TRAVEL Q&a
Mississippi Yearning
By Elissa Leibowitz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 18, 2004; Page P03
Q Our family plans to drive along the Mississippi River, from its headwaters in Minnesota to Louisiana. We'd like to take short boat trips along the way. Any suggestions?
Tom Howell
Washington
AThe Mississippi is the longest waterway in the United States, flowing 2,552 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The Great River Road hugs the river as it cuts through 10 states. Along the way are 87 parks and 1,100 National Historic Register sites.
I'd suggest getting your hands on the info-packed map ($3) produced by the Mississippi River Parkway Commission (763-212-2560, www.mississippiriverinfo.com). It outlines the route and points out more than 200 cities and sites to visit. Among those: the headwaters of the river at Lake Itasca State Park in Minnesota; Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, Mo.; and prehistoric burial mounds in Iowa, Illinois and Kentucky.
A good theme for the middle chunk of your trip could be the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's expedition. Many museums and tourist sites along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail are celebrating the anniversary with exhibits and events. Consider a stop at the gravesite of William Clark in St. Louis. Info: 402-661-1804, www.nps.gov/lecl.
For cruises, the Great River Steamboat Co. runs the paddlewheel-driven Julia Belle Swain out of La Crosse, Wis., with overnight cruises from $279 and day trips from $30. Info: 800-815-1005, www.juliabelle.com. An hour-long sightseeing cruise runs three times daily aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat in Hannibal for $10. Info: 573-221-3222, www.marktwainriverboat.com.
If you continue on to New Orleans, consider a two-hour jazz cruise aboard the steamboat Natchez. Cost from $18.50. Info: 504-586-8777, www.steamboatnatchez.com.
On a recent flight I noticed a lot of people had both a suitcase and computer case as carry-on items, even though the limit was supposed to be one. Are they considered one item? I was afraid my purse would be considered my carry-on and I'd have to check my computer bag.
Rebecca Frasure
© 2004 The Washington Post Company
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