Testimonials

Additional passenger testimonials can now be found on our blog.

I can’t begin to tell you how much we enjoyed the Lewis & Clark trip. It was just great. I had always read anything I could find on Lewis and Clark and to get to go on this trip was just beyond description. I don’t know how they survived.

That is the most beautiful country and really wild looking. How they made it with the boats and supplies they had I’ll never know. God was just with them. The whole trip was just wonderful but the jet boat rides up the Snake river was really exciting. It was really a highlight. Next to that, the day at Fort Clapton was also great. It was snowing, hailing, sleeting and raining that day so you could imagine what their stay would have been like while they were camped there. (cold and miserable).

Going through the Locks was also exciting. Just getting to see how that works was wonderful and to see the fish steps beside the locks. All of the side trips on the buses were extraordinary. The crew was so nice and pleasant, alway a smile and asking can I help you. Do you need anything, etc. Since this was the first cruise of the season everyone was having to learn just as we were learning but that just added to the fun.

The entertainment was also great. We really enjoyed the Banjo Player. The Historian, Pat Workman was also a big plus. Having someone explain what would have been going on at that point was nice and being able to ask him questions was great. Lunch was always provided on outside trips and all trips everything was paid for, for you. The food on board was really good. We loved everything on the menu. I don’t know what else to say about the trip except, GREAT! GREAT!

Would I recommend this trip? YES! YES!

Janis Duhe
March 2008

Hi All – well it is now Saturday the 26th and I thought that I would put down a recap of the 19 days that we were gone leaving on Saturday, April 5th and returning on the 23rd. We had a great time but it is always good to return home. Just didn’t expect it to be in the high 80′s!! One more degree today and it would have been 90 but Ralph cut down a dead pine tree anyway. He sure likes that new chain saw.

We spent the first three nights in Roseville. It was a treat to attend the Contemporary Service that Lynn instigated and leads that began last September during the Sunday School hour and held in their new social hall that has a stage. Lutheran Church of the Resurrection’s two traditional services are held in their sanctuary. Their new Pastor preaches at all three services and we were impressed with his message. It is always a treat for us visiting with Lynn and Dave’s numerous friends and enjoyed dinner and a visit at Christyn and Mike’s house on Sunday evening. Even had an opportunity to meet Patti and Les for lunch on Monday. L & D’s wedding reception was held up at their place in Auburn five years ago this June. Now where have those years gone?

Tuesday night we spent in Fort Brag, CA on the coast. There has not been a fort there since the Civil War began!? Nice town. Wednesday we went north to Eureka for a visit with C’s niece Brenda and Erin Odell and their two girls Elizabeth and Maggie who will soon have birthdays and turn 6 and 3 respectively. Elizabeth is in kindergarten and read two books to us and I went along to her Irish Step Dancing class. Two cute blond girls. One with blue eyes and one with brown.

Thursday we arrived at Trudy, Rick and Clarissa’s on their farm near Silverton and Salem, OR. Saturday the 12th we drove the 50 miles to Portland and boarded “The Empress of the North” a five year old paddle wheeler that holds 235 passengers. It was a fabulous week going through nine locks in each direction on the Columbia River covering 1000 miles. Sunshine all but the last day so we felt very fortunate since the folks on the cruise the week before had rain every day. Five of the seven days there were shore trips. Met a lot of nice folks, enjoyed the delicious meals, were surprised at how large the cabin and bathroom were, enjoyed the private veranda and appreciated the naturalist aboard who alerted us to historic spots along the river. That boat is now headed for Alaska for the summer. Ralph would like to do the Alaska cruise but once in a lifetime on a cruise is sufficient for me.

By the time we arrived back at Trudy’s on Saturday the 19th, their farm was covered in snow!! We appreciated the beautiful sight with daffodils blooming but they were tired of cold and snowy weather – much more this year than in the other 15 winters they have been there. Next two days there was snow also but melted by afternoon.

On Monday the 21st we drove 50 miles south to Lebanon, OR to visit dear friends Fern and Don Persons – grandparents of Kelley LaCasse. Fern celebrated her 90th birthday on the 19th and Don his 95th last month. Their daughter Becky and Craig came by while we were there to visit also. When we left we stopped for a short visit at son Ric’s who keeps a smile on his face in spite of his battle with MS. He has a nice apartment just a few blocks from his parents and continues with his artistic talent in different mediums. He is having a “Showing” of his work tomorrow at their church. Sister Becky is such a help to him.

We spent that night in Roseburg, Or and on to Roseville, CA on Tuesday in rain all day. Even some sleet and snow in the Siskiyous. Sunny all the way home on Wednesday though.

Looking forward to seeing our friends at church tomorrow.

We recommend a cruise to those who have not previously been on one. For one couple from South Carolina this was their 34th cruise!? We certainly fit in with our white hair. A few people younger than us but only one family with children who were 7, 4 and 8 months and never heard a peep out of them just smiles. Grandparents were along also with them.

Blessings,
Carolyn and Ralph
Nipomo, CA, aboard the Empress of the North
April 2008

Nick and I really enjoyed our recent cruise on Empress of the North up the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Your in-room gift of a bottle of Oregon wine was much appreciated! We enjoyed it as we set sail and went up the Willamette River and then the Columbia. Our room was changed from 401 because the pilot needed it right next to the bridge. We were put in 346, a larger, nicer suite with huge comfy bed and nice amenities.

After the cruise we had a good trip to the Seattle area, then home by way of the Coast Route. The weather was reasonable, some rain, but mostly partly sunny. We enjoyed the Historian on board and his lectures on the area and Lewis and Clark, and the entertainment was very good.

Thanks again for booking us on this cruise and for the wine.

Ellen & Nick.
Sunnyvale, California.
April, 2008

THANK you so much for organising our fantastic trip on the Delta Queen.

Rob and I had a marvellous time – and would love to travel on the Delta Queen again – we shall keep it in mind as we heard
she may be retired next year.!! That would be such a shame – she is a beautiful, grand old lady..!!

We only returned 2 days ago – after a wonderful time in the States – everyone was so friendly, helpful and kind – and all
our travels went perfectly.

It was good to hear from you – I hope you are well too.

With Kind Regards,
Robert and Ros
2008

Ruth and I had a lovely time on Empress of the North. I can’t say enough about the friendliness of the staff. All were very accessible and went the extra mile to please. We really enjoyed the historical talks especially the afternoon Rex Ziak came on board and discussed the journals of Lewis and Clark.

Thank you for your assistance in booking the tour. We enjoyed meeting you in Portland and the bottle of wine in our room was a nice surprise. I will be in touch.

Judy
2007

We arrived home to find a lovely cookie jar and some yummy cookies. Thank you so much. Our river cruise was a success and you were responsible for our great trip.

Thanks from
Bud and Phyllis Sheldahl
2007