Aug 12,13

Tangled lines and tangled minds have been my theme for the last two days. Yesterday was a crazy day with four boat tours, today was a mentally challenging day at home. I would definitely take the crazy day on the water every time.

I awoke early. Dreams were plaguing my sleep, again. It’s strange how vivid my dreams can be. I remember a warehouse and a leaky roof. Sometimes I wonder what the psychologist would think if I had my dreams analyzed. I would prefer a medicine man to decipher them. Maybe my crazy dream was a premonition of my days to come.

It was an early start in the morning. My first tour was a pick up at Water Street boat launch at 9 am. Some people are just nice to meet and this couple from Vancouver was one of the nicest. They boarded the boat with huge smiles. Happy to be on the water they sat down and connected easily in the moment. He had retired in his early fifties and had spent the last twelve years enjoying life. We cruised across the lake and viewed what we call billionaire row. The homes on the west side of Okanagan Lake facing Kelowna are spectacular and a favourite for many people to see from the lake. They have trolleys that take them from their homes to the lakeshore and most have little houses right on the water. Some of these boat houses would be sufficient to live in. There is even a house with a window in the swimming pool, underwater. I tell people they are looking at how the one percent lives.

After two hours lazily cruising the lake, I dropped my guests back at the Delta Grand dock and carried on.

I meet people from different parts of Canada and everyone has a story. My next guest on the boat had a sad story that tugged my heart and confused my mind. She was from Calgary and was there taking her two kids tubing. It was an opportunity for them to escape the big city and enjoy some Okanagan sunshine and fun. She was on her own and shared a piece of her story with me.

The kids Dad was gone. He had left them in Abu Dabi and taken her for everything. I was shocked and perplexed. As a father my daughter is one of the most important parts of my life. I could never understand a father that could leave and never see their own flesh and blood again. This lady was a survivor, she was strong. In the face of adversity, she survived. Now she was thrilled to watch her kids fly through the air behind Serendipity on our flying saucer-shaped tube. Watching kids ride the tube and the thrill their parents get watching it is something I never tire of. It is a thrill ride on the water and people of all ages love it.

It was a rushed day and I needed to keep going. I dropped my excited and worn out group back at the dock and prepared for the fishing tour to follow. I had bought a new drill and was looking forward to trying it out on my installation of the table Rob built for the downrigger. Putting the bit in the drill I turned to install it and plop, it dropped into the lake next to the dock. I stood baffled and mad at myself. I guess I would need to get a new one. A shiny flash caught my eye and I spotted the bit I needed to install my gear. With I shrug I jumped in and found the water was only up to my chest. Retrieving the bit was easy and I climbed back aboard my vessel. Little did I know the dropped bit was a harbinger of things to come…

My group loaded up on the boat, I did my speech about being sick and not coming aboard. I also specified the social distance etiquette. Our 25-foot boat is pretty spacious and open, but it is hard to maintain distance. It is especially hard for some people who are naturally friendly. It is the toughest part of covid; staying 2m apart without being rude. In those moments I put on my mask; strange days indeed.

My nice guests from Ontario tell me they understand its fishing, not caching and off we go. Three hours later after not catching anything but some rays. I decide to change it up. My line on the downrigger caught the kokanee gear and the line became a nest of confusion. I was frustrated and mad at myself, it is very embarrassing tangling the fishing lines. I am a pro; that should never happen.

We let out our lines again and set up hoping to end the drought. Suddenly a line stated to dance. A ripple of excitement wet through the boat, Fish on. In my guts I had a nagging doubt, as the young man reeled in I watched the neighbouring rod, worried. Sure enough, the only fish my hopeful person had was the lure from another line. Some guide I was turning out to be. The only person on the boat that cared was me. Yet I couldn’t help berating myself inside to keep the boat straight and the lines apart. After four hours of catching rays and a good buzz, my aspiring fishermen left at the dock. They were grateful for an afternoon on the water and reinvigorated with the connection that water brings to people.

My fourth and final tour was another tubing adventure. The shrieks of joy and exhilaration filled my next hour and the family from Grand Prairie were over the moon with excitement. As I wound down the day I got a call that would affect my next 24 hours.

My daughter had been in contact with someone who had been tested for Covid. My heart raced and my head spun. Thoughts and fears hit me hard. I hoped he was ok, I hoped she didn’t have it. We were planning on going to Alberta tomorrow. Could we go now? Should we?

This viral menace is still hovering in the depths. We don’t know when it could strike. We would wonder until he got the news.

It was negative. Relief washed over me as we felt safe again. Now it is time to pack. We were headed on a road trip that we can’t afford to take the time to do but need to go. We are going to honor the memory of my aunt who passed away. Her life well lived, my Mom gone too soon would want me there. So we are packing the camper and headed east in the morning, Moving forward, and looking back. Time keeps on moving along.