The theme for April is "Favorite Memories," and every story talks about either how to make happy memories--Sandy Lindsey reviews gadgets to help us entertain onboard--or about places that embody them.

For example, Susan Peterson Gately returns to tell about a program that uses tall ships to build character in her "Sisters Under Sail."      

The Unicorn under sail
Photo courtesy of Dawn Santamaria

The talented Linda Aksomitis visits a place in the Near the Water feature that is full of memories for Americans:  Shiloh National Military Park, site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. A landing place for boats, Pittsburgh Landing, was vital for both sides and it's one of the reasons why a major battle was fought here. Pittsburgh Landing looks a lot more peaceful these days.

Pittsburgh Landing
Photo by Linda Aksomitis

St. Louis Arch

Alan Lloyd returns to HLB, this time with evocative pictures of "Cruising Down the Rivers." Here's one he took in from our own home town.

In the city of Pittsburgh, the educational program, RiverQuest, uses boats cruising that city's three rivers to teach about the area and about the environment. Kate Godfrey-DeMay writes about what's been accomplished One of the boats is the Explorer; here she is at work.

The Explorer
Photo by Brian Gauvin

The marina profiles--both great places to build memories with your family--are Heritage Harbor in Ottawa, Ill., and Eastport Marina & Resort, on Pickwick Lake. Lee Braff wrote about Heritage Harbor and Mearl Murphy wrote about Eastport Marina.

Entrance to Heritage Harbor from the Illinois River.
Photo by Lee Braff

Joan Wenner writes in Waterway Law about wild and scenic river trails that many heartland states are establishing. One of them is the Muskingum River, which features some of the oldest locks in the nation, as this view shows.