AMERICA'S JUNCTION

Pittsburgh to St. Louis - August 14-21, 2008 • 8 Days
603 River Miles • Ohio River

Picture yourself floating along the same route as the early keelboat and steamboat operators who traveled the Ohio River in the 1700s and 1800s. Imagine viewing the banks of the Ohio River, where for many hundreds of years before Europeans came this way, the Miami and Shawnee Indians lived an idyllic existence. In this region we call America's Junction, you'll see the Confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers whose navigable waters stretch almost a thousand miles in three different directions.

BOARDING LANDING
This 8 day America’s Junction excursion begins with an overnight stay in Pittsburgh, Pa., which is known as the “City of Bridges.” The Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers surround the city. Pittsburgh’s first modern inhabitants were various Iroquois groups and later, British and French traders. Pittsburgh was founded and named after British Secretary of War William Pitt. The first British settlers began mining coal from the southern hillside opposite the Point in the early 1760s. Sparked by Pittsburgh’s rich seam of bituminous coal and aided by three rivers that distributed finished goods, the industrial era began in earnest with the War of 1812. By 1841, local engineer John A.

Roebling had designed Pittsburgh’s iron factories that supplied the Union army with warships, armor plate and other materials. In 1873, Andrew Carnegie opened his first steel mill. The steel mills drove the manufacturing economy for the next 100 years. With the ending of its steel industry in the 1980s, Pittsburgh turned into a national banking, health care and high technology center. Pittsburgh is also the largest inland port in the U.S., providing access to the nation’s 9,000 mile inland waterway. While in Pittsburgh, enjoy a visit to the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, the state’s largest history museum. Step inside a 1790s log cabin. Discover how immigrants shaped this region. Uncover the myths of the Underground Railroad, experience the thrill of an unmatched sports legacy and climb aboard a 1940s Pittsburgh trolley.

The Duquesne Incline is a funicular, or inclined plane railroad, located near Pittsburgh’s South Side and scaling Mt. Washington. It was completed in 1877 and is 800 feet long, 400 feet in height, and is inclined at a 30 degree angle. The original purpose of the Duquesne Incline was the carriage of cargo up and down Mt. Washington in the late 1800s. In 1962 the incline was closed, but local residents launched a fund-raiser and on July 1, 1963 it was reopened. An observation deck was added at the top affording a magnificent view of Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle.” Washington, D.C. has the National Zoo. Baltimore has the National Aquarium and Pittsburgh has the National Aviary. The National Aviary is America’s only independent indoor nonprofit aviary (that is, a bird zoo). It is also America’s largest aviary, and the only accorded honorary “National” status by the United States Congress. The Aviary is home to 600+ birds of more than 200 species, many of which are threatened or endangered in the wild. The aviary has one of the most diverse collections in North America. The National Aviary also takes part in breeding programs designed to increase the numbers of endangered birds.

BARGING
This route offers the opportunity to see the Upper Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The Upper Mississippi’s depth is
controlled by a series of locks and dams as it flows through scenic lakes, bluffs, marsh and islands southward. It is relatively shallow and much narrower than the lower river. At the Mississippi and Ohio rivers’ junction, we introduce you to a sight that is truly a marvel to behold: the Confluence! More than just an intersection, it is the foundation of many stories that shaped our country.

Today the confluence is a major junction for barge shipping. You may see hundreds of barges waiting in fleeting areas anticipating towboats to add them to their tows—yet another fascinating river story on how bulk products are moved to their final destination. Formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at Pittsburgh, the Ohio River is the most important river in the eastern United States. It flows westward from Pennsylvania for 981 miles, forming the boundaries of five states along its course. The Ohio River contributes more water to the Mississippi than any other tributary. We’ll pass through Smithland, Myers, Newburgh, Cannelton, McAlpine and Markland Locks. The historic locks make this a prime river vacation.

HOST LANDINGS ALONG THE WAY
Wheeling, W.Va., was founded by Col. Ebenezer Zane in 1769. The Wheeling Suspension Bridge that connects Wheeling to Wheeling Island was completed in 1849, and at that time was the longest suspension bridge in the world and the first bridge span across the Ohio River. It is a National Historic Landmark. Ohio’s oldest city, Marietta, was a springboard for early expansion of the Northwest Territory.

We’ll visit the Ohio River Museum and the world-famous Fenton Art Glass Factory and Museum. Near Parkersburg, W.Va., is an oblong-shaped island named Blennerhassett Island, which is now a State Historic Park. The island spans back to the Ice Age hunters 9,000 years ago. In 1798, Harman Blennerhassett moved to the island from Ireland with his wife and child after being forced out of his homeland for marrying his niece. In 1805, Aaron Burr landed at Blennerhassett Island and enticed Blennerhassett to participate in his plan to settle a western territory. Unfortunately, for political reasons, both men were eventually charged with treason.Even though they were found not guilty, their lives were ruined.

The rolling hills and plains of Point Pleasant, W.Va., are at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers. It is the site of the Battle of Point Pleasant, which took place on October 10, 1774. This was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought between the Indians and white settlers and is considered by many to be the first battle of the American Revolution. We’ll tour Tu-Endie-Wei Point Pleasant Battle Monument State Park, which commemorates the frontiersmen who fought and died at the Battle of Point Pleasant, the Point Pleasant River Museum and the West Virginia State Farm Museum. Augusta, Ky., is a city of rich heritage along th st the banks of the Ohio River. The town looks more like an 18 century village then a 21 century town. Augusta was founded by Phillip Buckner in 1795. In 1797, John Boude started a hand-propelled ferry to cross the Ohio River. Today, Augusta is one of few the places where you can take a ferry across the Ohio River.

DESTINATION LANDING
This excursion ends with an overnight stay in Louisville, Ky., which is named for King Louis XVI of France in
appreciation for his assistance during the Revolutionary War. Louisville was founded by George Rogers Clark in 1778. The advent of the steamboat in the early 1800s sparked a booming industrial development, and by 1830 Louisville had secured its place as the largest city in Kentucky. Because of its strategic location at the Falls of the Ohio, Louisville was a major commercial center. The city has been home to a number of famous people including President Zachary Taylor, Second Lt. F. Scott Fitzgerald and Muhammad Ali. Your excursion includes a visit to the Falls of the Ohio and the Louisville Slugger Bat Museum. Upon disembarkation, a narrated limited city tour of Louisville and a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs will be provided on the way to the airport for those guests with flights 1:00 p.m. or later.

PITTSBURGH TO LOUISVILLE DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DUE TO VARYING RIVER AND WATERWAY CONDITIONS, SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Day 1 - Thurs - 8/14 - Boarding in Pittsburgh, Pa., begins at noon. Your stateroom is available at 3:00 p.m. We’ll dock across from downtown and Point Park, behind the Del Monte Building. Take our complimentary shuttle to the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, the Duquesne Incline and the National Aviary.

Day 2 - Fri - 8/15 - We’ll have an early morning departure from Pittsburgh to begin our barging adventure on the Ohio River. Experience a full day of barging and enjoy passages through Emsworth, Dashields, Montgomery and New Cumberland Locks.

Day 3 - Sat - 8/16 - After an early morning passage through Pike Island Lock, we’ll arrive in Wheeling, W.Va. Tour Oglebay Mansion and the Moundsville State Prison. We’ll depart Wheeling in the late afternoon with an
evening passage through Hannibal Lock.

Day 4 - Sun - 8/17 - After an early morning passage through Willow Island Lock, we’ll arrive in Marietta, Ohio. Visit the Ohio River Museum and the famous Fenton Art Glass Factory and Museum before our afternoon
departure. We’ll arrive in Blennerhassett Island, W.Va., late this afternoon and visit Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park and the Blennerhassett Mansion before our early evening departure. This evening, we’ll pass through Belleville Lock.

Day 5 - Mon - 8/18 - After an early morning passage through Racine Lock, we’ll arrive in Point Pleasant, W.Va. We’ll drive by Fort Randolph Park and visit Tu-Endie-Wei Point Pleasant Battle Monument State Park, the Point Pleasant River Museum and the West Virginia State Farm Museum before our midday departure. Enjoy an afternoon of barging on the Ohio River with passages through R.C. Byrd and Greenup Locks.

Day 6 - Tues - 8/19- This morning, we’ll arrive in Augusta, Ky., and enjoy a tour of the Rosemary Clooney Museum and have time for some shopping before our afternoon departure. Experience passage through Meldahl Lock late this afternoon.

Day 7 - Wed - 8/20 - Early this morning, we’ll pass through Markland Lock before our midday arrival in Louisville, Ky., where we’ll have an overnight stay. Enjoy visits to the Falls of the Ohio and the Louisville Slugger Bat Museum.

Day 8 - Thurs - 8/21 - Enjoy a hearty breakfast before your morning disembarkation that includes a narrated limited city tour of Louisville and a tour of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum on the way to the airport for those guests with flights 1:00 p.m. or later.