he New Orleans-based RiverBarge Excursion Lines has decided to bring its 730-foot excursion boat 'The River Explorer' up the Missouri River from Kansas City to Sioux City. The trip, which was canceled in 2002 because of low-water conditions, will take place this week.

The River Explorer will leave Parksville, MO (near Kansas City) on Saturday, August 14th. The boat will be making stops along the way in St. Joe, Brownville, Bellevue and Decatur before

	The River Explorer moored at Bellevue's Hayworth Park in 2001.

arriving in Sioux City on August 20th. Once in Sioux City, passengers will be able to enjoy Lewis and Clark festivities planned there for the weekend.

The R/B River Explorer is the only hotel barge traveling America's inland waterways. The vessel is made from two barges, the La Salle and the De Soto. The staterooms are situated on the La Salle, while the public facilities are located on the De Soto. The tow is propelled by a powerful towboat, the Miss Nari.

This magnificent vessel will be arriving at Hayworth Park in Bellevue on Tuesday, August 17th around 6pm and departing on Wednesday, the 18th at 4pm. Public tours will be available from 9-11am on the 18th and then again on the 24th when it makes its return trip back down river.

Public tours will also be available in Sioux City on August 21st from 2-4pm and on the 22nd from 9-10am.

This could be the last time the River Explorer makes its way up the Missouri River. There are no plans for trips in 2005 and scheduling has not been done for 2006 as of yet. The uncertainties of river conditions on the Missouri makes it hard for future planning of excursions so the company has decided not to pursue any at this time.