Featuring North America’s Leading Travel Destinations
Taking a Museum to Sea: Mystic Seaport’s Charles W. Morgan
Rivers & Lakes
2 • Byways
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ell County! fanfare of Cab ng for everyone! Join in the interes ts, Huntington has somethi No matter your
Get thrills and chills at Camden Park!
Explore historical Appalachia at Heritage Farm Museum & Village!
Eat, drink and be merry at our unique fairs & festivals!
Romp and play in our award-winning parks!
Scour the city on a geocaching adventure!
Cheer on the Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium!
August 22-24 Pilot Club Antique Fair
July 21-27 Cabell County Fair
August 23 Diamond Teeth Mary Blues and Arts Festival
July 25-27 Huntington Classic: Powerboat Racing and Championship July 26 West Virginia Hotdog Festival
Discover the art of hand-blown glass at Blenko!
August 1-2 Blenko Festival of Glass Immerse yourself in art & culture at the Huntington Museum of Art!
Catch a show at Big Sandy Superstore Arena!
July 3 DAWG Dazzle
August 16 Rails & Ales Festival
September 6 The Color Run September 13 Chilifest September 17-20 Barboursville Fall Fest September 26-28 Greek Festival September 27 Huntington Music & Arts Festival
Stop by the Visitors Center to pick up your free visitor’s guide! Visit our website at www.wvvisit.org for a complete listing of Cabell County’s attractions and festivals. 210 Eleventh Street | Huntington, WV | 304.525.7333
WHERE GROUPS DROP ANCHOR FOR A
G R E AT DAY Got a big group? So do we.....of ways to entertain you. Like raising the sails of a historic vessel. Cruising the Mystic River. Exploring a 19th-century seafaring village. And enjoying our galleries, exhibits, Planetarium, shopping, and delicious food. Come for a few hours, or a full day. Information: 860.572.5309 Reservations: 860.572.5322
Byways Magazine
©Copyright 2014 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in any form without express written permission of the publisher.
Byways Magazine is celebrating its 31st year of publication in 2014, featuring the leading travel destinations along the highways and byways of North America. In 2010, Byways became an all digital publication. It is published in two versions, a free Turn-Key edition on the web for viewing on Computers, Android, iPhone and iPad. An Apple Newsstand/App Store edition including sound and interactive video is also available. All advertising and editorial is included in both versions of the publication. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine 7902 Pleasant Valley Court, Louisville, KY 40291 502-785-4875 http://bywaysmagazine.com
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PREVIEW By Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher
The return of the luxurious steamboat experience is elcome to our annual edition featured in the story on American Queen Steamboat exploring destinations along Company, celebrating the line’s most exciting and the rivers and lakes of North expansive program in 2014. The company operates the America. world’s largest and most opulent riverboat, the American There’s a reason why so many of our Queen. major destinations are located on river Also this year, the line’s entered the magnificent banks and the shores of lakes. We learn Pacific Northwest with the American Empress sailing about why in this issue, and then begin our journey at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, where we follow a which began in April. Next, we travel to Texas, to learn about Washington on musuem which has gone to sea. the Brazos. Here, under the direction of Sam Houston, When Mystic Seaport began the latest restoration of and only days after word of the massacre at the Alamo their historic whaleship Charles W. Morgan, the thought reached them in March, 1836, the delegates carried out of taking her back to their mission to sea on a new voyage draft a The world’s largest and most opulent riverboat: was on no one’s The American Queen. Declaration of mind. But that’s Independence exactly what hapfrom Mexico and pened when the establish a constiMorgan was towed tution for a new down the Mystic nation. River earlier this Etched in the year. history books forOur second stop is ever, Washington along the Ohio River, County became at a place where West the “Birthplace of Virginia, Ohio and Texas.” Kentucky meet. The final stop Here, we learn about takes us to the impact of both the Southwest Idaho’s river and the railroad Payette River on the development which promises of Huntington, West rafters a rapidVirginia. filled ride and In the Ozark Mountains, we visit Bull Shoals Lake, often an unforeseen dip into the chilly class III-IV located in both Missouri and Arkansas, and a very popuwaters. lar attraction for fans of the outdoors, with hundreds of Here, we learn how professional guides make it possimiles of lake arms and coves perfect for boating, water ble for first time rafters to enjoy some of the most chalsports, swimming, and fishing. lenging rapids anywhere in the country. Bull Shoals is one of four multiple purpose projects In What’s Happening, we travel to Seattle to learn how constructed in the upper White River Basin, along with Norfork, Table Rock, and Beaver Lake, for the control of the Space Needle is being transformed. Built as a symbol of the future for the Age of Space floods and the generation of hydro electric power. 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle's iconic Space Needle is once Ranger Boats is one of the most successful companies again embracing the promise of the future with groundin Arkansas, and one of the largest employers in the breaking digital experiences connecting visitors to the Ozark region at its plant in Flippin, Arkansas. It offers a sights and experiences of the Pacific Northwest. free plant tour for individuals and groups that will be a We hope you enjoy this issue of Byways. highlight of any trip to the region, whether or not they’ve ever touched a fishing pole or cruised the pristine waters of the beautiful lakes in the Ozarks. 4 • Byways
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Volume 31, Issue No. 4, 2014 On the cover. Mystic Seaport Taking a Museum to Sea. The Charles W. Morgan sails on Block Island Sound en route to Newport in June 2014. For more on this ship and our annual coverage of Rivers and Lakes, turn to page 8.
Features
Rivers & Lakes 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Mystic Seaport Museum at Sea: The Charles W. Morgan’s 38th Voyage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Huntington’s River & Railroad Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Bull Shoals Lake & Dam in the Arkansas Ozarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Experience a Ranger Boat Plant Tour in the Ozarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 The Return of the Luxurious Steamboat Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Washington on the Brazos, Texas Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Raging Rapids for Novice & Advanced on SW Idaho’s Payette River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Departments
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What’s Happening
New Space Needle Innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Coming in future issues of Byways…. . .Great American Roads, North America’s Top Tour Destinations, Great American Railroads and much more! At right: US 9 north of Red Hook. The historic road, pictured in Dutchess County, New York will be featured in the next Great American Roads issue. Photo courtesy Daniel Case. Byways • 7
Rivers & Lakes
The Buffalo National River in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Byways photo.
E
very year at this time Byways devotes an entire issue to the destinations along rivers and lakes in North America. But why are so many destinations located at these many bodies of water? Well, we’ve never really thought much about it. But we should, because it’s no coincidence that so many of our major destinations are located near rivers and lakes.
Rivers
Rivers have been used as a source of water, for obtaining food, for transport, as a defensive measure, as a source of hydropower to drive machinery, for bathing, and as a means of disposing of waste. Rivers have been used for navigation for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of navigation is found in the 8 • Byways
Indus Valley Civilization, which existed in northwestern Pakistan around 3300 BC. River navigation provides a cheap means of transport, and is still used extensively on most major rivers of the world. Rivers have been a source of food since pre-history. They can provide a rich source of fish and other edible aquatic life, and are a major source of fresh water, which can be used for drinking and irrigation. It is therefore no surprise to find most of the major cities of the world are situated on the banks of rivers. Rivers help to determine the urban form of cities and neighborhoods and their corridors often present opportunities for urban renewal through the development of greenways such as riverwalks.
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Lakes
Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are also larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams, which are usually flowing. However most lakes are fed and drained by rivers and streams. Natural lakes are generally found in mountainous areas, rift zones, and areas with ongoing glaciation. Many lakes are artificial and are constructed for industrial or agricultural use, for hydro-electric power generation or domestic water supply, or for aesthetic or recreational purposes. The majority of lakes on Earth are fresh water, and most lie in the Northern Hemisphere at higher latitudes.
Canada, with a drainage system has an estimated 31,752 lakes larger than 1.2 square miles and an unknown total number of lakes, but is estimated to be at least 2 million. In the United States, Minnesota has 10,000 lakes alone, and the total number for the entire country is estimated in the hundreds of thousands. There are a number of natural processes that can form lakes. A tectonic uplift of a mountain range can create bowl-shaped depressions that accumulate water and form lakes. The advance and retreat of glaciers can scrape depressions in the surface where water accumulates. The most notable examples are the Great Lakes of North America.
Waves in Lake Ontario, with the Toronto skyline in the background. Photo courtesy SYSS Mouse.
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Important Note: All URL links in this issue of Byways are live links. Click on the URL Links of Byways advertisers and explore their web sites at your leisure. When you have finished, just click the CLOSE tab at the top left and you will be taken right back to the page you were reading in Byways. Many of our advertising partners feature videos, music and additional photos in their website. Explore and enjoy!
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Mystic Seaport: Taking a Museum to Sea The Charles W. Morgan’s 38th Voyage
The Charles W. Morgan closes in on State Pier. Credit: Andy Price/Mystic Seaport Byways • 13
The Charles W. Morgan tied up next to USS Constitution in Boston on July 18, 2014.
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hen Mystic Seaport began the latest restoration of their historic whaleship Charles W. Morgan, the thought of taking her back to sea on a new voyage was on no one’s mind. The Morgan is the flagship of the Mystic, CT museum’s watercraft collection and a National Historic Landmark. She is the last of an iconic fleet that numbered 2,700 vessels and is the second-oldest American ship afloat—only the USS Constitution is older. But when the extent of the project was determined, and it was clear that at its completion the ship was going to be in as good a condition as the day she slipped down the ways of the New Bedford shipyard where she was built in 1841, someone did pose the question, “Why don’t we sail her?” It was hard to say no, so on May 17, 2014, the Morgan was towed down the Mystic River to nearby New London and fitted out for a voyage that would last almost two months. Dubbed the 38th Voyage, as the ship sailed on 37 voyages during her whaling career, the journey took her from Connecticut to Newport, Martha’s Vineyard, a grand homecoming celebration in New Bedford, Provincetown and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Boston, and a final stop at the Cape Cod Canal to participate in the waterway’s centennial. At each port, the ship was greeted by thousands of visitors who were able to board the vessel and explore a large dockside exhibit that explained the ship’s history and that of whaling, and included a wide range of activities and demonstrations, including sea music perform-
ances and dramatic story telling. The goal of the project was to raise awareness of the importance of maritime heritage in the story of America. Mystic Seaport tells this story in a number of different ways. There is the recreated 19th century seafaring village, where people can walk through historic buildings and speak with interpreters and role players who explain and demonstrate the skills necessary to support a ship at sea in New England in the 1860s. There are also formal exhibit halls which display artifacts from the museum’s collections, including artwork, scrimshaw, tools, textiles, photographs, ships plans, and much more. And of course, there is the watercraft collection that numbers more than 500 vessels, from the smallest kayak to the Morgan, a Grand Banks fishing schooner, a fully-rigged school ship, and the oldest coal-fired steamboat still operating on a regular passenger schedule. The museum selected key aspects of this experience to take on the road. So in addition to the typical information panels and video about the ship, the dockside exhibition included a shipsmith working at a forge, a cooper making barrels, role players interacting with people in their 1860s character, and the opportunity for visitors to actually row a whaleboat. NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries also joined in with a tent and activities to share their message of marine mammal preservation and ocean conservation, as part of the museum’s collaboration with them on whale watching sails in the sanctuary off Provincetown. The result of all of this effort is that Mystic Seaport has
Fireboats escort the Charles W. Morgan towards the hurricane gate at the New Bedford harbor entrance. Credit: Andy Price/Mystic Seaport
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Deckhands haul a line onCharles W. Morgan en route to Newport, Rhode Island. The Whaleship Charles W. Morgan encountering whales on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Photo courtesy Mystic Seaport.
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Flotilla greets the ships arrival in Vineyard Haven. Photo courtesy Andy Price/Mystic Seaport.
learned new ways to tell the story of America and the sea. more engaging ways. It also sets the stage for a grand The Morgan has returned to her role an exhibit at the new exhibit, “In the Wake of the Whalers,” to open in museum. But having sailed once again, she is more 2015. vibrant than ever and the experience has deepened the museum staff’s knowledge and ability to tell that story in
WHERE GROUPS DROP ANCHOR FOR A
G R E AT DAY Got a big group? So do we.....of ways to entertain you. Like raising the sails of a historic vessel. Cruising the Mystic River. Exploring a 19th-century seafaring village. And enjoying our galleries, exhibits, Planetarium, shopping, and delicious food. Come for a few hours, or a full day. Information: 860.572.5309 Reservations: 860.572.5322
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Huntington’s River & Railroad Heritage
View of the Ohio River and the East Huntington Bridge from the Guyandotte, WV boat dock. Photo courtesy JaGa. 18 • Byways
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H
untington sits on the mid-section of the scenic and historic Ohio River at the point where West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky meet. The city is home to some 56,000 citizens and serves a Tri-State area of 365,000 persons. Huntington is the turn-of-the-century railroad kingdom named for its founder, Collis P. Huntington. He was builder, owner and operator of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, beginning in the 1860s. Collis P. Huntington was known as “The Great Persuader” because of his aptitude as a natural born salesman. In 1862, Collis P. Huntington was able to convince Congress to designate the Central Pacific as the western end of the long-dreamed transcontinental railroad. He spent seven years struggling with the tremendous task of pushing the Central Pacific through the mountains to link it with the Union Pacific. In 1884, he became the first man in the United States to ride his own railroad car from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific over tracks he either owned or controlled. Huntington is a beautifully designed city situated on the banks of the Ohio River with a developed waterfront park, complete with amphitheater, playground, boat launch, and marina. The central business district, home 20 • Byways
Harris Riverfront Park with the Robert C. Byrd Bridge crossing the Ohio River in the background. Photo courtesy Wvfunnyman.
to a developing lifestyle entertainment complex along 3rd Avenue on the Midland Trail, has a rich diversity of architectural styles within its Historic District.
Downtown and Riverfront Harris Riverfront Park and the nearby Big Sandy Superstore Arena offer concerts and activities. Pullman Square offers a cineplex, dining, coffee shops, bookstore, and specialty shopping. The former B&O Railway Station has been converted into Heritage Station, an attractive plaza with a real locomotive and renovated Pullman car, the city’s first bank (once robbed by the James Gang), and unique shops and eateries. It is also the location of the CabellHuntington Convention and Visitors Bureau, which can provide visitors with more information about local attractions.
The Cabell County Courthouse
Ritter Park, Roses, and Art In Huntington’s south side neighborhood, enjoy unwinding at the 70-acre Ritter Park with its accredited Rose Garden. Nearby, the Huntington Museum of Art features 10 exhibition galleries, nature trails, sculpture garden, café, and gift shop. The museum’s Hilltop Festival is held the second weekend in September.
Boulevard and 22nd Street and 3rd and 5th Avenues. Tour locations from the 2006 movie We Are Marshall, which depicts the tragic 1970 crash of a plane carrying the Marshall University football team and the community’s recovery from the disaster.
Old Central City An antique paradise and a lively farmers’ market await shoppers at Old Central City and Central City Market on Marshall University Huntington’s 14th Street West antique district. MU’s beautiful campus, home of the Thundering Once a flourishing manufacturing town, Central City Herd, lies astride the Midland Trail between Hal Greer (1893-1909) became part of Huntington in 1909. The The Ohio River looking upstream from the Robert C. Byrd Bridge. Photo courtesy OhioRiverHuntWVBCBB via Wikipedia.
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Old Main is the oldest building on campus and home to many of the university's administrative offices. Photo courtesy Wvfunnyman.
area’s successful revitalization is anchored around the Central City Market and a beautiful green space with a gazebo for special events. Celebrate Old Central City Days the third weekend of June with historic tours, antiques, and entertainment. History buffs must see our unique museums. The Museum of Radio and Technology and the J. Taylor Auto Collection, Heritage Farm Museum and Village recreates and preserves Appalachian heritage and culture with its more than 17 restored buildings.
Barboursville Located near the junction of the Mud and Guyandotte Rivers, the Barboursville area was a crossroads for Shawnee Indians. Hunting plentiful game and mining the salt near Salt Rock, West Virginia, they along with the buffalo established early, well-used trails. In 1930, Route 60 bypassed the village and with river and rail business disappearing, Barboursville became a quiet, residential setting of historic homes. You can travel back in time with a historic walking tour of Barboursville that features 36 points of interest including homes, banks, businesses and other historic sites. Today Barboursville offers a modern mall complex as well as a historic main street area with shopping and restaurants, as well as its own share of festivals and special events throughout the year. 22 • Byways
Milton Eddie Powers, On September 16, 1876, the Glass Blower, Blenko Glass Town of Milton was incorpoCompany rated. In January of the same year a covered bridge was opened to provide access from James River Turnpike to the newly established town. The bridge has been restored to its original beauty. Nearby is the historic Union Baptist Church, organized in 1810, which was used during the Civil War by Union troops who occupied the building as a military post. In 1921 Blenko Glass Company was founded and is still in operation today creating hand blown glass pieces that are favorites in retail shops and prized by collectors throughout the nation. Today Milton is a thriving community that is home to the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, the Cabell County Fair, seasonal corn maze, giant flea market, and arts and crafts stores. All are easily accessible from U.S. Route 60 and Interstate 64. To learn more about Huntington and Cabell County, visit http://www.wvvisit.org.
! y t n u o C ll e b a e of C r a f n a f e h t everyone! n i r fo ng hi et Join m so s ha on gt interests, Huntin No matter your
Get thrills and chills at Camden Park!
Explore historical Appalachia at Heritage Farm Museum & Village!
Eat, drink and be merry at our unique fairs & festivals!
Romp and play in our award-winning parks!
Scour the city on a geocaching adventure!
Cheer on the Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium!
July 3 DAWG Dazzle
August 22-24 Pilot Club Antique Fair
July 21-27 Cabell County Fair
August 23 Diamond Teeth Mary Blues and Arts Festival
July 25-27 Huntington Classic: Powerboat Racing and Championship July 26 West Virginia Hotdog Festival
Discover the art of hand-blown glass at Blenko!
August 1-2 Blenko Festival of Glass Immerse yourself in art & culture at the Huntington Museum of Art!
Catch a show at Big Sandy Superstore Arena!
August 16 Rails & Ales Festival
September 6 The Color Run September 13 Chilifest September 17-20 Barboursville Fall Fest September 26-28 Greek Festival September 27 Huntington Music & Arts Festival
Stop by the Visitors Center to pick up your free visitor’s guide! Visit our website at www.wvvisit.org for a complete listing of Cabell County’s attractions and festivals. 210 Eleventh Street | Huntington, WV | 304.525.7333
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Bull Shoals Dam aerial photo, courtesy KTrimble. 26 • Byways
Bull Shoals Lake & Dam in the Arkansas Ozarks
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James A. Gaston Visitor Center at Arkansas’ Bull Shoals-White River State Park. Byways photo.
ull Shoals Lake, located in both Missouri and Arkansas, is a very popular attraction for fans of the outdoors, with hundreds of miles of lake arms and coves perfect for boating, water sports, swimming, and fishing. The lake was created by the construction of Bull Shoals Dam. The dam was created to impound the White River by one of the largest concrete dams in the United States and the 5th largest dam in the world at its inception. Work on the dam began in 1947, was completed in 1951 and dedicated by President Harry S. Truman in 1952. The lake is on the White River, roughly 60 miles south of Springfield, Missouri and around 170 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas. Bull Shoals is one of four multiple purpose projects constructed in the upper White River Basin, along with Norfork, Table Rock, and Beaver Lake, for the control of floods and the generation of hydro electric power. Bull Shoals has also become an excellent home to many recreational activities. The lake is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers and has the primary purpose of flood control. Bull Shoals can cover more than 71,000 acres at flood control levels, and 45,440 acres at conservation pool ele28 • Byways
Bull Shoals Lake at Sunset. Byways photo.
vation. Besides being an impoundment of the White River, tributaries for Bull Shoals include Little North Fork, Howard, East and West Sugarloaf, Bear, Jimmie, Bee, Big, Beaver and Swan creeks. Water flows through the dam and feeds the lower White River. Elevation of the lake ranges from 695 feet at top of flood control to 654 feet at top of conservation pool. Bull Shoals' limestone shorelines can range from 740 to 1050 miles depending on water height. The clear blue water of Bull Shoals attracts scuba Bull Shoals Dam was the 5th largest dam in the world divers and spear fishers from at its inception. Photo courtesy Antares573. many states. Museums, aves, the oldest house standing in Arkansas, and an old pioneer exhibits, White River Stories in the Johnboat Theater, village also attract many tourists to this beautiful lake. spectacular views of the area from the deck or the twoThe James A. Gaston Visitor Center at Bull Shoals- story observation tower, and a gift shop to find that perWhite River State Park is not your typical visitor center, fect souvenir. but an education center as well. It features state of the art
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A Ranger bass boat on Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas. Photo courtesy Ranger Boats.
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Experience a Ranger Boat Plant Tour in the Arkansas Ozarks
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A fiberglass bass boat is assembled at the Ranger plant in Flippin, Arkansas in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. The plant tours are free and open to the public.
anger Boats are one of the most well-know name brands in recreational boating, and a bass fisherman’s dream come true. But Ranger is also one of the most successful companies in Arkansas, one of the largest employers in the Ozark region at its plant in Flippin, Arkansas, and offers a free plant tour that should not be missed by anyone, whether or not they’ve ever touched a fishing pole or cruised the pristine waters of the beautiful lakes in the Ozarks. The beginnings of Ranger can be traced to 1968 when founders Forrest and Nina Wood were operating a successful fishing guide service on Bull Shoals Lake, the White River and Crooked Creek. Guiding from large, heavy, wooden boats, Forrest's long hours and years of guiding taught him the value and real need for a design which was comfortable, efficient, and most importantly… demonstrated unquestionable quality. With those merits in mind, his dream to build a quality fishing boat began. Forrest wanted his boat's strength, integrity, and commitment to be reflected in a single name. A patriot and cowboy at heart, he looked to the legendary reputation of 32 • Byways
the U.S. Army Rangers and the rugged western heritage of the Texas Rangers. Today, the dream he set in motion proudly carries the hard-earned badge and fierce reputation of “Ranger”. From the start, Forrest Wood's ideas were straightforward and confident. Napkins, scrap paper and anything to write with were his design templates. Listening closely to anglers and customers was his engineering plan. His initial designs were so well accepted by other guides and anglers that the business soon took off in earnest. The original (6) boats were built in what is now the City Hall in downtown Flippin, Arkansas. Manufacturing was then moved to an unoccupied dance hall on the edge of town that had been known as the "Silver Star" when Marion County was temporarily a "wet" county during the construction of Bull Shoals Dam. In 1969, orders expanded to 600 boats and in 1970 production doubled to 1200 boats, each selling for $1,000 complete with lights and steering. Demand was good and orders were streaming in. Then disaster struck. The boat plant burned to the ground on the evening of May 4th, 1971. Forty boat orders were salvaged from
Forrest's army surplus desk the next day. Family, friends and employees rallied to help, cleaning off the charred slab and helping to rebuild. Some dealers even offered to pay for their boats in advance. All of this along with determination and hard work had production restored within 40 days. About this time, Forrest started fishing in several newly-created competitive bass fishing tournaments. His tournament presence and fine products resulted in the rapid expansion of Ranger orders and production. In association with these tournaments, Forrest Wood and Ranger helped to pioneer the sport of tournament bass fishing. Ranger discovered very early that most boats spend more time on their trailers than in the water. Experience also proved that ill-fitting boat trailers actually damage a boat's hull and running surfaces over time. For that reason, Ranger builds their own custom boat trailers…RangerTrail® trailers…each precisely fitted to protect the hull they are carrying and are matched to that boat in color and styling. During the mid-1970s, Ranger also began building boats for walleye, salmon, and musky anglers. Traditionally an arena populated by aluminum boats, the Ranger Fisherman Series has become the boat of choice with knowledgeable, big-water anglers. A premium line of Saltwater flats, bay and intracoastal boats are also among the well-established and strongly recognized
products available. The atmosphere that Forrest and Nina cultivated early on has resulted in an environment that not only enjoys the experienced advantage of a long-time workforce, but also consistently draws a fresh field of extremely talented craftsmen. Tours are free and require no reservations. Tours are Monday through Friday (except holidays) at the following times: 8:30 am, 10:30 am, and 1:30 pm. For large groups, those with special needs or for more information call (870) 453-2222. http://www.rangerboats.com
A tour guide is provided with every tour and explains in detail the process in building a Ranger boat. Byways • 33
The Return of the Luxurio
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ous Steamboat Experience
The 436-guest river boat American Queen. Photos courtesy American Queen Steamboat Company. Byways • 35
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he American Queen Steamboat Company is celebrating the line’s most exciting and expansive program in 2014. The company operates the world’s largest and most opulent riverboat: the American Queen. Also this year, the line’s entered the magnificent Pacific Northwest with the American Empress sailing which began in April. “We are amazed by the overwhelming, heartfelt response to the American Queen and the luxurious amenities that she provides, including deluxe hotel stays before each voyage, remarkable shore excursions in each port and a wealth of complimentary onboard amenities,” shares American Queen Steamboat Company President & COO Ted Sykes. “We’re pleased to be introducing our elegant and intimate style of travel to the Columbia and Snake Rivers with the American Empress.” This is the American Queen’s second season, capturing her stunning refurbishment, expanded dining venues, enhanced public spaces and refreshed yet authentic Antebellum décor. The 436-guest river boat’s itineraries include an expanded season on the Lower Mississippi with 25 itineraries operating between her homeport of Memphis to New Orleans or New Orleans roundtrip. The U.S. flagged American Queen, the largest, most opulent riverboat in the world. Longer than a football 36 • Byways
field, towering six decks in height and laced with fanciful gingerbread trim, she is a marvel of modern engineering. Her journeys through the heartland offer a unique perspective on America’s history, culture and landscape with convenient departures from some of America’s most iconic river port cities including Memphis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and St. Paul. The treasures of summer and colors of fall are celebrated on 11 Upper Mississippi voyages calling on favorite ports, including Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Mo., and Red Wing, Min., as the American Queen sails between St. Louis and St. Paul. Seven itineraries on the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers will explore locales between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, highlighting the region’s kaleidoscope of big cities and small towns. A special Riverboat Rally sailing embarking from Jeffersonville, Ind., will celebrate the 100th birthday of the famed Belle of Louisville and conclude with the American Queen debut in Nashville, Tenn. as the largest riverboat in the world sails the Cumberland River. A collection of 18-themed cruises are available on the American Queen including two new Bourbon & Bluegrass journeys exploring hand-picked distilleries.
Pacific Northwest Re-tracing the footsteps of Lewis and Clark while featuring all the comforts of modern luxury, the American Empress sails between Portland, Ore., and Clarkston, Wash., A total of 32 nine-day voyages will sail through November 16 with ports of call including Astoria, Wash.; Stevenson, Wash.; The Dalles, Ore.; Sacajawea State Park, Wash.; and Richland, Wash. The 223-guest American Empress serves as a floating boutique hotel exploring the heart of Washington’s vineyards and celebrating the Walla Walla Wine Trail. All journeys include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in all ports, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and a host of other amenities. To request additional information and make reservations, contact the American Queen Steamboat Company at 888-749-5280, visit online at www.AQSC.com. Re-tracing the footsteps of Lewis and Clark while featuring all the comforts of modern luxury, the American Empress.
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The Brazos River in Washington County, Texas played an important role in the creation of the Texas Republic. 38 • Byways
Washington 0n the Brazos
Texas Independence Byways • 39
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A replica of Independence Hall echoes with the voices of the men who created the Republic’s governing documents.
honor of Texas’ declaration of freedom from Mexico. In 1839, a Baptist church was established where Sam Houston attended and was baptized. Houston’s motherin-law was so grateful that she had a large iron bell created and presented to the church. The Texas Baptist Historical Center-Museum features this bell, along with many other early Texas history exhibits. Washington holds a unique place in Texas history; today you will find Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, “Where Texas became Texas” and the Star of the Republic Museum on its original site. A replica of Independence Hall echoes with the voices of the men Texas Independence Independence began in 1824 on land granted by who created the Republic’s governing documents. The Mexico to Judge John Prince Coles, who came to Texas museum perpetuates “Old Washington” through exciting in 1821 as one of Stephen F. Austin’s 300 colonists. In cultural exhibits focused on the Republic period. The period is also brought to life in living color at 1836, the community was renamed Independence in
t was on March 2, 1836, that a delegation of 59 men gathered at Washington on the Brazos to determine how to protect themselves from the tyrannical Mexican government. A few days later, news of the massacre at the Alamo reached them. Under Sam Houston’s direction, the delegates carried out their mission to draft a Declaration of Independence and establish a constitution for a new nation. Etched in the history books forever, Washington County became the “Birthplace of Texas.”
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Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site and Visitor Center. Barrington Living History Farm. Visitors can also spend time viewing the Visitor Center’s interactive exhibits, shop in the extensive gift shop, enjoy a picnic lunch on the beautiful park grounds next to the Brazos River and explore interpretive trails. The Barrington Living History Farm. Photos courtesy Washington County Tourism.
Brenham Brenham, the county seat, opened to settlement under the Spanish in 1821 and was named for Dr. Richard Fox Brenham, a hero of the Texas Republic and the Mier Expedition. Washington County was formally organized
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in 1837 as part of Stephen F. Austin’s original colony. Downtown Brenham features an array of antiques and specialty shops clustered around the courthouse square, and offers a variety of restaurants, as well as the Brenham Heritage Museum and Unity Theatre.
Burton Burton, population 325, prospered during the 19th and 20th centuries surrounded by cotton farms. Today, it is known for its historic, restored 1914 cotton gin which has been named the Texas Cotton Gin Museum by the Texas Legislature.
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Visitor Information Center in Brenham, Texas.
Chappell Hill Chappell Hill was founded in 1847, prospered as a popular stagecoach stop and also provided a steamboat port for shipping cotton down the Brazos River to the Port of Houston. A dozen National Register properties and a museum record the town’s early history. It is also home to the annual Bluebonnet Festival in April and Scarecrow Festival in October. For additional information on Washington County, visit www.VisitBrenhamTexas.com
Burton’s historic, restored 1914 cotton gin on the site of the Texas Gin Museum.
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Rafters on the North Fork Cabarton section of the Payette River, near Smiths Ferry, Idaho.
Raging Rapids for Novice & Advanced on Southwest Idaho’s Payette River By Lindsay Woychick
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T
ighten up the lifejacket, don’t let go of the grip, and brace yourself. Southwest Idaho’s Payette River promises rafters a rapid-filled ride and often an unforeseen dip into the chilly class III-IV waters. For first time rafters, getting an adrenaline surge as powerful as the South Fork’s whitewater wouldn’t be possible without the help of an experienced guide. Two local companies, Cascade Raft and Kayak and Bear Valley Rafting Co., make the river’s roughest stretches of water accessible to novice and advanced rafters each season. “We have customers who come in every year, and they get a unique experience because of the changes in water levels, different people in their raft and their guide,” Cascade Raft and Kayak Manager Anne Long said. “That’s what keeps people coming to raft again.” More than 20,000 commercial and private rafters travel down the North, South and Main Forks of the Payette River, with approximately 10,000 of those rafting with Cascade Raft and Kayak guides, Long said. Cascade Raft and Kayak’s third-generation familyowned business has been guiding rafters down the Payette for 29 years at its location 45 minutes from the state’s capital of Boise. “Southwest Idaho is a great spot for all kinds of outdoor activities, and the Payette River is really close to town so it makes it easy to do in a half-day trip,” Long said. Long enjoys the challenge of the South Fork’s class IV 46 • Byways
Staircase rapid and recommends beginners and groups try the South Fork’s Main Payette or Cabarton section for a more relaxed trip during the high-season from MayAugust. “June has higher water, so for those who have got some experience and are looking for the big thrills, they should come at the end of May or early June,” Long said. “July and August are fantastic too, because the water levels are still good, and the weather is dependably warm.” After a half-day or full-day guided trip down the Payette, rafters come off the river smiling, Long said. “It’s so great to see how excited they are, and they want to go again right then,” Long said. “They’re exhausted, because they’ve been out in the sun, playing, and swimming with that adrenaline rush that gives you that good kind of tired feeling.” Bear Valley Rafting, another long-time area rafting company, takes an estimated 5,000 rafters down the same III-IV stretches of the Payette River and finds advantages to Idaho whitewater every year. “We’re really lucky here,” Bear Valley Rafting Co. General Manager Phil White said. “We don’t just have one section of river that we run, we have whitewater for kids as young as four years-old, and we’ve probably taken people in their 80s.” White has been guiding and managing Bear Valley Rafting Co. for 15 years and finds the company’s retention of experienced rafters its biggest asset. “For us, it’s about having experienced guides,” White
said. “We have guides that have made this their career—it’s not their job for a couple summers to have a good time.” White recommends beginners try the half-day trip down the Main Payette that includes class III rapids like Mix Master, Go Left or You’re Fired and AMF. For more experienced rafters and adventure seekers, White encourages rafters to try the Canyon-South Fork fullday raft trip that takes rafters down 14 miles of whitewater. Bear Valley Rafting Co. and Cascade Raft and Kayak both offer full-day and half-day options on the North, South and Main Fork of the Payette ranging from $30-$110. For more information about rafting Southwest Idaho visit: www.visitsouthwestidaho.org, www.bearvalleyrafting.com and www.cascaderaft.com
Map courtesy USGS
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s n o i t a v no n I ” e r An o e f l e d B e e r N e c a “Neve p S le’s t e t r a u e t S n e e dv A Mak g n i z Ama
Space Needle at Night. Photo courtesy Yatharth. 48 • Byways
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uilt as a symbol of the future for the Age of Space 1962 World's Fair, Seattle's iconic Space Needle is once again embracing the promise of the future the curtain has come up on ground-breaking digital experiences that will inspire urban explorers and connect visitors to the sights and experiences of the Pacific Northwest in ways that, until now, could only be imagined. With a vantage point 520 feet above the city, the Space Needle has unofficially acted as a launch pad for many a visitors’ Seattle experience. Starting today, visitors and Space Needle gazers the world over can download the new Space Needle Mobile App to serve as their guide and memory book to Seattle's original high-rise. Acting as a starting point for exploration, the app presents alternative views with augmented reality, shares a look at historical events, and helps visitors locate and learn about all the key sights in town. On the Observation Deck, visitors will find kiosks that transport them to the octopus tank at the Seattle Aquarium or onto the pitch with the Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field. Guests can connect with the city in these unrivaled one-of-kind experiences like never before. “Since its
Place Market to see what the fish sees as it flies through the air into a crowd of onlookers, or climb aboard one of the houseboats made famous by the film Sleepless in Seattle. With a click on a kiosk, guests can take a 360° tour of “never seen before” experiences. “One of the greatest aspects of this project has been the local partnerships that made these experiences possible. Microsoft technology played an integral role, as did several top creative and interactive development agencies," said Karen Olson, vice president of marketing, Space Needle. "We pushed beyond what we thought was possible to offer our guests, and locals alike, experiences that are totally unique, memorable, and shareable. We’re heightening our guests’ ability to discover Seattle with new experiences that deliver more interaction, insights, connections, smiles and ‘wow.’ And, there is more to come.” Space Needle SpaceBook is another innovation that has launched. When guests arrive, their ticket will unlock unique digital photo experiences at the Space Needle and create a personalized online memory book for them. The free
g n i n e p p a H s ’ t Wha
inception, the Space Needle has been a symbol of innovation and creativity,” said Jeff Wright, chairman, Space Needle, LLC. “Staying true to that vision, we are introducing digital experiences that are not only groundbreaking for us, but for towers around the world.” Onsite, the experience starts at the Launch Pad. Through the app, guests point their iPhone or Android”phone at one of several unique "Space Spots” on the ground and experience “augmented reality” as the Space Needle rises out of the spot with fireworks, space ships or numerous other experiences in their viewer. Friends and family can even step into the picture and put their arms around the Needle for a photo or walk on a virtual glass floor. On the Observation Deck, guests can reach into the past or peer into the future with the 20’ x 8’ digital touchscreen SkyPad™ that displays thousands of photos of visits to the Space Needle from the early 60s to today. Guests can post photos of their own experience or pin their hometown on a digital globe, showing others who have visited from the same location. The 520 Teleporter digital kiosks incorporate Microsoft's Photosynth (http://photosynth.net/) technology which captures places in amazing resolution and full 3D. Get transported to the Pike
photo experiences include the popular silver screen photos where guests pose and select different backgrounds. Two addition photo experiences will be launching this summer – a SkyHigh Selfie and a Zoomie™, the ultimate “zoom selfie.” These and many more elements of this re-invented guest experience has roll-out. For more on what's to come visit: www.spaceneedle.com
About the Space Needle: The Space Needle is the celebrated icon of Seattle, second only to the Eiffel Tower in Paris as the most easily-identified global skyline feature. Built for the 1962 Age of Space World's Fair, it continues to symbolize the leading-edge innovation and technology that the city is known for and serve as a beacon into the future.
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Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America. Byways is emailed to more than 4000 tour operators plus selected travel agencies through the internet. Subscriptions are complimentary. An iPad & iPhone version is available for consumers in iTunes and Newsstand in the App Store. Byways’ distribution includes motorcoach companies, tour operators, and selected travel agents, bank travel managers, school band and athletic planners, and meeting planners. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine, 7902 Pleasant Valley Court, Louisville, KY 40291. Telephone 502-785-4875. ©Copyright 2014 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in any form without express written permission of the publisher. Editor and Publisher Stephen M. Kirchner
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