wlwttv asked:

The Delta Queen is will no longer cruise unless Congress takes action. …

Cary Ordway asked:


Sacramento is not just any old state capital — it’s also a virtual theme park for historians, art lovers and just about anyone else who wants to learn more about the state of California.

It’s tempting to say it’s a theme park for adults – but it’s really not just for adults. In fact, a visit to Sacramento probably will be one of the most beneficial field trips your youngsters will ever take. They’ll learn about government, the Old West, railroads, Native Americans, the Gold Rush and several other subjects featured in dozens of Sacramento exhibits and museums.

We stopped by the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, where we obtained maps and a long list of attractions in the city. The CVB is just around the corner from highlights like the Governor’s Mansion and the many beautifully maintained Victorian homes and architecture found throughout the downtown area.

We then drove over to take the obligatory pictures of the State Capitol Building, keeping an eye out for California’s movie-star governor. But, alas, no Arnold at either the Capitol or the Governor’s Mansion — although we’re told the governor is frequently spotted having lunch at the Esquire Grill or dining at Lucca and Biba restaurants. In any event, the State Capitol Museum makes the stop more than worthwhile with its exhibits and artifacts from the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and a newly unveiled 3-D movie on the disaster.

Nearby we found several other museums to explore. For example, the Crocker Art Museum is located in one of the city’s most beautiful Victorian homes and is, in fact, the oldest art museum in the West. Founded in 1873, the museum today displays original European and master drawings as well as 19th-Century California paintings, sculptures and Asian art.

We stopped in the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts, which offers colorful and descriptive displays about many of the women who have been instrumental in helping California grow to its present stature. As with most museums we visited, visitors could spend several hours in just this museum soaking up fascinating facts about the Golden State.

For history buffs, maybe the best place in town to go is Old Sacramento, which has a number of museums including the California Military Museum, Discovery Museum History Center, the Old Sacramento Interpretive Center, the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum and the Wells Fargo History Museum.

Topping the historical list is the California State Railroad Museum which is said to be one of the country’s best railroad museums. The 100,000-square-foot museum features many actual railcars as well as various real locomotives. You can see what a 19th Century train station was really like with a very authentic replica right on the premises.

We were amazed by the Railroad Museum because so many different types of rail cars and locomotives were on display indoors all in one place. The trains are in tip-top condition and you can always find one of the museum’s volunteers to explain how this or that worked or why this particular steam engine was important. There is an elaborate model railroad upstairs as well as exhibits explaining the history of model railroading. We’ve got to say this museum was a favorite for both the adults and kids in our crowd.

Old Sacramento, as one local visitor official told us, was once the skid row of Sacramento until, in the 1960’s, a major re-development project was initiated to restore many of the historic buildings and attract new business into the area. The history of Old Sacramento dates back to 1839 when this became the first commercial settlement in the area. When gold was discovered in nearby Coloma in 1849, the business community along the Sacramento River began to boom. Local miners had to have such services as hotels, saloons, outfitting stores and bathhouses.

Nowadays, Old Sacramento is bringing back that early atmosphere and everyone seems to love it – it now attracts more than 5 million visitors each year. Although we noticed several commercial vacancies in the area, that might just be because Old Sacramento is now considered one of the most expensive places in Sacramento to do business.

The area has been restored with cobblestone streets, gaslamps and wooden sidewalks, and you do get the feeling of walking through a town from the Old West. Of course there are a few tip-offs that this particular Wild West town has been somewhat tamed: T-shirt shops seem to abound and there are plenty of candy and chocolate stores, not to mention pizza and just about anything else today’s explorers may want to eat.

The shops in Old Sacramento – no matter how tacky some of them may be – are almost all housed in historic buildings. Among those 53 buildings still standing is a firehouse built in 1853, California’s first threater, and the B.J. Hastings Building which was the western terminus for the Pony Express.

For a unique overnight adventure in Sacramento, try staying on board the Delta King, an early 20th Century paddle-wheeler riverboat. The boat once offered prohibition-era drinking, jazz bands and gambling for its fun-loving passengers and, just like passengers back in the 1920s, today’s guests enjoy enchanting river views, great food and drink and a cozy stateroom unlike any other accommodation you may have experienced. But unlike those early passengers, you will have to be content with scenery that remains pretty constant. The Delta King isn’t going anyplace anytime soon.

On this particular visit, we stayed overnight in a great choice for landlubbers, the Hilton Sacramento Arden West. About five miles from Old Town, the hotel is located in the Point West part of Sacramento and is a particular favorite with business travelers because of its endless amenities and typical Hilton upscale, polished look and feel. We found the spacious rooms to be tastefully decorated and well insulated from any street noise. With its marble counters, pillow-top mattresses and 250-threadcount linens, this hotel proved to be a luxurious respite after a long day of museum-hopping in Sacramento.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Sacramento is about 85 miles northeast of San Francisco and 385 miles north of Los Angeles in the San Joaquin Valley.

WHAT: Sacramento is the state capital of California and the home of the state’s governmental offices. Numerous museums, exhibits, historical buildings and other attractions make the city a popular travel destination.

WHEN: The climate is moderate in Sacramento so visits can be planned anytime of year. Check ahead to see when the Legislature’s in session if you would like to see government in action.

WHY: You’ll find many attractions located in a close area, most of them quite illustrative of early Californian history.

HOW: For more information on Sacramento, contact the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-292-2334 or visit www.discovergold.org.

Kris Koonar asked:


Sacramento, the capital city of California is located in a peaceful valley blessed with leafy canopies, and year round pleasant weather. It has a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild winters and dry summers. The region has low humidity and it rains there between the months of November and March. Sacramento has evolved as a cosmopolitan junction with wonderful sights, monuments, and restaurants, and an entertaining nightlife. With a plethora of luxurious villas, it has become the center of attraction for a large number of tourists.

Also known as a sleepy little town, Sacramento has a lot to offer its visitors as it has an extensive range of historic and educational attractions that can interest people from all walks of life. Once famous for its historic gold rush, Sacramento now has a number of museums and historic sites. You can also experience the magic of the place by taking riverboat cruises and other tours. Some of the tours are mentioned below:

Riverboat Cruises: If you wish to experience the real essence of Sacramento, you need to go on a riverboat cruise. You can board a Victorian paddle-wheel steamer and enjoy the special dining, dancing and sightseeing. These cruises are very famous and the boats used are reproductions of two historically renowned paddle wheelers, namely, the Spirit of Sacramento and the Matthew McKinley. Apart from sightseeing tours, they also offer brunch and dinner cruises. But you need to book your trip in advance so that you can enjoy the riverboat cruises when you plan a holiday.

Southern Railroad Excursion: The Southern Railroad Excursion is also a popular attraction in Sacramento. It takes visitors on a 40-minute train ride along the Sacramento River. You can enjoy cruising along in open-air gondolas and vintage coaches pulled by real steam locomotives and admire the scenic beauty. There are a number of special theme trains and events that are meant mostly for kids. Moreover, Sacramento is a prime location for students to acquaint them with the history of California, as well as to give them an introduction to the government in the capital city.

Limousine Tours: The limousine services in Sacramento are a classy combination of style and comfort. Though the general impression is that these luxurious limousine tours are very expensive, in reality they are available at reasonable rates, and can fit to any budget. These limousine tours are not stuffy, executive affairs, but are full of fun and frolic. Apart from being the most popular choice for business and corporate clients, it is also popular for social occasions such as weddings.

They are committed to providing excellent services for a wide range of events aimed at both the corporate client as well as private customers. They offer safe and smooth transportation to and from the place of event at the best possible rates. Limousine tours offer its customers a wide selection of vehicles such as Lincoln or Mercedes sedans, luxury SUVs, and the new Hummer limousines. If you wish to accommodate larger groups, you can opt for luxurious coaches offered by the limo services in Sacramento.

Delta River Cruise: The Delta River Cruise is very famous in Sacramento. You can enjoy the commentary about the points of interest as you journey along the route narrated by the historian on board, along with a fully stocked bar and lunch services.

Cary Ordway asked:


There’s no need to go to Mississippi to stay on an authentic and historic riverboat. The Delta King is boarding right now in Sacramento.

Guests on the Delta King enjoy great river views, excellent food and drink and a stateroom that is quite unique. But unlike those early passengers, you will have to be content with scenery that remains pretty constant. The Delta King isn’t going anyplace anytime soon.

But then it doesn’t need to. This historic 285-foot boat is docked along the Old Sacramento riverfront which, today, has been turned into a hip collection of good restaurants, eclectic shops and trendy night spots that draw millions of tourists and local residents alike.

The Delta King and her identical twin, the Delta Queen, were christened in 1927, the same year that the vessels began voyages between San Francisco and Sacramento. The trip took more than 10 hours and staterooms were available for $3.50. But for a dollar, you could bring your own blanket and find a spot to sleep on the cargo deck. This river service continued for about 13 years until the boats were moved to San Francisco Bay and used by the U.S. Navy as net tenders, floating barracks, troop transports and hospital ships.

After World War II, the Delta Queen was sold and moved to the Mississippi where she still operates. And therein lies the reason the Delta King doesn’t travel too much these days: the Delta Queen took the Delta King’s engines. The Delta King has been towed ever since.

As if that weren’t enough indignity for the King, the boat sank in San Francisco Bay in 1982 and remained underwater for 18 months. It took a five-year renovation to bring the Delta King to its present tip-top condition.

The elegance and craftsmanship are apparent the moment one enters the lobby area where the rich red oak paneling and fixtures create an impression of opulence. If you remember the grand stairway of the Titanic, the dining room has a similar feel with its oak banisters and elegant decor. It’s easy to imagine how special this river voyage must have been for 1920’s revelers anxious to slip away from a hard week’s work to enjoy a taste of the forbidden fruit (i.e. alcoholic beverages).

The staterooms on the Delta King are actually twice the size of the rooms back in boat’s river-going days. There are 44 rooms located on a couple of decks and offering either a view of the river, or a view of the ongoing activities along the dock front in Old Sacramento. The river views are slightly more expensive.

We found even the larger rooms to be small, but no smaller than expected for a stateroom on board an authentic riverboat. Our room had a queen bed on one side, a single bed on the other, and a tiny bathroom – with an unusual six-foot high toilet tank — in the middle. Color TV with cable was available on the queen bed side. The stateroom was a cozy place to kick off your shoes and read the paper or relax – but there was much to experience just footsteps from the Delta King dock.

Old Sacramento, as one local visitor official told us, was once the skid row of Sacramento until, in the 1960’s, a major re-development project was initiated to restore many of the historic buildings and attract new business into the area. As it was explained to us, somebody made a huge mistake putting Interstate 5 within just three blocks of Sacramento’s prime riverfront and, until the re-development, that had the effect of cutting off this very historic and picturesque location from the rest of downtown.

The history of Old Sacramento dates back to 1839 when this became the first commercial settlement in the area. When gold was discovered in nearby Coloma in 1849, the business community along the Sacramento River began to boom. Hotels, saloons, bathhouses and outfitting stores were all set up to take care of the local miners.

Today, Old Sacramento attempts to re-create much of that early atmosphere and it seems to be working – it now attracts more than 5 million visitors each year. Although we noticed several commercial vacancies in the area, that might just be because Old Sacramento is now considered one of the most expensive places in Sacramento to do business.

The area has been restored with cobblestone streets, gaslamps and wooden sidewalks, and you do get the feeling of walking through a town from the Old West. Of course there are a few tip-offs that this particular Wild West town has been somewhat tamed: T-shirt shops seem to abound and there are plenty of candy and chocolate stores, not to mention pizza and just about anything else today’s explorers may want to eat.

Dinner for us was a quick walk down to Joe’s Crab Shack, a place that seems to be THE choice of the city’s 20-somethings. We also read someplace that Old Sacramento – with some very nice restaurants including the Delta King’s own Pilothouse — had been voted in a magazine poll as the best place in Sacramento to take a first date. That gives you some idea of how the area has become to Sacramento what the Gaslamp is to San Diego, or Pioneer Square is to Seattle.

For history buffs, Old Sacramento also has a number of museums including the California Military Museum, Discovery Museum History Center, the Old Sacramento Interpretive Center, the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum and the Wells Fargo History Museum.

Maybe topping the historical list is the California State Railroad Museum which is said to be one of the country’s best railroad museums. The 100,000-square-foot museum features many actual railcars as well as a million-pound steam locomotive. A train station replica allows you to see what a 19th Century station was like and, in spring and summer months, the museum offers steam train rides.

Shops in Old Sacramento sometimes run to the tacky side, but one thing’s for certain — they’re all located in historic buildings. Among those 53 buildings still standing is a firehouse built in 1853, California’s first theater, and the B.J. Hastings Building which was the western terminus for the Pony Express.

Whether it’s boats, trains, history or eclectic shopping, Old Sacramento and the Delta King are an “excursion” into history worth taking any time of year.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: The Delta King is located in Old Sacramento, just off Interstate 5 in Sacramento and just a few blocks from the State Capitol and other government offices and attractions.

WHAT: The Delta King is an authentic sternwheeler that has been refurbished to provide cozy accommodations in a colorful location.

WHEN: Any time of year. The Delta King offers dinner theater for several multi-week periods throughout the year. Old Sacramento crowds are much bigger in summer.

WHY: An excellent combination of unique lodgings, fine restaurants, shopping and many historical museums. The Old Sacramento area is just 28 acres altogether which means that everything is within walking distance, including nearby state attractions.

HOW: For more information on the Delta King, phone 1-800-825-5464 or go to www.deltaking.com. For more information on Old Sacramento, go to www.oldsacramento.com.

Ann Coveney asked:


Visit Cambridge and Be Inspired

Cambridge is a vibrant city that fuses together history and modern day life. It is a living city that is still continuing to influence history today. If you go to Cambridge you will be inspired by its historical buildings and surprised by the bustling cafe culture and nightlife. It is a city of contrast.

You can imagine medieval monks writing illuminated texts by the light of a flickering candle. Draughty corridors and high vaulted ceilings depicting stories from the Old Testament where echoes of Gregorian chants can still be heard. Cambridge is steeped in scholastic history dating back to the thirteenth century. Today, the unspoiled beauty offers a refreshing change from traffic chocked cities. The gentle whirr of bicycles passing by or the splashes of oars on the river depict a slice of historic England. Many famous names have passed through these colleges from Oliver Cromwell and Isaac Newton to Prince Charles and Stephen Hawking. The course of history was laid down in this most inspirational of places – a must-see in anybody’s books.

A walk into history…

Kings College

Established by Henry V1 boasts fine examples of fan vaulted ceilings and Renaissance windows showing pictures of the New Testament. The highlight being awe inspiring painting by Rubens – Adoration of the Magi.

Queens College

So called because it was founded by two Queens; that of HenryV1 and Edward1V. Look out for the ‘Mathematical Bridge’. This bridge was originally constructed entirely without nails using geometric principles. The story goes that it was deconstructed by an inquisitive person during the Victorian period who was unable to reconstruct it without the use of bolts.

Trinity College

Sir Christopher Wren built the magnificent library housed within the college. This is home to a collection of many rare books including Isaac Newton’s first edition of Principia Mathematica and an eighth

Century copy of the Epistles of St Paul. The majestic fountain dates to 1602.

St Mary’s church

Climb to the top of this tower to experience fantastic views of the colleges and market. This is the official university church of St Mary the Great. The chimes mirror those of Big Ben composed in 1793.

The Round Church

Dating from 1130 this is one example of only four round churches found in Britain. Churches were traditionally built in a cruciform and some believe that round churches were the work of the ‘Templars’. As the church’s name suggests ‘The Church of the Holy Sepulchre’ was probably modelled on the church in Palestine.

The Fitzwilliam Museum

This is the largest museum in Cambridge and is owned by the university. It houses a spectacular range of Roman, Greek and Egyptian antiquities as well as collections of paintings and objects of art covering key periods in history.

Cambridge and Country Folk Museum

This museum will appeal to all ages and interests showing how family life has developed over the last six hundred years.

The Scott Polar Institute

Founded to commemorate the explorer Captain Scott the institute houses relics of the South Pole Expedition through to today’s modern exploration and research.

The River Cam

Walk along the tow paths or go for a ride in a punt. The river is intrinsically linked with life in Cambridge now and in the past. ‘The Backs’ passes behind the colleges and proves popular for rowing and canoeing.

Step Back To Today…

Bars, Cafes and Nightlife

Cambridge has some of the best bars and pubs to unwind kick back and leave the day behind. There are cosy historic pubs, chic bars and sultry clubs. Try the Anchor for a traditional setting and views over the river. If you’re looking entertainment The Boat Race offers live music everyday of the week. If you’re looking for a few cocktails and a dance head down to the very chic HaHa and Coco nightclub. For something a little bit more up tempo try Po Na Na a trendy basement bar that plays club, salsa and house music. If you are looking for something a little bit more quirky you can hire out the Riverboat Georgina for parties and functions. You’ll be sailing down the historic river Cam with drink in hand taking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant city.

Shopping

Cambridge boasts some of the best shopping in the UK. High street shops stand alongside designer shops, independent boutiques and second hand shops. But what makes shopping special in Cambridge has to be the markets. The market place has been here for centuries. From Monday to Saturday the stall holders sell fresh produce, cut flowers, second-hand books, clothing, soap and souvenirs.

…Be Inspired

If you are at all interested in history then you will not be disappointed in the awe inspiring city of Cambridge. Walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest thinkers of the modern world.

Kris Koonar asked:


With the metro-area population going beyond 1.8 million, Sacramento has earned a reputation of being one of the fastest growing areas in California. Apart from being the state capital, it is also a flourishing shipping and processing center for vegetables, fruits, rice, wheat and dairy products. Sacramento has also witnessed a phenomenal growth in the number of restaurants emerging in the city due to a heavy influx of tourists from neighboring states. Sacramento may not be the hottest tourist destination but has a little of everything that is required to make it a good holiday spot.

Sacramento has a rich and inspiring culture and its museums stand testimony to its magnificent golden era. From its old cultural heritage to its hero governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, everything about Sacramento appeals to the rich tastes of the affluent class. Sacramento offers the best cuisines, melodious music, happening events, interesting places and everlasting entertainment to its privileged tourists. Tourists enjoy exploring the interiors of the city on bicycles or simply enjoy long walks along the shady paths. Sacramento is also famous for its cruising activities that attract a large number of tourists every year. Spending a quiet evening on a private cruise along the pristine Sacramento River is a perfect romantic getaway for many.

High-end luxury tourists can enjoy a soothing cruise on board the famous 110-foot long foot paddlewheeler, the Spirit of Sacramento on the calm Sacramento River. With an equally fascinating dining experience and dance, Riverboat cruises promise the best cruising experience on board the Spirit of Sacramento. This cruise usually takes tourists on an hourly basis and departs from Old Sacramento. The Riverboat cruises offer state of the art amenities to provide utmost luxury to its elite guests. Getting married on a cruise is not uncommon to Sacramento. In the romantic backdrop of the Sacramento River, a cruise provides a perfect setting for weddings.

Riverboat cruises offer full-fledged wedding services that include all details of the wedding ceremony and reception. Riverboat cruises boasts of a warm and dedicated staff that works in close association with the guests to adhere to their commitment towards customer service. Other services offered for wedding ceremonies include complete food and beverage service, wedding entertainment, photography, accommodation for out-station guests, and provision of officials to authorize the wedding ceremony. While the Spirit of Sacramento is a large cruise accommodating 350 passengers, the Matthew McKinley is a relatively smaller cruise with a capacity of 150 passengers.

The Delta River Cruise ferries the rich tourists from the historic ports of the Sacramento Delta to the San Francisco Bay and back. The major highlights of the cruise are the most exhilarating of the Golden Gate, Angel Island, Alcatraz, the beautiful San Pablo and Suisun Bays, the Mount Diablo, and the charming towns perched along the Sacramento River.

Daily trips or day trips start from the State capitol and are typically round trips that offer a combination of cruise and rail excursion between Sacramento and San Francisco. The tourists are carried to the wharf by means of luxury motor coaches or by comfortable Amtrak Capitol Corridor. This four-hour cruise includes a palatable lunch buffet along with a non-alcoholic beverage.

The rich travelers also have the option of hiring private cruises for parties, business meetings or romantic dinners. Custom designed cruises are offered to tourists to make their special occasions memorable.

Shari Hearn asked:


Remember the frenzy surrounding last year’s date of July 7,2007? couples were lined up at wedding chapels in Las Vegas to get married on that date because the number, 7-7-07 was considered a lucky date for many couples. But, if you and your fiancé missed out on that date, don’t despair, because on August 8, 2008 you will have another opportunity to get hitched on a “lucky” day.

While the number 7 is considered lucky in Western cultures, the number 8 is considered very lucky in Chinese cultures, and that lucky status will probably spill over into the non-Chinese wedding market as well, as couples seek a “lucky” day on which to start their new lives together.

While the number 8 is considered lucky in Chinese cultures, a wedding on 8-8-08 has another lucky element going for it: It’s on a Friday, and Friday weddings are typically cheaper than weddings on the weekend. So, you will be able to get your lucky wedding date and save money at the same time.

8-8-08 Wedding Destinations:

Since 8-8-08 is considered a lucky number, it’s almost certain that Las Vegas will be overrun with couples wanting an 8-8-08 wedding. There are numerous wedding chapels and drive-thru chapels where you can get married quickly and without much planning. To really highlight the luckiness of the day, you might want to tie the knot in a casino wedding chapel.

Of course, Las Vegas isn’t the only place where Lady Luck resides. You might want to consider Monte Carlo, the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, or one of the riverboat casinos along the Mississippi River.

Another creative 8-8-08 wedding option would be a wedding or honeymoon at a hotel residing at a “lucky 888″ address. Two interesting options come to mind:

Admiral Fell Inn

Historic Fell’s Point

888 South Broadway

Baltimore MD

410-522-7380

The historic Admiral Fell Inn is located in Baltimore’s most historic neighborhood, and not far from the Inner Harbor. Originally built in 1860, the Admiral Fell Inn has recently been renovated, and has been called the “Best Place to Stay in Baltimore by the Philadelphia Style Magazine and one of “20 Best Historic Hotels” by AirTran Airways Inflight Magazine.

A stay at the Admiral Fell Inn not only gives you an 888 address for your 8-8-08 wedding, but also includes some ghosts to liven up your wedding. You can learn about the ghosts of the Admiral Fell at the Admiral’s Tea, or take a Ghost Tour of the Inn. On Friday’s and Saturday’s you can even take part in a Ghost Sing-a-Long.

For those couples choosing to have their 8-8-08 wedding at the Admiral Fell Inn, you will have your choice of many locations inside and outside of the Inn: The Admiral Ballroom, located on the top floor, offers views of Baltimore’s Skyline and accommodates up to 150 guests; the Memory Garden, which is suited to more intimate weddings of up to 30 guests; or the Bond Street Pier at Fell’s Point, which accommodates up to 150 guests.

Wyndham Palm Springs

888 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs, CA

877-999-3223

Another “lucky” 888 venue for your wedding is the Wyndham Palm Springs, a desert resort offering spectacular views of the San Jacinto Mountains. The Wyndham is located just 3 blocks from Palm Canyon Drive, where you’ll find great shopping and fine dining. Of course, one caveat is that 8-8-08 is a particularly hot time of year in Palm Springs, so you will have to be prepared for the heat. On the other hand, summer rates are usually much cheaper than other times of the year, so you may get even luckier and receive a great deal. Ceremonies are held in the courtyard by the Oasis Pool or in their Grand Ballroom.

One way to beat the heat of Palm Springs in August would be to take the nearby Palm Springs Aerial Tram 2-1/2 miles up to the San Jacinto Mountains overlooking Palm Springs, where you can enjoy 54 miles of hiking trails, as well as dinner at Peaks Restaurant, for fine food and a breathtaking view of the desert below.

For the more budget conscious, you might also consider an elopement ceremony followed by a honeymoon stay at the Super 8 Motel at 888 S. Main in Fort Bragg, California, or the Comfort Suites Marina, at 888 N. Coast Highway in Oceanside, California.

No matter your destination, whether it be a Las Vegas casino chapel, a venue located at an 888 address, or even your own backyard, those planning an August 8, 2008 wedding should remember to book venues and wedding services early, as 8-8-08 should be a very busy time for weddings.

Kris Koonar asked:


There are so many things to do and so many sights to see in Sacramento. Some of the best and most famous tours include excursions like the American River Parkway, Napa Valley Wine Train Excursions, Riverboat Cruises, Southern Railroad Excursions, Capitol Area, Discovery Park, Governors Mansion, Historic Old Sacramento City Cemetery, Old Sacramento, Sutters Fort State Historic Park, Victorian Houses, etc.

The American River Parkway: The American River Parkway is located at 11257 South Bridge St, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, and it is spread across 5,000-acres. It is an ideal spot to get away from the heat of the summer by cooling off in the American River. You can spend a stimulating afternoon drifting on the gentle currents, and seeing the various parts of this beautiful parkway. Starting at Sunrise Boulevard and ending at Goethe Park, it takes about three to four hours to meander along the length of the trip. A shuttle service then takes you back to the point where you started from, if required. There are rafts available with the capacity of accommodating 4 to 12 people, as are single-person kayaks. You can also make reservations for renting rafts.

The Napa Valley Wine Train Excursions: The Napa Valley Wine Train Depot is in downtown Napa, near First Street and Soscol Avenue. Their mailing address is: 1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559. The Wine Train is one of the most distinctive experiences of this area. You can board the Pullman lounge and dining cars, which date from circa 1915-17, which have polished brass, Honduran mahogany, etched glass and fine linen that recall an era when such opulence was exclusively used by the very wealthy. Travelers have a choice of selecting brunch, lunch, or dinner trips, which comprise of seasonably available gourmet cuisine, and the chance to taste some of the best Californian wines. Starting from Napa and ending at St. Helena, the round-trip journey takes approximately three hours, covering a distance of 36 miles. Although jackets are favored at dinner, it is not compulsory.

The Riverboat Cruises: Riverboat Cruises are located at 110 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814. You can enjoy a cruise down the river while dining, dancing and viewing the passing attractions on board a Victorian paddle-wheel steamer. These popular trips are made on the replicas of two historically legendary paddle wheelers, namely the “Spirit of Sacramento” and the “Matthew McKinley.” There are a number of sightseeing trips that are offered, which include brunch and dinner cruises. Prior reservations are a must.

The Southern Railroad Excursions: The Southern Railroad Excursions is located at Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814, in old Sacramento. This is a popular 40-minute train journey along the Sacramento River. Travelers can enjoy the cruise made in open-air gondolas and vintage coaches, which are pulled by steam locomotives, while they marvel at the passing scenery in the company of their family and friends. Special events and theme trains are also very popular, mainly the ones meant for just children.

The Capitol Area Tours: The Capitol Area Tours is located from K to N Sts, and 8th to 15th Sts, Sacramento, CA. You can stroll along this twenty-block locality to get a feel and knowledge of Sacramento’s history. You can also drop by the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for a catalog on the walking tours of the historical architecture of the city. You will be able to see that the state government offices have now taken over a lot of Victorian homes and other buildings in the area. Some of the other attractions of the area include the Stanford Mansion and the Capitol Mall. Following a pleasurable tour, you can unwind in the lovely landscaping of the Capitol Park, and visit the memorials, like the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial.

Shirley Linde asked:


The Delta Queen is celebrating her 80th birthday. I hope when I am celebrating my 80th I will be as surrounded by music, loyal friends and fun.

This traditional paddlewheel steamboat has been cruising up and down the Mississippi and its tributaries for decades, recapturing the days when hundreds of steamboats plied these waters. In fact, dozens of steamboats were tied up, one after the other, all along the docks in port cities.

Delta Queen is a part of history, an American treasure, making the steamboat days live again for those who still have the opportunity to cruise her. In fact the Delta Queen has been named a National Historic Landmark and a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America. And she has been inducted into the National Maritime Hall of Fame as a vessel that made an outstanding contribution to the maritime industry, in fact the only vessel still operating that is in the Hall of Fame. She used to cruise along the California coast, then in drab grey was a troop ship in World War II, then guided by tugboats came through the Panama Canal to her present cruises on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Our cruise was a week roundtrip from New Orleans so we arrived early enough to wander the city, walked the French Quarter, bought a nice print of a jazz pianist at the French market, took the trolley ($5 for the day for unlimited rides anywhere on any route), searched for an internet center, and then since it was cold and windy, headed back to the boat for the first of many hot chocolates always on hand along with chocolate chip cookies.

Walking around the Delta Queen is like a walk through history … Victorian furnishings, Tiffany-style lamps, some leaded glass windows, tin ceilings, mahogany trim everywhere, and rocking chairs and a swing forward on deck 2. Large prints of old riverboat scenes are on many walls. The dining room which also serves as the show lounge has old Siamese iron bark flooring, now honey-colored and smooth after being cleaned of the grime when that level was used for cargo.

Since the boat has an all-wood superstructure (the hull is steel clad) there is no smoking allowed in cabins or in the interior public rooms.

It has an old steam calliope and the ship’s bell that sounded out landings for the steamboat that Mark Twain rode downriver in 1883. The calliope at the stern, built in Cincinnati in 1897, is played at departures from the river towns, usually by the band’s piano player, but occasionally by passengers, and one night by the captain. Typical of the casual family atmosphere on board, the captain also played the piano at the party given for repeat cruisers.

The engine room, open to passengers, has the original old steam engine that drives the big red paddlewheel. Parts are sometimes pirated off the engine of sister ship Delta King, now serving as a restaurant in California.

There is even reputed to be a ghost on board — the ghost of Capt. Mary B. Greene, of the Greene family who owned the steam boat for decades after the boat was a troop ferry in California. She had both a Master’s and a Pilot’s license. Knocking sounds sometimes are still heard in the cabin where she died of a heart attack and it is said she still walks the decks.

Delta Queen has accommodations for 174 passengers. Cabins are air-conditioned and have a private bath with shower. Higher category staterooms also have a tub. Some cabins open only onto an outside deck; others open into the interior.

The staterooms have been lived in by many famous people including Presidents Carter, Truman, and Hoover, Lady Bird Johnson, Princess Margaret, the Vanderbilts, Errol Flynn, Helen Hayes, to name a few.

The loyalty to the Delta Queen is one of the highest in the cruise industry. Most passengers on our cruise had been on Delta Queen cruises previously, some booking a different itinerary every year … lower Mississippi, upper Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee … with the goal of experiencing them all. One man on our cruise, from Virginia Beach, had cruised on the paddlewheelers 81 times. The frequent cruisers all said that they liked the fact that the boat was small and it was casual. One veteran cruiser, not on our cruise, has cruised with the company more than 100 times.

The Master, Capt. Gabriel Chengerry, began his career on board in 1968 as night watchman and has been Master since 1976.

The Delta Queen has many theme cruises — Civil War history, antebellum plantations and gardens, Mardi Gras, golf, quilts, fall foliage. Each of them is like a step back in time.

Our cruise was on Cajun heritage. There were lectures on Cajun history and about the history of the river and the river towns we visited. Much of the US Cajun population is in the small towns from the mouth of the Mississippi River west to nearly Texas and north to about 300 miles.

Acadian (Cajun) culture has been in Louisiana for almost 300 years. Acadians formerly lived in eastern Canada; then when the English took control there after war with France, they made a deal to remain neutral in any future conflicts if they would be left to live in peace. But a new governor in 1755 ordered them to swear allegiance to the crown of England. When they refused and reaffirmed their desire to remain neutral, the governor confiscated their lands and forced them to leave. Some returned to Europe, some moved to other parts of Canada, some to areas in the colonies later to be the United States. Over the next decades thousands of Acadians from all these areas began moving to southwest Louisiana. The name Acadian got shortened to Cajun. Their bonds were close and their culture survives today.

We will be visiting several of the towns that still maintain the traditions.

Whether it’s Cajun, zydeco, or swamp pop, Cajuns like to dance. A Cajun band played several afternoons and evenings on the boat, plus Walter Kross and the Riverboat Five played jazz and dance music to continue our taste from New Orleans. Unfortunately there were no dance hosts on board for dancing and no instruction in Cajun dances. Shows each night also contained some great ragtime, and the lounge pianist sang hilarious old vaudeville songs.

We were scheduled to go to Morgan City first, but you need to be flexible on river cruises, and that night because of fog a couple of barges got stuck on a sand bar and we could not get past them. So we went instead to the port of Iberia. There were shore tours past sugar cane fields and old plantations to St. Martinsville and to Avery Island where rock salt is mined and Tabasco sauce is made and thousands of snowy egrets come to nest. In St. Martinsville the Cultural Heritage Center has a mural depicting the 1765 arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana, a genealogy center, and exhibits on free people of color in Louisiana who before the Civil War were active in business, owned plantations, and indeed sometimes had large numbers of slaves of their own. You could also visit Acadian Village with authentic Acadian structures including the home of senator and Hadacol inventor Dudley LeBlanc.

The next day we cruised to Morgan City. There were more sugar cane fields, and rice fields (which are later flooded for raising crayfish), and bayous and large cypress trees that were crucial to building houses and the railroad in the development of the area. We visited beautiful Oaklawn Manor, built in 1837 and now the plantation home of former Louisiana governor Mike Foster and featuring a large collection of John James Audubon carvings and prints. Audubon spent many years in this area. And we visited the Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum, with Wedell’s famous plane that broke the world speed record in 1933.

Next stop was the port at Krotz Springs, and our tour guide on the bus played a guitar, sang songs, and told stories about his memories as a boy of sitting in the bayou with his father, building a fire, their food cooking in a big black pot. Another guide talked of their family land and how they grew and shipped sweet potatoes, a big crop in this area. We visited the Academy of the Sacred Heart and heard their stories from Civil War days when soldiers were camped outside. And we visited the Chretien Point Plantation built in 1831, often used as a set for films, including Gone with the Wind.

At the next stop, St. Francisville, were many antebellum houses. One tour was of the Rosedown House, built in 1835, and The Myrtles, a West Indies style home, supposedly haunted. The other tour was of Greenwood Plantation, a grand old home lovingly restored by owner Richard Barnes who personally showed us through the rooms it took him 16 years to restore. Many movies were filmed here. This same tour went to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, a maximum security prison where prisoners farm their own produce on 18,000 acres, hold an annual “Wildest Rodeo of the South”, and participate in many educational and work programs, including an inmate band. There are 5,000 prisoners here, all with a 50 year sentence or longer. The longest escape time — three hours. They sell t-shirts saying “Angola — A Gated Community”.

Our departures from the river towns visited are accompanied by loud calliope music. Every day a riverlorian talks about the river and steamboat days. One day we could fly a kite from the top deck.

In between it was just relaxing on the river, watching the shore go by. It was too chilly for alligators so we did not have the opportunity to take a swamp boat trip to see alligators or birds in the bayou.

The last day was spent in Baton Rouge. We docked beside the Mississippi Queen and passengers could visit back and forth. Shore tours included such things as a tour of the destroyer USS Kidd and Memorial Museum, visits to historic homes and plantations, and to the old capitol building to hear stories of Louisiana governor Huey Long, assassinated one day on his way to his office. I chose the Cajun Heritage Tour to a Fais-Do-Do dance party on the bayou at the Cajun community of French Settlement. We sampled Cajun appetizers of alligator, crayfish, boudin, and jambalaya, and were taught some Cajun dances (finally), then were given the opportunity to spend the next half hour dancing with the dance instructors. This was one tour that I did not want to leave.

That night on our way back to New Orleans, there were bonfires and fireworks along the river in our honor. The century-old tradition started so Santa Claus (Papa Noel) could find Cajun children at Christmas even though they were back in the bayou. On Christmas Eve there will be more than 100 such fires all along the banks of the river.

We had gone through many locks and under many bridges, steamed along on the Mississippi River, the Atchafalaya River, several canals, and the Intracoastal Waterway, for a total of 518 miles.

If you go: Check for occasional special offers such as 2-for-1 pricing, 50% off second passenger, or free airfare, and past passengers (called Frequent Floaters) often get a discount or a cabin upgrade.

*****

Cary Ordway asked:


With hard-earned vacation time often in short supply, travelers want to make the most of every weekend or vacation they get. Sometimes that means trying something completely different – a getaway so unique that it will become Topic A around the Monday morning water cooler.

California is blessed with many such unique vacation adventures, and here are three of our favorites:

Luxury tent camping

If your memories of tent camping are crawling into a pup tent, zipping yourself into a sleeping bag, and then writhing all night on a hard piece of ground, we have good news: You can now get the back-to-nature tent camping experience but with a twist that is sure to appeal to all those who swore off tents back in their early 20’s.

About 17 miles west of Santa Barbara a place called El Capitan Canyon offers safari-style tents that have been outfitted with real beds, electricity and other conveniences you would expect in a hotel room. The tents are real tents, all right, and zip up just like the ones from your younger years, but they’re set up on a permanent wood deck that makes them feel more cabin-like, except that this still is a canvas tent.

There are 26 such tents at El Capitan Canyon – along with dozens of small cabins and yurts – and each one measures 12 feet by 14 feet and is furnished with either one queen bed or two double beds. You’ll get bed linens and towels, a small desk, chairs, a bedside table, heating, lights – in other words, considerably more amenities than you probably remember taking with you on that backpacking trip into the Sierra Nevada.

The setting at El Capitan is quite woodsy with groves of sycamore and oak trees, although there are large open areas of grass where the kids can play as well as barbecue pits and picnic tables for each of the tents, cabins or yurts. Just a mile or so down the road is the gorgeous Pacific Ocean and El Capitan State Beach where you can picnic and swim. There are also scenic hiking trails nearby including the Bill Wallace Trail.

We should note the word “luxury” here is a relative term – compared with your every-day garden-variety campground, El Capitan is definitely a couple of notches better and the tents are much more comfortable than any tent you would set up on your own. The cabins and yurts looked cozy as well. But remember, you’re going to be camping with no indoor plumbing and modern, clean bathrooms are a couple minutes walk from your tent. A heated swimming pool also is available.

Besides the comfortable accommodations, a big plus for El Capitan Canyon is the on-site Canyon Market that includes an excellent sandwich shop, light groceries and other provisions for your stay. The market has “barbecue kits” available for purchase that include all the meat and fixings for hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, fish or even tri-tip. If you do decide to do your own cooking, you’ll need to pack kitchen supplies from home.

We found El Capitan Canyon to be quite enjoyable and quite different from many of the hotels and resorts we often visit. It was a way to return to our roots – that is, enjoy an outdoors experience but do it in a more civilized way with no sore backs in the morning and shower facilities close at hand to freshen up after a night in the “wilderness.”

For more information, go to www.elcapitancanyon.com or phone 866-352-2729.

Fire lookout

If you’re the type of traveler who truly likes to get away from people – who puts a high premium on quiet, uninterrupted peace, and who will not go into withdrawal if you have to go a night without television – then have we got the place. The Morton Peak Fire Lookout books overnight stays for people just like you.

The U.S. Forest Service views the lookout rental program as a way to generate a little good PR at a time when they have to keep telling people that services may be more limited or more expensive due to tight budgets.

We reserved our night by calling the Big Bear Lake Resort Association, which handles bookings for the Morton Peak Lookout, the only such facility in Southern California that is available for rentals. The lookout actually is just at the edge of the San Bernardino Forest and, if you’re coming from the Los Angeles area, it will save you about 45 minutes off the normal two-hour drive to Big Bear.

We noted that the last three miles are on a steep, rutted road but it wasn’t long before we came to a small clearing on a mountain top with, as advertised, a 30-foot tower and a 14X14 “cabin” on the top. Maybe a more apt description would be an aircraft control tower on stilts, as the cabin had windows running the length of every wall, offering views in every direction.

This particular tower, elevation 4624 feet, was built in the 1930’s, then burned down and rebuilt in 1960. It eventually went out of service and into disrepair as the Forest Service cut back on its paid lookout program, but was rebuilt in 2001 with a $5,000 government grant and a volunteer work force.

Soon we were ready for our night at the edge of the world. As the sun dipped slowly, the nearby mountains darkened while, at the same time, the city lights below us came alive. The juxtaposition seemed unusual – here we were perched on a mountainside all by ourselves, yet below us were the lights of nearly the entire Los Angeles basin.

The lookout is small, but comfortable for a couple or perhaps a couple with one or two small children. You’ll find just a couple of small beds but space for a child if you want to roll some blankets out out on the floor. There’s no running water in the cabin, no refrigeration, no power. Cooking is restricted to the picnic table outside and you must haul in your own gas stove because fires and charcoal briquettes are not allowed.

For more information on reservations at Morton Peak Lookout, call the Big Bear Resort Association at 1-800-4-BIG-BEAR or visit www.bigbear.com.

Historic paddle-wheeler

Who can resist the charm of an early 20th-century riverboat – a true paddle-wheeler that once offered prohibition-era drinking, jazz bands and gambling for its fun-loving passengers? Fortunately there’s no need to travel to the Mississippi – and no, we’re not talking Disneyland. The Delta King awaits your exploration dockside in Old Sacramento.

Just like passengers back in the 1920s, today’s guests enjoy enchanting river views, great food and drink and a cozy stateroom unlike any other accommodation you may have experienced. But unlike those early passengers, you will have to be content with scenery that remains pretty constant. The Delta King isn’t going anyplace anytime soon.

But then it doesn’t need to. This historic 285-foot boat is docked along the Old Sacramento riverfront which, today, has been turned into a hip collection of good restaurants, eclectic shops and trendy night spots that draw millions of tourists and local residents alike.

The Delta King and her identical twin, the Delta Queen, were christened in 1927, the same year that the vessels began voyages between San Francisco and Sacramento. The elegance and craftsmanship are apparent the moment one enters the lobby area where the rich red oak paneling and fixtures create an impression of opulence. The dining room, too, has that feeling of classic comfort, and a wide stairway and oak banisters bring to mind those images of the grand stairway in the Titanic.

We found the rooms to be small, but no smaller than expected for a stateroom on board an authentic riverboat. Our room had a queen bed on one side, a single bed on the other, and a tiny bathroom – with an unusual six-foot high toilet tank — in the middle. Color TV with cable was available on the queen bed side.

For history buffs, Old Sacramento also has a number of museums including the California State Railroad Museum, the California Military Museum, Discovery Museum History Center, the Old Sacramento Interpretive Center, the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum and the Wells Fargo History Museum.

For more information on the Delta King, phone 1-800-825-5464 or go to www.deltaking.com.