We cut across the waves, the swells were deep and the bow broke heavily through the troughs. Water crashed over the helm and soaked my shirt. Adrenaline rushed through my veins as we headed for shelter from the wind. I trusted my boat and my skill, yet fear was there on the edges of awareness. I turned toward the boat slip but knew that was not an option this evening. We would need to seek temporary shelter from the onrushing Read more…
Morning came early today; again. I would like to be a morning person, I am just not very good at it. I picked up the engineer and we grabbed a coffee. Today we went to work in Ktown, we needed to get a good start; the engineer had a plane to catch. We stepped out onto the roof and were greeted with a wall of heat. The roof was basking in Okanagan sunshine and the heat of the summer sun Read more…
Morning came calmly into my mind as I emerged from the depths of a dream. Covid was a dream and in the real world, we were in Europe on our way driving up the Rhine River from Holland to Switzerland. We were in the midst of an amazing trip of a lifetime to celebrate 50 spins around the sun. Unfortunately, I woke up to the cold reality of the coronaverse. We were not going to Europe and our trip was Read more…
We awoke to a modern tragedy today. The internet was down! My wife would have a hard time working and I would have a hard time going to my Tuesday Zoom meeting. First world problems abounded and we felt out of sorts, lost. I had just experienced life without internet and I felt ok, it was still strange losing the connection we all have come to rely upon. Good things come from tragedy, I know losing the internet is by Read more…
Home and back to work again today. Traffic was surprisingly light crossing the bridge as I cruised to my destination on my bike. Life felt normal after my escape to the Kootenays. I yearned for that simplicity yet I fear the disconnection it brought. I was on another roof overlooking Okanagan Lake. I felt thrilled with the fortune of living in such an amazing place. After a few days off the grid, I felt recharged. I felt like life is Read more…
It was Father’s Day today. I was sitting at a picnic table beside the river in Kettle River Provincial Park. The sound of the water gurgling by, and the birds singing in the surrounding trees brought a sense of calm to my soul. The incessant mosquitos gave my body fits. I had to put a long sleeve shirt and long pants on to be able to sit in comfort at a table on the banks of a very full Kettle Read more…
The last few days off the grid feel like they passed by in a haze. A paddle on the river was my highlight. Connecting with my brother and his family was a rewarding experience. Living in his chaos was difficult and gave me a desire to do something to help. I know that nothing can help a person in chaos except themselves. He spoke of cleaning, organizing, and creating a better space for his family. I understand that sometimes we Read more…
Nelson BC is a beautiful town nestled on a mountainside at the west end of Kootenay Lake. Perched on the edge of the Selkirk mountains, it is scenic and welcoming. Nelson is coping well with the pandemic. Much better than its little neighbour Rossland. I had a very productive day and drove thirty minutes east to the village of Winlaw. As I went up the Slocan Valley I drove into the past. My brother Lucas lives in simplicity on a Read more…
I am still on the grid. In my life plans can change, often. I am sitting at a desk in my room at the beautiful Hume hotel in downtown Nelson. It works better for me to end up in Nelson tonight, tomorrow I will land at my brothers. I worked in Rossland today, when I stopped for lunch I knew I would be done early. Nelson seemed like the place to go, I needed a place to sit and have Read more…
Three months ago they closed Big White Ski Resort. Three months of lockdown, time has flown slowly by and the world has changed. Our lives and the way we live them may never be the same again. March 16, 2020 will be a day that will live on in many of our minds. It was the last time I had skis on my feet and freedom in my heart. It has been ninety-two days of living with Covid19, living in Read more…