Brian has been boat browsing online lately, the same way I used to “shop” for a dog in Alaska. He thinks he’s just doing price comparisons, but I can see the love/lust in his eyes. I know the various files he’s built with photos and Web links to his latest boat girlfriend of the week. There’s no holding him back now. Do I feel threatened? Not at all. I’ve already told Brian that when I’m on board, I pull Alpha Girlfriend Status. But otherwise, I think it’s all very cool. I love boats and the water, and the whole prospect is quite exciting. I’ve always enjoyed boat-people culture. Brian’s been teaching me about the different kinds of boats, walk-arounds vs. center-counsel. Some have plastic tops, some have bimminy (canvas) tops that stretch shade over the Captain. Then of course, there’s your port/starbird and bow/stern. Watch me work the lingo. Maybe one day, I’ll be a Real boat-person…
Lo and behold, Brian surprises me last Sunday by telling me we bought a boat. Really?! Let’s see! We had to go pick it up in Vancleave, a 20 minute drive north of us. He scored a major deal on it, paying only half of its retail value. It’s been ever-so-gently used and comes with its own marine battery, engine, and two paddles. Paddles?
Surprise! It’s a canoe. So, for the moment, we’re more like canoe-people.
We already took our new member of the family out on her maiden voyage in the Davis Bayou. It’s nice! A green Pelican, with three seats, each with its own drink holder for your beer! Or soda. The motor is a nice perk, for those times when you just want to get back to shore because low-lying clouds and lightening are closing in. Here, Brian is trying to figure this boat motor for the first time, trying to screw it on without it falling in the water, and in typical Marlena-fashion, I’m asking him all these unrelated questions, like, “Did you and the girls ever get rained on when you went boating?” “Will a motor short-out if it gets rained on?” …“Are there alligators in here?” “Do you think an alligator could tip a canoe? What if it really wanted to?” “Did you see that big splash?” …”Brian, it’s lightening over there. Should we turn back?” “Look at those monster clouds! They look like burnt marshmallows!” “Would you take a bite out of that cloud if it were made of burnt marshmallows?”
It was a short boat ride, but at least we know everything works! We were able to get her out of the water before the skies opened up. Unfortunately, there’s a little more that’s goes into packing up a canoe for the day, beyond getting it out of the water. I’ve already learned my first marine lesson. Tying a boat up is no more fun in the rain than being stuck on a boat in the rain.
I love it though. I’ll be looking forward to packing a cooler, our fishing gear, and maybe Gretchen for afternoon cruises through the bayou. I’m training Gretchen to “Sit” in the canoe. We’re going to practice in the backyard.
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