PS to the Queen Pictures

Neil found the photo I wanted, so I will add it to this post when I get home. 

I have been doing some research today. And the American Queen is not so bad after all.  The bottom of the line balcony room would run $3895 for a 7 day cruise.  BUT
Included in their price are a few things that CCL charges for.  (Like the air you breathe...)
Included in the American Queen rate is a stay at a luxury hotel the night before your trip.  (Memphis Marriott for the port of Memphis)
Shore excursions are included.
Wine and beer are included with meals.
Lectures. (Historical kinds. Not the kind Dad gives)
And it is the only Truly Steam powered ship on the River.

The Queen of The Mississippi, built in 2011 is a whole 'nother thang.  Her itineraries are the same, prices about the same, and same amenities.  Just watch the blog for me to catch her in town for photos!!!

I am sure this is information that you all needed. 

I left my phone at home and have been unable to facebook all day, and I had to do something. 

The American Queen and Mississippi River

Finally! A break in the weather!  There may actually be warm weather coming.  Don't get too excited, because I see later in the week another cold front coming through.  Remind my in July when I am bitching about the 100 degree weather that I was complaining about the cold weather, OK?

 

Yesterday, gorgeous day.  Bennie actually conned...I mean enticed me into riding with him to take a few pictures of dead people.  Or at least, their headstones. Then, as the theory went, we would head to Houston's to lunch.  So, I thought why not?  Great day for riding with the top down, and I needed to try out the sunglasses Cindy gave me.  So off we go.  We get about 1 minutes into the ride, and he just happens to mention that he isn't feeling too good.  You think you might have mentioned that before I agreed to this outing??? So we took pictures, came home and he took a 4 hour nap.  Woke up feeling better, BUT, I missed my lunch at Houston's. Rat.

 

 

Saturday was Amanda's birthday, so we met them today for lunch at Chili's.  Had a great time.  I was able to find her a birthday card with a cruise ship on it.  Well, it was a fishing boat, but I changed the name on it to "Elation" so she had a cruise birthday card.  We had a great lunch.

 

Neil had posted a note for me this morning that the American Queen was docked downtown. I have been wanting to catch it here on a weekend, so I could get some photos.  So after lunch, Bennie and I head downtown to see her.

 

Now, I have to tell you.  In case you haven't figured it out, I really like ships. And water. And boats. And water.  And this just turned out to be what my friend Jeanie calls a "God Spot".  The weather was warm.  It was partly cloudy, so not too hot or too sunny. We were able to just sit on a bench and watch the River Boat. It is kinda funny after seeing the huge ocean ships, but still so neat.  Not sure when they got to Memphis, but supposedly they were leaving tonight at 9:00.  They live band was playing on the deck as people got back onto the ship. And it was fun to see the people coming back from shore excursions in MEMPHIS!!!  People actually wanted to get off the boat here!  I was also very surprised at the demographic.  There were some fossils, to be sure  But lots of people that I would judge to be in their 50's and 60's on the boat. 

 

For anyone that is curious.  a 7 day trip from Memphis to New Orleans runs between $3500-$5000.  Per Person.  That's what my Alaska cruise will cost, so river boat trips are way way down the list.  But it was still lots of fun to see.  And I would have sat there longer to watch them leave.  But not until 9:00.  Maybe another time!

 

 

 

 I was trying to get an up close shot to see if this was the bridge.  I think it is.

 I have been searching through my photos and cannot find the picutres of the flooding and this thing being totally under water. I found some after the water subsided some.  Maybe Neil still have some flood photos and I can the it added later.  But this thing was totally under water.  And of course, still under construction. And we were all wondering how this was going to work.  It is pretty cool.  You can see on the lowest lever where Ol Man River has left his calling card when the water was higher.

 Well, here goes the Island Queen.  We could hear the tour guide giving his speech to the 10 tourists on the boat.  In his deepest Memphis voice.  Now look up there on the bluff.  You see that sign?  It says 12.  That is for the tow boats captians to sees how high the water is.

Sees.  12 feet.

Now, on top of the River Port is this lovely building.  After security ran me off for being on the golf cart path, we climbed the mountain to take pictures.  I have seen this lovely structure before, but was unable to figure out its exact purpose.  But now I know.  And if the architect that built this reads my blog... Really???  And for those of you that have not climbed Mt.Port...Walk in the door, and there is an elevator back down to the gift shop. Your tax dollars at work.

This is the other thing that was bugging me during the flood.  It levels the walk way.  Ask Bennie. He'll 'splain it.

That is the band playing for the returning passengers.

Bar?? Buffet??

Front of ship.  For the ports that are front loaders.

I got this one for Neil. 

This is not supposed to be here.  Its the Wolf River that flooded.  But I can't delete it.  So here it is.

Flood- April 2011. Remember the water was up over Riverside and headed up Beale Street

This is the shot of the circle thing.  And the red thing along side.  It's come a long way!

Neil found the photo from April 2011.  This is when Riverside Drive was under water and the round thing with the flag is the ramp, and that orange floating thing is the dock upper/downer thing....  And yes, the concrete ramps are all there. They are just under the water. 

Retirement

Damn Again.  No not mine.  Neil announced today that he has turned his notice in to Auto Zone that he will be retiring in 2 weeks. 

He has been planning this for a year. IT was not spur of the moment.  Very calculated and precise.  And I am so proud of him. He has had 2 very good careers.  One at FedEx, and this one at Auto Zone. Neither place was peaches and cream at his level, but he has done a good job of working hard and setting hmself up for early retirement.

So I hope he is able to find his niche for his next phase in life  I personally see him continuing his research and history and writing light pamphlets, you know the ones you read on a crashing Airplane.....
Or maybe finding the Last Georgia Tann baby, and finding his lost true love....
What ever he does, he is set, because he has been working his whole life and saving most everything he ever made. 
He does not have a platinum card, nor does he have a Tervis Tumbler with CARNIVAL on it. But I am sure he wil do just fine without that.
Neil, I am very proud of your accomplishments.  And you have always been here to support us when we were in need. 
Now that you will be without income,  I'll send you a C>A>R>E> package  You still like potted meat?

Anyway.  Congratulations.  You done good!

Save some room in retirement for St. Jude.  We will need help and we want the placques. Again.

The Queen's Birthday and Easter

 Just a quick recap.  I had a birthday!!! I am 58 damn years old.  Guess that beats the alternative.  But still.  DAMN.  Anyway.... Last week, Ghia got us tickets to see the Million Dollar Quartet.  Such a good show.  It is just like peeking into a day in history. Very cool show.  Before the show, we met at the Spaghetti Warehouse for a quick dinner.  Neil had conveniently forgotten that  4 days later, he would be visiting Area 51 for Easter.  So he brought my birthday present.  I am so glad he did.  I got plenty of enjoyment and was able to annoy many, many people on facebook with my Queen's Audience sign.  And I have appropriately hung it over the rocker, that will have to double as my throne, until next Birthday, when I am sure Neil will buy me a proper throne.

Now, on to Easter.  It has been raining for 2 out of the last 3 months, so the ground is way to muddy for Easter Egg hunts. At least Easter egg hunts where you want to get back into MY house.  Although, the doggies made sure I had plenty of paw prints to clean.  So in addition to slaving over a hot stove for hours, I hid some eggs for Mitchell to hunt.  And hunt he did.  He is just the smartest little guy.  He took off all over the den and found them all.  So cute. he would spot one and look up to be sure it was ok for him to go get.  And just like a true MAG, they were full of candy.  Needless to say, by the time The Bond family left, he was hopped up.  

 Monica and Mason.  Mason was not at all interested in Easter.  But he was dressed for the occasion anyway.

 Paw enjoyed Sadie hiding from the kids. Sadie doesn't normally like to be held.  But she was like a refugee seeking asylum.

 Granny Lu and MAson.

 Mitchell with his first egg. See the pink egg behind him. They weren't hid TOO much. My house is not really that kid friendly...  My house is more like a computer geek haven than a kid haven....

 Neil arrives, and his favorite doxies greeted him expecting treats.  I think they didn't get any this time!  LOL

 Cindy and Barrett hamming it up for the camera

 I don't know how I caught this photo of Neil.  But its a keeper.  Toobad Mason was fuzzy.

 OMG>  Mitchell sat down and ate some dinner. But lets face it.  The excitement and the candy had filled him up.  And he was ready to get down.  OBVIOUSLY, he is allowed to commit anything short of capital murder for a kiss.  He is puckered up kissing anyone that MIGHT let him leave the table. He is going to be a con man,. I can feel it. Charm +. This kids got it. 

 Granny Lu and Mitchell.

 Oh yeah.  Somebody took a picture to prove I was here. 

 Mitchell had been running around on a sugar high, with a blue ring pop in his mouth.  I said, Monster, show me your blue mouth.   He loves the camera!!

 Ghia and Paw and tSadie and Lille, still hiding from the kids. 

Pepper. Mad.  At.  Her.  Owner.  Not even calling him Daddy right now.   Why????

 Daddy kissed another girl. 

 I'm not usually jealous.  As long as my owner, (The artist formerly known as Daddy) is within 5 feet of me, I'm ok.  But lets face it.  I'm on medication. The meds have me emotional. They make me eat. I can't fit into my jeans.  My hair needs to be colored and no one will take me to the beauty shop.  I am a wreck..And HE.  Let that silly lab named Sam kiss him.  And Sam really, Really kissed him. She has this tongue. It's like 4 feet long.  And really juicy. And she kept kissing my Daddy...I mean my owner.  What's his name...  I hate him.  Well, I wanted to look like I hate him.  Really, I just want some more food....Oh, yeah. And more drugs. 

 Here he is trying to make up with me.  Still mad.  Want food.  Where's Sam? Dumb Lab.

 Lille gives Ghia a cute Doxie size kiss.  Lillie is wearing the bow that came off Granny's birthday present.

Here Granny is with the two baby doxies, and getting her gifts.  I got my very first pair of Oakley's, so I am ready to ride in the convertible and float in the pool, (If we ever get sunshine again). I got some green paper.  I got a Gould's gift card. And previously, I got my Queen sign and a Keurig.  My boss took me to lunch last week,  My friends Amanda and Mark took me to J.Alexanders, Brenda is feeding me Wednesday night, so the celebration isn't over just yet.  I have successfully gotten into a new month still celebrating. I have received lots of sweet cards from friends and have had a wonderful birthday/Easter.  Thank you all.  My heart is happy.