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We grew up on
the St. Claire,
Boblo boat. Our
father, Don Kipp
was the leader
of the band,
saxophone player
and drummer.
Every summer, as
far back as my
sister and I can
remember we
sailed up and
down the Detroit
River on that
boat, every nook
and cranny being
our playground.
Each cruise
began with the
band playing
"Anchors Away!"
up on the fore
deck above the
dance floor on
the port side.
Everyone waved
to beloved
Captain Bob-Lo
as he danced
from the dock
below. The
deafening sound
of the horn
blasted while
the thick, heavy
ropes were
untied and
thrown to shore
as the beautiful
boat slowly
pulled away from
shore.
As very young
girls, Captain
Yonkers made my
sister and I
feel so special
by letting us
climb those
forbidden steps
up to the very
top of the wheel
house. Our
memories have
faded a bit, but
we can still
remember napping
in the Pursers
office a few
times and when
the weather was
stormy, we can
still remember
the smell of
those heavy
canvas sheets
rolled down from
the ceiling to
keep the decks
dry.
We learned to
dance on the
Bob-Lo Boat. The
Hokey Pokey,
Mexican Hat
Dance, Cha-Cha
and The Swing
wore us out so
we'd take a
break and visit
our most
favorite spot,
the Souvenir
Counter. How
many Bob-Lo
sailor hats did
we have? Those
little
telescopes that
held a picture
of Bob-Lo island
were one of my
sisters
favorites and
don't forget the
doll covered in
pink feathers
hanging on
elastic string
from a stick or
the mounds of
penny candy!
The band
members, Joe
Vitale, Art
Gilbo and dad
were always
laughing and
kibitzing about
something while
they played. Dad
sometimes sang
to our mother
and always
played their
favorite song,
Misty. We still
remember the
words to so many
of those tunes;
Just a Song at
Twilight and I
don't know why I
love you like I
do are
favorites, and I
Dream about
Linda made my
sister Linda
smile. Our
memories of all
being together
are very happy
ones.
The island
itself was a
magical place.
We rode the Wild
Mouse, Bumper
Cars, Tilt a
Whirl,
Caterpillar and
Train over and
over until we
were either sick
or dizzy. Dad
wasn't able to
spend much time
with us on the
island as he was
working and had
other runs back
to Detroit, so
the times we
shared were rare
and precious
indeed.
Every cruise
ended with the
song Sentimental
Journey, and to
this day I
always feel a
little sad when
I hear it. Tired
after such a
long night, we'd
be carried to
the car where
all the way home
we'd dream happy
dreams about
dancing, the
island and the
happiness we
felt while we
were there.
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