Tours by Boats, Trains and Wagons

During our travels of the 48 contiguous United States, we have had many interesting and informative tours on busses, boats, trains and wagons. Each one has been unique. Some tours have involved food, some have immersed us in history, some have taken us to places we would not have gone otherwise and some have been purely relaxing. All have entertained.

Boats

Boating is always an enjoyable activity for us. For many years we owned a 34’ sport fishing boat called Beginnings. We spent many summers exploring the coast of Maine and swimming off the back of our boat.

Connecticut

Mystic: https://mysticrivercruises.com/
Our tour of the Mystic River was on an antique 1947 wooden picnic boat that holds 6 people. We were with family so it gave an intimate relaxing feel of being on the water exploring islands and coves on the Mystic River. Our captain was also the boat owner who had been navigating these waters for many years.

Idaho

Coeur D’Alene: https://www.cdacruises.com/
We took a six-hour boat cruise the entire length of Coeur D’Alene (CDA) Lake and down the St. Joe River. The captain was knowledgeable and informative. You could also purchase a buffet lunch (which we did!). We spent most of our time on the upper deck, but there was also an air-conditioned area if that was more to your liking.

Louisiana

Lafayette: https://www.cajuncountryswamptours.com/
We had never been on a boat in a swamp! This tour exceeded our expectations! We went on open water and into the swamps “with no openings”. We were always within eyesight of very attentive alligators, birds and turtles. BTW, to avoid confusion, please note there are two swamp boat tours with similar names within ½ mile of each other!

Missouri

Branson: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/showboat-branson
For this boat tour of Table Rock Lake, we went out on the Branson Belle, a replica of the showboats of the 1800s. The Branson Belle is actually a new boat, launched in 1994. Included in the two-hour boat tour was a three-course lunch and a live musical performance. It was a relaxing way to see the lake.

Montana

Missoula: https://mttroutguides.com/fly-fishing-outfitters/
Montana Trout Outfitters offers fly fishing trips in the Missoula area. Though we have both been fishing before, neither of us had ever been fly-fishing! We floated down the Blackfoot River to learn fly-fishing!! Scott, our tour guide, taught us some very basic fly-fishing skills. We caught a couple dozen fish; all were released back into the river.

Ohio

Easton: https://canals.org/visit/canal-boat/
This was a very different type of boat ride! We were passengers on the Volunteer, a replica of a boat used during the 1880s along the original Miami and Erie Canal towpath on the north side of the Maumee River. This 1-mile, mule-pulled boat trip includes rising 3.5 feet at the Isaac Ludwig Mill and Lock #44.

Trains

Trains have played a big part in the history of this country. As history buffs, if there is a train ride in an area we are visiting, we will be there! These are three we especially enjoyed.

Arizona

Williams: https://www.thetrain.com/
The Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona and the Grand Canyon. It is a very relaxing way to travel to the Grand Canyon!! It is interesting to see the topography change from one end of the ride to the other. As if the scenery wasn’t enough, snacks and entertainment, including a “train robbery”, are provided.

South Dakota

Rapid City: https://www.1880train.com/
We loved this 2.5-hour train ride through the Black Hills! One-way or round-trip options are available with a start in either Hill City or Keystone, SD. In 1957, William Heckman believed “there should be one working steam railroad, for boys of all ages.” The 1880 Train is reported to be the oldest continuously operating tourist train in the area.

Missouri

Branson: https://www.bransontrain.com/
The Branson Scenic Railway takes passengers on an almost 2-hour ride through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. The scenery is spectacular. The train ride takes you through tunnels and across trestles. If you are in Branson in November or December, check out the Polar Express ride!

Horse Drawn Wagons

Wagons and wagon trains are part of the experience of traveling. Our ancestors were traveling west for new experiences. We do the same in experiencing a location!

North Carolina

Wilmington: http://www.horsedrawntours.com/
Springbrook Farms, LLC has been rescuing Percheron horses for more than 36 years. The horses “work” one week a month and relax in their pasture the other 3 weeks of the month. On the week they work, they are rotated with other teams to ensure they are not over stressed. These are the horses used for the carriage rides (wagons).

We had the pleasure of a tour in the old Wilmington downtown (Market Street) by horse drawn carriage. We rode by the riverfront and the old historic mansions. We learned the origin of pineapples on gates and bed frames! And we learned why porch roofs were painted blue. If you are interested as to why, send us an email!

Take-away Points

We always like to seek out the unique during our travels. Our journey is not just campground to campground or major attraction to major attraction. We like to find the places and experiences that are out of the way. We are delighted to share some of these experiences with you!

Your partners in travel,
Kathryn, Dave and Lucky
RVing Nomads

It’s a lifestyle

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