Louisville Riverboat Cruise...

Our local home school group organised an exciting field trip on Saturday, 1st October. And since this trip had a distinctly nautical theme, we decided to purchase tickets and join the fun. We drove across to Louisville, Kentucky, where we boarded the Mary M. Miller for a scenic cruise of the Ohio River. The much-older Belle of Louisville paddle-steamer (pictured below) is also based here, and it was interesting to see her too. 

It was fantastic being back on the water again - albeit on a river - and seeing all the boats, bridges, and barges! Our children had a wonderful time and loved exploring this interesting vessel. 

Once the trip was finished we drove back to the Indiana side of the river, where the kids played at a playground. We wrapped the day up with Middle Eastern cuisine in New Albany, Indiana. Yum!

 

Family photo just before we boarded the Mary M. Miller.

UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Tri-jet.

Lighthouse imitation on top of one of Louisville's skyscrapers.

A pusher or towboat with its load of barges sails under the George Rogers Clark Bridge.

View towards Falls of the Ohio State Park - beyond the Fourteenth Street Rail Bridge.

The George Rogers Clark Bridge.

The Mary M. Miller docked at Louisville.

The wheel of the Mary M. Miller is mainly cosmetic. This modern vessel is powered by propellers underneath the stern.

 The larger Belle of Louisville.

Mayor Andrew Broaddus, the only surviving floating lifesaving station. She now houses a gift shop and office space for the Belle of Louisville.

The Big Four Bridge, a pedestrian bridge linking Indiana and Kentucky.

The public docks area.

View across to Jeffersonville, Indiana.

The Howard Mansion, in Jeffersonville.

Fishing trawler moored along the river.

Having cleared the bridges, we sailed east along the river.

The Nugent Sand Company, which provides sand for many industries.

Another pusher docked alongside the riverbank.

A speedboat powers past.

Looking aft or west towards the Louisville skyline.

The Louisville Water Company Pumping Station.

The sign showing the 1937 Flood level.

Riaan was kept busy with the activities in the boat's "passport."

Eliza also enjoyed colouring in the pictures during the cruise.

Impressive building near Jeffersonville, Indiana. Note the Colgate Clock in the distance.

The truss vertical-lift bridge that makes up part of the Fourteenth Street Bridge. Also visible is the entrance to the canal section of the Ohio River, which allows river traffic to bypass the Falls of the Ohio.