tender and my favorite, fresh popped popcorn, of course, plenty of deck chairs. If the workaholics leave their computer at home they would have no choice but to slow down and get on river time. Many previous passengers are returning with their families for a multi generational reunion or in groups with their fellow club members. Note there are no facilities for young children. Also unlike other river boat excursions, the tours may not always be guided. If the port town is in walking distance from the barge, mates may be given passes to all the local attractions and go to visit them at will. The guided excursions are tailored just for the barge passengers. One very memorable tour we experienced from the barge was to the Vicksburg National Military Park. One of the tour stops was at the state of Illinois Civil War Monument, one of the most impressionable in the park. It was modeled after the Roman Pantheon, the marble interior walls holds 60 bronze tablets containing names of all 36,325 participants in the Vicksburg Campaign. Our guide had us stand in a circle holding hands under the dome and sing God Bless America. There was not a dry eye in the house even among those visitors not with our group. A visit to this place in our history brought home to us generations later what was sacrificed by others for us. We were on the Delta South Barge Itinerary. The Barge Explorer has many different itineraries; each one along with the shore excursions, local entertainment and local foods, will give the guest a real distinctive taste of America.
The Dinning room features open seating and of course casual dress. Breakfast and lunch are buffet and dinner is served. The food theme keeps with the itinerary. Of course we ate southern, grits, pecan pie, and gumbo. Further north you will get bratwurst and sauerkraut. Just in case three meals cookies and popcorn do not keep you satisfied you are invited to raid the refrigerator kept stocked 24/7 with sandwiches, yogurt and deserts. You may keep your emergency food & drink stash in the electric cooler you will find in your room.The hand picked family members who staff the barge, all have river related backgrounds. The smiling face of Barge Master Ed Clark conveys the heart & soul of the barge. His background is in Louisiana law enforcement and he is in charge of barge security as well. The barge is patrolled 24 hours a day. Clark has been the Barge Master since it onset nine years ago and says he has the best job in the word.During the nine years five couples from the staff have met and married and he has made many new, now longtime friends among the barge mates.
The River Barge Explorer is all-inclusive, the basic price includes: accommodations, entertainment, all meals, tips, taxes, port charges, and scheduled shore activities. Only liquor and gift shop items are extra. Barge mates are not even charged extra to play bingo while aboard.
Exploring the heart of America along the American waterways in this unique fashion brings out the Tom Sawyer in all of us. For more information on the River Barge Excursions see your travel agent or visit www.riverbbarge.com
