Quack Quack Quack!!

or a bonding afternoon on the three rivers

Okay, so one of the perks of working for a television station is sometimes you get free stuff. Guests will bring in samples of their wares to share, chefs cook up a plethora of delightfully tasty fare and sometimes we get a free ride.

Literally.

Today was one such day. As a thank you for being a part of our little dog and pony morning show, the Just Ducky tour boat picked us up outside our door and compted us a spin around ye olde Burgh on land and sea... okay not the sea per se, but the river. Sheesh! Don't be such a douche.

Ducky boats are throw backs to World War II. They are combo aquatic/land vehicles built by the women left behind during the 40s. Their purpose was to transport supplies, ammo and in some cases actual aircraft to the front lines--slowly... very slowly... like we're talking only 5 mph max. Being as they were expected to be riddled with bullets in war zones, the life expectancy of each brave little vessel was only 90 days.

Some 65+ years later, all spit-shined and brightly painted, they proudly march on as a tourist attraction in numerous cities. I took a similar tour in Boston a couple of years ago. They're so cute.

Wackiness is the order of the day on a Ducky tour. Both the official tour guide (Kevin) and driver/sailor (um...let's call him Roberto. sure.) tell the tale of the city's history, sprinkled with the most God-awful puns and corn ball jokes you could imagine. Everyone is required to "Quack Quack Quack" as loudly and obnoxiously as possible to strangers on the streets and shorelines.

It sounds really gay, but it is surprisingly F.U.N.!

The grooviest thing is launching in the water. Dude! You actually DRIVE INTO the water. It's the coolest thing. Seriously. This ancient water craft defies scientific logic and actually stays afloat.

Usually there are loads of kids on board and the Captain brings them all up front to steer the boat once we hit water. Being a boat load of so-called adults, Kevin had to beg for volunteers to steer. NOT!! You would not believe how quickly the hands went up. We were all "Ooo Ooo. Pick me!! Pick me!"

Alas only five would be chosen, my bud Beets being one. She was last in line and pretended to be from Ireland. It was a hoot!

It was a gorgeous, albeit bloody humid day (the first of this summer), but their was a cool breeze wafting. A great opportunity to see our fair city from water level.

The only nasty thing we encountered was the river itself.

Pretty, isn't it? There is some nasty, nasty crap floating in that water. We used to encounter all sorts of questionable things when I rowed in the summers. Fortunately, none were bodies or parts.

Okay that shirtless Dude doesn't count. Or does he? Yow!

All in all it was a great way to bond with colleagues from the dreaded "shift of the damned" and a perfect opportunity to say goodbye to one of the best group of interns we've had in a long time.

A big shout out of thanks to the Just Ducky tour folks for their generosity. The entertainment was all it's "quacked" up to be.

*groan*

Sorry. You know I had to go there.