In which it was the best time I’ve ever had outdoors in the Midwest!

Yesterday I traveled the Mississippi on a pontoon boat with some friends. I got a sunburn. I’d been wearing sunglasses all day, so today I look like a raccoon. The skin on my cheeks, forehead, and nose is bright red and hurts a little.

I also have windburn, so my lips are chapped. It was windy yesterday, and we spent a lot of time moving up and down the river at about 35mph getting quite windblown.

I took a bunch of cell phone pics of the day; they’ll be here as soon as they all finish uploading. Gorgeous day, huh?

I had so much fun! The weather could not have been more perfect. It was warm and not yet muggy or bug-ridden. The river’s wide enough that the shores look to be heavily forested from the river, and between the clear sky and bright sunshine the surface looked choppy and sparkling — like water you’d encounter in the Northwest, rather than the muddy Mississippi river water it really is upon closer inspection.

A spider that had moved into the boat while it sat in its slip bit my right knee four times. I’m always getting spider bites on my knees for some reason. Last year a spider bit the back of my left knee, and it took months for the poison to work itself entirely out of my skin. Every few weeks it would flare up again and itch for three days, and I’d irritate it by scratching it in my sleep.

Core’s mom fed us all egg salad sandwiches. She puts a bit of the juice from a jar of jalapenos into her egg salad and it’s really, really good that way, with a nice mild kick. There was also beer and cocktails, chips, and pound cake.

The host had just purchased the boat so it was brand-spanking new and clean and comfortable, with a little pop-up private area for changing or a Port-a-potty, a table big enough to play cards upon, a comfy captain’s chair and cockpit, and tons of bench seating. The boat could probably accommodate eight people without overcrowding. In the areas we passed (between Burlington and Keokuk), there were lots of sandy beaches and islands to visit, and people appear to have no qualms about swimming in the water. JW says he’d be happy to invite us again as the summer progresses, so I may try swimming in the Mississippi myself, although I’d always half thought it was too toxic for swimmers.

I’d felt utterly apathetic about going, but I’m really glad I did. It was the most fun I’ve had on an outdoor outing in a long time!

Now please excuse me while I go home and treat my bites and burns.