I Have a Boat

Last year there was this old metal tin, painted red boat sitting in the water down at the lake shore. Filled with water and fall leaves, I wished I had more time and the okay to try to fix it up and take it out on the lake. This year, I had both. And now I have a boat to explore all of the inlets and shorelines of this here Otto Lake. It's maiden voyage consisted of me standing in the back with a long piece of driftwood, pushing off the shallow lake bottom as far out as I could go seeing if it could hold off water. Then my boss and I got a beautifully silent trolly motor for it and a spare paddle. It's been my companion in enjoying midnight sunsets and exploring beaver ponds in far corners and discovering private sections of the lake and choosing to paddle back in the dark instead of using the motor. I think tonight calls for another adventure in it.

Last September

This summer, the first trip with the new (used) motor

Besides that I've fixed up an old guitar that was living in the garage when I got here. I'm slowly learning chords and practicing them on slower Iron and Wine songs. People are intriguing me more and more each day. Future plans shift from one hour to the next. I took a family from Ecuador on a tour yesterday, and after getting over myself, I attempted broken conversations in Spanish with the grandpa and two young boys. I decided I want to go to South America as soon as I can. Then last night a friend said she was looking for a travel buddy to volunteer at an orphanage in Africa for a few months next spring, and as of now nothing seems like a better thing to spend the money I've been making up here on. Friends are going to Vietnam to teach English for a year, or spending 6 months performing on a cruise ship between New Zealand and Australia. Meeting people brings inspirations and opportunities. Hooray for that.