Expanding Frontiers
The Cumberland River Valley
In a region of the United States where fiddles and banjoes are as much a part of local color as muskets and coonskin caps, we offer excursions that are perfect adventures to share with friends and family. Hear stories of the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Shawnee Indians, who used the area as hunting grounds, built expansive earthen mounds and painted beautiful pottery before mysteriously disappearing around 1400 A.D. Feel, firsthand, the challenges of frontier life as lived by the first Europeans to inhabit this region. The first European settlers in this region were French fur traders who arrived in 1717. When the pioneers followed Daniel Boone through the Cumberland Gap into what was then part of North Carolina, this lush, green region's fate was sealed; this valley, whose rich agricultural lands provided attractive sites to homesteaders, would surely grow and prosper. When the first settlement Nashborough, named for Revolutionary War hero General Francis Nash, was established in 1779, it became the focus of life in the area.
Dates & Rates
Prices: Starting at $1,020
2008 Dates:
Cincinnati-Nashville
June 24 - July 1 (8 days)
Nashville-St. Louis
July 1 - July 8 (8 days)
St. Louis-Nashville
July 8 - July 15 (8 days)
Nashville-Nashville
July 15 - July 25 (11 days)
July 25 - July 28 (4 days)
Nashville-Cincinnati
July 28 - Aug. 4 (8 days)
Settled in 1784, at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red rivers, Clarksville, Tenn., evolved as a river trading post for tobacco, grain and lumber. This river town was named for General George Rogers Clark.
Situated on the banks of the historic Cumberland River, Nashville today is a vibrant city whose businesses and industries have made the region prosperous and strong. One industry has earned worldwide attention: Nashville is America's official capital of country music, and has come to be known as "Music City, USA." Nashville offers the opportunity to visit the Ryman Auditorium and the Wildhorse Saloon.
Traveling along the Cumberland, we'll pass through historic Tennessee Valley Authority locks and dams that made the river navigable and brought electricity to these hills following the Great Depression. More than 170,000 acres of the most beautiful lakes in America are found in this region; we'll see much of it, including Land Between the Lakes, a recreational area of lakes and shores that must be seen from our decks to be fully appreciated.
Imagine listening to bluegrass music on the Sky Deck, taking in the sights or relaxing in deck chairs while we show you this scenic river valley that winds its way to the Ohio, and eventually to the Mississippi and on to exciting river cities like St. Louis or Cape Girardeau. The music, the rivers, the people and the shores: they're all calling you to go Barging Through America� on the Cumberland River for the special adventures we call Expanding Frontiers. Come aboard!
Itineraries
St. Louis-Nashville
Nashville-St. Louis
On these spectacular 8-day excursions see the Gateway Arch and much, much more. Overnight stay in St. Louis affords an opportunity to explore this river city. Visit Cape Girardeau, Mo. See the amazing Confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Travel upriver to Paducah, Ky. Quilt Museum visit and antiquing. We'll travel 30 miles up the Cumberland River and encounter Barkley Lock that will lift us up to the level of Lake Barkley and Land Between the Lakes. Tour Clarksville, Tenn., before traversing Cheatham Lock to Nashville. The music alone is enough, but there's lots more to see and do. Overnight in "Music City, USA."
Cincinnati-Nashville
Board in the afternoon for this 8-day trip. See Cincinnati in the evening. Fountain Square. Shopping and 5-way chili. Travel on the scenic Ohio and traverse Markland Lock. Visit Louisville, Ky. Pass through several locks before arriving in Paducah, Ky., for antiquing and Quilt Museum visit. On the Cumberland River, pass through Barkley Lock. See Land Between the Lakes. Visit Clarksville, Tenn. Pass through Cheatham Lock to Nashville, Tenn. Twang about for a day and night in "Music City, USA." 
MUSIC CITY, MEANDERINGS AND MUSEUMS
NASHVILLE — NASHVILLE
Tour Nashville and explore the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers on 8-day round trips. Traverse Cheatham Lock. See picturesque Clarksville, Tenn. Visit the historic downtown area and the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center or take a trip to a local wine gallery. See Land Between the Lakes. From Savannah, Tenn., we'll take a trip to Shiloh National Military Park. Pass through Pickwick Lock and visit Florence, Ala. Plus there's much more to see on these gorgeous rivers.
