Miller's Marina in Suwannee, Florida

Back in the 1970s my step dad Olen used to have a houseboat that we'd spend many weekends on - fishing, swimming, tanning and reuniting with old friends at Lake Lanier in Georgia.

Fast forward 30 plus years and me, Olen, my sister Cindy, her partner Lori, and my mom got to try to recreate those times this past weekend to celebrate my birthday.

The location had changed. This time it was at Miller's Marina of Suwannee, Inc. in Suwannee, Florida, a three-hour drive from my sister's.

Things had changed quite a bit, but some things remained the same.

Before we started out my step dad had to get a quick lesson in captaining a houseboat in the new millennium, as required by the company. Used to be, my step dad would just hop on board, crank her up and we were good to go.

Not now.

After a spitfire lesson in doing "the sniff test," checking the oil, starting the blowers, the generator's workings, and safety tips via the on-board manual, we headed out sailing down the Suwannee River as Houseboat #5.

Lori tried valiantly to fish all weekend but didn't get a bite although she did spot a dolphin jumping in the water.

Of course, I missed it because I was napping.

We spotted egrets, cranes, vultures, and various fish jumping up in the water at a distance, all the while snapping pictures, listening to music, eating, and catching up on old times.

"Don't feed the alligators," was one of the many warnings we got beforehand along with staying in the center of the river.

I got to see a beautiful sunset and marvel at a purple sky while in the morning witnessing a cool sunrise and the peacefulness that comes with traveling on the water watching the waves serve as a backdrop for the sun.

The first night staying on the houseboat was restless for a couple of us. The TV and CD player on board did not work though we had brought our own of the latter.

I kept laying there at an early bedtime thinking, "What if the boat sinks?" but also drinking in the quiet that is being in the middle of water with just me and God.

At 3 a.m. my mom awoke to see a full moon over the water, a vision she told us the next day was truly beautiful.

The next day was spent fishing again, cooking out, reading, more talking, napping, and continuing our way down the river against a gorgeous sky. There were many more boaters out this day from motorboats to houseboats to dinghies. Although my birthday was March 31, we celebrated with the family this past Saturday, commemorating the event on the houseboat and playing a game that sparked loads of laughter and questions that made you think.

We were up early again today, only this time to pack up and head back to the marina, prepping the boat for early check-out.

If you want to go house boating, there are lots of items to bring and you can get a list from the marina by calling 800-458-2628 or by accessing suwanneehouseboats.com.

Miller's accommodates up to eight people on their boats and fishing requires a license.