The 3rd Annual Great Bunkhouse Rubber Ducky Race

August 16, 2008 - The Race
Because of our limited numbers, the duck release team consisted of just Marchita Priest and Joyce Kelm. Here they are getting to the starting line.
The duck retrieval team consisted of Dena Wenmohs and myself, Nancy Lee. While the Duck Release team was pissing and moaning about weeds, slime, rocks, and "ARRRGGHHH...I think that was a water moccasin!!" , I was maneuvering into position at the finish line. Cypress Creek is a spring fed creek that runs through the Wenmohs Ranch for about a mile. It is always cool, crystal clear and refreshing! Patty Browning was our official photographer and a bonafide land lubber! HA!
The Duck release team finally made it to the starting line. Unfortunately, we have learned through bitter experience that releasing the ducks does not even begin to start the race. The ducks just sit there looking at you and there is absolutely no movement. SO...Not ones to let that stop us, the Duck Release team turns into the Duck Herding team, which explains the "noodles". These are used to propel the ducks downstream.
We get ready to start the race. At this auspicious occasion we always respectfully, albeit offtune, sing the US national anthem.
Herding all those ducks gets to be a little difficult and any attempts at uniform herding go right out the window. Numerous catcalls of biased herding are sounded from the spectators, but the intrepid team continues its unappreciated duty!

Sometimes the race entrants make a bee-line towards the creekside bushes. Here, Marchita is rapidly trying to "head the duck off at the pass". Since the duck in question is her entry, she has a vested interest in getting it to straighten out !

The opinion on the shoreline was that the duck herding team was a tad unbalanced (in more wasy than one! HA!) since Marchita herded her duck and Joyce Kelm had to herd ALL the other ducks. Humph!
About half-way to the finish line any semblance of order or unbiased activity goes right out the window. Here the duck herding team is trying its best to keep things on the straight and narrow! HA!
At the finish line the Duck Herding Team meets up with the Duck Retrieval Team. That's Joyce Kelm, Dena Wenmohs, and myself. Marchita's "Rainy Day Mama" might very well have won the race if it had not disappeared. It seems that SOMEHOW it got held under water and in this picture is currently being sat upon by Dena Wenmohs. GEESH! CHEAT...CHEAT!

This is me trying to rescue Count Duckula who would have won the race had not that crooked as a snake Dena Wenmohs created some tidal waves that put him almost back to the starting line. CHEAT ! CHEAT!

Gee, come to think of it, I'm not sure which duck won...well, RATS!
Like Ducks to water!