Going It Alone on the Bay Tim Dyer Oct, 2015
This summer, White Squall offered an opportunity for people to be on their own for two nights and three days on a remote outer island in Georgian Bay.
The inspiration came from solo experiences my wife Kathy and I both had in our youth. Hers was in the Rockies of BC while mine was in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of southern Colorado. They were very strong moments in our lives, with the endless wondering that comes from being ‘out there’. It invokes a special connection to the wilderness that has stayed with us all this time.
Four people took up our challenge, and so it was that one fine summer day I accompanied them out to a wild island looking out on the sweep of the open Bay. The island had three large points of land jutting out, separated by crystal clear inlets. Perfect for the purpose, we landed each one on a point, and the fourth chose another smaller island just to the south. Far enough away that they would have to look hard and faraway to see each other, it was far more rewarding to gaze westwards to wind, waves and wide-open skies.
They set up shelter in small trees and made small campfires near their tarps. Keeping vigil with flame and warmth is a powerful part of a solo. As a group they had decided to go with almost no food and just a few tea bags. That first night brought a cold rain and I’m sure they were happy to tuck into their shelter and wait out the night.
My job was to camp nearby on a rocky islet and make a daily check by boat. Without words exchanged, I would wave from offshore and look for their reply to ensure they were ok. The days passed quickly for me, as I wandered surrounding islands pretending I was Huck Finn on the loose. For them, time passed more softly and when it was time to gather up for return on Day 3 – I couldn’t help notice the reunion was absent the usual pent-up energy we give off in our normal life days. Instead, they were happy to listen, to share what happened and to be together diving into a big bag of nuts and chocolate!
So what does it all mean? Who knows, and who cares! The whole point was simply to get out there and do it. There can be some fine things that come of being alone in the wild and then again maybe it’s just a simple knowing that a warm bed, hot supper and people who love you are worth celebrating. We’re all just travellers and this journey was one they took on with courage. The Bay gave them back all they needed..
