Duff Day.

Howard Cove. A place I would normally consider keeping secret, except that the locals already know, and the rest most likely won’t see it unless in the company of the Lighthouse Crew at Cape Decision.

It is the kind of place where it feels like a violation to have your phone out even for pictures. In fact there may or may not have been a time where clothes themselves seemed to be a barrier. Someone may have had the nickname “Nature Boy” throughout high school and college for such behavior when out in the wild. So I hear.

Here is the only picture taken.

I often wonder if other people have the same struggle with the chattering monkey of the mind. I assume so, since that is a well known term for it.

When you are alone (in sight of others, it is wilderness after all) in the wild there seems to be an inverse relationship between the sort of quiet of the forest and the lapping waves and the volume of internal thoughts. Volume isn’t right, perhaps sporadic. Yeah, that works- more and more sporadic.

Chris B. came up with that one, thanks Chris.

Perhaps the quiet is so abnormal, so foreign, that the mind recoils. Not enough background noise, no constant hum of electronics and notifications, not even conversation to maintain.

“Astonishment! Always astonishment!”

The words of Leonid Anisimov, a theater director from years ago. I remember those words and that moment, and have taken that as my personal mantra. I sometimes even remember to apply it.

It must take time. The secret of the mountaintop guru- take your time. With time the monkey gets tired and, slows down. Maybe gets sulky and gives you the silent treatment.

Time and astonishment.

Back at the Lighthouse a soak in perhaps the world’s best outdoor bath. A bit off kilter. Fancy it is not. Unused holes plugged with an assortment of hardware bits and pieces. Takes a while to fill, and if you want to heat it up you are running back inside to open the valve on the insta-hot. Then running back to close it.

In short it is perfect.

The day ended with fish tacos made from rockfish. From water to pan in less than an hour. It was ridiculously tasty.

The best part for me was that Rowan helped provide the fish. One of the skills I have NOT passed on to the boys is fishing. So I was grateful for Sergio and Chris for taking him under their wing and showing him the ropes.

Sergio is a wonder and I will be forever grateful to the man. The way he has gently and naturally connected with Ro has been gratifying for a father to see. Rowan has laughed more and learned more from him than I have witnessed in a long time. Thank you Serg!