Open Sky

January 1, 2011 I paddled with Robin out of Victoria Harbour and into Juan de Fuca Strait in our sea kayaks -- the sun was brilliant, the air cool -- it was a fresh new year. We shook our heads at the passing of time which seemed to be speeding up. But the beauty of the Juan de Fuca Strait soon made us wake up to the moment of open sky streatching out to the Olympic Mountains -- which were rocketing to the blue and orange light, snow pack thick and reflecting the white back to us and all around.

As we paddled out of the harbour we passed the Sir Wilfred Laurier -- the last time I saw the Laurier was in a small Bay off Dowager Island in the Centeral Coast -- me and Jonas were getting started on another long day of paddling as we made our way down the coast from Alaska to Vancouver Island in our kayaks.

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier is a light icebreaker and tender part of the Canadian Coast Guard, It was built in 1986 by Canadian Shipbuilding, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada and the ship now based out of Victoria. In the summer the Laurier sometimes patrols the arctic doing science related work.

Robin and I passed 2 other Coast Guard vessels -- the red paint on the hulls shining brightly -- it made me feel proud to be Canadian. As we paddled past the ships we imagined the vast coast lines they had explored and wondered what it would have been like to have had a carrer in the Coast Guard.

As we came around the cruise ship terminal we checked out the new first nations Land and Sea Murial on the north side of the Ogden Point Break Water -- the art was so intriguing.

The mural concept was inspired by the Chiefs of both Songees and Esquimalt First Nations who sit on Harbour Authorities Board of Directors. The project helps foster understanding for the rich history and culture of the two local First Nations, while providing economic opportunities for youth from Songhees, Esquimalt , Cowichan and Greater Victoria.

The first part of the mural depicts a narrative of the relationship coast salish people had with land and sea and shares elements of traditional South Coast Salish culture, and honours the knowledge and wisdom passed on by their ancestors.

The sun and moon designs convey this connection as the moon represents "grandmother" and the sun represents "grandfather". The first design introduces this theme stating "these are my grandparents, these are my ancestors". The mural was designed by Coast Salish artists Butch Dick and Darlene Gait and is being painted by a team of 6 youth artists.

As we headed out past the Light House at the end of the break water, the pilot boat came around. As we were on a collision course someone had to shift -- "might makes right" as they say -- so we shifted closer to the break water while the Captain moved right. The pilot boat heads out into the strait everytime a frieghter heads in or out to the Pacific -- its needed in order to safely get the frieghters through the narrow passages leading to Vancouver, BC and other coastal ports.

As we headed out into more open water we caught the strong ebb current flowing towards Sax Point in Esquimalt -- and being the Buddhists we are -- we started talking about the eight fold path, the 4 noble truths and the various walls we felt we had hit on our practice and lives.

Our conversation eventually shifted to 2 paddlers in the distance -- we suspected it was Gary and Janette -- because of Gary's bright red paddling jacket and Janettes yellow kayak. New Years wishes were exchanged off one of the aids to navigation near the old World War 1 aritillery and observation placement at Work Point. It was delightful and serindipitous to meet them in the gorgous element of water and spaciousness of sky.

As we headed off in seperate directions a sea lion surfaced near by. Some seals lounged on the rock near the Rock Climbing Beach and we paddled back in silence until a nimble river otter broke the surface in front of our kayaks. Mergansers and other sea birds were landing near by as we paddled back into the harbour. It was a welcoming way to start off 2011!