The Great Boating Near Fiasco

The other day, our family rented out a huge 12-seater pontoon to explore Clear Lake.  The water had been placid all day, so we were expecting a calm ride.  Let's just say we were a little unprepared for the excitement that would ensue.

It took us awhile to get fourteen people organized and on the boat.  At the last moment, Amy and I came running with a large tray holding three large sachets of fries, a drink and several dips, our flip flops slapping on the wooden planks of the pier.  We launched ourselves into the boat and slid into our seats.  Magdalene, eyes barely popping over her too large life-jacket, her face smooshing against the inside of the jacket, was wailing without reprieve.  We were already launching 20 minutes later than we'd paid for when we ordered our rental.  The fries skidded across the seat of the boat, nearly upsetting everywhere.  Fortunately many hands came to the rescue to take away and demolish the fries.  The smoothie was grabbed too quickly and sprayed all over the floor.  More crying from Magdalene ensued while I tried to clean up the mess.

All the while, Derek began maneuvering the boat away from the dock.  Steering the boat in the direction of open water, we warped ahead, water flying over the front of the boat, unexpectedly splashing anyone and their gear near the front including bags of school books and cameras. Earl's hat went sailing over the top of the boat and into the water behind us, while several others clutched their hats closely to their heads.  Anyone who knows Earl, knows that a hat of his is not a mere $30 hat.  And so the boat nearly came to an abrupt halt as several of us attempted to rescue the hat which floated lazily alongside the boat just a fingers breadth out of reach as if taunting us.  One member of our party, leaned over the side of the boat, dangling his legs up in the air while I grabbed Maggie with one arm and his ankle by the other. 

In the meantime, while our attention was focused on rescuing this darn hat, we drifted ever so swiftly backwards, inching closer to other boats anchored in the harbour.  Our rescue mission swiftly ended when we all turned our energies on figuring out how to NOT hit the other boats in the harbour and get out to open water.  We were all prepared to throw our arms out to brace ourselves against nearby boats.

But Derek was brilliant, and got us out of the tough spot and we continued on to do some fishing--the two young boys' first time, before heading back.  The chop was pretty big and we ALL returned completely soaked, but delighted.  Magdalene, soaking wet from the chop, somehow managed to sleep through most of the trip.  And nothing else was lost or damaged on our adventure but sadly, that hat was never found.