the reverse curve of time

~ From Julia ~

Name of the game is to be flexible. Invite and be open to what comes. For example, I wasn’t planning on going with Nate on Grasshopper. He wanted to film the couple Jeff and Diane on their beautiful boat Tacony leaving Melanie Cove. It was a nice morning. Nate had filmed an interview with them yesterday on their boat and it was fabulous.

Hard not to fall in love with the boat and with their enthusiasm for this beautiful place. They know it well and have a respect for the history of these lands and waters and people. We had been hopping around the day we came here and we all waved and said hello; after learning the interesting and cool history, Nate asked if Jeff would be willing to be filmed talking about his gorgeous boat. Plans were made to swing by after they went for a hike to a lake the next day. Nate asked if I wanted to go with him to film Tacony leaving Prideaux Haven and after we would continue on and get some gas at Refuge Cove and I could see the general store. I said yes! Another place I had heard of for years.

Along the way, filming running shots with the incredible mountain backdrops, Diane handed us a favorite book they had talked about, Totem Poles and Tea by Hughina Harold. It’s a sweet personal gift to receive someone’s beloved book and we were grateful. Nate had Off Center Harbor hats for them and a burgee for their boat. We wished we had a second copy of Bijaboji by Betty Lowman Carey.

As awesome surprises abound, when you are free in the openness, I found 4 copies at the Refuge Cove General Store. We bought them all and while in line to make our purchase in walks Diane! She had 2 more books to pass on to us. What a darling! We smiled and said we had a book for them too. “It’s one of our favorites, and we want you to have it” said Nate. How fun to run into them again. While talking on the dock another person walked by from a fishing boat and exclaimed “that is my favorite book!” Grasshopper is so unique it makes people look, stare, take pictures, and ask questions. By the time we left there lots of people to say farewell to and off we went heading back to our quiet little cove off Roffey Island. Barely out of the harbor Nate saw a boat he recognized from Lake Union called the Carmelita. It has a wooden swing that fascinated me and was all decked out. Gorgeous.

On the return trip I had a strong sense really being HERE! It takes time to get away, time to be gone, time to adjust and more. But today I felt I was HERE! Coop stayed back which turned out to be good because Berg noticed they were getting too close to the rocks and Coop decided to move the Crow. The Danielson family left and we thought they were gone, heading south to Lund on their way home. Nate and I returned to a cleaned and super organized cabin thanks to Cooper. It’s true that with such small space keeping ones belongings organized and things put away is really helpful. It was stunning how great it all looked. I couldn’t help but think of the different times we worked on those concepts through the years together when we were living in the same house. Enough said…

We had a lovely surprise as the Danielson family returned, anchoring just on the other side of some rocks, you remember the ones where the Oyster Catchers stay. The 3 of us got ready to go swimming and we decided to use the floating island, a 5’ x 15’ paddle board kind of thing. 3 inflatable chairs were lined up – reminded me of playing train or bus with preschoolers. Hope to include the picture when we have enough service.

The swimming hole was closer to their boat so we hung out there together. Berg and his boys climbed to the top of the rock island and we walked into the water from the side. Tons of oysters everywhere. We returned to rinse with clean water – every day, on Julie’s recommendation! – and get ready for dinner. The Danielsons were joining us. I had started some soup earlier in the day and we added chicken and potatoes. They brought a salad, avocados and FRESH BAKED COOKIES! What a treat. We all enjoyed our time and again it got too late to pull out the game Settlers of Catan. We promised a gathering when we are all back home.

GOODNIGHT TO MY WONDERFUL TRAVELING COMPANIONS!