Farewell My Friend

 I said farewell to a much loved  friend yesterday.  I knew  the day would come, but it didn't make it any easier.  I even took her out on one last date just to say good bye. It has only been a  day, but I already miss her.  

Last Paddle Out

 We had such a good time together.  Sunrises and sunsets on the Chesapeake Bay.  Trips to the beach together.  Sometimes there were waves and sometimes there were not, but every trip was fun.  She was lively and exciting, and at the same time she was always smooth and steady.  Even though I had others, she was always there for me. She was my favorite. Though fair or foul weather, she never let me down. Sometimes it was just the two of us, and sometimes we went out with others.  She was always the prettiest girl at the dance.

Pretty Girl

 I sold my beloved Naish 11'6 " Nalu Wood SUP board yesterday.  She has gone to a good home and a kind master who will treat her well, but still, it was hard to say good bye.  She wasn't my 1st Nalu 11'6", but she was a good one.  She was shaped by Harold "Iggy" Ige.  I bought her while he was still alive, and his spirit has lived on in her, since his passing in January of 2012.  I never got to meet Iggy, but I felt his spirit smiling down on me every time I was out on her.  I know this maybe hard for some people to understand, but she was more than a big piece of foam, wood, and fiberglass. She had soul, and she had life.  More importantly, she gave life, and I'm going to miss her.

Life

Living in the Bubble

I read an article in Skiing Magazine* (written by Drew Pogge) yesterday that basically said, when you live in a ski town, it is like living in a bubble.  "The bubble is a feeling.  It's a slowed down reality, a suspended equilibrium, a simple re-prioritization of life"  The bubble is not perfect, but Mr. Pogge is right,  the next powder day sure helps smooth out the rough edges.  

 

 

My bubble is the Chesapeake Bay. I got a quick 45 minutes in my bubble this morning. I hope you find and spend some time in YOUR bubble today.

 

*Stop by the shop if you want to read the entire article.  We have the current issue of Skiing in the shop.