2-June, Fort Desoto, St Petersburg Florida
“I can do
that!”
Since our
last HOW event held on May 19th at the South Skyway rest area that
phrase has been running through my head. “I can do that” is what one of our
heroes said when he saw a Hobie kayak.
Since suffering a stroke during his rehabilitation, Brian has very
limited strength in his arms and was only able to paddle a very short distance
before having to turn back. A chance conversation about a three wheeled trike
that the VA had purchased for him led Rik Llewyellan to show him a Hobie
Outback. Once Brian saw that kayak, a
huge smile appeared on his face, “I can do that”. And do it he did. I heard they had a hard
time keeping up with him.
Brian joined
seven other heroes and their families for a day of paddling and fishing at Fort
Desoto Park, located on the tip of Tampa Bay. A slight brisk wind greeted all
the volunteers as they arrived to set up the kayaks.
As our
anglers arrived, they were paired up with a “guide” who would instruct them on
everything from the basics on how to hold the paddle, to where the fish were
biting.
After
receiving their instructions, it was time to launch.
I had the
very distinct honor to act as guide for Bill, who had been injured in a
helicopter crash during Vietnam. A little bit worried about leaving his support
dog “Montana” behind on shore (we did try to put Montana in the New
Ranger 15, but he was so excited he almost tipped it) I can feel his anticipation slip
away as we paddled further and further away. Telling him I was sorry for not
finding the fish, he told me not to worry. “Every day is a good day, fish or no
fish”. Well we hung in there and the fish gods smiled down on us, as we found
some nice little trout.
The bite
died down, so we decided to head back to shore, where we had a great shore
lunch prepared for our guests. Seems
everyone else had the same idea and we all came back around the same time.
Walt Ruda, one of volunteers was the lucky winner of a beautiful tailing
redfish print that was donated and raffled off to raise funds for HOW. Walt was
gracious enough to pass it along to one of our heroes, Patrick.
All too soon
the day came to end. Everyone packing up and heading home. I was left with
another phrase to keep me motivated until our next event.
“Every day
is a good day”. Man, aint that the
truth.
Tampa Bay HOW chapter
