FROM THE HELM
As this issue goes to press, I am sitting staring at my summer calendar, wishing that there were three of me - at least. The calendar is chock-full of marine-related events (including one I'm creating as we speak ... see marinamirror.com/wow) , from now until the fall, and I want to be present for all of them. And meet my deadlines, AND spend time on the water, like other boaters, simply cruising.
Since it won't be possible to be in three places at once, I'm going to have to miss some of them. (After all, 'simply cruising' is pretty important!)
Just this month alone, there's the Cadillac Van Isle 360 race, an Open House at the Institute of Ocean Sciences on the Saanich Peninsula, tribal Canoe Races in Cowichan Bay, the Chris Craft Rendezvous in Maple Bay, Oceans Day in Campbell River, The Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Festival, Taser World Championships in Esquimalt, at least one sailing regatta, and the Spencer Yacht Rendezvous in Montague Harbour.
Makes me tired just thinking about all this activity! And if it's rainy, or I can't stray too far from home, the Nanaimo Arts Council has a mini-show called 'WESTCOAST BEACHES' at their Rutherford Mall location throughout the month of June.
As a nautical fanatic and a writer, I'm often torn between 'experiencing the experience' and recording it - with my pen or my camera, or both. I usually end up attempting to find the balance between the two, not always successfully.
But the bottom line about living this lifestyle is that there's truly so many choices. There isn't a day that I don't feel rich - in my surroundings, here on this amazing coast; in the freedom I enjoy as a live-aboard; in the stories that I hear from you, the readers, on a regular basis; and in the list of opportunities, like the June events listed above, to be around like-minded folks.
Now, if I can just figure out how I can watch the start of the VanIsle in the Nanaimo Harbour, AND cheer on the Cowichan Tribes in their canoe races at the same time, I'll have it made...
Happy cruising!