Coastal Adventure Day 8: Quadra Island

Saturday, September 16th, 2023

I awaken having slept, yet again in a soft bed. This adventure is not going the way I had planned. I had told myself that this was a solo adventure where I would be enjoying my own company and self-reliance, only peripherally engaging with friends and strangers along the way. Yet here I am and I have only spent two of the seven nights in my tent. I am also exhausted. The previous week of travel and novelty have begun to wear and I would like a day of doing almost nothing. Today I plan to do just that: a long walk on the beach with Bre, laying around on the deck, grazing on snacks and meals... sounds delightful. After a late breakfast, Bre, Abby and I go for that walk. Things are starting out just right. We wander down the forest path and eventually amble out onto the beach. The tide is on its way out and for miles the horizon rests upon a bed of stones, each hiding life beyond measure, only detectable as rustling and crackling between what stillness we can manage.

The walk upon the beach is exactly what I need; it's a meditation of proprioceptive acuity and blissful mindlessness. Each footstep requires attention to avoid a tumble or twisted ankle and yet my mind is allowed to wander unfettered by agendas or demands. This is ecstasis in the company of my two greatest loves. I wish this would last forever.

We return to the cabin and my friend and host, still riding the wave of yesterday's ocean adventure, asks who wants to join him on the boat to check the prawn traps. I volunteer, begrudgingly as this clearly deviates from my perfectly concocted ideation of how the day would go. I allow sourness to permeate my previously enlightened state (how human) and grumble along as the whole group gets into the truck for another laborious afternoon at sea.... for someone who likes to ride hundreds of kilometers to get to a destination I'm quite put-out by all this fishing/boating business.

We arrive at the launch and I meet a gentleman who is enjoying his last days with his elderly and beloved dog. The malamute giant steps slowly into the water and then makes his way along the shoreline. "It's easier on his joints and frame these days," says the gentleman, "we'll walk like this for ages. He's my best friend. It's going to be really hard to let him go."

I'm offered a bit of perspective and my mood shifts.

Once out at sea we return to the task of seeing what bounty the sea has left us. To everyone's amazement we are granted several dozen prawns and now everyone is in great spirits.

With renewed energy the party returns home, conspiring over the minute details of the evenings' meal that will accompany the day's catch. As attentive dogs look on, we set about peeling prawns and incorporating them into a glorious mac 'n cheese feast. We eat and drink well off the sea and the wealth is not lost on me despite my hopes for a different day. We play cards long into the night until no one can keep an eye open. Once again I am exhausted and once again I must leave writing for a different day.

This adventure is not going the way I had planned.