- Tied alongside the paddlewheeler Lilly Belle (3) at the St. Louis waterfront on September 6, 2003, are two smallcraft presented by their manufacturers as donations to the Audubon Society, which now owns the Lilly Belle. The uppermost boat in the picture is 19 feet long and is powered by a 100 hp., four-stroke Yamaha outboard. The nearest boat is 17 feet long and is powered by a smaller Yamaha engine with 80 hp. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- Capt. Ike Hastings, who now is at the helm of the Lilly Belle (4) for its new owners, the Audubon Society, poses amid flotsam on the St. Louis riverfront below the Gateway Arch September 6, 2003. Over a period of three days, the Society welcomed guests aboard the barge and paddlewheeler and ran brief cruises to help spell out their message about the Upper Mississippi River. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- The Lilly Belle (5) sports antlers, but we don't know if she ever won any races. The Audubon Society purchased the paddlewheeler from Capt. Ike Hastings of Freeport, Ill. The vessel's home port was Dubuque, Iowa, also home of the National Rivers Hall of Fame. In this September 6, 2003, picture, you can see into the pilothouse where the overhead is cluttered with wires and radios. Capt. Ike has a new vessel under construction in East Dubuque, Ill. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- In this September 6, 2003, picture of the Lilly Belle (6) and its barge at St. Louis, visitors chat with representatives of the Audubon Society, which purchased the boat for use in delivering its message about the Upper Mississippi River. The barge was once the patio for former owner Capt. Ike Hastings, Freeport, Ill., who adorned it with trees, flowers, vegetables and other items to make his life aboard more comfortable. And often, he even carried on it a small amphibian plane he used to get to and fro when there was a landing strip handy where he wanted to go. One can now see the banners displayed by the Society and the National Rivers Hall of Fame, located at Dubuque, Iowa. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- There may not have been a message in this bottle as it floated by the Lilly Belle (7) at the St. Louis riverfront on September 6, 2003, but yachts speeding down river sure left one. Unconcerned about the problem their wake was causing, the operators went merrily on their way, while Capt. Ike Hastings spread the word that it would be necessary to raise the spuds and spar the vessel further out in the river. The hull was banging on the bottom and visitors aboard were swaying like drunken sailors. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- An old buckboard seat graces the second deck of the Lilly Belle (8). One can tell from the picture, taken September 6, 2003, that the boat name was not painted yesterday. But that type of maintenance will now be up to the boat's new owners, the Audubon Society. Capt. Ike Hastings, who has operated and lived on the Lilly Belle for six months or more every year for a long time, has a new boat under construction at East Dubuque, Ill. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- From the deck of the Lilly Belle (9) visitors on the weekend of September 6, 2003, were able to see the gambling vessel Casino Belle docked on the Illinois shore across from the Gateway Arch at St. Louis. One can also see the Illinois end of Eads Bridge, upper left. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- The pilothouse on the Lilly Belle (10) didn't provide much space for creature comforts, but former owner Capt. Ike Hastings, Freeport, Ill., liked his cot just fine. The Audubon Society converted his cabin on the main deck into an office, but he also had a full-sized bed there. In this September 6, 2003, picture you can look through the window at cars on the St. Louis waterfront, see the pilot's "throne" at right, and see gauges and radio equipment, upper right. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- Capt. Ike Hastings, now operating his beloved Lilly Belle (11) for its new owners, the Audubon Society, poses on the second deck at the St. Louis waterfront on September 6, 2003. The Mississippi current pushed a log under the vessel and Capt. Ike had to go under the boat to remove it. No rest for the wicked? He is building a new boat at East Dubuque, Ill. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- Capt. Ike Hastings, standing on the St. Louis riverfront near the Lilly Belle (12), is a happy man, what with being able to spend most of his life on the river. Here, on September 6, 2003, he looks healthy as a horse (whatever that means), good color and a beard that might threaten Kris Kringle's job. When discussing his good health, he said that being happy and doing what he wants to do has much to do with it. Copyright Bitts and Bytes
- Here is a sneak peek at the pilot's "throne" and helm of the Lilly Belle (13), recently purchased from Capt. Ike Hastings, Freeport, Ill., by the Audubon Society, which is using it to spread the organization's message about the Upper Mississippi River. In this September 6, 2003, picture (taken at the St. Louis riverfront) one can see that even though the platform it is sitting has seen better days, the "throne" and pilotwheel are in top condition. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- Clad for comfort, Capt. Ike Hastings, right, stands on the second deck of the Lilly Belle (14) and visits with fans of the late John Hartford. They had boarded the vessel on September 6, 2003, upon the Audubon Society's invitation to tour the boat and learn the organization's message. They wanted to be photographed with the captain. The Lilly Belle is now owned by Audubon. Capt. Ike is constructing a new vessel at East Dubuque, Ill. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- Near the Lilly Belle (15), amid the levee stones on the St. Louis riverfront, is one stone that stands out starkly. To weave a wild tale, one could suggest that a treasure was buried beneath it, but Capt. Ike Hastings quickly reminded us that would be too obvious. Capt. Ike and the Lilly Belle visited over the September 6, 2003, weekend on behalf of the new vessel owners, the Audubon Society. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- A beautiful view of Eads Bridge can be seen through the pilothouse window of the paddlewheeler Lilly Belle (16) in this September 6, 2003, view. At right can be seen a copy of "If Ships Could Talk," a book of poems of river and sea. It was Capt. Ike's 79th birthday.
- Tied between the stacks of the Lilly Belle (17) during Audubon Society's Upper Mississippi River Campaign is the Society banner. The vessel and barge were in St. Louis when this picture was taken on September 6, 2003. The Society now owns the vessel, and its former owner, Capt. Ike Hastings, Freeport, Ill., is building a new one. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- Gateway Riverboat Cruise's Tom Sawyer as seen from the deck of the Lilly Belle (18) on the St. Louis riverfront September 6, 2003. Seen at left is the Illinois end of Eads Bridge and at right Continental Grain silos. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- From the decks of the paddlewheeler Lilly Belle (19) can be seen a typical Mississippi River scene on September 6, 2003. Heading upriver, a tow passes Continental Grain company facilities where a harbor boat can be seen working below near the cells. Eads Bridge can be seen at left. Copyright Bitts and Bytes.
- In this picture one can see the underside of the aluminum hull built for a new vessel being constructed by Capt. Ike Hastings of Freeport, Ill. His beloved Lilly Belle (20) has been sold to the Audubon Society, which is using it in its Upper Mississippi River Campaign. Posted by Bitts and Bytes.
- This picture of a picture shows the 97-foot aluminum hull of the new vessel that Capt. Ike Hastings is constructing to replace his paddlewheeler Lilly Belle (21), recently purchased by the Audubon Society. The vessel is being built at East Dubuque, Ill. Posted by Bitts and Bytes.
- This picture shows construction work well underway on Capt. Ike Hastings' new paddlewheeler. He decided on a new boat when the Audubon Society began negotiating to buy the Lilly Belle (22), Capt. Ike's home away from home for many years. The aluminum hull of the new vessel is 97 feet long. The construction pictures are outdated, because they were taken well before the Lilly Belle arrived in St. Louis on the weekend of September 6, 2003. Work goes on, however, even when Capt. Ike is away. Posted by Bitts and Bytes.
- The pilothouse on the new vessel being built at East Dubuque, Ill., for Capt. Ike Hastings to replace his beloved Lilly Belle (23) will be roughly twice as large as the one on his old boat, which now belongs to the Audubon Society. Posted by Bitts and Bytes.
- This view of construction work on the new vessel being constructed by Capt. Ike Hastings to replace the Lilly Belle (24) provides just a hint of the kind of scenery he will see from his pilothouse window. The vessel will ride on a 97-foot aluminum hull and have 14-foot paddlewheels. Posted by Bitts and Bytes.
- The barge on the bow of the Lilly Belle seems to have been outfitted with all the comforts of home. At times it carries Capt. Ike Hastings' airplane, which frequently comes in pretty handy for him on long trips. In addition to the flowers, Ike has tomatoes growing (see left center of the picture.) Copyright Capt. Ike Hastings.
- This picture of the Lilly Belle (2), formerly owned by Capt. Ike Hastings of Freeport, Ill., was taken September 6, 2003, below the Gateway Arch on the St. Louis riverfront. It has been sold to the Audubon Society. Notice the Audubon banner between the stacks and the total conversion of the barge that once represented Capt. Ike's patio and was adorned with flowers, small trees and, at times, his small amphibian airplane. Now it is dressed out to welcome guests who come aboard to learn about the river and Audubon's goals for it. Capt. Hastings has another boat under construction at this time. In the background can be seen near the Illinois shore, the east end of world famous Eads bridge, left; the Casino Queen, center; and the tall Continental Grain silos, right. Copyright B&B.
- The steel-hulled LILLY BELLE, built by Capt. Ike Hastings in 1958, pushes an aluminum pontoon he made in 2001. Here the vessel is shown at Hart's Landing, Cleves, Ohio, in June 2002. Copyright Capt. Ike Hastings.
- The barge on the bow of the LILLY BELLE seems to have been outfitted with all the comforts of home. At times it carries Capt. Ike Hastings' airplane, which frequently comes in pretty handy for him on long trips. In addition to the flowers, Ike has tomatoes growing (see left center of the picture.) Copyright Capt. Ike Hastings.
- This picture of the LILLY BELLE barge was taken in September 2002. "A sycamore seed got its start in my begonia flower bed," says the photographer. He doesn’t enjoy these comforts alone. Frequently he is accompanied by his dog and parrot. Copyright Capt. Ike Hastings.
- As pretty as the LILLY BELLE and all her adornments are, a picturesque setting always adds to the scene, especially when you are a semi-retired artist. Here she is tied up on the Ohio River below the Lafayette Hotel at Marietta in September 22002. Copyright Capt. Ike Hastings.
- Visiting with friends is an important pastime for those who call the river home. Capt. Ike Hastings, Freeport, Ill., took his sternwheeler LILLY BELLE, to St. Albans, W. Va., where his friend Lou Wendell operates Lou Wendell Marine Sales, inc. This picture, taken August 2, 2002, shows Hastings' LILLY BELLE and barge, right, tied up near Wendell's RUFUS B II. Copyright Capt. Ike Hastings.
- The pilothouse controls of the LILLY BELLE are silhouetted perfectly against the Louisville skyline in this photo take June 23, 2002. Copyright Capt. Ike Hastings.
- This photograph, taken August 10, 2002, at Montgomery, W. Va., headwaters of the Kanawha River, shows the RUFUS B II, left; JUANITA, center; and the LILLY BELLE. The photographer noted that with the mist in the mountains, it reminded him of being in Europe. Copyright Capt. Ike Hastings.
- The twin paddlewheels of the Audubon Society's Lilly Belle and their distinctive wake on the Mississippi River on October 17, 2003, at Dubuque, Iowa. Piloting the vessel was its former owner, Capt. Ike Hastings, who presently is building himself a new vessel. Copyright Craig Nowack.
- Capt. Ike Hastings sits onboard his new and as-yet-unnamed paddlewheeler he's building in East Dubuque, Ill., on October 18, 2003. Later that same day she was to be painted red like his previous boat, the Lilly Belle, which he sold to the Audubon Society. Copyright Craig Nowack.
- Capt. Ike Hastings' new and as-yet-unnamed sternwheeler being built on the Upper Mississippi River in East Dubuque on October 18, 2003. The pilothouse is four times the size of Ike's previous boat, the Lilly Belle. Copyright Craig Nowack.
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