#56 - Boats on the Pond

Central Park 1964
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​In my autobiography, (written at age 11) I described this very day in Central Park with my family. We attempted to sail a toy boat, but watched it capsize in the center of the pond.

Mom snapped a couple blurry photos of that event, but didn't take a picture of the sweet boy, who rescued our sailboat. Here are just a few sentences from "the book" I wrote in 1969  "We watched nervously... and finally a small Negro boy appeared. 'Need some help?' he asked. The little boy tore off his shirt and shoes and jumped in. He brought the boat back safely." 

Another Park, Another Boat Launch
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Last week, I had my own fun with 4 tiny boats, at our own neighborhood park. It was quiet on Easter morning, at least for a while.

I left our picnic table and walked to the edge of the pond, thinking about the day 54 years ago, when we 4 kids watched a gust of wind knock our toy boat. I figured there was a good chance my 4 cheap boats would take on water and sink right away.

​Boats and Turtles
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​My 2-dollar package of boats, turned out to be money well spent. I gently put all 4 in the pond and then found myself mesmerized by the simple entertainment.

With little wind, the tiny boats drifted in different directions. And then the turtles became interested! I just watched and grinned and waited.

Kayaks
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​Suddenly I spotted kayaks across the pond.

I wondered if the small boats and big boats would meet up. Then I worried that the plastic boats would sink and become trash.

Later
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​But I went back and enjoyed the picnic, with a good view of the launching site.  As the park became busier, I got to spend a good hour observing adults and children making boat discoveries!

A few adults with a selfie-stick, posed with the boats. Then some children had fun retrieving and launching the boats. After we packed up our picnic, I spotted the boats resting on a rock... waiting.

I wonder where the boats are now? What a happy time!
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