the reverse curve of time

~ From Nate ~

After a slow wakeup, we sat on the Crow’s bow (always facing one direction, something I’m still getting used to, thanks to a stern-tie) drinking coffee, when Francine and both Lil’ Rascals (one canine, one boat) rowed over and invited us to join their raft-up with Ron on the north side whenever we wanted. They were heading up to the nearby lake soon, so we decided to head to the lake and wait for the wind to calm down before attempting to anchor, raft, and stern-tie.

Black Lake is a much less treacherous hike than Cassel Lake was, though this also makes it feel more accessible, more contemporary compared to the latter’s journey back in time. It’s Ron & Helen, Francine & John, and their families’ favorite spot though; a patch of steep rocks with small grassy spots and just enough water access to jump in and crawl out. The kids can make the 15-minute walk and even if one of the other spots along the lake had people there, you couldn’t see them from this one. Just like when we descended upon their spot in the Gorge, there was a relaxed comfort, a welcoming laissez-faire scene that could just as easily have been 50 years ago. We quickly melt in, alternately sitting with the grandkids, listening to “Ronny & Johnny Tales,” or dropping a towel and diving over the disappearing rocks into the clean, 70-degree lake.

More time with this family of Ron & Helen is a wonderful gift, with a floater of John & Francine making an especially happy hour. Each orbit of the traveling raft up – kids, goofs, or solo-nature-revelry – is a delight, sometimes melding together or sometimes holding/requiring full attention. Rylee (5) and Elsea (4) in constant states of exploration and wonder. The table of the Crow is their favorite drawing spot – no complaints from this crew. Ron and John (70somethings) recounting the crazy shit they’ve done – while currently examining John’s oil-leaking Westerbeke diesel a dozen ways and fixing it over the next 2 days. Helen sharing stories of fishing or of her girls in these same places playing throughout their lives. Lian and Claire passing on the gems of their upbringing to their own kids and recounting them for us. Truly a wonderful continuity they’ve got going on here. That these places seem to inspire. “So many things have changed,” said Francine. “But this (gesturing around Roscoe Bay) is the same as 40 years ago.”

Each boat had their own supper but in view of the others; Tidewater on one side with Claire and Cody’s Arima alongside, Francine & John’s Gemini catamaran Legato in the middle, and Crow and Grasshopper on the other, a fairly symmetrical raft.

Another gentle morning of shared coffee, more drawing at the table, and further engine tinkering bled into the Main Event, another welcome afternoon at the lake. The Big Family seem quite efficient at ferrying 8 people to shore in an 8-foot Walker Bay dinghy; John & Francine also pretty good at getting the Lil’ Rascals scooting despite limited mobility all around. We hemmed and hawed at what floating toys to bring – “Dang! I wish we’d brought wheels for Sweetpea to roll it to the lake.” – and landed on “just about all of them,” with two inflatable paddle boards dragging behind the inflatable island, atop which sat the three inflatable chairs, two drybags, and a cooler. Plus us, until the portage to the lake. Not ones to choose more trips over a heavier load, Coop and I stacked it all on and portaged the 15’x5’ inflatable circus what felt like 3 miles but was probably about ¼ of a single mile.

The payoff was worth it, as we dropped it all in at the first available shore and paddled maybe ½ a mile to the Family’s extra-special lake spot. The laughs could be heard echoing through the lake’s walls as we rounded a rocky bluff and came in sight of Ron et al. Julia was in the bow at stroke, Nate in the middle, and Coop in the stern, and it all worked surprisingly well! We pulled into some natural stairs in the rock below the group and Devin caught our lines. Success!

It wasn’t quite as sunny as the day before, but swimming was still a great idea. The inflatable chairs nestled into the small knolls and we had more good family picnic time until it was declared nigh-on Happy Hour. Considering the inflatable island’s claimed 8-person capacity, not to mention the two extra paddle boards we were towing, we took some of the Family aboard to render their shuttling plan unnecessary – 13 people between the inflatables and the Walker Bay! We took the extra hands carrying the party pagoda back to the beach and en massed back to the big boats, still chillin on their stern-ties. Grasshopper provided evening thrills for John and family friend Mona, laughs and good hops in a healthy westerly.

Then, just like that, it was the next morning, clean-up and final engine checks underway – and one more quick drawing session down below with Coop, Rylee requested. She drew me a cat with a beautiful background, inspired by the reclusive feline aboard Legato. She drew Coop some trees with a nice message. Ron’s crew was first off, winning the efficiency prize again. John & Francine followed soon, headed to Cortes Bay to hope for good wind to sail home rather than use their engine. We got sorted and pulled in the stern-tie, then anchor. Well, mostly sorted – Grasshopper’s bow got loose on the way out before we’d set it behind, swinging back and giving the Crow another mark of sibling rivalry. Not a shining moment leaving the anchorage, but it was soon sorted with me driving Grasshopper and Coop and Julia taking the Crow gently out of Roscoe’s narrow passage.

Another magical time with friends dispersed. We’re heading to Walsh Cove now, as previously planned but so wonderfully postponed. We don’t know what comes next – it doesn’t look like a great time to be in Johnstone Strait, but it’s a great time to be in Desolation Sound. Works for us.