Ferry to Nanaimo

Because before I went surfing I first had to get there:

I remember how waiting for the ferry was like being in an airport terminal -- the place had a cool sense of excitement and anticipation.

I imagine this being a crazy sort of motorcycle jump onto the ferry or something...

Fancy bright boats all docked up along the far edge of what we all now call Canada's mainland.

It should not surprise you that I loved the colour of the churning water stirred up by what I can only figure are propellers below.

You really can't tell it from the picture here since I just took a quick pic with my cellphone to help remember it -- but I have a strong memory of looking out into the sunny beyond, seeing small but strong and glistening waves flowing in consistently, continuously. My mind starts to drift away since I know I'm on my way for sure again...
The music starts to play on in my head like before...
...and I know it's not stopping anytime soon...

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The Coast: Mountain Climb and the First Caress Along the Shoreline

Picture this: You've just spent the last several months passing picturesque farm after farm, sweating buckets, conversing with people who could never get where you're at (especially since you don't really even want to be there yourself). Imagine getting to a place where you thought that land would swallow you up, and you actually decide to turn around.

And then try to guess what it would look like if you still did find a way to get all the way to that place where the mountain meets the ocean. I'm talking about that lovely land we call "The Coast". I'm talking about what happens along any coast -- breaking waves. Big thanks to my uncle and aunt. And the ultimate relief and satisfaction that took place way back out in B.C. looks something like this. It's where it all started [Blow up the pix... they get bigger]:

And so we climb a mountain.

And this is what was going through my mind: nothing actually. I think the best moments are the ones you can totally get caught up in -- where everything is moving along so well that you know you don't have to think about anything. Except maybe the flying kites in the gusting wind, your friends and family all around you, and the first caress of a peaceful ocean's wavelets. [check it -- this pic gets HUGE!!!!]

When I finally reach the top and see this, Boards of Canada starts playing in my head again. Just imagine the most peaceful, optimistic and beautiful music that you know -- the music just started playing on its own and from here on in it just did not stop.

-thx a mil Kurt 4 the pix :)

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