She looked beautiful, tied up at Curtis Wharf with the September sun bathing her decks in light. “She” is the Empress of the North, a sternwheeler built by Nichols Brothers on Whidbey Island and now based in Portland. The Empress made a once-a-year stop in Anacortes Friday, drawing the attention of executive directors from the Port of Anacortes and the Chamber of Commerce. Executives Bob Hyde and Mitch Everton took the opportunity to welcome the vessel and crew to town, and then to “plant a seed” toward more frequent visits. In addition, there will be efforts made to keep the cruise vessel’s 200-plus guests in town, rather than moving from boat to bus to LaConner. Ship’s historian Clara graciously consented to a tour for local guests, and I was fortunate enough to join them. See more photos in Activities section under “Empress of North.”