Memorial Day Weekend 1999 Bethel Island, CA Page 3 Sunday, May 30, 1999 We got up a little late this morning, but earlier than yesterday. I went down to the dock to see what was happening. I found Tom there cleaning the dock up from last night's activities. He was also preparing for a big Sunday morning breakfast. I talked with Tom for awhile and then I had a nice visit with Nora. I thought I might fish for a while, but I wasn't awake enough to get in to it. So I just sat and enjoyed the nice view looking out on Frank’s Tract. A view of the water with local residents For those not familiar with the area, many of the islands are below sea level. They are kept dry by levees around each island. Unlike Bethel Island, some islands were called tracts, such as Jones Tract or Smith Tract. The names originated with the names of the families who farmed the land on the islands. Frank’s Tract is a flooded island that looks very much like a lake. It is used like a lake for boating, fishing, and water skiing. Getting ready for breakfast --- A wonderful aroma As more of our group assembled on the dock, people began to prepare breakfast. It was the type of breakfast we’ve become accustomed to at our RV club’s outings. Fred took control of cooking the bacon; he had a skillet full of aroma producing meat. Kevin cooked up some great potatoes mixed with chopped onions and diced bell peppers. Tom made one of his omelets and with various foods brought by our group, we had a very nice morning meal. It is a great way to start the day. Kevin cooking some great potatoes After breakfast, we visited for a while. It would give us the opportunity to burn off some of the calories we took on at breakfast. So we all headed out for the Sugar Barge RV Park and Marina. Some of the flowers we saw along the way We walked along the street that goes by Tom and Nora’s place. As we walked, we visited among ourselves and occasionally we would talk to people who were working in their yards. Some of the yards had beds of beautiful flowers while others had vegetables. Before reaching Sugar Barge, some of us decided we were ready to turn back to the dock. On the road to Sugar Barge To view different scenery on the way back, we decided to walk back on the levee road. So we then had to find a way up to the levee. When asked how we could get up to the levee road, a woman working in her yard pointed out a stairway on the side of her property. She told us we were welcome to use her stairway. When we got to the top of the stairs, we were presented with a nice view of Frank’s Tract as well as the docks and houses along the levee. It was nice to be able to see the boating activity as we walked along the levee road. At one of houses along the road, we saw a huge dog on the deck. It was big even for a Great Dane. I’m sure that dog could have been saddled up and ridden or used to pull a wagon. That was one big dog. By the time we arrived back at the dock, I was glad we had turned around early. My feet were sore and I was worn out. So, along with the others, I went down to the dock to get off my feet. Ohhhh it felt gooood to sit down and kick off my shoes. It wasn't very long until the rest of our crowd returned to the dock. It appeared as if we had turned around only a short distance from Sugar Barge. Also, as it turns out, the route along the levee road is a little bit farther than that along the regular road. Taking in the view after our walk Tom asked if we would like to take a cruise around the island. We were to leave port at 1:30, which was less than an hour away. The wind was blowing fairly hard, but Tom said he had been out in worse. So away we went on an afternoon cruise around Bethal Island. Click here to come along on the cruise Fred, Linda, and Mickey After our tour, we had time to rest before setting up for the evening meal. We were to have barbecued chicken for our small feast. Fred and I fished for a while, but I didn't catch anymore fish on this day. Fred caught another catfish Fred caught another catfish. He was having better luck than I was. While we were fishing, Tom received a phone call from his friend Larry. That took Tom out of circulation for a while. Tom talking to his friend Larry As usual, when there is a little time to kill, a card game gets started. The wind was strong enough to make it difficult to keep cards on the dock table. So the players went aboard the boat where they could play out of the weather. Because Tom was in the card game, Fred started the barbecue fire. By the time the fire was ready, the card game was over. So Tom took over the realm of the barbecue and put the chicken on the grill. We had so much chicken on the grill that the fat dripping on the coals sent up a huge column of smoke. Because of the windy conditions, the smoke swirled around most of the dock on its way to the roof. Tom checking the barbecue Then flames sprang up and surrounded a few pieces of chicken. The flames were high enough that Tom had to get a glass of water to knock the fire down. The flames flared several more times, and each time Tom poured water on the coals just enough to stop the flames but not the cooking. Another very big meal was enjoyed by all. After the evening meal as we all sat around the table talking, a female mallard duck swam into the middle boat berth to visit us. We tossed her pieces of bread and corn chips. She visited us several times during the weekend. A visitor waiting for a handout Due to the evening chill, this night’s after-dinner card game got underway on Tom’s boat. I took up my usual position on the end of the dock to fish for awhile. During the evening I caught two more catfish. I was trying to get a catfish meal for Tom. After a period of time with no action, I tired of fishing. So I went aboard the boat to watch the card game. After observing the movement of the cards for a while, I suddenly discovered I had watched the game for too long. All of a sudden I realized that I understood how the game was played. Now that may not seem like much to most people, but I haven’t played cards since I was in the Navy many, many years ago. Then I played only long enough to learn the rules of poker, which I have long since forgotten. So it came to me as somewhat of a surprise when the card motion, on the table, suddenly made sense to me. I hope this doesn’t mean I will become a ravenous card-game spectator. Ice cream and cake. Sooo gooood! The card players decided to take a break for cake and ice cream. We had to wait until this late because our large evening meal didn’t leave room for dessert immediately afterwards. Nora dished up ample portions of dessert for all. That was all it took to give me a mindset that it was time to go to bed. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact the . ©1999, RVFunTrips.com. All rights reserved.