Cruisin' Down the River

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Spirit of Peoria ready to chug another summer

When it comes to entertainment along the Illinois Riverfront in downtown Peoria the variety is something many don't think about or realize is there.

But take a trip on The Spirit of Peoria, one of the few authentic paddlewheel boats taking the water today, and one realizes there is also unique entertainment, something you can't find just anywhere and that people will drive for miles to do.

"And it's right here in our own backyard," said Alex Grieves, owner and captain of the boat that has graced the Peoria waterfront for nearly 25 years. He has owned it since 1993 and driven it since 1996.

"I'm glad we have this here for Peoria. I do sometimes think Peorians take us for granted because we have been here for so long, but I believe once they try us out again, or the first time, they will love it and come back. It really is a unique experience," Grieves said.

The Spirit of Peoria officially begins its summer season with a Murder Mystery Cruise scheduled for May 12. The Mother's Day brunch cruise is May 13 and a Gospel Dinner Cruise is set for that night.

Regular sightseeing cruises begin June 2.

The schedule, including overnight and multi-day excursions, can be seen at www.spiritofpeoria.com. Tickets for special cruises can be ordered on that website while tickets for regular sightseeing cruises can be purchased at The Spirit of Peoria dock at the foot of Main Street.

Grieves believes the boat is important to Peoria and will be even more so as other downtown activities come to fruition, particular the new Peoria Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center that are expected to increase local tourism considerably. "We're finally going to have a good looking riverfront. It's all coming together well," he said.

He also hopes the museum and The Spirit of Peoria can collaborate on tourism packages, possibly with local hotels as well.

As far as this summer goes, Grieves said he and his crew, which includes the second captain, Harold Breitenbach, are ready for a good year. "The economy seems to be in recovery, we fit in well with the stay-close-to-home vacations more people are taking and we aren't supposed to have any flooding this year thanks to the mild winter," he said.

The Spirit of Peoria was built in 1988, commissioned by D. James Jumer for The Landing, his project at the foot of Main Street. When that project closed, however, the Spirit was put on the market and in 1993 was about to be sold to become a sister boat to The Belle of Louisville and leave the Peoria market.

Grieves' father, former Peoria Mayor and retired businessman Lowell "Bud" Grieves wanted to keep it here. He asked his son if he would run it and then the two of them stepped in "at the last minute" and asked the city to lease the Spirit to them with an option to buy it. The city agreed and the boat was saved as a Peoria attraction.

Alex Grieves was 23 and fresh out of college. In fact, he'd never been on The Spirit of Peoria. But he agreed to take it on and try to infuse it with marketing and enthusiasm.

It worked, to a point. "We tried to grow too fast, keeping the restaurant boat going (the Katie Hooper, which has since been sold and moved north) and starting an ice cream shop and such. But once we right sized the project we could see it was worth doing. We've worked hard but it has been fun," he said. "We're doing pretty well."

Grieves learned to drive the board under former Capt. Jim Maddox and got his captain's license in 1996. That included training of 360 days of eight hours each driving the boat to be qualified for a U.S. Coast Guard license. He later bought out Bud Grieves and became sole owner.

Every trip can be an adventure, he said. "Our only propulsion is the paddlewheel powered by twin Caterpillar diesel gensets. This baby handles like boats did in 1812, with just the wheel and front rudders. It can be difficult at times, but it is a very stable boat," he said.

The boat is 47½ feet tall and sits only four feet into the water.

The Spirit of Peoria's cruising speed is 7 to 10 miles an hour, though it is capable of speeds of up to 14 miles an hour when it gets involved in paddleboat races. Grieves boasts that it is undefeated in such races.

The cruising speed is fine for the excursions, including the overnight cruises to Starved Rock and the longer excursions to St. Louis. Grieves said he enjoys those because a person can learn much and see things they haven't seen before. "There are many stretches of river and riverfront that have not been touched by progress. It's beautiful," he said. "We have a lot of repeat customers for those cruises."

It's the reaction of customers and getting to do things like perform weddings — which he can do as captain of the ship — that are what make it worth the hard work that goes into keeping the Spirit afloat on the Peoria riverfront, Grieves said.

"We feel like we're bringing a bit of history back to Peoria and its residents and it's important to people. I enjoy it and I intend to stay around," said Grieves, now 42 and married with children. "It's a lot of work but it's worth it."

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