Today, 4th October 2006, marked the opening of the tri-annual Tall Stacks celebration in Cincinnati, Ohio. Once every three years, a dozen or more of the remaining, working riverboats come to Cincinnati to celebrate the heritage of all the cities dotting the American landscape that have a history tied to a river. Of course, Cincinnati's history is intimately tied to the Ohio River, just as New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and Minneapolis are tied to the Mississippi River. The Celebration is five days of music, food and, most importantly, the boats and the River. This picture shows the Belle of Cincinnati and the Spirit of Peoria (Illinois), moored side-by-side on the Cincinnati riverfront. During the festival, passengers may enjoy a cruise up and down the Ohio, some including a meal, as well as a myriad of musical events and theatrical performances. Costumed volunteers add a bit of authenticity as they stroll the riverfront in period costumes. Just across the river, in Newport, Kentucky, is a reconstruction of a Civil War encampment; one can also tour a World War II personnel landing craft on the Covington, Kentucky side of the Licking River. (Cincinnati, Newport and Covington sit at the points where the Licking River meet the Ohio.) Anyone wanting to capture a bit of this American history should either come to Cincinnati and experience the celebration or enjoy the full gallery of pictures that I will build over the coming days. (Samples are available now in the main gallery section of this website.)

The tri-annual Tall Stacks Celebration comes to Cincinnati in early October. One of the most beautiful boats to join the armada of "tall stacked" river boats is the Belle of Louisville. A true paddle-wheel powered river boat, the Belle makes ready for the 100 mile journey up river to Cincinnati. The drive shaft and wheel crank will easily fight the Ohio River's current on the trip. Will the Belle be triumphant again this year in the annual steamboat race against the Delta Queen? We'll know in a few weeks.

The time in the DC area is now over. As a final sojourn I made the trek to Theodore Roosevelt Island, crossing over the Island pedestrian bridge in early evening. As I looked to the left I saw the Key Bridge, named in honor of Francis Scott Key, the author of the poem that eventually became the words to our National Anthem. The Key Bridge bore me from Arlington to Georgetown on many evenings during my visit and supplied the "tripod" as well as a lamp post prop for my earlier picture. A farewell photo of the bridge that had now become my friend was in order. I hope you enjoy the evening picture of the Key Bridge.