NOLA Northwest Mardi Gras On The Columbia River
March 18 - 21, 2006
March 17th St Patrick's Day Celebration at *Embassy Suites
(*Ask for special DME hotel rate when booking your trip)

Delta Music Experience will travel roundtrip from Portland, OR aboard the Queen of the West.
 Portland ~ Willamette River ~ Multnomah Channel ~ Bonneville Dam ~ Multnomah Falls ~ Astoria ~ Portland

March 17, 2006 - Welcome to Portland

Throughout its history, Portland, Oregon flourished with the fortunes of the great rivers. In the golden age of riverboats, sternwheelers crossed Portland's busy waterfront on their way along the Willamette River near the confluence with the Columbia River. Steam whistles and calliopes rang out across the water.  Today, instead of steamers, Portland's busy waterways are filled with freighters, tugs and barges. Yet the river remains the heart of Portland, the "City of Roses." Before or after your cruise, discover why Portland was voted "best big city in America" by Money magazine.

 Reference letter G on the map above.
4:00PM Check-in begins at the Embassy Suites Hotel for the DME rooms.
4:00-6:00PM Pre-registration for the Delta Music Experience Riverboat trip.
7:00PM-12:00AM St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Pat O'Brien style with a variety of New Orleans tastiest hor d'oeuvres and Pat O's signature drinks, the Mint Julep and the Hurricane.  The evening will include live musical performances, a photography exhibit and presentation by nationally recognized and respected blues photographer Dick Waterman.
March 18, 2006 - Riverboat Launch and Sail Away

Cruising upstream along the picturesque Willamette River, the only major Western river that flows from south to north, the Queen of the West cruises beneath 12 different bridges - each one a different style - as you pass by the active Swan Island shipyards and bustling river traffic. View the prestigious homes at Dunthorpe and Waverly Country Club, and cruise past historic Sellwood and the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Sanctuary. Onboard the Queen of the West, head downriver to see the sparkling evening lights of downtown Portland, Oregon.

 Reference letter E on the map above.
7:00-10:00AM Complimentary hot breakfast buffet - included with Embassy Suites room reservation.
12:30-1:30PM Late Arrival Registration for the Delta Music Experience Riverboat trip.
9:00AM-1:00PM Explore Portland
Take some time to see downtown Portland - visit the outdoor market or just enjoy a leisurely stroll.  City tours are also available.  Contact DME for details.
1:30PM Shuttle bus departs from Embassy Suite to the Queen of the West.
2:00PM Embark the Queen of the West to the sounds of a New Orleans second line parade.
4:00PM Sail Away Musical Event as we travel along the Willamette River
5:30PM Happy Hour
7:00PM Enjoy the Portland City lights from your dinner table in the company of your musical host.
8:45PM Enjoy the view from the Columbia Showroom while listening to the evening's musical entertainment.
March 19, 2006 - Multnomah Channel ~ Bonneville Dam ~ Multnomah Falls

MULTNOMAH CHANNEL
The Multnomah Channel is a narrow, peaceful and picturesque waterway winding for almost 20 miles downriver from the mainstream Columbia River. Because the Queen of the West is a true shallow draft, sternwheel-driven riverboat that leaves virtually no wake, you are privileged to cruise into this scenic channel.  Dip into this delightful waterway, where you'll see hundreds of distinctive houseboats, which emote the essence of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. During the season, view the colorful bulb and vegetable farmland overlooking the levies along this fertile route and also observe an abundance of water birds.

BONNEVILLE DAM
Spend time at the Bonneville Dam Visitor Center, where you learn about the workings of the massive turbine generators behind this imposing hydroelectric power source. At the fish ladders, glass-viewing areas allow you to watch the migrating salmon in season.

MULTNOMAH FALLS
Stop at spectacular 620-foot-high Multnomah Falls, the second highest continuously flowing waterfall in America, with time to take photos and shop at the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, an impressive rock structure on the National Historic Register. On our Three Great Rivers Cruise, take the scenic Columbia River Highway to Rowena Crest for skyhigh views of the gorge. Witness Bridal Veil, Latourell and Horsetail Falls plus many others in this greatest concentration of waterfalls in America. Stunning cascades such as these give the Cascade Mountain Range its name.
Reference letters  D, J, I on the map above.
8:00-9:00AM Breakfast - Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as we drift through the Multnomah Channel.
11:00AM-12:00PM "Hawkeye" Herman hosts a musical discussion and Q&A on the connection between Woody Guthrie and the Columbia River.
12:00-1:00PM Lunch
1:30PM Shore Excursion to Bonneville Dam, Multnomah Falls and the Visitor's Center.
5:30PM Happy Hour
7:00PM Enjoy the view of Bonneville Dam from your dinner table in the company of your musical host.
8:45PM "The Dam Jam"  Enjoy the view of the Bonneville Dam from the Columbia Showroom while listening to the evening's musical entertainment.
11:00PM All inclusive jam.  Passengers and musicians can participate in a free flowing musical jam.  All are welcome.
March 20, 2006 - Astoria

Established in 1811 by members of John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company, Astoria was the first American settlement on the Pacific Coast and once rivaled San Francisco in size and splendor. Visit the highly acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum; see Columbia, the last lightship on the West Coast named a National Historic Landmark; tour Astoria's unique historic district with more than 70 Victorian-era homes (many on the National Historic Register); and photograph the famous Astoria Column with panoramic views of the city and Pacific Ocean.

 Reference letter C on the map above.
8:00-9:00AM Breakfast
10:00AM-12:00PM Astoria - No scheduled excursions.  The time is yours to walk around town or visit the highly acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum.
12:00-1:00PM Lunch
1:30-4:30PM Onboard workshops and discussion groups hosted by Delta Music Experience's musical guests.
5:00PM Enjoy a sunset sail away as we depart Astoria.
5:30PM Happy Hour
7:00PM Dinner boasting authentic cuisine just like you would find in the French Quarter restaurants in New Orleans.
9:00PM NOLA NW MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION - Dance till dawn with zydeco music by the ultimate Mardi Gras party king Chubby Carrier!  "There ain’t no party like a Chubby party and the Chubby party don't stop!"  Don't worry Troy and Orleans Ave, Charles Neville, Ann Rabson and our special guests will join in the Mardi Gras fun as the evening continues till morning.

March 21, 2006 - Portland
7:00AM Early disembarkation - The Queen will be docked in Portland so those of you with early flights can disembark first and get on the shuttle to the airport
9:00AM Breakfast
10:00AM Disembarkation for all DME passengers for airport shuttle.


DME bids you a fond farewell and thanks you for being part of the Inaugural DME NOLA Northwest Riverboat Adventure.   We hope to see you aboard the next one!