KnittingPathsOfLife

Monday, September 14, 2009

PADDLEWHEEL BOAT RACES ON THE RIVER

Yesterday, we went on a one day bus trip to Marietta, Ohio. We boarded the paddlewheel boat called the Valley Gem. We had a buffet lunch, then went to be in the race. There were many people lined up on the shore to watch the fun.
This is our boat throwing water from the wheel in the race. It carries a hundred people or more, and I figured no way could we win. The Capt. told all the passengers to go to the back of the boat to put the paddle in deep, and WE WON.
These are two of the boats we raced, there was one more on the other side. They were way ahead of us at this point.
This is after the race on the way back. Just another of many boats. I didn't know there were that many paddlewheelers. There were several races in different catagories.
Another one just going along at a smooth pace.
This one was fun, it has a calliopy on the barge part. I don't know how to spell that, but you get it, it makes music. LOL. It was a fun day and then we visited a winery and had lots of taste and then a sit down dinner there.

8 comments:

Heidi said...

Looks like you had a fun day! And then to win the race too...lol! I think that captain is funny to make you all go to the back and give the wheel more power. I am glad you enjoyed yourselves.

Love and hugs ~
Heidi

Sonja said...

Congrets on your boat winning the race! It sure helped that you all went to the back of the boat! It seems to have been a lovely day. But what does calliopy mean? If I try google they say something like "muse" (muze in Dutch).

Sonja said...

P.S.1: I love you widget! I'll try to find a nice one to.
P.S. 2: the date on your foto's seems a little behind....

Saskia said...

What a way to race. Good you where on the winning boot!
So, a sunny day, a good race, good food and wine. What more can a person wish for..
Saskia

onlymehere said...

I read about paddle boat racing in a book once and it sounded pretty exciting! I know you love boats so this must have been heaven to you and it looks like so much fun. You really know how to live life! I'm amazed at all you accomplish and are able to travel to do and see! We keep saying our day will come when the kids are all raised but we'll see how life turns out.

Judy said...

How fun does that look! I'm glad you won the race. It must have been so much fun.

Rhondi said...

What a fun day! I've never heard of paddleboat races before. What fun to win too!
((Hugs)) Rhondi

angelasweby said...

Nancy,
What wonderful photographs. i just love those paddle boats. Congratulations on winning the race. It made me laugh to think of you all gathering at the back to give the boat more weight...haha! I can just imagine the back sinking down and the front going up. Thankfully it didn't sink below the surface of the water...haha!

Is a calliope a kind of musical barrel organ that works by steam? It must have been like a scene out of an old Judy Garland film :>)
Hugs Angela