Paddleboats

Last year we went on the paddleboats in Julia Davis park for the first time, and knew we wanted to do it at least once a year. RD and I went on a ride without the kids this time, and it was relaxing and fun, with one mild peril. We spent most of the time toodling around the pond, chatting and eating popcorn, spotting fish (of course), enjoying my wide-brimmed hat and the time together.

While on one of our loops around we passed the shoreline where most of the flock of geese were. Whether they could smell the popcorn or march on any boat, they all started coming our way. Soon we were surrounded on all sides, even beneath us! Paddling would scoop some of the young gosling into the paddles, so we tried to slowly maneuver backward, but they kept swimming in. RD decided to throw some popcorn out in an attempt to distract them away from us, but they pressed in harder. "Birds" popped in to our heads, and one more throw of popcorn seemed to seal our fate. Eventually we got it going steadily enough to move back slowly, and built up enough speed to turn around, trying to go fast enough to stay away from the following flock, but slow enough for the birds in front of us to move away.

Full power to rear thrusters!

Don't throw popcorn at the geese. They're like the pigeons in Venice.