Doug Eads, Contributing Editor

Occupation: Travel Journalist and Editor
Number of Cruises: 45
Cruise Line: American West Steamboat Company
Ship: Queen of the West
Sailing Date: May 28th, 2005
Itinerary: Portland, Oregon r/t

In a jet at 37,000 feet above the terrain it is hard to distinguish what you are seeing while flying. That’s over seven miles up! What am I doing up here I often think? We were off to a state blessed with topographical diversity– Oregon. Oregon’s coastal and midland areas remind one of some elfin twilight forest-land draped with monstrous oddly shaped mushrooms, mossy behemoth evergreen trees, and perhaps a wily troll or some tricky gnome trekking up one of the many shady woodland trails.

Oregon and the nearby Washington area is not just a lush garden for rose festivals, but a varied land ranging from the world-known volcanic peaks like Mount Hood, Adams, Baker, to the nearby notorious Mt. St. Helens. These slumbering Cascade volcanoes pose as lovely outstretched snowcapped backdrops embracing this vacation wonderland –America’s Northwest.

If you have not been to America’s northwest to see the many delights of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, – have I got a wonderful vacation idea for you! You should not miss this captivating region of our country’s vast landscape portrait. Your visit will leave you with an inner renewal, a sense of belonging, and a spiritual depth gained that will enhance your pride and joy in this great land. Experiencing the cruise I will now describe leaves you with memories that are never to be forgotten.

Queen of the West: The American West Steamboat Company offers several itineraries in the Northwest, and even some to Alaska’s wonders. We chose to explore the pathways of Lewis and Clark in their bid to find a viable Northwest trade route. What they found, however, is a national scenic treasure – the Columbia River Gorge. Reminiscent of the riverboats of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, the Queen of the West and all her historic predecessors were designed and built for the unique Northwestern rivers and climate, and tailored to those swifter and sometimes shallower waterways.

<b>The Queen:</b> Queen of the West was christened in 1995 and was the first overnight steamboat serving the West to be constructed in over 80 years. She is an award winning beauty that now normally carries 150 passengers or so on four stateroom levels. The 230 foot Queen has all the qualities of historic steamboats, with the elegance of modern décor, air conditioning, and fine dining with ample menu selections.

Staterooms vary in size and price from premium suites with open balconies to the more moderate, and there are seasonal specials bringing this fine classic river vacation into the price range of many potential vacationers. We had a lower level cabin with a window. The deck above had balconies, and on deck four there were a couple of suites with open deck space out from these spacious suites. We were pleased with the ambience of cabin #106.

Each evening our cabin stewardess placed a Sternwheeler Journal on our pillow foretelling the next day’s adventures and activities, and they brought to mind the explorations of the coming day. What a way to end each cruising day!

The décor was Victorian and quite nice. Cabin #106 had a shower and ample storage, plus TV/DVD, and was a comfortable setting for a wonderful vacation. Book early on this internationally acclaimed and popular cruise to be assured of the destination and cabin you want. I advise you to book early enough to get on deck two with a balcony. Many of the 200 numbered rooms will be above the river level, and you will enjoy the leisure time outside your cabin for river viewing, I am sure!

The attitude and spirit of the crew was excellent. We found no flaws in the ship or service, except the lack of in-suite hair-dryers. The nightly entertainment ranged from the fine talents of the staff performers to the occasional varied talents brought aboard. The cruise included bus tours to such locations as Mt. St. Helens, the Tamastslikt Indian Museum and show, a Western show, and Multnomah Waterfalls, but there was much more!

Among the most fascinating areas was the Hood River area of the Columbia Gorge. Hood River, Oregon, is the wind surfing capital of the world. Here, nearly constant canyon winds whip up sometimes ocean-like surf and occasional 60 mph winds. Young people flock to the area for wind and parachute surfing. Hold on if you are walking about the deck in this uniquely windy area, and leave your hat or cap in your cabin!

Along the gorge the rock formations are stunning, and as you progress eastward you see Oregon’s lush landscape change to dry and range-like countryside. Toward the end of the cruise, you’ll see pine and greener vegetation when you enter Hell’s Canyon on the Snake River Jet-boat outing.

The names sound ominous, but snakes and Hell have nothing to do with this adventure. Hells Canyon is North America's deepest river gorge, and it encompasses a vast and remote region with dramatic changes in elevation, terrain, climate and flora. Your jet-boat adventure will go into only a small portion of this national recreational area.

The bus guides were well-informed and gracious, and outings and adventures selected by the American West Steamboat Company were quite nice. The natural wonders of the northwest area of America are viewed from a comprehensive perspective both by land outings and the incomparable vantage of the Columbia Gorge via the Queen of the West.

Overview: I always recommend a few things regarding a cruise – fly in early a day or two to insure that you do not miss the-boat! We had time constraints, and flew in on sailing day, ignoring my cardinal rule; mechanical issues in Atlanta caused a near-miss of the Queen of the West. Fly in early for reasonably priced pre-cruise programs and tours offered by American West. Portland, Oregon is a city you should explore either pre-cruise or post-cruise, in any case!

Since I have relatives in Oregon, we have visited her coastal areas, but this experience brought new meaning to Oregon and southern Washington being among the most spectacular scenic destinations in America. What better way to discover the Columbia Gorge and this historic Lewis and Clark exploration route than elegantly on Queen of the West?

Though I am now home – I can still envision the red paddlewheel of the Queen of the West plying past verdant canyons into vast and remote American areas that are among the loveliest I have ever visited. I can hear her calliope ringing out Americana tunes, and I can imagine the cool northwest breezes rushing through and around one canyon-bend in the river after another. This vacation option is a natural wonder and an American treasure!

Your Explorer Guide:

American West Steamboat Co.
Queen of the West
www.americanweststeamboat.com
(800) 434-1232