My neighbor invited Isaiah (my 4 year old) and I to go with him for a boat ride down the Blind River to have a burger at the Blind River Bar on Sunday. Isaiah was very excited and raring to go as he had never been on a boat before. He was asking all sorts of questions like; "Does Mr. Dave have an anchor so we can stop"? I was impressed with his knowledge of boats (he's into Pirates so I guess that is where he got the info) We put in at the St James Boat Club and headed down the river. He loved it and was having a blast. It turns out that the Blind River Bar's kitchen was closed due to AC trouble so we headed up the Diversion Canal to Sarita's. After lunch we got back underway and just as we got out of the no wake zone we had engine trouble. We got towed back to the pier at the restaurant by some 20 somethings who were quite knowledgeable and helpful. A couple of the guys from the other boat worked on it and we thought we had it solved so we got underway again. This time we ended up dead in the water as the no oil alarms were blaring. Isaiah handled the adversity like a trooper. He only asked to go home once when the engine first died and Mr Dave said "uh-oh". I just told him we would be fine and he calmed down and was okay after that. He even handled the stifling heat and rough ride that was the result of being dead in the water very well. We flagged down a Sheriff's patrol boat and they towed us to the nearest boat launch (a private launch that the owners were kind enough to allow us to use) We called our wives to drive to the boat launch where we had put in to get the truck and trailer and drive it the 25 miles or so to where we were. Once Dave was tied off at the launch the Police boat took Isaiah and I to Kevin's where I could get him out of the heat until the ladies arrived. The pretty waitresses were fawning over him and bringing him lemonade the whole time (lucky dog). So, Isaiah not only got to ride on a boat, but he had his first waterborne (minor) emergency and got to ride on a police boat as well. Life is never boring with this kid.
Shortly after we put in.
Interstate 10 crosses the Blind River.
The Blind River Bar.
We met up with another neighbor for lunch.
Lunch at Sarita's on the Diversion Canal.
Some waterside homes near where we were allowed to use a private launch.
Not the way one wants to end the day on the water.
He loved that "Police Boat" so much that I had to get nasty with Isaiah to get him to listen to me about not sticking his head up out of the hatch while we were being towed.
Shortly after we put in.
Interstate 10 crosses the Blind River.
The Blind River Bar.
We met up with another neighbor for lunch.
Lunch at Sarita's on the Diversion Canal.
Some waterside homes near where we were allowed to use a private launch.
Not the way one wants to end the day on the water.
He loved that "Police Boat" so much that I had to get nasty with Isaiah to get him to listen to me about not sticking his head up out of the hatch while we were being towed.
Last edited:
