Enjoy 1 ½ hours of scenic delight on the upper Mississippi as the "Queen" paddles upstream from LaCrosse, WI, on the main channel of the river.  A guide will explain facts and trivia of the historical and present day river, along with local point of interest.  Watch for eagles and other wildlife as you cruise past steep bluffs adjacent to the "Great River Road" (Hwy 14/61) - designated by AAA as one of the most scenic areas in the Midwest!  As you near Lock & Dam No. 7 at Dresbach, MN you will learn how the locking process works.  Cocktails, pop and munchies are available for purchase.  This certificate is good for two people during the 2009 season which runs from early May and ending mid October.  The "LaCrosse Queen is a modern day replica of the grand riverboats which used to ply the Mississippi in the early 1900's.  She is one of the few "true" paddlewheelers still in operation in the country today.  In keeping with early traditions she was built with sternwheels, which are her only means of propulsion.  The Queen has a split sternwheel and each is run by a twin diesel engine; these power hydraulic motors which turn the paddles.  The split wheel gives her greater maneuverability and dependability.  This is in contrast to most "paddlewheelers" in operation today that have a "free wheeling"   paddlewheel at the stern of the boat for visual effect, but have the traditional screw-type engines hidden for their real means of propulsion.