Claudia and Cora
Tackle the Mississippi
Part II

In August, Claudia and her Aunt Cora, decided to take care of some unfinished business. In 1997, "the girls" took a little river trip on the Mississippi Queen. The Mississippi Queen is a paddle wheel boat. They started in St. Louis and were suppose to go to Minneapolis. Unfortunately, they ran out of time. They got as far as Red Wing, Minnesota. There the cruise line took everyone by bus to Minneapolis.

Some time before the trip in 97, Cora had told us that she always had wanted to take a boat and cruise the Mississippi like Tom Sawyer. . . Well they did just that. Click here to see Claudia and Cora, conquer the river part I.

So this year they decided to go from St. Louis to New Orleans. Aunt Cora, is 87 years young, and just as active as ever. Actually I was afraid she might be a bad influence on Claudia. She said this time she was going to have some wine on the trip.


Check out how much luggage Claudia has compared to Cora.

They were to leave on a Monday and ride on the Amerian Queen. At the last minute we get a phone call. The boat is in Iowa. They are having trouble getting through a lock. So "the girls" are going to have to catch a plane to Moline, Illinois. From there they will be bussed to the boat.

When the get to the boat they are told a hinge on the lock is broken and it will take three days to fix the problem. Many on board, take an offer for a future trip, but "the girls" decided to stick it out.

While they were in Iowa, they took a tour of the Rock Island Arsenal.

On Tuesday, they had some bad luck. Cora sprained her ankle, but she was in the company of one of the world's greatest Physical Therapist.

On Wednesday, the boat gets through the lock. They are on their way, and a little rain isn't going to damped their enthusiasm.

On Thursday, I get a phone call from "the girls". They are going to be in St. Louis on Friday, and they arranged for me to be a guest on the boat. I am suppose to be there at 10:00 am. I can have lunch with them, but I have to leave by noon. They are going on a tour of St. Louis. Some people might think this is a little unusual since we live in the St. Louis area, but . . .

Check out the hats. Cora is a hat lady. The cruise literature recommended a hat. Claudia did not have enough time to shop for a hat so Cora loaned her one of her spares. She even added a scarf as an accessory. According to Cora, Claudia was the "bell of the ball". I have no idea what that means.

After they left St.Louis, the captain must have put the hammer down. They had to make up for lost time. Unfortunately most stops along the river had to be cancelled. They did get to visit the civil war battle field at Vicksburg.

On Tuesday they made it to Natchez. There busses took them to New Orleans. Cora had never visited New Orleans before so they spent an extra day in the Big Easy.

On Tuesday they made it to Natchez. There busses took them to New Orleans. Cora had never visited New Orleans before so they spent an extra day in the Big Easy.

On Wednesday, the girls flew home and I picked them up at the airport. I think Claudia was bushed. Cora was still ready to party.

I asked Cora what was the best part of the trip. She said she enjoyed the tour of the Vicksburg battle field, but she really just enjoyed sitting on the boat and watching the river.

Sometimes we might forget, in life the journey can be as rewarding as the destination.

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