I finished this painting on November 1st, 2012. That’s a significant date to a lot of us who paddle outrigger canoes here in Gibsons. You see that’s right about the day, when the time change happens, that we can no longer venture out in our canoes to go to the other side of Keats Island. Paddle Club rules, in the interest of safety; dictate that area to be out of bounds until spring. Other, more sheltered waters are allowed for winter paddling.
It’s just over 3 kilometers to that little bay on the south side of Keats. We usually paddle there on different courses to make it more like 4 or 5 kilometers. It’s a favourite place though, a place of solitude, peace and tranquility. In fact, I’ve got my own name for that little bay “Tranquility Bay”. It’ll be next March before any of us see our favourite paddle destination again. That’s when the club rules allow us to paddle out there for the spring and summer months.
Like many others, I’ll wish the winter away dreaming of better paddling conditions. As we paddle through the winter rains and snows, Tranquility Bay waits patiently. I remember when the morning sun had a friendly, comforting warmth as it rose to greet us in Tranquility Bay. I remember the laughter of our crew energized by both the paddle and the environment as we drifted and rested in this special place. I remember too the times we’ve seen bald eagles holding court from some lofty perch as we relax below them in the calm waters of Tranquility Bay. I remember the seals as they’d curiously pop their heads up with huge, wondrous eyes, as they’d watch us from a safe distance. I remember the school of baitfish touching and gulping the surface of the quiet bay. So large their numbers that their activity sounded like light rain falling all around us. We’ve seen deer on the shore of the bay and I remember the day we saw the huge turkey vultures resting on the jagged rocks of the cliff, wings outstretched, they were warming and drying in the morning sun. Most of all though, I remember the friends, those of us who venture out on the water two or three times a week throughout the year in our canoes. I remember the friends and that feeling of all of us being together in the perfect place at the perfect time as we just relax in Tranquility Bay.
I painted this image in the fall colours that were the last we saw of Tranquility Bay just before the time change this year. All winter, and every winter from now on, this image will forever speak to me. Forever more it’ll always say – “REMEMBER WHEN”.
