Today we're going someplace that MBIP doesn't go too often. Outdoors. That's right. Fresh air and sunshine. You may want to put some shades on for this one.
About a half dozen or so years ago, Moonbaby's and my daughter, Amber, married a great guy named Darren. Darren's mom and stepdad are a wonderfull, fun couple, and they've invited us all to a day on their boat.
Moonbaby and I are old River Rats that spent an awful lot of time on the water until we got rid of our boat several years ago. So, we're really looking forward to a day on the river and I want to witness first hand these flying fish I've heard so much about.
We're going to climb in the old Pizza Mobile and head north on Rt 29 to The Best Illinois Town by a Dam Site.
I love old river towns and Henry is a great one. It's a beautiful old town with a Norman Rockwell type of quality. Big, old, well maintained houses, giant trees and an American flag on almost every front porch. They even have a real torpedo in their park. How cool is that? A tour of Henry may be in the future, but for now, we're heading down to Henry Harbor.
Here we are at the marina. I was told that not too long ago this place was full of boats and there was a waiting list. I'm guessing that was back when gas was cheaper.
Ya just gotta love boaters. They don't wait until 5 o'clock. And I do some of best drinking in the afternoon.
This is our traveling vessel for today. A beautiful 28 foot Cruiser.
And here are our gracious and fun hosts: Cap'n Bill and his lovely First Mate Lori.
This is the motley crew for today's three hour tour. From left; Professor, Mary Ann, Skipper, Ginger, Lovey and Gilligan. No, not really. It's Darren, Moonbaby, Cp'n Bill, Amber, Lori and the dumb ass that almost fell in while getting into position for this photo.
We're under way now, and while Lori slaves away down in the galley preparing some tasty looking snacks...
Cap'n Bill steers us past an alien spaceship fueling station. Or maybe it's a grain elevator.
Check out this cool riverfront cabin. It even has it's own lighthouse.
Lori told me that this was called "Bird Poop Island". Those aren't white birch trees. They're covered with...well, you know.
We all know that Marty doesn't like going over bridges. I get a little spooked going under them. I imagine him and the MBIP Mobile crashing through the guardrail and landing on top of me. And then proceeding to drink all of our beer on board!
We've been out on the water for a few hours now, and I'm beginning to feel all those beers I've had, but we still haven't seen any flying carp. I was teasing Bill and Lori about them being involved in some sort of a hoax, when all of a sudden, as if on cue...
These photos don't really show how fast and furious these things were jumping up and flying around. I'm by no means a photographer and if I was, I probably wouldn't be using this $45 Kodak. Take my word for it. There are flying carp in the Illinois River. A lot of them.
On a serious note; These fish really do threaten the ecosystems of our inland waters, including the Great Lakes. Let's all hope a solution is found soon.
After all that excitement, it's time to head back to the marina. The beer's almost gone and I should probably get off the boat while I can still walk.
As we head back in, it's nice to see the folks at Henry Harbor give a shout out to MBIP pals, Pete and Linda Clarno.
While the Cap'n eases the boat up to the dock, I notice several people milling around the dock. I wonder if they're milling because...
It's Miller Time! Or. more precisely, “Miller’s Time” according to their boat. I have no idea how Amber and Darren switched boats so fast. The other good looking couple in this photo are Mark and Jackie. They're Bill and Lori's dockside neighbors.
Here's some more of the people that were doing the milling. I didn't take any notes (I figured by now I would have dropped my notepad in the river), and being somewhat under the influence, I didn't get some of their names. Jackie and Mark are next to Lori, but that's all I have. My humble apologies to the folks that were kind enough to pose for this photo.
It's time to leave all these fun people. But just before we left, a lovely young lady came up and FLASHED me...
With an MBIP card! Take that ASDC! Thanks to Bill and Lori for a great day and to Amber and Darren for over-beering me! Happy Trails Everybody! Take me drunk Moonbaby, I'm home.
Related Posts: My Town: Some Of My Favorite Places In Morton—Part II, Metamora—A Little Tour Of My Old Town and My Town: Some Of My Favorite Places In Morton.
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