Turkey Run in Eustis, Florida

November 28, 2003

(Story by Claire, photos by Claire and Jeananne Swift)

The day after the big turkey day, Thanksgiving that is.  Marty and I, and everyone else too I hope, were satisfied from good food, good drinks, and good friends from the day before.  This day started out quite chilly and as I was getting ready that morning, I checked the weather.  The weatherman confirmed, "Today it will be COLD and WINDY."  Hhhmmm, best to dress in layers, gotta dig out that winter parker, socks, hat and gloves too...did I get rid of my long underwear?  We were planning on meeting and launching from the old ramp in Eustis around 10:00 a.m., better get moving.  We were the first to arrive at the ramp, then Cliff with Sun Dog, and Tom Donnelly and Jeananne Swift (all the way from Maryland), along with Phil and Jean Jordan and their vintage ski boat named I'm Back!!.  Marty made a couple of phone calls to the stragglers and informed them we all agreed it would be better to launch at Gilbert Park in Mt. Dora.  Hopefully the wind won't be as bad over there. 

Did I mention the wind was howling?... I mean really howling!  There were white caps out on Lake Eustis and I nearly got blown over from the force of the wind.  I'm saying to myself, "Self, its going to be a cold wet day in a fast boat today!  Great, just fr#^@$*g great." 

After arriving at the new meeting location, it didn't take us long to unload the boats, tie off, repack, and get out on the water!  Off we go, I'm Back with Phil and Jean Jordan on board  is ready and waiting, Puppy Love is in the water, Cliff in Sun Dog is ready to go, Skip, Paul and Timmy just pulled up-- let's go for a warm up cruise while Skip gets ready.  I went with Marty and it wasn't that bad, he had it above 4,000 a couple of times, but the water was nice and flat and it wasn't all that bad.  There may have been a few seconds were I was ready to pound him, but I held off.  We went back to the docks to take a break and to see what the holdup was with Skip.  He got the boat in the water, went for a little loop 'de loop ride, came back to the dock and tied up.  What's up with this?  Not being too mechanically inclined when it comes to engines, I knew it wasn't good when the trailer was being backed into the water and the boat was loaded up.

Cliff and Kevin Cree were out playing on the water, and Marty decided to go for a ride and to let Cliff know Skip was stuck on land.  Off he goes and I stay behind.  Big Dog takes off like a dog in heat chasing Sun Dog.  The sound of the engines roaring and the sight of the two skiffs running out there at full speed, side by side, sure got the crowd's attention.  They were clocked at 83 and 85 m.p.h., but, we don't know who the gun was pointed at.  When they came back in, each said they had more to give but didn't bring clean underwear and decided to hold back. (yeah, right!). Cliff thought this was a race, but Marty was only trying to catch him to tell him Skip's boat was on land.

Marty went back out.........

Tom Wark showed up without his Jersey Girl.  He claimed it was too cold to go for a boat ride today.  Funny how good 'ol Jersey boys turn in to Florida wimps in no time at all!  Come on Tom, suck it up and break out the gloves! Tom promises that he will be out for the Frostbite - REGARDLESS of the weather!

Time for lunch!  As you know, we advertised this as bring your leftovers for a picnic lunch at the park.  Cliff brought a couple of turkey sandwiches, Jean made some turkey salad, pumpkin cheesecake and potato salad.  I brought along plenty of leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberry relish.   I must say we had a nice spread, and no one left hungry.  Some lingered around the table longer than others.  A good part of the day was spent telling stories and lies and plotting and scheming.  You know how it goes.  Jean and Timmy went off to feed the ducks all the leftover bread.  David Letterman would have been proud, they were making the ducks do stupid duck tricks.  I was waiting for one of them bit the hand that feeds them.  Luckily that didn't happen - they ran out of bread!

Bill, Betty, and Mark Russell chased us down with their boat Fly'n Pony in tow.  Unfortunately, when they arrived almost everyone was packed and ready to head out.  Bill got a late start that day, but he was able to get a skiff ride earlier that day.

A few more boat rides, a walk through alligator territory, then its time to pack up.  Skip, Paul and Timmy are heading back home to warmer climates.  Kevin Cree heads to Jacksonville, Cliff goes north too, and the rest go their separate ways and will regroup later at the Crazy Gator.

As you may have guessed by now, we sure do a lot of eating at these events.  It is not uncommon for Marty to drip something on the front of his shirt.  Jeananne recognizes this and presents Marty with his very own Big Dog bib at the restaurant  Thanks Jeananne!

Well, that's about it for the Turkey Run. 

Claire

Oh, by the way, do you know what this is?  Not knowing anything about engines, is this bad?