Sad

It's always a bit sad when something you remember fondly from your youth is about to pass away. Today I learned that the Delta Queen, the last of the old time, steam-driven, paddle-wheel river boats is about to be decommissioned because Congress refuses to renew its waiver from a law restricting wooden boats to 50 passengers or less.

As a youth, I knew the owners -- their daughter was in my class -- and I visited the boat many times when it was docked in Cincinnati. I have always wanted to take the luxury cruise they used to offer from Pittsburgh to New Orleans but never got around to it. Now, I guess it's too late.

Just for fun, here's a shot of the Cincinnati waterfront in 1957. River boats by the dozens. And, no, I'm not quite old enough to remember those days!