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| OmahaRiverFront.com
tours
The River Explorer |
OmahaRiverFront.com
by
Nancy Neurohr |
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Published
Wednesday August 30, 2001  |
If
you were in or around Hayworth Park in Bellevue this past week-end,
you couldn't help but notice the large 'floating hotel' that was
docked there on the Missouri River.
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The
River Explorer
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The
River
Explorer,
owned and operated by RiverBarge
Excursions out of New
Orleans, LA, made its first trip up river from St. Louis, MO all the
way to Bellevue, NE.
The
River
Explorer
is actually a vessel made from two barges, the La Salle
and the De Soto. It is propelled by a towboat called Miss
Nari. Bill
Beacon,
originally from Sioux City, IA, is the captain. This magnificent
hotel barge features 98 identical staterooms measuring 200 square
feet, all located on the La Salle.
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Tug Miss Nari
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Rooms
on the upper deck are provided with balconies. All public facilities
are located on the De Soto.
This particular cruise aboard the River
Explorer started in St. Louis on August 11th. The boat then docked
at Kansas City, MO on August 20th where passengers could board for
an 8 day trip up the Missouri River to Bellevue and back. Stops
along the way included Parkville, MO, St. Joseph, MO and Brownville,
NE. Upon arriving at Bellevue on August 24th, passengers were given
the opportunity to visit the restored Union Station, Durham Western
Heritage Museum and the Strategic Air Command Museum. Prices begin
at $2,180 per person, based on double occupancy.
Our tour of the River Explorer took place on
Saturday afternoon, shortly after the two barges were literally
taken apart in order for it to be turned around for its trip back
down river. Jeff
Kindl,
Vice President of Marine Operations, welcomed us
aboard.
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Galley
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We were also
joined by John
LaRandeau
from the Corps
of Engineers.
Our
first stop was The
Galley,
which can accommodate all guests and features full buffet breakfast
and lunch and á la carte supper in a single, casual open-seating
atmosphere. The Galley is always open and guests are given the
freedom to "raid the fridge" on a 24-hour basis. There is
even a bottomless perpetual cookie jar!
We then entered The
Sprague,
a multi-purpose, two-story entertainment facility that can
accommodate all guests. Various entertainment is provided including
a live
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Sprague
Theatre
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polka band,
bluegrass and classical musicians, and an occasional talent show.
Next, we
entered The
Crevasse Bar
which
has the most
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Crevasse
Bar
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fabulous
hand-painted mural that portrays the great flood of 1927. The mural,
painted by artist Vincent
Darby,
took 4 to 5 months to complete. We
were also able to view one of the 98 staterooms, all of which are
named after one of the contiguous states and numbered in the order
they entered the union. All feature individual AC/heat, choice of
super queen or twin beds, full tub and shower, satellite TV and VCR,
telephone, mini refrigerator, hair dryer, binoculars, and large
picture windows that open.
We
then entered The
Bridge
where everything is ran by remote control. Measuring 730
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Pilot
House Bridge
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ft.
long and 50 ft. high, the R/B River Explorer was built in
1998, and made its maiden voyage in 1999. The vessel is propelled by
the Miss Nari, a 3,000
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Jogging
Track
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horsepower
towboat, the only one in America with Z
Peller
360°
propulsion units.
RiverBarge
Excursion Lines, Inc.
was built on a dream by barge expert Eddie
Conrad
who was named "Maritime Person of the Year for 2000"
by the New Orleans' chapter of the Propeller Club of the U.S.
Guests can
enjoy sitting in the sun on the Sky
Deck
or working out in The
Weight
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Sky
Deck
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Room.
There is also two whirlpool tubs, shuffle board
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Weight
Room
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and a Jogging
Track on board.
The
Governor Galvez Room, named for the Spanish Governor of
Louisiana, features three card, poker and bumper pool tables and
video and book libraries. Hanging on the wall in this room, we
noticed a plaque with the key to the city of Bellevue that was
presented to the crew upon their arrival.
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Governor
Galvez Room
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Lobby
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Our tour
ended with a visit to The Lobby where guests can watch
the river through the Rio Vista's large solarium
style windows. Booths align both sides of the lobby
and feature glass etchings of various bridges throughout the inner
waterways.
Prior to our tour of this grand vessel, we met two of the 147 repeat
passengers on board: Col. Robert and Mrs. Jane
Walker of San Diego, CA. They had started their
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Nancy,
The Walkers and Regis
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Key
to the City of Bellevue
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cruise on
the River Explorer in St. Louis.
The
Walkers have traveled extensively and said they were very impressed
with the accommodations and service provided to them on this trip.
According to Jane Walker, "The Chefs are Excellent".
If you'd like to learn more or become part of the RiverBarge family,
please go their website at: www.riverbarge.com
or call them toll free at: 1-888-GoBarge
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The River Explorer departing
Southbound for Kansas City, MO from Hayworth Park, Bellevue NE
August 25th, 2001
( View from Pier
1 - Bellevue Marina ) |
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