Here's what our passengers have to say!

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"Awesome......thank you!"

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"The trip was just wonderful!"

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"The crew were great and very friendly. It was interesting to see the boats that we otherwise wouldn't see. Very informative."

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"A great experience - great crew. Amazing what has made Duluth."

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"We had a wonderful trip on the St. Louis River Experience. We really appreciated the great volunteers who made the trip so enjoyable. We will recommend this trip to our friends."

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"Absolutely excellent. Thank you so much for having this program!"

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"Very informative.....great trip!"

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"Fun and entertaining! Learned a lot about the Twin Ports shipping industry!"

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"The boating experience was fabulous - thank you! We enjoy being out on the water, especially on such a beautiful day. All the information was interesting and it's so great to see everything from the boat. Tom makes a great captain. He did an excellent job."

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"What a beautiful experience. Enjoyed the day on the pontoon boat very much. Also...learned a lot!"

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"Terrific. Very informative. Everyone was great. Thank you!"

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"It was very informative. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thanks so much for showing us so much in the harbor."

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"I learned so much on this boat. It had been many years since I'd done it with my children. It was a perfect day and company."

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"Enjoyed the emcees and sites of the Twin Ports. Very knowledgeable. Thank you."

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"The trip was wonderful, the weather was perfect and the staff, captain and narrator make it a very informative, pleasant and educational experience."

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"Terrific. Beautiful day, excellent "skipper" and knowledgeable mates. Comfortable seating and loved how close we got to the ships, etc. Very interesting. Thank you so much!"

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"Perfect day. Great narration. So informative - even a snack! Would love to bring my garden club next year!"

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"Thank you for taking our Ecumen Lakeshore board members out last week. It was a first exposure to the SLRE organization and they were all very impressed. We appreciate your organization greatly...it bridges a need in our community that many enjoy so thoroughly."

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"This was a delightful experience of a memorable time of crossing the river on a ferry boat and also sailing down the river aboard the big ship Montauk from Riverside to Fond du lac when I was a teenager."

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"It could not have been better. Everyone was so pleasant. I look forward to going again. Thank you so much."

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"The trip was a wonderful experience. Best experience we've had so far on our trip. Learned a lot."

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"I have been on your cruises 4 times and it only gets better. Thanks to all the many volunteers - they are great!"

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"The best one yet. My third trip up and down river. Thank you for volunteering - great trip."

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"The trip downstream to the port of Duluth-Superior was absolutely great. Most enjoyable! Most informative!"

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"Fun & informative. Thank you!"

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"It was an enjoyable ride. The trip was a little bit cold, but the crew were great! It was interesting to hear the history and being up close to the bridges & boats. Thank you!"

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"I had a very nice time! I saw & learned things about our waters, shipping & employment in our area that I never knew & I've lived here most of my life. Thanks to Chuck, Steve & Linda! I would go again and recommend to family & friends."

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"I enjoyed both rides. It was nice to see the harbor and it was a beautiful day. I enjoyed the crew on both trips."

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"Wonderful experience. Have never been up river. Thank you!"

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"River was high so we stayed in the harbor. Still many things to see. Thank you for such a marvelous idea."

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"We enjoyed our river cruise VERY much. The pontoon is just great - such comfy seats. The crew were fun and really shared a lot of info with us. Would definitely do it again next year!"

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"Excellent - relaxing - fun group. Special treat when we got to have the old railroad bridge open for us to travel through. Great staff."

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"Nice evening, beautiful pontoon. Had looked forward to ride down St. Louis River since I had never done so. Chuck & Dave narrating trip made harbor trip interesting and a more personal experience."

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"Perfect day for a ride on the river. Efficient & friendly crew. Kudos to Marian.

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"I was on the University for Seniors river trip. It was very enjoyable. So glad you offer these services - they are so appreciated."

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"These trips are the greatest. So glad I have been able to go on them. Thank you to all who make it possible. You are the best!"

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"Really enjoyed the trip. This is a wonderful service for seniors and people with disabilities. Keep up the good work!"

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"It was a wonderful ride of beauty. I could have spent the day on the boat! If I were to lay down, the rocking of the waves would have hypnotized me!"

 

"Enjoyed a lovely afternoon with classmates and seniors from Gary. Saw Whiteside Island, Spirit Island, trestle to old steel plant, Oliver Bridge, old paint shop, Boy Scout Landing and Fond du lac. Since we all grew up or lived in that area, we loved it." Thank you!

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"Jim was a great captain and Chuck's information was very interesting. I had no idea how big the river was and all that goes there. The ladies were very helpful too - thanks to you all."

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"Excellent assistance loading and unloading. Very good trip downstream to the Duluth terminal by the ore docks and Superior coal loading dock. Weather was ideal."

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"We enjoyed an absolutely perfect afternoon on the St. Louis River on June 28th. Thank you so much, Chuck, Julia & Nancy! Chuck has a wealth of information to share about the history of the river and Julia and Nancy were so accommodating - the perfect hostesses. The ride up river was so peaceful and relaxing - beautiful scenery. Perfect weather and ..... an eagle!"

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"Jim and Chuck, you both were great. Thank you for a great boat ride. All of you were so nice to us. It is always fun to get out. What a great way to do it. Thank you."

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"Wonderful and interesting trip. Lived here all of my life and never was on the St. Louis River before, in a boat or on a pontoon. Swam in it in the 1940s below the Oliver Bridge with my dad."

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"It was a wonderful trip and our guide was very knowledgeable."

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"It was a wonderful ride - can't wait until the next one."

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"This was a Pines III trip. Everything could not have been better. The captains were nice and information presented was like a PBS show. We had sunshine and I had a front row seat and the seats are so comfortable. I did not want the day to end. Thank you to all of you wonderful volunteer people."

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"Our boat trip on the St. Louis River was pleasant, comfortable, informative and just plain fun! The staff, Jim, Julia and Chuck, were great conversationists!"

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"It was great! The first time I saw Duluth from the river, an excellent experience. Well narrated and very informative. Thanks a bunch."

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"I grew up along the St. Louis River, but had never been on it. Thank you for a great experience! Wonderful volunteers!"

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"Thank you for making yesterday on the pontoon such a wonderful experience for us! Your team is the heart of volunteerism! See you in August....the Sunnyside Gang."

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"Very pleasant boat trip on a lazy summer day! Interesting history also, as I was not familiar with the marina. It was helpful to have someone direct me to the best place to park."

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"I had an enjoyable time. I am an amateur photographer and got many great photos."

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"This was my first ride on the tour boat. It was an enjoyable experience. Years ago, my sons and I had an open 16' boat and would go fishing on the river, but that was many years ago and my last time on the river. If I can fit it into my schedule, I would love to go again."

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"Certainly, the best entertainment value on the lake. Friendly, informative, comfortable, and much more."

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"It was a drizzly, windy day, but the boat was most comfortable. The crew, captained by Chuck, was friendly and very helpful. There was just enough narrative to be helpful, but not intrusive. You could enjoy the serene experience. Excellent cookies and water surprise at the turnaround. Altogether, an outstanding experience."

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"An excellent experience and what fun! Our friend found out about the boat trip and what joy for old, crippled folks. All the crew were so helpful and kind. Keep going!"

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"I keep returning every chance I get. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip, even though the weather was not so nice. The wonderful pontoon with every detail anticipated and planned, and the knowledgeable crew took care of our every need. Thank you all so much!"

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"Enjoyed the relaxing ride up the St. Louis River. Was very thankful for the plastic windows that protected from the sprinkles and the wind. Too bad it was cloudy and cool, but that was out of your control! Thanks for the water and the cookies."

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"I enjoyed the cruise very much. The volunteers were very helpful. It was a wonderful time."

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"Had a fabulous cruise. Weather was perfect. Route was down river, so we cruised past the midwest coal dock and the idle CN ore docks. There were no ore or coal boats in port."

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"Really nice boat (oops, pontoon), and volunteers were great on this trip! Saw the river from a little different perspective. Keep up the good work for those not able to get out any other way."

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"I had a great time on the pontoon boat. Saw a lot of boats and a couple of ships. The narrator was good, too. He explained a lot about the river and bridges in the area. It was nice to have music, too."

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"Enjoyable and relaxing - group of 12 from Senior Plus at Darrow Road Wesley an Church. The crew were pleasant and competent. A wonderful cruise for the elderly close to nature."

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"Wonderful boat, crew, everything about it, and even treats! You all deserve a huge thank you. We do truly appreciate all you do. And...a special thank you to the marina for giving you free dock space. Truly generous and thoughtful, a much appreciated 'gift'."

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"This was a second trip on the St. Louis River. My first was last year. I had such a good time! This is a wonderful experience for seniors who are unable to get out. Thank you so much."

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"We had a wonderful time!! Tenants are anxiously awaiting another excursion this summer."

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"I am a third generation Superiorite and just moved back after 30 years elsewhere. This trip was perfect and a big part of my happiness to be back here. Everything was done for us "old" folks. The crew and narration could not be improved. Again, thanks."

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"On behalf of Faith Haven Apartments and many of its tenants, I want to extend a huge (and late) THANK YOU for the wonderful trip we enjoyed last year. We had fabulous weather and your staff made it a true experience we continue to talk about today! We look forward to the trip again this summer, with much appreciation."

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Thank you so much, we would never have had the chance to do something like this."

 

"Wonderful! Loved the new boat. So accommodating and helpful to all of us. Boarding location well planned also."

 

"Great! Beautiful Day! Beneficial information - beautiful photography - glorious St. Louis River."

 

"Excellent! Very informative, steady dialogue with humor. Questions were encouraged. Very professional. Will recommend this trip."

 

"The pontoon ride was a wonderful experience. I appreciate the fact that we had the side curtains because it was only 44 degrees, but very comfortable. I appreciated the men explaining what we were seeing as we traveled along. Thanks for your kindness and patience shown to all."

 

"Good, informative guides and knowledgeable. New pontoon is lovely, comfortable. Our safety was very important to them."

 

"I enjoyed the river ride very much. I'm glad you had a canopy which was wonderful on this cold and windy day. You seem well informed and enjoyed it a lot."

 

"Wonderful, large, safe pontoon, protected from weather and wind. Crew was experienced and knowledgeable. We seemed well regarded by other boaters."

 

"Really can't think of a thing to improve the experience of the river trip. Interesting narrative with facts that we did not know. Thoroughly enjoyable."

 

"I was really impressed at the unloading off our van and also for getting on and off the pontoon back into our van. The volunteer staff worked very well together at making everything so smooth. I loved how we learned about the area and saw the eagles nest. I also loved the new pontoon and how it had the sides to protect us from the wind."

 

"I thought the crew did an excellent job. We had beautiful weather and our pontoon was awesome. Thank you so much."

 

"It was wonderful and nice to see the eagle's nest. The crew were very thoughtful in the care of the clients. Excellent ride and it was the best."

 

"Came here with my residents from the nursing home. They had a great time. Very spacious and comfortable pontoon and great information shared and the captain answered all of our questions. A most enjoyable experience."

 

"The boat trip with all of you was one of the best afternoons for me in many months. To see deer & fawns, bald eagles, and fish jumping from water was wonderful. My husband loved the river and fishing. I felt all the things he loved so much."  P.S. The water & cookies were such a treat.....thank you!!

 

"It could not have been a more perfect day, weather-wise. The crew were wonderful and accommodating. A great getaway for this 92-year-old!"

 

"It was wonderful! The pontoon was very comfortable, very smooth ride and the course we took and the narration was quite informative. We will definitely do it again! Thank your whole team."

 

"It was a beautiful day for a boat ride and the narration was very interesting. I learned things about the river that I did not know before."

 

"The perfect day. A fresh breeze. Learned some history and enjoyed the shorlines of Duluth and Superior. Thank you."

 

"Overall, very good. Vessel was very stable, despite N/NW winds. Good historical info about our harbor and river system. Good and careful treatment of an older audience. Most comfortable seats, excellent visibility. Wonderful trip."

 

"We weren't sure what to expect on a pontoon boat, and we were pleasantly surprised. It was wonderful! Our captain was fun and knowledgeable. We highly recommend it to anyone."

 

"Wonderful, loved the narration - enjoyed the ride and snacks. Perfect trip. Thank you."

 

"Fabulous. About the only way to see the St. Louis River between Riverside and Fond du Lac is in a shallow boat, such as a pontoon. This trip is a real centerpoint to the industrial, Vista Queen tours."

 

"I am afraid of water and don't swin, but this trip was delightful. Relaxed, educational and just fun! If possible, I would love to have a schedule of future trips!"

 

"I appreciated the balance of narrative and quiet to enjoy the beauty of the river."

 

"GREAT TRIP. I enjoyed every minute. EXCELLENT volunteers. They really know how to run a boat!"

 

"Weather was miserable. Had a wonderful experience on the St. Louis River pontoon ride. Crew was fun, boat was very nice. Would highly recommend!"

 

"Captain did an outstanding job! Very comfortable boat - nice to have the plastic, it kept us dry and warm!"

 

"It made my day."

 

"I liked the cookies! The staff were very cordial and knowledgeable. The weather was great, and the pontoon is "top notch".

 

"The staff were great helping to get everyone on and off the pontoon. They took care of residents' needs by helping with jackets, putting the windows up and down as needed and they also included everyone in the conversation and viewing."

 

"First Class!" Beautiful. You really set that up nice. Thank you!"

 

"It put me back in the '20s and '30s for memories and what's going on now of what Riverside looks like now and some old places that are gone."

 

"I enjoyed learning about the river and its history. The crew were so helpful with the life jackets and helping me on the ramp on and off."

 

"Enjoyable and very informative; learned so many things about which I knew nothing, though I lived in the area many years."

 

"It was the best. Great ride. Great crew. Thank you."

 

"Chuck and Sarah were very helpful, kind and informative. Smooth ride. Beautiful pontoon boat, sparkling clean! Good snacks."

 

"Great trip - Captain Rick, Colette and Mark. The ladies really enjoyed the narrative and Mark's jokes. Seeing the eagles and their nest, a deer swimming across the St. Louis River and the Oliver Bridge up close. What an afternoon! Thank you, SLRE!"

 

"We both enjoyed the whole experience. Thanks to all of you for your willingness to bring such a pleasurable time to seniors and military." (Donation: In honor of all our protectors: Military, police and fireman.)

 

"Enjoyed the beautiful St. Louis River tour and our guides. Very informative/interesting commentary during our ride on the river. Feel privileged that the U of Srs can take part in this special event. Thank you again!"

 

"I have long admired the view of the river and bay from US 61 (I35), and while I've had a harbor cruise and a Lake Superior fishing trip, I'd never been on the St. Louis River. It was a beautiful trip and I saw places I hadn't known existed. I'm very grateful to have had the chance to go."

 

"This was the most relaxing, enjoyable boat ride I've ever had...and we have our own boat! I want to do this again next year."

 

"A cool trip on a very hot day. It was filled with a lot of history and education. It couldn't have been a better day. Enjoyed the cookies and water. It was so darn good! Super Captains!"

 

"To be out on the water and to see the natural surroundings was wonderful. The day was perfect - lots of sun and blue sky. I appreciated the safety concerns re: life jackets, depth of water and knowledge of our captain and first mate."

 

"From the time I contacted the president of SLR, and then the scheduler to arrange the ride, everything was done professionally and with our group's comfort and safety in mind. Beautiful trip.....thank you, thank you!"

 

"Wonderful trip. It was like being on vacation for a day. Unforgettable! Very friendly volunteers."