Volume 3, Chapter 2

        The year is 1963, my folks own the Echo Motel on Hwy 50 by Ski Run Blvd.  There's six of us, Mom and Dad, my two sisters and my brother and me, oh, and Brandy the boxer dog too. It is early summer. I was already helping out with the maids cleaning the rooms and taking care of the guests but not really digging  working  there and hanging out with the tourist kids . Behind the motel is the Ski Run Marina , owned by Billy Wilson and Y.A Tittle, Wilson the retired QB for the 49er's and Y.A the retired coach.
         Billy Wilson hires me for a dollar a day to clean up the beach first thing in the morning , Yes,I was picking up trash on the beach at 8 years old . Cigarette butts , candy wrappers ,  used condoms, you name it . I put the trash in a little red bucket that the security guard set outside the night before . This " guard " is an old guy that really did nothing . He had a cot in the little room that served as the rental office and marina headquarters . He would come in late at night and lock himself in this room and get drunk and then I'd wake him up when I was done with the trash clean up .
         After picking up the trash  I'd wake up the  security guard  and start on the rest of my duties. I'd fuel up the rental boats and use a wet sponge and towel to clean them up and get them ready for that days use by the tourists . Ski boats , little fishing boats , Kayaks , you name it Ski Run Marina had it, a snack bar and a little thrown together building made of 2 by 4's that was walled in with chicken wire . Inside were 4 pinball machines sitting on a plywood floor . Most of my dollar a day wages went to play pinball and eat ice cream sandwiches from the snack bar.
         It was around this time that I was nicknamed Spider.I'd come up with this weird contortionist thing that went like this. I bent over at the waist and bent my knees , then putting my arms between my legs until my hands were flat on the ground , then slowly lower myself so I was walking on my hands with my legs resting on the inside of my elbows, legs pointing out in front . I got so I could walk on my hands and I guess it looked pretty freaky and the guys at the beach started calling me Spider. They called it the spider walk. I certainly couldn't do that now !
        The marina also had this really cool old wooden Chris Craft boat that was used for tours with the Capt. giving a running commentary on the history of the lake as well as pointing out various mountains and how deep and wide the lake was and the history of Tahoe . They let me ride along if there was an empty seat so I got to know the speech the Capt. gave very well and eventually they let me give the talk. I loved doing this , I'd stand up on the red leather upholstered seat , barefoot of course and in my trunks. I'd gesture with outstretched skinny arms and tell the stories of Tahoe. The trip was to Emerald Bay , around the island , with more talk of the history of The Vikingsholm and the tea house on Fannet Island. Then it was full throttle back to the marina . Man,I loved that boat,the sound it made, the polished wood and chrome . If there was a little chop on the lake the spray would come over the bow and everyone would laugh and shout as they got a little wet from the clear cold water splashing them in the face.
         It's funny how all these years later I'm still making that trip . No, I don't have a beautiful wooden boat and no , I'm not that skinny little Spider anymore but we still go to Emerald Bay every chance we get . My body has taken a toll over the years of physical labor so I'm not so limber anymore so no more spider walk . My boat is now a cabin cruiser . When Christy and Lucky and I head over to the bay to spend a night or two we are all smiles . I still love it !
        I wrote about being thankful yesterday and I left something out . I'm thankful I still live in this beautiful place even if my back is sore from shoveling and it's freezing ass cold outside. If you ever want a tour on my boat from south shore to emerald bay and back , give me a call and I'll do my best to recall my little tour guide talks from 47 years ago. Reservation required . Price ? free.
   Take care , Bob of the boat