Life by The Water

August 19, 2011

Water is a big part of our lives here in Nova Scotia.

Each time we leave the house we drive along the river to pretty much get anywhere. The town where we go the market and the library is one of the most historic seaports in all of Canada. And if we go to the nearest "large" center, the one with all the amenities except a good Thai restaurant and nighttime coffee shop, we drive the scenic river route the whole way. Rounding curves and dodging cyclists.

If you drive the other way you arrive at the ocean but first you pass the ferry landing where we wait in line to cross the river to visit the bakery, pick up the buying club order or visit favorite beaches.

But lately my Dad hasn't been driving to the bakery because he can take his boat instead. This summer the neighbors built a wharf. It was like an old fashioned barn raising. Nova Scotia is like that, or maybe it's just my parent's awesome neighbors.

Dad's so happy with the wharf because now he can easily get to and from his baby The Prairie Skipper.

While we were out west my parents spent two days on the water with the kids participating in a local fishing derby. Laurent's hooked. He loves the water, loves the ocean, loves being with his Papa.

I swell with familial joy at Laurent bonding this way with his grandfather. I quake in my mothering soul as my son grows his love for the sea. A boy who loves the mountains, loves the ocean. With so many adventures to be had and the world to explore there's no way he'll stay close to these apron strings (sniff).

Water is all around. It's the view out the window. The river the leads to the ocean. A boat to take fishing, a couple kayaks for people powered sport, and beaches for swimming, frolicking and freezing (this is the north Atlantic after all).