In this episode of 'Ramblin' on the River' share a series of humorous and intriguing maritime stories, including the two groundings of the Belle of Cincinnati, the partial sinking of the Captain Ben, and the unfortunate sinking of the diorama barge. They also discuss how the crew managed to improvise mooring situations by tying their vessel to unconventional objects. The episode concludes with exciting news about the return of the 'Tall Stacks' festival, now called 'America's River Roots,' which is scheduled for October 2025. The hosts provide insights into the festival's components, including music, culture, cuisine, and the anticipated arrival of various riverboats from across the United States.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin' on the River
01:23 Meet the Hosts: Ben, Alan, and Terri
01:47 Listener Emails and Fan Interactions
04:08 Terri's Lisp and Funny Anecdotes
05:28 Bloopers and Mishaps: Part 1
07:48 Navigating the Tennessee River
13:18 Grounding the Belle of Cincinnati
15:51 Rescue Operations and Passenger Safety
25:21 The Captain Ben Incident
30:40 Building the Diorama
31:20 Animatronics and Chuck E. Cheese
32:05 The Sinking Barge Incident
34:29 Coast Guard and Missing Documents
37:48 Tying Up the Boat in Town
43:19 Blooper Story Time
43:38 Word of the Day: Flotsam and Jetsam
48:27 America's River Roots Festival
59:14 Podcast Conclusion and Farewell

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This episode features a blend of intriguing family history and inspirational medical resilience. The family discusses the transformation of old riverboats into the famed haunted attraction, the USS Nightmare. Joined by Allen Rizzo, the episode highlights behind-the-scenes stories, memorable moments, and the growth of this fall tradition in Cincinnati. Additionally, Alan shares his profound medical journey from low platelet levels to a life-saving liver transplant, underscoring the importance of belief and perseverance. Personal anecdotes and humorous recollections enrich these stories.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin' on the River
00:45 Meet the Bernstein Family
01:44 Podcast Housekeeping
02:15 Global Reach and Listener Stats
03:14 Introducing the USS Nightmare
03:46 Guest Appearance: Allen Rizzo
04:15 History of the USS Nightmare
06:23 The Haunted Attraction's Early Days
07:26 Building the Haunted House
12:47 Challenges and Funny Stories
36:57 Expansion and New Ventures
39:43 The Pristine Museum
40:09 The Mitchell Massacre
41:55 Blending Folklore with History
43:15 Rechristening the Boats
45:12 Haunted House Industry Insights
47:38 The Millionth Passenger
49:10 The USS Nightmare Experience
56:34 The Legendary Haunt Tour
01:05:42 Al's Cancer Journey
01:16:21 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Please like and subscribe to this show. Connect with us on our Facebook or Instagram page. Check out our website at RamblinontheRiver.com or email us directly at podcast@bbriverboats.com. Thank you for listening!

This episode of 'Ramblin on the River,' takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the family's history, focusing on Alan's summer of 1969 in the Catskill Mountains. The episode dives into the family's entrepreneurial past in the hospitality industry and includes amusing and heartfelt stories, debates on historical dates, and intricate recollections of Alan's youthful adventures, working as a busboy at the Vegetarian hotel, and eventually finding his way to Gilbert's hotel. The Bernstein's also touch upon broader industry topics such as sea service time for mariners and upcoming ventures like the USS Nightmare. The episode concludes with humorous anecdotes and family banter, providing rich insight into the Bernsteins' family dynamics and their love for storytelling.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin on the River
00:39 Meet the Hosts: The Bernstein Family
02:19 A Trip Down Memory Lane: 1969
06:45 Life in the Catskill Mountains
16:00 The Vegetarian Hotel Experience
22:07 Woodstock and the End of Summer
25:06 Memories of the Catskill Mountains
26:11 Working in the Catskills: A Teenager's Experience
27:08 The Late Night Shows and Bartending
31:01 The Seasonal Nature of Catskill Resorts
33:05 Lessons Learned from the Catskills
36:22 Word of the Day: Schnoz
41:09 Mariner Licensing and Sea Time
49:03 Upcoming Episode Teaser and Conclusion

Please like and subscribe to this show. Connect with us on our Facebook or Instagram page. Check out our website at RamblinontheRiver.com or email us directly at podcast@bbriverboats.com. Thank you for listening!