Dave the Nomad

Yesterday just became the best day of 2008. It was the return of my Persephone.

The Greek story of Persephone is well known, but a quick recap: Hades abducted and married Persephone. During that time her mother Demeter, goddess of the Earth, mourned and all green things died. The gods intervened, and ordered Hades to release Persephone. Because the unwilling bride was tricked into eating four pomegranate seeds in the Underworld, she had to return for the same number of months out of the year. With Persephone’s return from the world of the dead each year came the onset of spring and the turn of seasons as Demeter rejoiced and allowed the Earth to spring forth new life.

Yesterday was my first water-ski trip of the season. My near uncontrollable urge to water-ski was only consoled by the sight of my water-ski and life jacket patiently waiting in the corner of my dining room. Dormant and mourning daily since last October, they finally reclaimed their rightful place behind a boat on the water. To the Greeks, the start of spring marked Persephone’s return, but to me it is the return of water-ski season. My dear friend Dave, whose boat I was so fortunate to ski behind, aptly calls this day “Boat Day.” Call it what you please, the return of the delighted smile and pure bliss of water enthusiasts well north of the Mason-Dixon Line says the most important message of all. We’re back!

Away from the water, Cleveland was sporting a down-right joyous temperature of 75 F yesterday. With an impulsive change of plans and a few hours of preparation for the boat launch we were cutting through the chop of Lake Erie to a suitable ski location. It was the first time I have glissaded next to migratory birds skittish from the unusual sounds of a power boat screaming across the shallowest of the Great Lakes. After a short ride out to Chagrin Point, we found calmer waters and a few curious spectators on shore.

48 F doesn’t sound warm to many people, but after mentally preparing to jump into 36-40 F water for the last two weeks, it was a welcome blessing. One of the disadvantages of skiing on Lake Erie is the lack of a pier from which to execute a graceful (and warm) take-off to start the skiing. The jump into the water was about the only part of the trip that did not see a smile on my face, and was immediately followed by one of the fastest starts I’d ever done. The feelings of both the open wind on my face and ski vest hugging me like an old friend were comforting, but unnecessary to know I was back on the playground of fast moving water. The wind started to pick up, and the waves were soon approaching a foot high. I couldn’t help but kick the wake behind me and starting cutting back and forth. After a few minutes and a decreasing fortune cutting through the waves, I was tumbling head over heels to a great finish. After many thanks to Dave for the boat to ski behind and a equal passion for water-skiing, I jumped back to solid land to carry on with the rest of the day unable to hide a beaming smile while waiting for my next chance.

This post may not be related to my trip, but skiing is part of who I am, and this trip is part of who I will become. What it is the use of a good story without a good introduction?

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 19th, 2008 at 2:35 pm and is filed under Background. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.