This book is "A Riverboat Odyssey". It is about a woman who grew up in central Minnesota. The story takes place starting in 1899 thru 1935. She marries a Paddlewheel steamboat captain in 1922 and travels up and down the Mississippi river between Braionerd, MN. and St. Louis, Mo. She has about 200 letters from her family that she reads to the passengers every day about growing up on a 40 acre farm. Their boat, "The Northern Belle", becomes a second home filled with Astrid's handmade quilts and fresh flowers. For over 20 years, Astrid and Hans work side by side, delighting passengers with scenic tours, home cooked meals, and Astrid's letter readings from her Ma and Pa about life on the farm beginning in 1899. This is book one of two.