Take a barge cruise on the Illinois and Michigan Canal from the city of LaSalle to Chicago, Illinois, in the same way that Abe Lincoln traveled with his family in the 19th Century. Mules pull the "Volunteer," a full-size replica of a 19th Century canal boat for a one-hour round trip cruise. The guides dress in period costumes and fill the hour with narration about the history of the canal and the early settlement of Chicago. LaSalle is a 10-minute drive from accommodations at Starved Rock State Park. According to Lori Rackl, journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, the 2010 season began on May 7 and continues through October 31. The cost is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and older, $6 for children 3-17 and free for children under 2 years old. Reservations are recommended.
Lock Visitor Center
754 First St.
LaSalle, IL
866-610-7678
Lasallecanalboat.org
The "River Explorer" consists of two custom built barges permanently attached to cruise the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, as well as the Atchafalaya River Basin and the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in luxury. You may select from 4- to 10-day excursions that include stops to experience the history and culture of the region. The captain narrates as you go through the locks and there also is a tour of the tugboats that pull the barge. This floating hotel has air-conditioned staterooms with a TV and VCR, telephones and private bath. There is a dining room, showroom and lounge. Local entertainment features gospel and zydeco music, as well as Delta blues.
River Discounts
Calhoun Forest
Abbeville, SC, 29620
1-800-640-4899
riverdiscounts.com
Eddie Conrad, CEO of the company that operates the "River Explorer," began the barge river cruise business when he started RV River Charters in the 1990's. He put an acre of concrete on two barges to accomodate 26 RV's complete with electrical hookups and sewage holding tanks. According to Associate Press reporter Rachel Zoll, he then operated RV River Charters pulling RV owners on the "World's only Cruising Campground" along the southern river systems at a gentle five mph. In a 2007 interview with William Loeffler of the "Pittsburgh Tribune," Mr. Conrad said the Coast Guard tried to arrest him because there was "no such thing as an RV barge." As of 2010, Mr. Conrad's "River Explorer" cruises are the only luxury barge river cruises in the United States.
