During the winter, when Russian River was its moodiest, Jubilee!’s home office sold water excursion and rafting tours. People came from all over the country to ride the water.
But there was a short period of time when, just after they returned from tour and just before they set off again, the weather was warm and the water was a clear and friendly though earnest flow.
During those times, as the sun went down, the muddy shore behind the Jubilee! back lot was lined with carnie kids in undershorts wiggling their toes in the water.
A short way up the shore, their parents would stand chatting lazily, smoking, eating or sharing a drink. The men in t-shirts, the women in brightly colored light skirts and cotton blouses.