On Thursday, I got some advice that I don't think I ever will forget.
"Never step on a Segway that isn't smiling," said Jeannie Young, Segway manager for the St. Louis Science Center.
Young brought a van-load of Segway Human Transporters to the National Great Rivers Museum at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam near Alton. The museum, in conjunction with the science center, is offering "glided" tours of the area on the Segways.
Janet Mifflin, a park ranger at the museum, led a group of people who will volunteer to conduct the tours from this month through October, weather permitting.
After a lesson on how the machines worked, we donned helmets, mounted our Segways and rode off into town. One of the things we learned is that a Segway is ready to mount when the little power gauge shows a happy face.
No word on whether the Segway ever frowns.
The tours follow the Confluence Bikeway, a paved path atop the Illinois levee. Along the way the guides talk about eagles, migratory birds and flyways among other river topics.
There are several different tours featuring Alton and some coming later that will go different directions along the trail and include bird-watching, food and special events.
It is about 2 miles from the locks and dam to the Clark Bridge in Alton. The tours also cover some of downtown.
We made it part of the way downtown before a light rain began falling. Only one of our participants took a tumble after hitting a high curb at the wrong angle. I was luckier. I hit the curb head-on and stayed upright.
As we glided our way back to the locks and dam, the rain became heavier, then briefly changed to sleet, leaving us all drenched and cold.
The Segways are not meant for inclement weather and one slowed to a crawl in the rain. But mine splashed right through the driving rain and the puddles.
Despite our misadventure, the tour was interesting. Each tour is limited to 10 people, age 12 or older. You need to be able to move freely to use the Segways.
The tours aren't cheap. They begin at $80 per person.
At least you probably won't be out in inclement weather, as we were.
My reward for sticking it out was this column, an online video and a Segway driver's license with possibly the worst picture in the history of driver's licenses.
For more information or to book a tour, call the Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-258-6645.
Wally Spiers' column runs five days a week. Have a column idea? Call Wally at 239-2506 or (800) 642-3878; or e-mail: wspiers@bnd.com
