2-June, Fort Desoto, St Petersburg Florida

“I can do that!” 

Since our last HOW event held on May 19^th 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.

 Last names for our heroes have been omitted to protect their privacy.

Bill Howard
Tampa Bay HOW chapter