Featuring North America’s Leading Travel Destinations

Rivers & Lakes

Taking a Museum to Sea:Mystic Seaport’s

Charles W. Morgan

2 • Byways

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Instant ConnectDirect one-click digital links to our Advertisers

Explore historical Appalachia at Heritage Farm

Museum & Village!

Romp and play in our award-winning parks!

Discover the art of hand-blown glass at Blenko!

Cheer on the Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium!

Immerse yourself in art & culture at the Huntington Museum of Art!

Catch a show at Big Sandy Superstore Arena!

Get thrills and chills at Camden Park!

Eat, drink and be merry at our unique fairs & festivals!

July 3DAWG Dazzle July 21-27Cabell County Fair July 25-27Huntington Classic: Powerboat Racing and Championship July 26West Virginia Hotdog Festival August 1-2Blenko Festival of Glass August 16Rails & Ales Festival

August 22-24Pilot Club Antique Fair

August 23Diamond Teeth Mary Blues and Arts Festival September 6The Color Run

September 13Chilifest September 17-20Barboursville Fall Fest September 26-28Greek Festival September 27Huntington Music & Arts Festival

Join in the fanfare of Cabell County!

No matter your interests, Huntington has something for everyone!

210 Eleventh Street | Huntington, WV | 304.525.7333

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.

Scour the city on a geocaching adventure!

WHERE GROUPS DROP ANCHOR FOR A

GREAT 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 dupli-

cated 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 des-

tinations along the highways and byways of North America. In 2010, Byways became an all digitalpublication. It is published in two versions, a free Turn-Key edition on the web for viewing onComputers, Android, iPhone and iPad. An Apple Newsstand/App Store edition including soundand interactive video is also available. All advertising and editorial is included in both versions of thepublication.

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Welcome to our annual editionexploring destinations alongthe rivers and lakes of North

America.There’s a reason why so many of our

major destinations are located on riverbanks and the shores of lakes. We learn

about why in this issue, and then begin our journey atMystic Seaport in Connecticut, where we follow amusuem which has gone to sea.

When Mystic Seaport began the latest restoration oftheir historic whaleship Charles W. Morgan, the thoughtof taking her back tosea on a new voyagewas on no one’smind. But that’sexactly what hap-pened when theMorgan was toweddown the MysticRiver earlier thisyear.

Our second stop isalong the Ohio River,at a place where WestVirginia, Ohio andKentucky meet.Here, we learn aboutthe impact of both theriver and the railroadon the developmentof Huntington, WestVirginia.

In the Ozark Mountains, we visit Bull Shoals Lake,located in both Missouri and Arkansas, and a very popu-lar attraction for fans of the outdoors, with hundreds ofmiles of lake arms and coves perfect for boating, watersports, swimming, and fishing.

Bull Shoals is one of four multiple purpose projectsconstructed in the upper White River Basin, along withNorfork, Table Rock, and Beaver Lake, for the control offloods and the generation of hydro electric power.

Ranger Boats is one of the most successful companiesin Arkansas, and one of the largest employers in theOzark region at its plant in Flippin, Arkansas. It offers afree plant tour for individuals and groups that will be ahighlight of any trip to the region, whether or not they’veever touched a fishing pole or cruised the pristine watersof the beautiful lakes in the Ozarks.

The return of the luxurious steamboat experience isfeatured in the story on American Queen SteamboatCompany, celebrating the line’s most exciting andexpansive program in 2014. The company operates theworld’s largest and most opulent riverboat, the AmericanQueen.

Also this year, the line’s entered the magnificentPacific Northwest with the American Empress sailingwhich began in April.

Next, we travel to Texas, to learn about Washington onthe Brazos. Here, under the direction of Sam Houston,and only days after word of the massacre at the Alamoreached them in March, 1836, the delegates carried out

their mission todraft aDeclaration ofI n d e p e n d e n c efrom Mexico andestablish a consti-tution for a newnation.

Etched in thehistory books for-ever, WashingtonCounty becamethe “Birthplace ofTexas.”

The final stoptakes us toSouthwest Idaho’sPayette Riverwhich promisesrafters a rapid-filled ride and

often an unforeseen dip into the chilly class III-IVwaters.

Here, we learn how professional guides make it possi-ble for first time rafters to enjoy some of the most chal-lenging rapids anywhere in the country.

In What’s Happening, we travel to Seattle to learn howthe Space Needle is being transformed.

Built as a symbol of the future for the Age of Space1962 World’s Fair, Seattle's iconic Space Needle is onceagain embracing the promise of the future with ground-breaking digital experiences connecting visitors to thesights and experiences of the Pacific Northwest.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Byways.

By Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher

The world’s largest and most opulent riverboat: The American Queen.

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PREVIEW

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FeaturesRivers & Lakes 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Mystic Seaport Museum at Sea: The Charles W. Morgan’s 38th Voyage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Huntington’s River & Railroad Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Bull Shoals Lake & Dam in the Arkansas Ozarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Experience a Ranger Boat Plant Tour in the Ozarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30The Return of the Luxurious Steamboat Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Washington on the Brazos, Texas Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Raging Rapids for Novice & Advanced on SW Idaho’s Payette River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

DepartmentsByways Instant Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Byways Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Free Byways Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

What’s HappeningNew Space Needle Innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Coming in future issues of Byways…. . .Great American Roads, North America’s Top TourDestinations, Great American Railroads and much more!

At right: US 9 north ofRed Hook. The historicroad, pictured inDutchess County, NewYork will be featured inthe next GreatAmerican Roads issue.Photo courtesy DanielCase.

Volume 31, Issue No. 4, 2014

On the cover. Mystic Seaport Taking a Museum to Sea. TheCharles W. Morgan sails on Block Island Sound en route to Newportin June 2014. For more on this ship and our annual coverage ofRivers and Lakes, turn to page 8.

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Every year at this time Byways devotes an entireissue to the destinations along rivers and lakes inNorth 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 ofour major destinations are located near rivers and lakes.Rivers

Rivers have been used as a source of water, for obtain-ing food, for transport, as a defensive measure, as asource of hydropower to drive machinery, for bathing,and as a means of disposing of waste.

Rivers have been used for navigation for thousands ofyears. The earliest evidence of navigation is found in the

Indus Valley Civilization, which existed in northwesternPakistan around 3300 BC. River navigation provides acheap means of transport, and is still used extensively onmost 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 edibleaquatic life, and are a major source of fresh water, whichcan be used for drinking and irrigation.

It is therefore no surprise to find most of the majorcities of the world are situated on the banks of rivers.Rivers help to determine the urban form of cities andneighborhoods and their corridors often present opportu-nities for urban renewal through the development ofgreenways such as riverwalks.

Rivers & LakesThe Buffalo National River in the OzarkMountains of Arkansas. Byways photo.

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LakesLakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, and

therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are also largerand deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted withrivers or streams, which are usually flowing. Howevermost lakes are fed and drained by rivers and streams.

Natural lakes are generally found in mountainousareas, rift zones, and areas with ongoing glaciation.

Many lakes are artificial and are constructed for indus-trial or agricultural use, for hydro-electric power genera-tion or domestic water supply, or for aesthetic orrecreational purposes.

The majority of lakes on Earth are fresh water, andmost lie in the Northern Hemisphere at higher latitudes.

Canada, with a drainage system has an estimated 31,752lakes larger than 1.2 square miles and an unknown totalnumber of lakes, but is estimated to be at least 2 million.

In the United States, Minnesota has 10,000 lakesalone, and the total number for the entire country is esti-mated in the hundreds of thousands.

There are a number of natural processes that can formlakes. A tectonic uplift of a mountain range can createbowl-shaped depressions that accumulate water andform lakes. The advance and retreat of glaciers canscrape depressions in the surface where water accumu-lates. The most notable examples are the Great Lakes ofNorth America.

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Waves in Lake Ontario, with the Toronto skyline inthe 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 Linksof 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 werereading in Byways. Many of our advertising partners feature videos, music and additionalphotos in their website. Explore and enjoy!

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Mystic Seaport: Taking a Museum to SeaThe Charles W. Morgan’s

38th Voyage

The Charles W. Morgan closes in on State Pier.Credit: Andy Price/Mystic Seaport

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The Charles W. Morgan tied up next to USSConstitution in Boston on July 18, 2014.

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Fireboats escort the Charles W. Morgan towards the hurricanegate at the New Bedford harbor entrance.

Credit: Andy Price/Mystic Seaport

When Mystic Seaport began the latest restorationof 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 flag-ship of the Mystic, CT museum’s watercraft collectionand a National Historic Landmark. She is the last of aniconic fleet that numbered 2,700 vessels and is the sec-ond-oldest American ship afloat—only the USSConstitution is older.

But when the extent of the project was determined, andit was clear that at its completion the ship was going tobe in as good a condition as the day she slipped down theways of the New Bedford shipyard where she was builtin 1841, someone did pose the question, “Why don’t wesail her?”

It was hard to say no, so on May 17, 2014, the Morganwas towed down the Mystic River to nearby NewLondon and fitted out for a voyage that would last almosttwo months. Dubbed the 38th Voyage, as the ship sailedon 37 voyages during her whaling career, the journeytook her from Connecticut to Newport, Martha’sVineyard, a grand homecoming celebration in NewBedford, Provincetown and Stellwagen Bank NationalMarine Sanctuary, Boston, and a final stop at the CapeCod Canal to participate in the waterway’s centennial.

At each port, the ship was greeted by thousands of vis-itors who were able to board the vessel and explore alarge dockside exhibit that explained the ship’s historyand that of whaling, and included a wide range of activ-ities 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 differentways. There is the recreated 19th century seafaring vil-lage, where people can walk through historic buildingsand speak with interpreters and role players who explainand demonstrate the skills necessary to support a ship atsea in New England in the 1860s. There are also formalexhibit halls which display artifacts from the museum’scollections, including artwork, scrimshaw, tools, textiles,photographs, ships plans, and much more. And ofcourse, there is the watercraft collection that numbersmore than 500 vessels, from the smallest kayak to theMorgan, a Grand Banks fishing schooner, a fully-riggedschool ship, and the oldest coal-fired steamboat stilloperating on a regular passenger schedule.

The museum selected key aspects of this experience totake on the road. So in addition to the typical informationpanels and video about the ship, the dockside exhibitionincluded a shipsmith working at a forge, a cooper mak-ing barrels, role players interacting with people in their1860s character, and the opportunity for visitors to actu-ally row a whaleboat. NOAA’s National MarineSanctuaries also joined in with a tent and activities toshare their message of marine mammal preservation andocean conservation, as part of the museum’s collabora-tion with them on whale watching sails in the sanctuaryoff Provincetown.

The result of all of this effort is that Mystic Seaport has

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The Whaleship Charles W. Morgan encounteringwhales on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine

Sanctuary. Photo courtesy Mystic Seaport.

Deckhands haul a line on-Charles W. Morgan en route to

Newport, Rhode Island.

learned new ways to tell the story of America and the sea.The Morgan has returned to her role an exhibit at themuseum. But having sailed once again, she is morevibrant than ever and the experience has deepened themuseum staff’s knowledge and ability to tell that story in

more engaging ways. It also sets the stage for a grandnew exhibit, “In the Wake of the Whalers,” to open in2015.

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WHERE GROUPS DROP ANCHOR FOR A

GREAT 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

Flotilla greets the ships arrival in Vineyard Haven.Photo courtesy Andy Price/Mystic Seaport.

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Huntington’s River &Railroad Heritage

View of the Ohio River and the East Huntington Bridge fromthe Guyandotte, WV boat dock. Photo courtesy JaGa.

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Huntington sits on the mid-section of the scenicand historic Ohio River at the point where WestVirginia, Ohio and Kentucky meet. The city is

home to some 56,000 citizens and serves a Tri-State areaof 365,000 persons.

Huntington is the turn-of-the-century railroad king-dom named for its founder, Collis P. Huntington. He wasbuilder, owner and operator of the Chesapeake and OhioRailway, beginning in the 1860s.

Collis P. Huntington was known as “The GreatPersuader” because of his aptitude as a natural bornsalesman. In 1862, Collis P. Huntington was able to con-vince Congress to designate the Central Pacific as thewestern end of the long-dreamed transcontinental rail-road. He spent seven years struggling with the tremen-dous task of pushing the Central Pacific through themountains to link it with the Union Pacific.

In 1884, he became the first man in the United Statesto ride his own railroad car from the Atlantic Ocean tothe Pacific over tracks he either owned or controlled.

Huntington is a beautifully designed city situated onthe banks of the Ohio River with a developed waterfrontpark, complete with amphitheater, playground, boatlaunch, and marina. The central business district, home

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Harris Riverfront Park with the Robert C.Byrd Bridge crossing the Ohio River in thebackground. Photo courtesy Wvfunnyman.

to a developing lifestyle entertainment complexalong 3rd Avenue on the Midland Trail, has arich diversity of architectural styles within itsHistoric District.Downtown and Riverfront

Harris Riverfront Park and the nearby BigSandy Superstore Arena offer concerts andactivities. Pullman Square offers a cineplex,dining, coffee shops, bookstore, and specialtyshopping. The former B&O Railway Station hasbeen converted into Heritage Station, an attrac-tive plaza with a real locomotive and renovatedPullman car, the city’s first bank (once robbedby the James Gang), and unique shops andeateries. It is also the location of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau,which can provide visitors with more informa-tion about local attractions.Ritter Park, Roses, and Art

In Huntington’s south side neighborhood, enjoyunwinding at the 70-acre Ritter Park with its accreditedRose Garden. Nearby, the Huntington Museum of Artfeatures 10 exhibition galleries, nature trails, sculpturegarden, café, and gift shop. The museum’s HilltopFestival is held the second weekend in September.Marshall University

MU’s beautiful campus, home of the ThunderingHerd, lies astride the Midland Trail between Hal Greer

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 carryingthe Marshall University football team and the communi-ty’s recovery from the disaster.Old Central City

An antique paradise and a lively farmers’ market awaitshoppers at Old Central City and Central City Market onHuntington’s 14th Street West antique district.

Once a flourishing manufacturing town, Central City(1893-1909) became part of Huntington in 1909. The

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The Ohio River looking upstream from theRobert C. Byrd Bridge. Photo courtesyOhioRiverHuntWVBCBB via Wikipedia.

The Cabell County Courthouse

area’s successful revitalization is anchored around theCentral City Market and a beautiful green space with agazebo for special events. Celebrate Old Central CityDays the third weekend of June with historic tours,antiques, and entertainment.

History buffs must see our unique museums. TheMuseum of Radio and Technology and the J. Taylor AutoCollection, Heritage Farm Museum and Village recre-ates and preserves Appalachian heritage and culture withits more than 17 restored buildings.Barboursville

Located near the junction of the Mud and GuyandotteRivers, the Barboursville area was a crossroads forShawnee Indians. Hunting plentiful game and miningthe salt near Salt Rock, West Virginia, they along withthe buffalo established early, well-used trails.

In 1930, Route 60 bypassed the village and with riverand rail business disappearing, Barboursville became aquiet, residential setting of historic homes.

You can travel back in time with a historic walkingtour of Barboursville that features 36 points of interestincluding homes, banks, businesses and other historicsites.

Today Barboursville offers a modern mall complex aswell as a historic main street area with shopping andrestaurants, as well as its own share of festivals and spe-cial events throughout the year.

MiltonOn September 16, 1876, the

Town of Milton was incorpo-rated. In January of the sameyear a covered bridge wasopened to provide accessfrom James River Turnpike tothe newly established town.The bridge has been restoredto its original beauty. Nearbyis the historic Union BaptistChurch, organized in 1810,which was used during theCivil War by Union troopswho occupied the building asa military post.

In 1921 Blenko GlassCompany was founded and isstill in operation today creat-ing hand blown glass pieces that are favorites in retailshops and prized by collectors throughout the nation.

Today Milton is a thriving community that is home tothe West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, the Cabell CountyFair, seasonal corn maze, giant flea market, and arts andcrafts stores. All are easily accessible from U.S. Route 60and Interstate 64.

To learn more about Huntington and Cabell County,visit http://www.wvvisit.org.

22 • Byways

Eddie Powers,Glass Blower,Blenko GlassCompany

Old Main is the oldest building on campus and hometo many of the university's administrative offices.Photo courtesy Wvfunnyman.

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Explore historical Appalachia at Heritage Farm

Museum & Village!

Romp and play in our award-winning parks!

Discover the art of hand-blown glass at Blenko!

Cheer on the Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium!

Immerse yourself in art & culture at the Huntington Museum of Art!

Catch a show at Big Sandy Superstore Arena!

Get thrills and chills at Camden Park!

Eat, drink and be merry at our unique fairs & festivals!

July 3DAWG Dazzle July 21-27Cabell County Fair July 25-27Huntington Classic: Powerboat Racing and Championship July 26West Virginia Hotdog Festival August 1-2Blenko Festival of Glass August 16Rails & Ales Festival

August 22-24Pilot Club Antique Fair

August 23Diamond Teeth Mary Blues and Arts Festival September 6The Color Run

September 13Chilifest September 17-20Barboursville Fall Fest September 26-28Greek Festival September 27Huntington Music & Arts Festival

Join in the fanfare of Cabell County!

No matter your interests, Huntington has something for everyone!

210 Eleventh Street | Huntington, WV | 304.525.7333

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.

Scour the city on a geocaching adventure!

24 • Byways

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26 • Byways

Bull Shoals Dam aerial photo, courtesy KTrimble.

Bull Shoals Lake & Dam in the

Arkansas Ozarks

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Bull Shoals Lake, located in both Missouri andArkansas, is a very popular attraction for fans ofthe 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 BullShoals Dam. The dam was created to impound theWhite River by one of the largest concrete dams in theUnited States and the 5th largest dam in the world at itsinception. Work on the dam began in 1947, was com-pleted in 1951 and dedicated by President Harry S.Truman in 1952. The lake is on the White River, rough-ly 60 miles south of Springfield, Missouri and around170 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Bull Shoals is one of four multiple purpose projectsconstructed in the upper White River Basin, along withNorfork, Table Rock, and Beaver Lake, for the control offloods and the generation of hydro electric power. BullShoals has also become an excellent home to manyrecreational activities. The lake is controlled by theArmy Corps of Engineers and has the primary purposeof flood control.

Bull Shoals can cover more than 71,000 acres at floodcontrol levels, and 45,440 acres at conservation pool ele-28 • Byways

James A. Gaston Visitor Center at Arkansas’Bull Shoals-White River State Park. Byways photo.

Bull Shoals Lake at Sunset. Byways photo.

vation. Besides being animpoundment of the WhiteRiver, tributaries for BullShoals include Little NorthFork, Howard, East and WestSugarloaf, Bear, Jimmie, Bee,Big, Beaver and Swan creeks.Water flows through the damand feeds the lower WhiteRiver. Elevation of the lakeranges from 695 feet at top offlood control to 654 feet at topof conservation pool.

Bull Shoals' limestone shore-lines can range from 740 to1050 miles depending on waterheight. The clear blue water ofBull Shoals attracts scubadivers and spear fishers frommany states. Museums, aves,the oldest house standing inArkansas, and an old pioneervillage also attract many tourists to this beautiful lake.

The James A. Gaston Visitor Center at Bull Shoals-White River State Park is not your typical visitor center,but an education center as well. It features state of the art

exhibits, White River Stories in the Johnboat Theater,spectacular views of the area from the deck or the two-story observation tower, and a gift shop to find that per-fect souvenir.

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Bull Shoals Dam was the 5th largest dam in the worldat its inception. Photo courtesy Antares573.

30 • Byways

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

Ranger Boats are one of the most well-know namebrands in recreational boating, and a bass fisher-man’s dream come true.

But Ranger is also one of the most successful compa-nies in Arkansas, one of the largest employers in theOzark region at its plant in Flippin, Arkansas, and offersa free plant tour that should not be missed by anyone,whether or not they’ve ever touched a fishing pole orcruised the pristine waters of the beautiful lakes in theOzarks.

The beginnings of Ranger can be traced to 1968 whenfounders Forrest and Nina Wood were operating a suc-cessful fishing guide service on Bull Shoals Lake, theWhite River and Crooked Creek. Guiding from large,heavy, wooden boats, Forrest's long hours and years ofguiding taught him the value and real need for a designwhich was comfortable, efficient, and most important-ly… demonstrated unquestionable quality. With thosemerits in mind, his dream to build a quality fishing boatbegan.

Forrest wanted his boat's strength, integrity, and com-mitment to be reflected in a single name. A patriot andcowboy at heart, he looked to the legendary reputation of

the U.S. Army Rangers and the rugged western heritageof the Texas Rangers. Today, the dream he set in motionproudly carries the hard-earned badge and fierce reputa-tion of “Ranger”.

From the start, Forrest Wood's ideas were straightfor-ward and confident. Napkins, scrap paper and anythingto write with were his design templates. Listening close-ly to anglers and customers was his engineering plan. Hisinitial designs were so well accepted by other guides andanglers that the business soon took off in earnest.

The original (6) boats were built in what is now theCity Hall in downtown Flippin, Arkansas.Manufacturing was then moved to an unoccupied dancehall 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 ShoalsDam. In 1969, orders expanded to 600 boats and in 1970production doubled to 1200 boats, each selling for$1,000 complete with lights and steering. Demand wasgood 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 from32 • Byways

A fiberglass bass boat is assembled at the Ranger plantin Flippin, Arkansas in the heart of the Ozark Mountains.The plant tours are free and open to the public.

Forrest's army surplus desk the next day. Family, friendsand employees rallied to help, cleaning off the charredslab and helping to rebuild. Some dealers even offered topay for their boats in advance. All of this along withdetermination and hard work had production restoredwithin 40 days.

About this time, Forrest started fishing in several new-ly-created competitive bass fishing tournaments. Histournament presence and fine products resulted in therapid expansion of Ranger orders and production. Inassociation with these tournaments, Forrest Wood andRanger helped to pioneer the sport of tournament bassfishing.

Ranger discovered very early that most boats spendmore time on their trailers than in the water. Experiencealso proved that ill-fitting boat trailers actually damage aboat's hull and running surfaces over time. For that rea-son, Ranger builds their own custom boattrailers…RangerTrail® trailers…each precisely fitted toprotect the hull they are carrying and are matched to thatboat in color and styling.

During the mid-1970s, Ranger also began buildingboats for walleye, salmon, and musky anglers.Traditionally an arena populated by aluminum boats, theRanger Fisherman Series has become the boat of choicewith knowledgeable, big-water anglers. A premium lineof Saltwater flats, bay and intracoastal boats are alsoamong 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 enjoysthe experienced advantage of a long-time workforce, butalso consistently draws a fresh field of extremely talent-ed 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

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A tour guide is provided with every tour and explains indetail the process in building a Ranger boat.

The Return of the Luxurio

34 • Byways

ous Steamboat Experience

The 436-guest river boat American Queen. Photoscourtesy American Queen Steamboat Company.

Byways • 35

The American Queen Steamboat Company is cele-brating the line’s most exciting and expansive pro-gram 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 sailingwhich began in April.

“We are amazed by the overwhelming, heartfeltresponse to the American Queen and the luxuriousamenities that she provides, including deluxe hotel staysbefore each voyage, remarkable shore excursions in eachport and a wealth of complimentary onboard amenities,”shares American Queen Steamboat Company President& COO Ted Sykes. “We’re pleased to be introducing ourelegant and intimate style of travel to the Columbia andSnake Rivers with the American Empress.”

This is the American Queen’s second season, capturingher stunning refurbishment, expanded dining venues,enhanced public spaces and refreshed yet authenticAntebellum décor. The 436-guest river boat’s itinerariesinclude an expanded season on the Lower Mississippiwith 25 itineraries operating between her homeport ofMemphis to New Orleans or New Orleans roundtrip.

The U.S. flagged American Queen, the largest, mostopulent riverboat in the world.  Longer than a football

field, towering six decks in height and laced with fanci-ful gingerbread trim, she is a marvel of modern engi-neering. Her journeys through the heartland offer aunique perspective on America’s history, culture andlandscape with convenient departures from some ofAmerica’s most iconic river port cities includingMemphis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville,Pittsburgh, St. Louis and St. Paul. 

The treasures of summer and colors of fall are cele-brated on 11 Upper Mississippi voyages calling onfavorite ports, including Mark Twain’s hometown ofHannibal, Mo., and Red Wing, Min., as the AmericanQueen sails between St. Louis and St. Paul. Seven itin-eraries on the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers will explorelocales between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, highlightingthe region’s kaleidoscope of big cities and small towns.

A special Riverboat Rally sailing embarking fromJeffersonville, Ind., will celebrate the 100th birthday ofthe famed Belle of Louisville and conclude with theAmerican Queen debut in Nashville, Tenn. as the largestriverboat in the world sails the Cumberland River. A col-lection of 18-themed cruises are available on theAmerican Queen including two new Bourbon &Bluegrass journeys exploring hand-picked distilleries.

36 • Byways

Pacific NorthwestRe-tracing the footsteps of Lewis

and Clark while featuring all the com-forts of modern luxury, the AmericanEmpress sails between Portland,Ore., and Clarkston, Wash.,

A total of 32 nine-day voyages willsail through November 16 with portsof call including Astoria, Wash.;Stevenson, Wash.; The Dalles, Ore.;Sacajawea State Park, Wash.; andRichland, Wash. The 223-guestAmerican Empress serves as a float-ing boutique hotel exploring the heartof Washington’s vineyards and cele-brating the Walla Walla Wine Trail.

All journeys include a one-nightpre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours inall ports, complimentary wine andbeer with dinner and a host of otheramenities.

To request additional informationand make reservations, contact theAmerican Queen SteamboatCompany at 888-749-5280, visitonline at www.AQSC.com.

Byways • 37

Re-tracing the footsteps ofLewis and Clark while featuringall the comforts of modern lux-ury, the American Empress.

38 • Byways

The Brazos River in Washington County, Texas played animportant role in the creation of the Texas Republic.

Byways • 39

Washington 0n the BrazosTexas Independence

It was on March 2, 1836, that a delegation of 59 mengathered at Washington on the Brazos to determinehow 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 dele-gates carried out their mission to draft a Declaration ofIndependence and establish a constitution for a newnation. Etched in the history books forever, WashingtonCounty became the “Birthplace of Texas.”Texas Independence

Independence began in 1824 on land granted byMexico to Judge John Prince Coles, who came to Texasin 1821 as one of Stephen F. Austin’s 300 colonists. In1836, the community was renamed Independence in

honor of Texas’ declaration of freedom from Mexico. In1839, a Baptist church was established where SamHouston attended and was baptized. Houston’s mother-in-law was so grateful that she had a large iron bell cre-ated and presented to the church. The Texas BaptistHistorical Center-Museum features this bell, along withmany other early Texas history exhibits.

Washington holds a unique place in Texas history;today you will find Washington on the Brazos StateHistoric Site, “Where Texas became Texas” and the Starof the Republic Museum on its original site. A replica ofIndependence Hall echoes with the voices of the menwho created the Republic’s governing documents. Themuseum perpetuates “Old Washington” through excitingcultural exhibits focused on the Republic period.

The period is also brought to life in living color at40 • Byways

A replica of Independence Hall echoeswith the voices of the men who createdthe Republic’s governing documents.

Barrington Living History Farm. Visitors can also spendtime viewing the Visitor Center’s interactive exhibits,shop in the extensive gift shop, enjoy a picnic lunch onthe beautiful park grounds next to the Brazos River andexplore interpretive trails.

BrenhamBrenham, the county seat, opened to settlement under

the Spanish in 1821 and was named for Dr. Richard FoxBrenham, a hero of the Texas Republic and the MierExpedition. Washington County was formally organized

Byways • 41

The Barrington Living History Farm. Photos courtesy Washington County Tourism.

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site and Visitor Center.

in 1837 as part of Stephen F. Austin’s originalcolony. Downtown Brenham features an arrayof antiques and specialty shops clustered aroundthe courthouse square, and offers a variety ofrestaurants, as well as the Brenham HeritageMuseum and Unity Theatre. Burton

Burton, population 325, prospered during the19th and 20th centuries surrounded by cottonfarms. Today, it is known for its historic,restored 1914 cotton gin which has been namedthe Texas Cotton Gin Museum by the TexasLegislature.

42 • Byways

Visitor Information Center inBrenham, Texas.

Chappell HillChappell Hill was founded in 1847,

prospered as a popular stagecoachstop and also provided a steamboatport for shipping cotton down theBrazos River to the Port of Houston.A dozen National Register propertiesand a museum record the town’s ear-ly history. It is also home to the annu-al Bluebonnet Festival in April andScarecrow Festival in October.

For additional information onWashington County, visitwww.VisitBrenhamTexas.com

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Burton’s historic, restored 1914 cotton gin on the site ofthe Texas Gin Museum.

44 • Byways

Rafters on the North Fork Cabarton section of thePayette River, near Smiths Ferry, Idaho.

Byways • 45

Raging Rapids for Novice &Advanced on Southwest

Idaho’s Payette River By Lindsay Woychick

Tighten up the lifejacket, don’t let go of the grip,and brace yourself. Southwest Idaho’s PayetteRiver 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 bepossible without the help of an experienced guide. Twolocal companies, Cascade Raft and Kayak and BearValley Rafting Co., make the river’s roughest stretchesof water accessible to novice and advanced rafters eachseason.

“We have customers who come in every year, and theyget a unique experience because of the changes in waterlevels, 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 trav-el down the North, South and Main Forks of the PayetteRiver, with approximately 10,000 of those rafting withCascade Raft and Kayak guides, Long said.

Cascade Raft and Kayak’s third-generation family-owned business has been guiding rafters down thePayette for 29 years at its location 45 minutes from thestate’s capital of Boise.

“Southwest Idaho is a great spot for all kinds of out-door activities, and the Payette River is really close totown so it makes it easy to do in a half-day trip,” Longsaid.

Long enjoys the challenge of the South Fork’s class IV

Staircase rapid and recommends beginners and groupstry the South Fork’s Main Payette or Cabarton sectionfor a more relaxed trip during the high-season from May-August.

“June has higher water, so for those who have gotsome experience and are looking for the big thrills, theyshould come at the end of May or early June,” Long said.“July and August are fantastic too, because the water lev-els are still good, and the weather is dependably warm.”

After a half-day or full-day guided trip down thePayette, rafters come off the river smiling, Long said.

“It’s so great to see how excited they are, and theywant to go again right then,” Long said. “They’reexhausted, because they’ve been out in the sun, playing,and swimming with that adrenaline rush that gives youthat good kind of tired feeling.”

Bear Valley Rafting, another long-time area raftingcompany, takes an estimated 5,000 rafters down thesame III-IV stretches of the Payette River and findsadvantages to Idaho whitewater every year.

“We’re really lucky here,” Bear Valley Rafting Co.General Manager Phil White said. “We don’t just haveone section of river that we run, we have whitewater forkids as young as four years-old, and we’ve probably tak-en people in their 80s.”

White has been guiding and managing Bear ValleyRafting Co. for 15 years and finds the company’s reten-tion of experienced rafters its biggest asset.

“For us, it’s about having experienced guides,” White46 • Byways

said. “We have guides that havemade this their career—it’s nottheir job for a couple summers tohave a good time.”

White recommends beginners trythe half-day trip down the MainPayette that includes class IIIrapids like Mix Master, Go Left orYou’re Fired and AMF. For moreexperienced rafters and adventureseekers, White encourages raftersto try the Canyon-South Fork full-day raft trip that takes rafters down14 miles of whitewater.

Bear Valley Rafting Co. andCascade Raft and Kayak both offerfull-day and half-day options onthe North, South and Main Fork ofthe Payette ranging from $30-$110.

For more information about raft-ing Southwest Idaho visit:www.visitsouthwestidaho.org,www.bearvalleyrafting.com andwww.cascaderaft.com

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Map courtesy USGS

48 • Byways

Space Needle at Night.Photo courtesy Yatharth.

“Never Before” Innovations

Make Seattle’s Space Needle An

Amazing Adventure

Built as a symbol of the future for the Age of Space1962 World's Fair, Seattle's iconic Space Needleis once again embracing the promise of the future

the curtain has come up on ground-breaking digital expe-riences that will inspire urban explorers and connect vis-itors to the sights and experiences of the PacificNorthwest in ways that, until now, could only be imag-ined.

With a vantage point 520 feet above the city, the SpaceNeedle has unofficially acted as a launch pad for many avisitors’ Seattle experience.  

Starting today, visitors and Space Needle gazers theworld over can download the new Space Needle MobileApp to serve as their guide and memory book to Seattle'soriginal high-rise.  Acting as a starting point for explo-ration, the app presents alternative views with augment-ed reality, shares a look at historical events, and helpsvisitors locate and learn about all the key sights in town.

On the Observation Deck, visitors will find kiosks thattransport them to the octopus tank at the SeattleAquarium or onto the pitch with the Seattle Sounders FCat CenturyLink Field. Guests can connect with the city inthese unrivaled one-of-kind experiences like neverbefore.

“Since its

i n c e p -tion, the Space Needle has

been a symbol of innovation and creativity,” saidJeff Wright, chairman, Space Needle, LLC.  “Stayingtrue to that vision, we are introducing digital experiencesthat are not only groundbreaking for us, but for towersaround the world.” 

Onsite, the experience starts at the Launch Pad.Through the app, guests  point their iPhone orAndroid”phone at  one of several unique  "SpaceSpots” on the ground and experience “augmented reali-ty” as the Space Needle rises out of the spot with fire-works, space ships or  numerous other experiences  intheir viewer. Friends and family can even step into thepicture and put their arms around the Needle for a photoor walk on a virtual glass floor.

On the Observation Deck, guests can reach intothe past or peer into the future with the 20’ x 8’ dig-ital touchscreen SkyPad™ that displays thousandsof photos of visits to the Space Needle from theearly 60s to today. Guests can post photos of theirown experience or pin their hometown on a digitalglobe, showing others who have visited from thesame location.

The 520 Teleporter  digital kiosks incorporateMicrosoft's Photosynth (http://photosynth.net/)technology which captures places in amazing res-olution and full 3D.  Get transported to the Pike

Place Market to see what the fish sees as it flies throughthe air into a crowd of onlookers, or climb aboard one ofthe houseboats made famous by the film Sleepless inSeattle. 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 thelocal partnerships that made these experiences possible.Microsoft technology played an integral role, as did sev-eral top creative and interactive development agencies,"said Karen Olson, vice president of marketing, SpaceNeedle. "We pushed beyond what we thought was possi-ble to offer our guests, and locals alike, experiences thatare totally unique, memorable, and shareable. We’reheightening our guests’ ability to discover Seattle withnew experiences that deliver more interaction, insights,connections, smiles and ‘wow.’  And, there is more tocome.”

Space Needle SpaceBook is another innovation thathas launched. When guests arrive, their ticket willunlock unique digital photo experiences at the SpaceNeedle and create a personalized online memo-ry book for them. The free

photo experiencesinclude the popular silver screen photos

where guests pose and select different backgrounds. Twoaddition photo experiences will be launching this sum-mer – a SkyHigh Selfie and a Zoomie™, the ultimate“zoom selfie.”

These and many more elements of this re-inventedguest experience has roll-out.

For more on what's to come visit: www.spaceneedle.comAbout the Space Needle: The Space Needle is the cel-

ebrated icon of Seattle, second only to the Eiffel Towerin Paris as the most easily-identified global skyline fea-ture. Built for the 1962 Age of Space World's Fair, it con-tinues to symbolize the leading-edge innovation andtechnology that the city is known for and serve as a bea-con into the future.

What’s HappeningWhat’s Happening

Byways • 49

50 • Byways

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. Subscriptionsare 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 man-agers, school band and athletic planners, and meeting planners. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to placeadvertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine, 7902 Pleasant Valley Court, Louisville, KY 40291. Telephone502-785-4875.

©Copyright 2014 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in anyform without express written permission of the publisher.

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Byways • 51

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