Boat Rides

[CWtheMan]

Colorado River Sternwheeler Ride

Boat rides. I couldn’t find a place to post them so I’ll start in here and let the moderators decide.

This won’t be in a time line format. I’ll just post them as I find the pictures I want to use.

If this subject gets some interest I’ll do train rides next. We haven’ done many but they have all been enjoyable.

When we first hunkered down in Yuma, AZ for the winter months, it didn’t take long to get antsy. We were in Yuma for about four months and had seen everything in the city, including every golf course. So we started searching the internet for things to do within a hundred miles.

Martinez Lake was about a 30 minute ride from our RV Park. We got our sternwheeler boat tickets at the MWR ticket office at MCAS Yuma. They are discounted below what they cost at a ticket agency in Yuma or out at the lake.

Our ride tickets included a sandwich lunch with choice of iced tea or soft drink. Our ride went down to the Hidden Shores Resort. (One day not long after our boat ride we took a day trip out to the Hidden Shores Resort where there are also RV parking sites).


On our boat ride we got to view a lot of the government land open in CA to boondockers. We saw wild animals and a couple of bald eagles. The waters were quite clear with a light green hue. It was nothing really spectacular but very relaxing and quiet. There were a lot of bass type boats in the tall grasses. I saw one fish caught that I thought was a large mouth bass but a guy with binoculars stronger than mine said it was a striper. Later when we returned I found that we were probably both wrong when a guy that fished there regularly said the grassy areas were loaded with small mouth bass.

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[Slapshoot]

Thanks for the info. We were in Yuma for the first time this year and did not run across this tour. We were out at the RV resort you spoke of and Fishers Landing where it looks like you may have caught the boat. Will keep this on the list of things to do next time we are able to get down there.

[CWtheMan]

Planning a trip up along the Maine coast this spring or summer? Maybe a trip to Arcadia National Park?

Lot’s of exciting things to do in that area. During one of our visits we went to Bar Harbor and went out on the large New England ground swells to do some whale watching. The seas were calm that day and the local seal population was mostly all basking along the shores as we entered the Atlantic Ocean in our quest to watch the Humpbacks dive for food.

Our guide was a seasoned whale watcher with graduate degrees in Marine Sciences. She had been following the Humpbacks along the Maine coast for more than seven years and knew the names of all that we saw that day. She had pictures and drawings that identified them individually.

Here are a few pictures of our adventures that day. You can click on any of them to make them larger.

The last one was taken from Cadillac Mountain of a four master that can be booked for a day cruises.


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[CWtheMan]

here are the other two pictures to the whale watching post.

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[Fishsizzle]

Lake Havasu

You can ride to the casino, take a pontoon to Copper Canyon, go on the Ducky tour (small inflatables with outboards) or rent jet skis, kayak, canoes, SUP

We took the boat down this Feb

[CWtheMan]

A must see when in the area; Gaylord Opryland Resort. We took the boat ride and got lots of pictures. We had lunch and visited many of the shops and other attractions.

The link is active and the pictures will enlarge when you click on any of them.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=TBSvb375&id=762B78F7CB55932FAAA2F312A4AD6E0DA4DE9853&thid=OIP.TBSvb375v8uBCwDZhk1fHgHaFk&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2f9968c6ef49dc043599a5-e151928c3d69a5a4a2d07a8bf3efa90a.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.c om%2f65966-2.jpg&exph=640&expw=850&q=gaylord+opryland+resort+%26+convention+center&simid=608050446954464686&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0


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[gkainz]

I don't have pictures at hand, but the Jenny Lake (Grant Teton Nat'l Park WY) boat ride was always enjoyable.

The least enjoyable boat ride I ever had was the 2 am liberty launch from Naples, IT to the Nimitz after a shore patrol stint. Had a hurricane coming in, so large swells and choppy, ice cold water was the offering of the day. Soaking wet and tired ... another fine Navy day!

[CWtheMan]

I don't have pictures at hand, but the Jenny Lake (Grant Teton Nat'l Park WY) boat ride was always enjoyable.

The least enjoyable boat ride I ever had was the 2 am liberty launch from Naples, IT to the Nimitz after a shore patrol stint. Had a hurricane coming in, so large swells and choppy, ice cold water was the offering of the day. Soaking wet and tired ... another fine Navy day!

I made that trip many times, in all sorts of weather conditions. USS Nimitz, 77-80.

[flybouy]

A must see when in the area; Gaylord Opryland Resort. We took the boat ride and got lots of pictures. We had lunch and visited many of the shops and other attractions.

The link is active and the pictures will enlarge when you click on any of them.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=TBSvb375&id=762B78F7CB55932FAAA2F312A4AD6E0DA4DE9853&thid=OIP.TBSvb375v8uBCwDZhk1fHgHaFk&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2f9968c6ef49dc043599a5-e151928c3d69a5a4a2d07a8bf3efa90a.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.c om%2f65966-2.jpg&exph=640&expw=850&q=gaylord+opryland+resort+%26+convention+center&simid=608050446954464686&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0


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The last time I stayed there was the year before they got flooded out. I've had the privileged to stay at every Gaylord and have never been disappointed. Although when Marriott bought them out I did miss the cigar bars.

[gkainz]

I made that trip many times, in all sorts of weather conditions. USS Nimitz, 77-80.


We might have been on that same ride that day ... December 1979, just before “reposition to Gonzo station with great haste”

[CWtheMan]

We might have been on that same ride that day ... December 1979, just before “reposition to Gonzo station with great haste”

Very possible. My wife came over for two weeks during Christmas & New Year. We stayed at the Santa Lucia on the Naples waterfront. We went out to the Nimitz for steak and lobster at the CPO mess. It was a bleak stormy day with only 50 allowed on each boat.


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[CWtheMan]

I'm going to add train rides to this thread. It was my original plan but I forgot to add train rides to the subject line.

During a three week stop at Rapid City, SD we parked at the RV park at Ellsworth AFB just east of the city. The recreation department at the AFB ran all sorts of tours to all of the nearby attractions. They had a fleet of passenger vans and drivers that were excellent tour guides as well. They would pick us up at the RV park and return us there at the end of the day. It was very convenient and much easier than driving around rubber necking.

http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/milcamps/33-south-dakota/172-ellsworth-afb-famcamp

Our train ride on The Black Hill Steam Train started at Keystone and went to Hill City and returned. It was an all day affair and very enjoyable with a nice layover in Hill City that allowed enough time to do some shopping and have lunch.

http://www.1880train.com/

There was a singing group that met the train in Hill City. Just about everyone took a picture of our head conductor. There was a long line at the snack station but it moved alone quickly and everyone that wanted a snack got served. As depicted in the pictures it was a beautiful, clear, summer day for sight seeing.

We took lots of pictures and here are some of them. Clicking on them will make them larger. The links are active, just click on them to browse.

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[CWtheMan]

On one of our trips up into MI we spent three weeks at the Mill Creek CG at Mackinaw. It was our base camp for the numerous side trips we made during this visit.

Of great interest to us was the chance to take a tour boat ride up through the Soo Locks at Salt Ste Marie, MI. You can read all about them in the link attached below.

After we got our tickets we had some extra time to walk around and look at all the items on display there.

We got real lucky with our boat ride. It was all in the scheduling. To get up into Lake Superior we transited the CDN lock and on our return we came back through an American lock.

These are just a small percentage of all the pictures we took

https://www.saultstemarie.com/attractions/soo-locks/

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[Northofu1]

It's a beautiful part of the country.
The lock system is impressive and the museum is nice.
Lunch at "The Palace" is worthwhile.
https://www.thepalacemexicanrestaurant.com/

[CWtheMan]

Verde Canyon Railroad

This is about a side trip to 300 North Broadway, Clarkdale, Arizona, the location to catch a ride on the Verde Canyon Train. The train depot was an easy ride from the RV Park (Camp Verde). We made our reservations on the internet. We got the first class tickets and that put all four of us at a nice table location right next to the gondola car - great for taking pictures.

The day of our ride was clear skies and short sleeve weather. Beautiful conditions for picture taking and observing the wide open country. There was a wild horse round-up taking place and the cowboys were out in large numbers. At the far end of the trip out into the desert we rode through the temporary stable areas.

We saw a number of mature bald eagles soaring the air currents high above the river areas. It’s a wonderful relaxing ride out into the vast open lands of Arizona.

Here are just a few of the pictures we took. Click on any one to get the larger view. Also, the link is active.

https://verdecanyonrr.com/


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[CWtheMan]

When visiting upstate New York, the 1000 Islands area of the St. Lawrence River is a must see. There are a number of ways to do it and we chose a boat tour. We were parked about an hour’s drive east of Alexandria Bay, NY at the Massena International Kampground near Massena, NY. It was our home base for two weeks. (It was also about an hour’s drive to Montreal).

We waited for a day with a clear weather report before driving over for the boat ride. We took what they call the 2 nation 2 and ¼ hour cruise. The price was very reasonable and so were the prices at the onboard snack bar.

All tours will let passengers off at the Bolt Castle where you can buy souvenirs and tickets to tour the castle area. When done there you can catch a ride back to the Uncle Sam dock with the next tour boat to stop going that way.

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[Northofu1]

Another jewel in the northern US.
The first place Serena and I took the trailer for a shakedown. We stayed at Association Island KOA in that bay. Great fishing, boat tours, shopping in Syracuse. Been to Gananoque many times. We like the St Lawrence area, very peaceful. Boldt Castle is a nice tour.

[CWtheMan]

When in Branson, do everything. One day we rode out to the lake to see about getting a ride on the Branson Belle. Before we got to the ticket counter they ran out of regular tickets. We turned to leave and a lady at a souvenir booth close by talked us into inquiring about 1st class tickets. She said the extra 6 bucks for the upgrade was worth every penny. Well, sure enough, they still had some 1st class tickets and we got four of them. That lady gave us some of the best advice we could have received. Our tickets were on a front row balcony. The tickets included a menu selection and first service. The show that day was performed by the – old – Oak Ridge Boys. It was great, we had a spectacular view and sound.


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[CWtheMan]

The Great Smoky Mountain Train Station is located in Bryson City, NC.

Here are a couple of useful references. The link to the train ride; and below it, is a link to a great PDF file that is super informative.

http://www.gsmr.com/
http://www.gsmr.com/sites/default/files/gsmr_2011_hyperlink2.pdf

During your train ride experience you will be given the opportunity to visit the Lionel Train Museum. It’s a must see for Model train lovers. Many of the items found there can only be found there as they are one of a kind items.


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[CWtheMan]

It’s always fun to plan an adventure. After spending a few weeks at Verde Canyon we decided to make arraignments for a 5 day stay at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park which would include a 1st class train ride up to the canyon.

The RV Park is right downtown Williams, AZ. Crossing the railroad tracks at the RV Park will put you right on the historical Highway 66 and all its stores and trinket shops. There is also a medium sized IGA store for your grocery needs.

The RV Park is very close to the train station but they have a central point of pick-up for every train ride (departure & return rides).

The RV Park office has a pet hotel.

Most of our picture taking was of the ride up to the Grand Canyon rim and back. The links below have more information and most of the prices. There are also some really nice pictures in those links.

We had spent the previous 4/5 months traveling with our friends in the Montana. When leaving Williams they were going west and we were going east.


https://www.thetrain.com/lodging/rv-park/
https://www.thetrain.com/


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[CWtheMan]

The Charleston Bay boat tour takes passengers to all the bay highlights. The tour boat has a snack bar and men and women restrooms.

In the pictures below I’ll give you a glimpse of the most interesting places - to me - to view and take pictures. Some are of the city and rural coast lines, the cruise ship piers, Fort Sumter and the USS Yorktown (CV-10) museum. I’ve also provided a couple of web sites.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Ravenel_Jr._Bridge

https://www.bing.com/search?q=fort+sumpter&form=ANSPH1&refig=1bc0679a86414ad7b98cad17adaf6f02&pc=U531&sp=-1&ghc=1&pq=fort+sumpter&sc=8-12&qs=n&sk=&cvid=1bc0679a86414ad7b98cad17adaf6f02

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[CWtheMan]

This was the year it was constantly overcast or raining all the time at San Diego. Very unusual because we had lived there for a three year tour while in the Navy and had never seen such terrible weather. We finally gave-up and moved over the mountains. Didn’t do much good, it was raining there also.

We had booked this harbor boat tour in advance so we were stuck with the awful overcast. It was made for bad photos.

The harbor tour is well worth the money. It lasts about 4 hours and ours had a wonderfully experienced guide that could answer questions accurately.

The Aircraft carrier, CVN-74 moored at North Island is the USS John C. Stennis.

The bridge links San Diego to Coronado.

The sail boats were getting readied for a regatta.

Look closely at the yacht picture and you can see aircraft parked at Naval Air Station North Island.


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[CWtheMan]

Michigan Mackinac Island, MI

There are a couple of places to get the tour boats to Mackinac, Island. Some are faster than others but all are comfortable.

When you get to the island there is nothing motorized to ride on or in. Everything moves by peddle (bicycle) of hoof. We were there at peak season and the horse manure smell was on the wind just about everywhere. The island is a “shutter bug” paradise. We took a buggy tour and what I called a buggy van tour.

If you’re a southerner you’ll have a hard time visioning snow ski travel to the island in the winter. But, they have pictures.

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[CWtheMan]

An exciting adventure when visiting the falls is a ride on one of the Maid of Mist tour boats that will take you right to the foot of the falls. Here are some pictures from our ride on a Maid of Mist boat and pictures from above.

When you take the Cave of the winds tour you go all the way to the bottom of the falls as shown here by the yellow rain gear.

Our tour included all of the featured falls attractions.


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