150 convention goers enjoyed an evening cruising the Mississippi. After a 45 minute bus journey we arrived in Alton, IL for a three hour sternwheeler dinner cruise aboard the Anastasia. (Alton is the namesake city of the Chicago & Alton Railroad) on the mighty Mississippi, called "Big Muddy" by locals.

Dinner consisted of a Prime Rib or Chicken Entree, with vegetables, salad, roll, and desert. But the best part of the evening was the atmosphere, a warm summer evening, and the scenery, which included numerous barges and the high cliffs along the river. The passengers were also entertained by a Bluegrass Band, The Cumberland Gap, who played such great songs as Wabash Cannonball, Rocky Top, and the Theme from the Beverly Hillbillies.

While riding the boat, we were also able to watch Norfolk Southern switch the grain elevator in Alton. One of the trains spotted was pulled by the NS engine commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Southern Railway. The engine is painted in resplendent Southern heritage colors.