The Captain's Dinner Party was exhilarating. Champagne was served and we met our young, bright leader. He introduced the entire enthusiastic crew. They hailed from Maine to California and they all had a love of the "River."

We landed at Louisville, KY about 1 a.m. The south bank of the Ohio River is Kentucky and the north bank is Indiana. Therefore, the area is Kentuckiana. The Delta Queen holds her gangplank on the prow and lowers it at each port-of-call. Louisville, also known as "River City," is famous for its alumni and "Bluegrass Country." A large picture of Muhammad Ali is observed on a brick wall at the pier. A statue of my childhood hero, Harold "Pee Wee" Reese graces the downtown area.

We took a tour of the Jim Beam Bourbon factory, 22 miles from Louisville. The Beam Homestead was very hospitable and they supplied us with four different grades of Kentucky Bourbon. As it aged for more years, it got smoother and smoother and so did we.

We bused back to Louisville to see the famous Churchill Downs racetrack, built in 1874, the home of the Kentucky Derby. The race is run on the first Saturday of May. In 2002 the attendance was 145,033. We walked through the paddocks and onto the grandstands to see the horses and jockeys training on the soft sandy track. The thump, thumping of the huge , beautiful thoroughbreds as they galloped past us is unforgettable. The Kentucky Derby Museum with its 350-degree screen depicted a typical Kentucky Derby event. The simulated jockey rides were fun. So was the gift shop. Each Derby winner has a plaque to commemorate the glorious victory.

Our next stop was the Louisville Slugger Museum. Making the entrance to the museum and bat factory is the world's largest baseball bat standing 120-feet tall and weighing 68,000 lbs. We saw the Wooden Ash logs converted into sleek, stained truncheons used in the major leagues. Personalized bats were available for a price. For an old Dodger fan like I am, it was truly nostalgic and it almost brought a tear to my eye. Each visitor was given a free miniature Louisville Slugger to take home.

Back on board for lemonade and cookies. We left Louisville with the horns blasting and the calliope tooting. As we stood on deck we observed a fascinating process. The many locks we entered as we steamed along the river had to be traversed. The height of water varies and the boat is secured in a confined area and floated to the required level to enter the next body of water.

At Henderson, KY, the gangplank was again lowered and we boarded a bus to the Reitz Home in Evansville, IN. It was a magnificent Victorian Home on the National Register of Historic Places which showed the Moorish design. The family became wealthy in the lumber business.

Back across the river to Kentucky and the Audubon Museum. Nestled in a lovely wooded state park sits the John James Audubon Mansion. The museum is filled with artifacts of the local wildlife, including a great glassed observation room overlooking the pristine wilds of the forest. Much of Audubon's life is displayed at this site, along with his art work.

Every day on the Delta Queen we ate three meals. Breakfast was either served or buffet-style. Lunch was from a gourmet menu and the best one was a "Country Lunch" with fried chicken, ribs, fried catfish, corn-on-the-cob, potato salad and of course, apple pie. The suppers were outstanding and equal or better than most seagoing cruise ships I have taken.

Each evening we were entertained by a swinging five-piece band which played ragtime, jazz, bluegrass and ballroom tunes. We danced every evening after a wonderful show.

On to Paducah, KY along the river!