“Romance on the Lake”

         I do not remember where we first heard about this enticing idea for a mini vacation.  Certainly during the three years I lived in Orlando with all of its activity, I never once was invited aboard a Rivership and I was invited “many places.” 
Now my husband and I reside in Lakeland and we are often at a loss as to what to plan for a diversion.  We thoroughly enjoy visits to Mt. Dora.  All of Florida’s many beaches are fantastic when the “snowbirds’ depart.  We visit Cedar Key often too.  By far our most enjoyable moments are spent aboard the Rivership Romance. On each visit we have been delighted by the friendly professional service, the excellent cuisine and the amazing sight of Florida’s many colored fowl, (Egret, Heron, Osprey , gulls and  pelicans to name a few),  flowers and fruit and fish. You might also see a lazy, (we hope) alligator or beaver or sunning snake. “Nice to know that you are two decks high at those sightings.” 
        The Rivership, which seats 200, makes many trips up the St. John’s to the entertainment of all passengers. They offer luncheon cruises, themed dinner shows, special group occasions or our favorite the moonlight dinner & dancing cruise.
         Lake Monroe is one of Seminole County’s larger bodies of water.  It is 17.1 square miles and feeds into or out of the St. John’s River. Shortly after boarding the Purser is quick to announce that Lake Monroe is shallow.  That is to say that you cannot walk back to shore however if the occasion presented itself you need only visit the top deck bar to keep your feet dry.
Let’s take a voyage together.  First you must realize that this delightful adventure begins in the town/city of Sanford, Florida.  Sanford has been recreated to reflect a historic town with brick streets and antique shops.  Along the water front you will notice modern townhomes and apartments across from the yacht club. Only ½ hour from Orlando, on a good day.  Sanford is almost two hours from Lakeland and Tampa and worth every minute of your time.  Arrive early for the evening cruise or take advantage of the scenic motel directly on the Lake.  My husband, Ike, and I make the extra time for a Bloody Mary at the dockside bar.  It is “wind down time” from a busy day or a traffic filled journey. Soon you will hear “All aboard” and cheerfully join the crowd at the dock. (I have never figured why we crowd to step upon the gangplank when we have reservations?)
The uniformed Purser welcomes us and soon we are seated in the dining area awaiting instructions and cocktails, (or not.)  As the ship leaves the dock our server brings the menu and we commence the ‘serious’ part of our journey, ordering our dinner.  The selection is limited but gracious and we have never been disappointed.  Soon it is time to head toward the upper deck to enjoy meandering up the St. Johns, it doesn’t hurt to have your cocktail in hand as you visit with other passengers and share the awesome experience of a true Florida attraction. You see there are no artificial water rides or cartoon characters to entertain you or finely manicured golf courses to distract your attention.  This is the land that the Timacuans inhabited so many years ago.
         Speaking of long ago, the history of this magnificent vessel dates back to 1942.  She worked for fifty years in the icy water of the Great Lakes.   During World War II she carried American and Canadian troops and armaments guarding the vulnerable area of the locks. She hauled workers and supplies in 1952 during the building of the Macinaw Bridge.  To add to her mystic she was involved with the search for the Edmond Fitzgerald of the famous Gordon Lightfoot haunting song.  Like Black Beauty the present owners found the ship, now named the M/V Chicago in sad condition needing maintenance in Chicago. However, this soon- to- be grand lady was built of the steel of the 1940s and had spent her entire life in the cold clear fresh water. There was no rust inside or out. 
And so the present owners rescued her. Commencing in Chicago in 1995 they proceeded south on the Calumet River to the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers entering the Tombigbee Waterway to mobile Alabama.  From there they moved eastward to Pensacola, south across the Gulf of Mexico to Ft. Myers, east across the Lake Okeechobee waterway to St. Lucie canal to Stuart then north to Mayport and finally the St. Johns River. The entire journey of 2,700 miles lasted 30 days. The next six months were spent in refurbishing, replacing, adding a 40 ton air conditioner and peeling away layers of paint.  Finally the interior lighting, carpeting and decorating was completed.  She became the elegant lady she was always meant to be.   
         All too soon the dinner bell is sounded and we return below deck to our table.  We are still able to watch the river roll by, though our table side picture window. Or are we rolling by the river?  At any rate, by the time dessert is announced we have almost traversed the river and we have yet to dance.  We return to the upper deck and work off our dinner with real danceable music provided by local entertainers, mostly.  We two step and rumba and enjoy an occasional swing number, (sound archaic (?) well maybe, but just perfect for the evening.) When the music ends we are aware that we are back on Lake Monroe and nearing the dock.  
         I have never been with a more congenial group.  As we disembark our serving team is there to bid us adieu and the Purser, who has made the entire voyage memorable, will offer his hand and a smile, a big smile. 
         I have seen newlyweds enjoy this trip, but then newlyweds enjoy almost any entertainment.  Birthday parties are celebrated on board ship and then you have the oldsters, like Ike and I, completely enchanted although we have made several trips.  So if you decide to come aboard and you happen to see a couple in their seventies having a wonderful time, wave and say “hi” unless we are smooching in some dark corner.