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"Life is a Journey not a Destination"
THE RIVER BARGE EXPERIENCE
Imagine traveling on America’s Inland Waterways. Coming face to face with the world of lakes, bayous and rivers. Going from rivers to shores and sharing the stories of American cities and towns. Meeting people along the way and learning how the river has defined their culture and way of life. You can do all this and much more on a RiverBarge Excursion.
Upon receiving an informative brochure from RiverBarge Excursion Lines, you’ll learn all about how to go Barging Through America. RiverBarge offers four to ten day, all-inclusive excursions on America’s inland Waterways aboard their unique vessel, the R/B River Explorer. After looking over the brochure, you’ll be excited to experience what it’s like to see America from the unique vantage of the River Explorer, a floating hotel consisting of two barges and a powerful push boat. The vessel travels to six different regions. I chose to take a barging adventure on The Route of Jean Lafitte, which explorers the Texas/Louisiana inland Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the swamp and bayous that the Gentleman Pirate, Jean Lafitte, traveled in the 1800s between New Orleans, La., and Galveston Island, Texas.
From the moment you step aboard, you’ll know your vacation is going to be unlike any other. It’s going to be a real adventure but with all the style and comforts of home. The River Explorer is an amazing vessel, it’s 730 feet long and 50 feet high. You walk the gangway onto the DeSoto Barge, named for Hernando DeSoto, the first European explorer to travel the Mississippi River. The DeSoto Barge houses all the public areas. Connected to the DeSoto is the LaSalle Barge, named in honor of Robert Cavalier Sieur de la Salle, another great Mississippi explorer. All the staterooms are located here. Bringing up the rear is the powerful tow boat, the M/V Miss Nari, the only tow boat in America with a twin propulsion 3000 horsepower Z peller and a 360º unit, which can completely turn the entire tow in place.
You’ll have no problem settling into your spacious 200 square foot stateroom. It’s just like being at home. You can kick back and grab a soda from the mini-fridge, brew yourself a cup of coffee, throw a VCR tape in the TV, or better yet, grab the binoculars that are in your stateroom and gaze out the large picture window and enjoy the scenery.
The accommodations onboard the barge makes for a pleasant trip. Everyday you’ll enjoy delicious meals in the Galley. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style. Supper is an open seating, sit down meal where you can choose from a menu that includes a regionally influenced Blue Plate Special entrée.
Enjoyed great regional entertainment in the Sprague and every evening meet with friends at the Crevasse Bar for “Bargin’ Hour.” Be sure to visit the Governor Galvez Room where you can help yourself to books, videos, board games, puzzles and cards. For a panoramic view of the oncoming river, stop in the Guest Pilot House at the very front of the barge. You can hear the captain’s radio communications, watch real time radar and follow the vessel’s route on official river navigational charts. Spend time in the Lobby, a spacious area, great for meeting and socializing with friends and home to the Perpetual Cookie Jar, which is always filled with fresh Barge-baked cookies. A great spot for relaxing and watching the scenery is on the Sky Deck. You have the option of reclining in a deck chair or taking a dip in one of the whirlpool tubs as you view the ever-changing scenery.
Each day of a RiverBarge excursion brings new scenery and new adventures. On my trip the barge left port from New Orleans and traveled down the Mississippi River locking through to the inland Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The scenery on the Intracoastal was lovely. I made good use of the binoculars supplied in my stateroom. On the third day of the trip all the guests had the chance to take an off-board Swamp Tour in bayou country. On the swamp tour we saw everything from alligators to egrets. As we continued barging towards our destination landing, Galveston Island, Texas, we made several more stops. We stopped in Cajun Country, visited Avery Island, home to the world-famous Tabasco® Sauce and visited museums in Port Arthur, Texas. There was so much to do and see. In Galveston, we docked at the foot of the island’s famous shopping and entertainment district, the “Strand.” There are many attractions located along the “Strand” all in walking distance of the barge. After one final night on the barge in Galveston we disembarked the next morning. Travel busses gave us a final city tour of Galveston and then took us to the airport. What a wonderful way to spend eight days!
The best thing beside the expert knowledge of the all-American crew, the exceptional accommodations and the insider experience is that this once in a life time adventure is an all-inclusive package deal. All the meals, accommodations, entertainment, taxes, port charges and shore activities were included. I didn’t have to worry about tipping anyone!
If you have four to ten days and are looking for a unique way to see America you should consider traveling in style, comfort, and safety, while rekindling your sense of adventure on the R/B River Explorer. Step aboard, set your clock aside, enjoy a timeless vacation on “RiverTime.” Arrive and depart as the river permits. The river has it's own sense of time, let the river make your vacation time well spent!
Visit www.riverbarge.com for more information.
