Turkey Run in Mount Dora - November 2004

Marty Ferry

The Turkey run was just another example of skiffs having fun. It’s a scheduled event we do every year the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

We arrived at Gilbert Park in Mount Dora around 10 AM by trailer. Within Minutes, we were met by our hosts Phil & Jean Jordan with Tom Donley and sister Jeanne. I was hungry as usual and Jean started unpacking the truck with turkey, veggies, breads, PIES, and everything for a Thanksgiving dinner. I found out, they cooked double just for the event! Everyone brings leftovers from turkey day and adds to the meal. Claire made turkey soup, (from the turkey of Bill & Betty Russell) and even if she is my wife, the soup was a welcome addition. Phil & Jean will sponsor the event again next year.

As more skiffs arrived, more food and beverages came to the table. The table could only serve as a buffet now. Soon there were 10 skiffs, one flat bottom and one woodie launched. Dinner was about to be served. It was good to see all the enthusiasm from people looking over our boats and asking questions. One even offered to swap me his bull dog for my skiff! I’ve been offered lots for a ride, but my boat!!

We discussed moving the Frost Bite to Cypress Gardens, since we haven’t patronized the lakes and businesses there this year, but after research, it will have to wait.

Our cruise this day will lead us around the perimeters of Lake Dora, Beau Clair and Carlton. This will be a cruise of approximately 35 miles. We will be five skiffs wide and two rows for the cruise. We ran at 4000 rpm or approximately 55 miles per hour according to my GPS. Those who had the need for speed would drop BACK and catch up with the group and take their position on the right of the line. These events are lots of fun and we insist on controlled operation while within the group.

We passed some of our woodies chapter’s homes and they came out to wave so we did a loop for them than on back to our course. The uncertainty of debris in the Dora Canal kept us on the lakes to the south. I was thinking what a pleasure it would be if the Sunnylands Chapter could host open house with soda & water with 5 members homes and we could do a poker run and also give us all another opportunity to meet other members. Every year we could rotate south of the canal, north of the canal and down to Duke’s chain of lakes in Winter Haven. Go whichever way you want, just hit all 5 homes and be back at the ramp at 4 to see who won! $3.00 per boat winner takes all! Just an idea to get people into the holiday spirit and to use their boats more.

Meanwhile back on the Lake, we passed fisherman and others like ourselves just out enjoying the day. We slowed occasionally to look at things on the lake, other boats, gators or just things of interest. Before you knew it we were back at Gilbert Park and the trip took us about 90 minutes. Some of us went out for some speed while others found their way back to the dinner table.

Billy Russell brought his model skiff and gave us a demonstration of how it runs, looks good and lots of fun also. Most of us burnt a tank of fuel enjoying the day. Such a small price to pay while being among friends.

We helped each other get all the skiffs and other boats safely on the trailers and said our good-byes till our next adventure.