Cybill Shepherd

One year when the Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen paddle wheel ships met at Memphis, Tennessee, for their annual Fourth of July river race, I stowed away on one. All I did was walk toward the aft and jump on board. Since I worked for the local excursion boat line nobody questioned my presence at the harbor.

I thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and race, listening to the calliope and leaning on the rail to watch the land and water flow.

Having won the race, we docked and I descended the stairs toward the main exit. The only person there at the moment was Cybill Shepherd, who looked at me with a happy "aha" expression, conveying, "Oh, look. A real person, not a groupie!" I was just about to speak when other (not real) people showed up and the moment passed.

I have always hoped she enjoyed the day as much as I did.