When I boarded the bus last Monday morning to begin a day trip to St. Paul for a ride aboard a riverboat on the Mississipi River, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

I hadn’t been on a bus trip since I was in highschool, when my class went on a trip to Washington, D.C.

As I was driving to Four Seasons Vacation that morning — where we were leaving from — my thoughts turned back to my grandmother who sometimes talked about the motorcoach trips she took with my grandfather after they retired.

If this was to be anything like their trips, it would be a time of getting away, seeing new things and meeting new people.

A large group of Albert Leans met at the Four Seasons office, where we interacted with a little more than a dozen people from Northwood, Iowa, who had been picked up by the bus just prior.

I was greeted by our tour director, Joyce Langerud, and everyone boarded the bus at about 8:15 a.m. We headed north on Interstate 35, first to Owatonna and then to Northfield, where we picked up additional passengers.

Including our bus driver Don Richter, Langerud and myself, there were 54 of us on the trip.

After all but two had joined us — couple was meeting us in St. Paul — Langerud introduced everyone on the bus and shared information about the Mississippi River with us.

Langerud said the Mississippi is the second longest river in the United States, at 2,340 miles long.

We were headed to Harriet Island in St. Paul to take part in a four-hour Padelford lock and lunch cruise on the river. It would be the first time for many to see Ford Lock & Dam No. 1, which is one of the deepest locks in America.
Upcoming Four Seasons motorcoach tours include:

Mackinac Island and Door County, Aug. 16-22

Smoky Mountains Entertainment Tour, Oct. 11-17, sold out

Holiday Branson I, Oct. 31-Nov. 4

Holdiay Branson II, Nov. 7-11

Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Nov. 18

Wisconsin Holiday Getaway, Dec. 4-5

Miami and Key West, Fla., Jan. 15-25, 2010

San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 6-14, 2010

Savannah, Ga., March 20-28, 2010

Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, April 23-May 3, 2010
When we arrived, people began taking pictures of the downtown St. Paul skyline as we waited to board our riverboat, the Anson Northrup.

Then, at about 10:30 a.m., we boarded the two-floored boat to begin our cruise.

I don’t know this for sure, but I was probably one of the only people on the bus who had never been on the river.

We were greeted by a woman playing the banjo — who fit in well with the riverboat experience.

Shortly after, the boat’s crew presented a turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and salad lunch buffet, and people were called up a table at a time.

After finishing lunch, people began walking out to the upper and lower decks of the boat to see the sights and relax. Others stayed inside and watched.

One woman, Ferne Virchow, said she’s been going on motorcoach trips for 18 years, some with Four Seasons and some with the Albert Lea Senior Center.

“I go to see different things and for the entertainment,” Virchow said. “I’ve been to Alaska, the Rockies, all over.”

For that trip, she was with her friend Arlynn Anderson. Anderson said she’s been going on the motorcoach trips for just a few years.

The women agreed that the trips have been a time for them to meet new friends.

A few tables away, Selma Engebretson said she likes going on the motorcoach trips because it gives her a time of relaxation.

“And Four Seasons has it all planned for you, too,” Isabel Lee added.

Lee said traveling by motorcoach is the way to go, especially with all of the road construction.

Plus, everything is usually planned out well, Bonnie Trampel said.

As the boat moved down the Mississippi River, the group saw barges, other boats, people fishing and people playing with their dogs along the water.

Almost halfway through the riverboat cruise, we approached the Ford Lock & Dam No. 1, which is between Minneapolis and St. Paul, just north of the Minnesota River. Crowds of people walked out onto the deck to get a better view.

Many took out their cameras to take photos and many pointed at the spectacle.

People waved at the boat from nearby observation areas.

As we entered the lock, the boat came to a close, and the water began to rise. It had to rise 40 feet before the gate would open, and we could continue down the river.

This spurred a lot of conversation.

After we made it out of the lock, we went a short way longer, and then we turned around in the boat to head back.

We approached the lock and dam from the other side, so this time the water level had to decline. This seemed to happen much quicker than before. Then the gate opened, and we continued back.

“It’s kind of scenic, and it’s fun to see the locks,” said rider, Maynis Aamodt, of Northwood, Iowa.

Aamodt and Thelma Krull-Boutelle came on the day trip together. They said they enjoy going on these pre-planned trips through a travel agency because they don’t have to arrange as much.

During the course of the cruise, the group passed several historic bridges, caves, and landmarks such as Pike Island and Fort Snelling.

Langerud said Four Seasons plans day trips once a month during the summer months, and in August the agency starts its extended motorcoach trips.

They’ve taken trips as far away as Washington, D.C., and the Grand Canyon.

The trips are well-received.

After we finished the cruise, we boarded the bus and headed to the Burnsville Mall, where people power-shopped, got a snack or relaxed before returning home.

People participating in the trip seemed pleased with their day.

Then on the bus ride back, Langerud gave out prizes.

We arrived back in Albert Lea before 7 p.m., and by that time many had asked about upcoming trips.