Monday, August 06, 2007

Life lesson at the parade


I spent the last three days at the tiny community of Lindell Beach on Cultus Lake, BC. For 55 years this community has held a regatta on the August long weekend. It included a parade of decorated wagons, bikes and kids.



With a marching (sort of) band.



There were water sports, contests, and even fireworks. B, with our friend Cathy, made the finals in the egg toss contest.



It was a great time with friends and family.



But the moment I will remember most came at the end of the parade, when I overheard a young boy complaining to his dad that his bicycle was uncomfortable. The father's advice to him could apply to riding a bike or, well, life:

"Son, relax, and ride sitting back on your bum, not forward on your willie."



Today's dream travel destination: Whitby, England. Where a slightly more famous regatta is held every August.

16 comments:

Dumdad said...

I went to Whitby on holiday when I were a lad! (Eee-by-gum, as they say up there).

Useful advice about cycling that I'll bear in mind as I go for a bike ride today...

Big Brother said...

The father gave his son some good solid advice for life... I'll have to remember that when my students are whining. ;o)

Jazz said...

"Son, relax, and ride sitting back on your bum, not forward on your willie."

Words of wisdom indeed.

Mike Minzes said...

Great pictures!!

Ian Lidster said...

That boy will ultimately, I hope, learn to have more respect for his willie.
You know, dear friend, I am ashamed that having grown up on the mainland, and having a brother who lives in Chilliwack, that I do not know of the place to which you refer. Cultus Lake, yes, but your fun day spot, no.
Ian

Voyager said...

DD, Riding on ones willie can cause big trouble indeed.

BB, Careful, using the word "willie" to school kids could backfire. I can see the angry parents marching into your classroom now.

Jazz, Sometimes the most innocuous comments resonate that way.

Mike m, Thank you. It's hard not to take good photos of people having fun.

Voyager said...

Ian, Lindell Beach is at the far southern end of the lake. It is a community of some permanent residents, and many more recreation cabins or cottages. There is only one store, closed in winter. It is a lovely little place where everyone knows everyone else, and many residents have been going there for generations.
V.

jmb said...

The joys of a long weekend in the summer.
Good pics and good advice for the other gender.
regards
jmb

Voyager said...

jmb, The August long weekend always feels like the beginning of the end doesn't it? The sands of summer time are running out too quickly through our fingers.
V.

Judy said...

Small-town stuff is often the biggest fun, eh? I'm imagining that the eggs tossed were not hard-boiled, and that the laughter was even louder than mine as I read the father's advice to his son.

By the way, you folks "north of the border" are near and dear to my heart: my ancestors were Loyalists who were exiled after the War of the Revolution. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Voyager said...

WW,While you have loyalist relatives, I have good strong Yankie ones. I am related to Mary Todd Lincoln. I always say it's only the politicians that are different, I love Americans.
V.

Diana said...

Someone could put that on a bumper sticker.

Voyager said...

Diana, Good idea. I know some people who drive cars leaning on their willie.

Rozanne said...

I'm still laughing over that advice!

There's a Cultus Lake in the state of Washington. I may visit it soon!

Voyager said...

rozanne, I wonder who "Cultus" was to have not one but two lakes named after him?

CS said...

I normally don't care for parades, but that looks like a fun one.