Huckleberry Finn: A Farewell River Cruise

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"And afterwards we would watch the lonesomeness of the river, and kind of lazy along, and by and by lazy off to sleep. Wake up by and by, and look to see what done it, and maybe see a steamboat coughing along up-stream, so far off towards the other side you couldn't tell nothing about her only whether she was a stern-wheel or side-wheel . . . "

Mark Twain, Huckbleberry Finn

A few weeks ago, my husband and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.  I wish I could say that it was the most romantic of the 16 . . . but it wasn't. 

Instead of holding hands and reminiscing about our years together over a candle-lit dinner, we spent our anniversary . . .

in Idaho . . . 

in an alfalfa field . . . 

in a hotel suite that smelled like Spray 'n' Starch . . . 

with five children. 

My husband's nephew was getting married the next day, and we had dutifully made the trek with our children to the gem state for the big event. 

My children have never been more ecstatic than when they discovered that EACH side of the hotel beds had its own light switch, which they then used to create a strobe light effect in our room by turning them on and off and on and off and on and off and on and off . . . 

(Thank you, Marriott, for providing only the very best for your customers.)

I've never been more ecstatic than when they all finally fell asleep . . . 

 at 1:00 AM. 

That is when I leaned over the port-a-crib and whispered to my husband, 

"Happy Anniversary, sweetie. Your nephew owes us." 

Ever since returning home from Idaho, I have been thinking about a REAL anniversary getaway---one without Happy Meals and sippy cups and backseat bickering. 

As a farewell homage to Huck Finn this month on Be Book Bound, I've been looking for romantic vacations along the Mississippi River.  Today I came across this steamboat river cruise.  

Ever since I laid eyes on the steamboat's grand staircase . . . 

its elegant dining room . . . 

its river-view accommodations . . . 

its stunning theater . . . 

its antebellum Ladies' Parlor . . . 

and Mark Twain salon . . . 

I knew this is how I wanted to spend my anniversary.

{Photos via American Queen Steamboat Company}

I admit it: watching the sun set on the Mississippi River with my husband isn't nearly as adventurous as wrangling five hyped-up children into hide-a-beds and hotel sheets on the third floor of a Springhill Suites somewhere in Idaho, but I'm willing to give it a try.

So farewell, Huck Finn.  

Goodbye, Mississippi River.  

Someday soon I hope to steam along your banks as I properly celebrate 16 years with the love of my life.

And as for the kids . . .

Well, we'll be sending them to stay with my husband's nephew.

Sharing at . . .

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