A stream of couples trickled out of the cabin of the Tennessee Aquarium's River Gorge Explorer on Sunday evening holding hands or locking arms.
Standing on the deck, the boat's captain, Pete Hosemann, offered cheery farewells to each couple.
"Have a good evening," Hosemann told one couple.
"Come ride with us again soon when it's warmer," he said to another.
Sunday's two rides were specially marketed as Valentine's Day rides - one couple even got engaged on the deck - but really, they weren't much different than the voyages the River Gorge Explorer has taken since 2008.
The boat took its 5,000th trip Saturday, and as he has been since the boat tours of the Tennessee River Gorge began, Hosemann was there to steer and ensure the educational enjoyment of his passengers.
"I take the attitude that every trip is special, because it is for our guests," Hosemann said. "I know that sounds like a line, but it really isn't. That's something I work very hard to instill in our crew, because frequently we have riders that have never been on the river, never been on this boat, and for them it really is a special event."
More than 216,000 riders have enjoyed plunging into the scenic river gorge since the journeys began eight years ago and Hosemann has captained more than half those excursions.
While aboard, riders learn from naturalists about the historic, geological and geographic legacy of the gorge. And it's worth noting not a single passenger has gone overboard.
"It's been a fun ride," Hosemann said.
Because of its affiliation with the Tennessee Aquarium, a large part of the River Gorge Explorer's clientele are tourists, and a few out-of-town riders were aboard for journey No. 5,002 on Sunday night.
"We saw a couple of eagles. It was pretty neat, and I love the boat," said Leroy Floyd, of Murfreesboro, who was with his wife, Joann.
"They were very knowledgeable and knew where everything was and all the history," Joann Floyd said as the couple walked off the boat, headed downtown for dinner.
Relatively speaking, Sunday was a low-key Valentine's Day for the River Gorge Explorer. Hosemann is ordained to perform weddings and has done so aboard the boat in previous years.
But, he said, there is not one trip or journey that sticks out over the others.
His favorite moment as captain is one he's seen frequently and hopes to see many more times in the future.
"Frequently, a student will learn something in school and then come out on the boat and actually get to see it. And occasionally, you're fortunate enough to be present when that light of understanding clicks in their head.
"That's one of the most wonderful things anyone can experience."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.