Thanks everyone. Anniversary was terrific and made more so by the marvelous time we had on the river cruise. There were about 60 or so passengers on board and the food and entertainment was exceptional. The trip up to Starved Rock took eight or so hours and they passed quickly. Breakfast, lunch and Prime Rib supper coupled with great singing and guitar playing, piano playing and river lore story telling. At the lodge, a terrific Mark Twain impersonator gave us an hour show. The man was a genius. Took a few pictures of the lodge and called it a night. Today, we had breakfast at the lodge (delicious) and then boarded the boat for a seven-hour return trip (shorter because we were going downstream). A fabulous lunch and wonderful snacks together with more music and riverboat stories. Nobody wanted to get off and many plan on returning again as soon as they can. Wonderful time. Oh yeah, two of our grandsons work on the boat and so we got to spend some time with them (when they weren't working).

The Riverboat, The Spirit of Peoria, is judged the most authentic example of a paddlewheeler still sailing the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Terrific boat propelled solely by the stern paddlewheel. No side thrusters to help it dock or move about.