July 3, 2006
Maria gave us directions to drive to the marina where their boat is docked. We made it there in less than an hour with no problems. The last part of the drive is through a beautiful golf course. A fansy restaurant comes next followed by lots of expensive homes along the river. At the end of the road is a gravel drive leading into River Forest Marina. We past a few house boats up on blocks that are for sale and continued to park at the pavillion. Maria came out to meet us. She had stayed out on her boat all night by herself in the thunder storm. She had thought that the booms she heard were fireworks.
She showed us the nice clean port-a-potty, the pavillion with picnic tables, refridgerators, microwave, and grill. She said they are planning to build restrooms with showers and plan to put in wireless innernet. Maria pointed out the trail that leads up to a waterfall. Then we walked down to the dock. Maria's boat, Our Greaat Escape, is at the far end. She pointed out that all of her friends are docked at the opposite end. Will and Maria helped Kathy and Jayne aboard. We enjoyed snacks as we swayed with the movement of the river. The view down the river was stopped by a dredge barge. Across the river the hill is rich and green. Up along the dock houseboats, cruisers and speed boats are docked. About half way up is a fueling station.
We spent the day relaxing, checking out Maria's organization of the storage space on board, snacking, and enjoying the sway as water waves moved the boat up and down. Maria got too hot and decided to lounge in her tube. She tied it off on the boat and jumped in splashing herself with river water. Kathy chewed ice cubes to cool off and Jayne and Will drank a soda. It was a wonderful day.
Cliff got "home" and took us for a ride up the river. Jayne joined him at the helm and he explained all the instruments and their functions. Then he gave her the wheel! Jayne wiggled and waggled up the river excited to be driving the boat. When she was done she announced that she never even drove her boat! She was really excited. Cliff drove us back to the dock. Carol and Tubby, friends of theirs zipped by on thei jetski. We gathered food supplies and went up to the pavillion and gilled burgers and dogs. Kathy went down and feed the geese. One big goose honked at anothere then ripped feathers right out of his side! Kathy chased the big goose off and scolded him! After dinner we left Maria and Cliff to enjoy their boat and headed back to Beech Road.
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