May 7, 2022 A concert on the water

Dark clouds hung ominously in the sky over the Okanagan Lake. Wind and rain danced all around, I really hoped that we would not get wet when we embarked on our evening cruise. 

At two o’clock the sky was still unsettled but it looked like the rains may hold off. It was to be a very special afternoon on the water.

“Money is no object,” He told Captain Rob. ” I want to propose to my girlfriend and I want to give her a day to remember.”

 It certainly was a day to remember.

Rob picked up the nice couple from the dock in downtown Peachland and set out on Serendipity 2. Like magic, the clouds retreated and blue sky and sunshine beamed down on the intrepid voyagers. Early May is not a guarantee of a beautiful day, this year the spring has been unusually cool. On this day we were pleasantly surprised by the sudden change in weather. 

I launched the pontoon boat and put up the roof and added the side walls. But the sun was so bright I wondered if it was a good idea. I would find out later how good an idea it was.

We had a surprise for our adventurous couple, well at least for the young lady. We’d hired a lovely couple of professional musicians to play a private concert on the water. Brad and Kinga agreed to perform a special 45-minute set on the lake to help set the mood for his coming proposal.

Brad Krauza and Kinga Heming found each other in covid and what a beautiful connection they have. They joined forces and performed a stunning rendition of Shallow from the movie A Star Is Born, garnering over 80,000 hits. On this day they were playing a private show for two. Plus Rob and I were very lucky to sit back and watch.

But first, we had to find each other on the water without phoning – text only. I looked one way then the other, where the heck was the Biltmore?

The lake gleamed and we finally found each other on the water. As soon as we saw them Brad and Kinga started playing. Brad strummed his guitar and they started to serenade the other boat. Their voices echoed into the breeze. 

After a couple of tries, we managed to tie up with each other and the lovely couple from Vancouver jumped on the pontoon boat and settled in behind the plastic and canvas side cover. They snuggled in close and continued to be captivated by the private show.

Brad’s fingers danced on the frets and the magical musical notes floated across the lake and into the rising breeze. Kinga joined in and her voice caressed the songs in a natural joy that felt pure as it danced across the waves. 

It was chaotic perfection in the moment when the music and nature combined. Waves started to rise as the wind blew harder. 

Still, we didn’t want to change a thing.

We were mesmerized by the connection between the music and the magic. The couple sat enthralled and amazed. Who has a private concert in the middle of Okanagan Lake? They did – that’s who. And I was very thrilled to have been a part of it.

All too soon it was time to cruise in. The wind was rocking the boat on the outside more than the musicians were rocking on the inside of the boat.

The lucky couple was so comfy on the Pontoon in the shelter from the cover we decided Brad and Kinga would jump on Serendipity 2 with Rob and I would take them back to Peachland.

The show was over.

What a beautiful show it was. 

Now the last part of the show was battering into the wind back to Peachland. The rollers had begun to crest around three feet or more, the boat pounded into the crashing waters.

“Hold on it will be a bit of a rough ride. But this boat has three metal hulls and is pretty much unsinkable.” I smiled at my guests.

I could see she was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but smiled, “I am great that was amazing, let’s do this.”

The wind began to howl, and the fender Rob had thrown into the front of the boat lifted and danced in the air in front of my eyes. Helplessly I watched it lift high and fly behind the my vessel. I was not turning back to get that one.

“Just trying to keep it interesting for you.” I laughed, “this will be a day to remember.”

I knew why they were on the tour but I had a feeling he wasn’t going to pop the question while the boat was hammering into the waves. That would be for later.

For now, I just wanted to get them to their dinner.

The lake began to calm but the wind continued to push the boat as we cruised up to the dock where the Blind Angler is. I bumped the dock and leaped on with the rope in my hand. I tied around the pillar and jumped back into the boat. Docking in a windstorm is about making it, not about style points. I put the motor into reverse and cranked hard to pull the back of the boat to the dock. 

Graciously I opened the door and they beamed as they left my vessel. I knew it was a day to remember. I hope they can share many more days to remember.

I chuckled to myself as I pushed off from the dock.

It was a day for me to remember as well

So why not fish my way back to Westbank? Of course, I even caught one to top everything off. I let my prize go back into the water and told him to go get bigger.

There will be many more amazing days to come.