July 17, 2022 An Octogenarian Tour

Dark clouds hovered ominously over Okanagan Lake. The sky had patches of blue that gave promise of sunshine but grey and black storm clouds swirled above. Along with the clouds came a steady breeze that whipped across the lake.

I departed my boat slip in Peachland and set out across the choppy waters. The wind pushed the boat forward on top of the churning waves.  It was a forty-minute ride across the lake to pick up my intrepid group of boaters. The meeting location was supposed to take place at the Cook Road boat launch but the way the waves were bouncing off the hull of my boat I knew getting the group of seniors onto my boat may prove to be a little more than uncomfortable.

I got on my phone and called the event coordinator. I told her that the conditions for the tour were less than ideal. I gave her a choice of changing the docking locale or rescheduling the tour. I knew they were going by bus to meet me so I wanted to give them time to change direction.

“Some of them have been waiting since 9:30 this morning at the door to go. I don’t  think rescheduling is an option.” The coordinator named Valene told me and I could hear a bit of uncertainty in her voice.

“It’s ok,” I replied, “I’ll pick them up at the visitor information centre in downtown Kelowna.” The visitor centre was very sheltered and I hoped the lake would be calm on the north side of the Bennett Bridge.

I bounced off the top of the waves. The clouds looked threatening in the distance and I could feel my heartbeat rise. The last thing that I wanted was to have a group of seniors get rained on in my Pontoon boat.

When I passed under the bridge it was a bit like magic. The lake calmed and the sun peaked through the clouds above. 

I had a good feeling about this day.

I tied my boat tightly to the dock in front of the Info Centre in the heart of Kelowna. At least from my perspective, it was the front. Most people coming to it from the shore would say I was behind the building on Water Street. I  saw the group of elderly Kelowna residents walk deliberately toward my boat. 

This was going to be interesting.

I stood and greeted the people as they approached my vessel. I helped them step down on the dock and back up into my boat and made sure they were comfortable and felt safe. 

It was time for my safety speech, I finished it with my usual refrain. “The most important rule on my boat is to enjoy yourselves.”  

I was greeted by a few chuckles and smiles all around.

Off we went.

I was thrilled and surprised when I was told the oldest passenger I had on the boat was 102 years old. Or I should say 102 years young – she sure looked in great shape for someone over 100… I can’t imagine going for a boat ride at 102 let alone being upright and walking.

I could sense their wonder and joy at seeing the lake from the waterside.

It gave me a fresh perspective, looking at the world through their eyes. There was a cool breeze sifting across the lake so I went with the wind to keep everyone warm. I was somewhat relieved it wasn’t a real scorching hot morning. 

I could sense a connection with these elderly folks as we slid by all the amazing waterfront homes.

“Welcome to how the one percent lives,” I announced to my intrepid boaters. 

We cruised up to the one of largest homes on the water. It looked like a castle on the rocks, the five sections of the house towered over the waters below. Recently I’d read it was an Airbnb for the wealthy who want to come and stay in such a huge mansion.

“At one time this house belonged to Arnold Schwarzenegger.” It was an old speech I’d given many times. Was it really ever Arnold’s house? I don’t know but it is so big and opulant it could pass for the house of someone like him.

We crossed the bouncy water of the Okanagan Lake and came to the other massive home I always show people. “This one is owned by someone from Abu Dabi. You never see anyone here. It stands on the mountainside and looks like it would be a better fit hanging on the cliffs overlooking the Persian Gulf instead of Okanagan Lake.” I heard the group of people in the boat mutter in astonishment at the massive size of the home. 

We cruised the western shore of the lake and I introduced them to what I call Billionaire alley. Most houses have a small train with a car that rides up and down to the waterfront from their homes.

“They call them a vernacular.” One of my guests piped up. I never knew what to call the tracks and little cars that give people access to their homes and the boat docks below. It was pretty cool, I now had the proper name for the trains which traverse the mountainsides along Okanagan Lake. In a short time, we had to end our tour and drop off my guests.

I helped them off the boat and onto the bridge back to dry land. 

One of the last seniors to get off the boat grabbed my hand and gave me a warm smile that told me all I needed to know about her trip. “That was my very first boat ride, thank you so much.” I was in shock and happy all at the same time. 

Her first boat ride?

Ever?

She beamed with the surreal energy I could feel coming off her. It made my day and reminded me why I do this job.

As the last person left the boat I felt a sense of fulfillment having provided these seniors with an hour of happiness. A connection with the world they may not have a chance to again, and for one senior a chance she’d never had before.

I am definitely living the dream…