From Lewiston down through the desert of eastern Oregon and the rich green of the Cascades, the colorful paddle-wheelers carried their goods and passengers and did their share to develop the pioneer American West. Some of the boats were exquisitely ornate and provided complete luxury for the excursion passengers while others had only the bare necessities and carried miners, their animals and supplies. Although the steamers are all but gone now, Timmen relives the glory days of steamboating in the book full of history, photographs and terrific tales.