A Grey Day for Ghosts

I haven’t been on the water as much as I might like; seems I’ve got a few too many brands in the fire so I was determined to get on the water. Theresa felt the same so we loaded our boats and headed to the water last Saturday. We needed a change of scenery so we elected to head down to Boston Harbor and paddle out of there.

An old reading desk with the few books left in the cottage. (Photograph by Steve Weileman)

The forecast called for broken skies with a SE wind building in the afternoon. The weatherman got it half right; wind sure, sun no. Still any day on the water is better then a day indoors. As we pulled up to the boat ramp we notice a another couple with boats on the roof. Turns out it was Bob and Christina from Rogue Wave Adventures. We caught up with the local paddling news but parted was as they wanted a to make a loop around the bay. We were interested in visiting a old homestead nestled just off the water (see Ghost of Budd Inlet).

Theresa making her way across a cloud covered Budd Inlet. (Photograph by Steve Weileman)

We found the old place looking no the worse for the wear from the water, but on closer examination you could see it was losing itself to the elements and time. During my previous visit you could still feel a presence from the owners. Books, dishes, games boards, a tape reel, clothes in the closet – all evoked a tangible closeness with it’s past. Most of that was gone now. The ghost I felt so strongly last time were becoming ghosts of themselves.

Steve taking some shots of the old place. (Photograph by Theresa Weileman)

A mordant reminder of our mortality and temporariness. And the paddling community had yet another reminder this week with the sad passing of Don Starkell.