"A day off" for us does not mean just lying around doing nothing as you have probably gathered by now. We are benefitting from the early (or even pre-) boating season since we seem to have unlimited access to the marina loaner car. We have tried to be good citizens and return it on time with additional gas in the tank, but we probably could have just kept the keys without bothering to turn the car back in to the marina. We are well and truly the only transients here, and indeed there are few local boaters out and about. We started the day with a quick trip to the marine store mentioned yesterday. While out we also went to a local super market to replenish some supplies for the galley. They had a suitable pump although the capacity in gallons per minute is a little less than the old one. The Admiral, with me acting as the "tool gopher," quickly installed the new pump when we returned. That was a huge check mark on our to do list as we were pretty much out of business for travelling without a fresh water supply on the boat. At the marina, of course, there are bathrooms, showers and a restaurant, but getting underway without fresh water would have been very inconvenient.
With the pump replaced and feeling much more relaxed we decided to take the loaner car again and go into town to a movie. Ottawa has Interstate 80 just a couple of miles outside of town, but somehow the store fronts in downtown have remained pretty full. A real surprise is the old theater, which did not rebuild at the Interstate as most have done, but instead the theater has occupied one or two adjacent stores and added 3 additional, modern theaters in them with comfortable seating, etc. Thus, good popcorn and an okay movie made for a relaxed afternoon. We saw The Nice Guys and found most of the funny parts had been included in the previews. I hate it when a movie gets misrepresented like that. You go to see it expecting a lot of good laughs, and it turns out that you have already laughed about all that you are going to laugh... The historic downtown has been revitalized quite a bit, but this modern street art did seem a little out of place. While we were downtown we also checked out the local hardware store just in case, but once again we came away empty handed, which I guess is a good sign that we are indeed well equipped on board Lucky Us.
The photo at the right shows one of the restored city government buildings in the town square. Since it was a Saturday, there had been a farmers market in the morning. We drove by it, but we were not tempted to stop since the displays were mainly art and handicrafts. Local produce is still a fairly long way off from being market ready.
Spring has not been here for very long as was evidenced by the 4 inch high corn plants in the fields as we arrived yesterday, but everything is very green already as can be seen in this photo of a park at the downtown side of the "new" bridge across the Illinois River (photo at left). I just love this time of the year when all of a sudden the "brown grass" of the winter is suddenly replaced by the new growth as sort of a new beginning. I guess that it reminds me of growing up in northern Ohio where Spring meant baseball, bike riding, and anticipation of boating in the near future. Of course, that anticipation was tainted a bit by the prospect of sanding, painting, and varnishing before the boating fun could actually begin.
Lucky found a new occupation when we returned to the boat (and woke her up). She found a local dock party (photo at right) to be most interesting. She stationed herself quietly on the forward deck house watching the party. It really was not wild or loud, but I suppose that she has not seen this sort of gathering nearby on a dock before so she watch for a good long while. It probably did help that they had two dogs sitting around as well... Remember that I said that she was watching the party, but I still think that she is a long way off from becoming a true party animal. However, she has continued to be more comfortable around other people, but her past history as a rescue dog still is slowly changing as she becomes more socialized.
The pool at the marina actually had several kids playing in the water. As for me, I was not even tempted to stick my hand in the water since the pool was not heated. No doubt that the little kids had a lot better circulation than I have...
Spring has sprung in other ways as well. We have seen baby ducklings for some time now, but we are also starting to see goslings as well. The photo at the left shows two pairs of geese along with seven goslings in the marina merrily swimming around while the parents are cautiously watching Lucky and I walking along the seawall.
The Admiral fell in love with this little town and especially the Marina staff and residents. Everyone was so very friendly, inclusive, and just all around accommodating. She may try to talk me into moving - BUT it is way to cold in the winter for me!
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