A beautiful sunny day turned into a cool, still, clear evening by the bay. From the grassy area between the community centre parking lot, the fishing dock, and the wasteful and wasted amphitheatre, the happy music of guitar, mandolin and washtub bass made strolling passersby smile, and drew one family to sit on the grass and enjoy their own private concert.
Two of my friends - long time local musicians - were joined by a young man passing through the area who had decided to stay around and join the music scene and enjoy our company for a while. A very talented young man whose guitar playing and singing blended in well. "Two Dollar Bill", "Amelia Earhart", a jazzy version of "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" - they play mostly old time music, gospel music, and a smattering of the blues, but they have huge repertoires and great skill. They played until it was too cold to just sit, and their fingers were getting too stiff to pluck the strings.
There are hit and miss paths along this side of the bay, although they are working toward joining them all together into one continuous walkway. From here on past the bridge a sidewalk winds along close to the edge of the water, separated from it by shrubs here and there and by large rocks that tumble down the sides of the bank. As I walked the path, behind me to the west I could see the long plumes of the mill; directly across the water was the island marina with the sun setting behind the fishing boats. Further along my walk there was a night heron sitting on top of a piling, and in the water a white egret.
2 comments:
Have ya ever wondered why the potential for the waterfront hasn't been fulfilled after years upon years of laying about in disconnected parcels, rocks, paths, and rail track?
Here's the scuttlebutt: there are powerful people from way back in this town that will not let it happen. They don't want tourists, they don't want happy strollers along the bay, they don't want people rushing up here to settle by the bay. Apparently they want to be left as alone as possible. why? Scuttlebutt doesn't give a reason. Anyhow, word is, don't wait too long to see it happen or you'll end up like a dried up crab shell on a ugly rock at the edge of the bay. In other words, not in our lifetime, baby!
hey sam....I know just those same sweet ole codgers...and love their playing! good of you to recognize deep beauty and the work of community builders. I, too, am a DP...and thank you for your insight. namaste!
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