“Wind is coming up,” Chris writes. ”Lots of white caps already. I’m afraid we’re going to have to call it off for today - too rough to take my boat out.”
Only for a magazine built around the lifestyles of Gulf Islanders do you have to base the existence of a magazine interview on the rain and wind and wave action.
There’s only so much planning you can do so that you can get the scoop on life as a lighthouse keeper on Entrance Island--an island only a 20 minute kayak paddle away from the comparative civilization of Gabriola Island (if your photographer would paddle over with her expensive equipment). You contact the people, book the photographer, book the boat (and the person to take you over), and choose a day forecasted for sun (after days of rain, this could be difficult). But you picked the right day--all sun--and the chances were bright.
And then there it was. A message from the lighthouse keeper:
“It’s actually pretty choppy out here at the island, winds are blowing 10knots out of the NW (approx. 40km/hour) with 3-4’ waves and a northwest swell – it’s a lot more open out here where the light is which causes wind/waves to be more intense.”
Gibberish...but understood.
You live in a world in which the wind and the waves dictate business life. And even as people trying to get things done, you wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So now, with a week-long forecast of grey and rain, "perhaps start with a video chat meeting", you ask? And the response:
“That sounds like a good idea – we will just need a day or two in advance just to make sure the satellite internet is steady enough for live video chatting if that’s okay.”
Okay...? Absolutely glorious. Imagine the world this couple lives in: where waves determine travel...where connection determines unplugging...where every little thing is dictated by the small rock they’re on and the lives they chose.
After doing Entrance Island lighthouse research (oh, the drama of that rock out there in the Salish Sea!), you can’t wait to cross these hurdles and connect to hear their stories.
Thanks Jennette of Shutterjet for the beauty photo.
