Retire Right......mixing passion with compassion

 A couple of years ago the folks at Scott Canoes, of New Liskeard, Ontario told me about Gerry Lavoie. Gerry purchased a Scott Albany freighter about the same time I did.

We emailed as two novices asking each other lots of dumb questions.

He was out there riding the big salt water trying to stay in the boat. I was sliding down the Ozarks one riffle at a time. We emailed a few times then as email conversations go, stopped writing.

Sometime later, Pat sent me another Gerry story. This time he was writing about bouncing and bobbing in heavy seas. The waves were large enough to make his eighteen foot canoe feel more like a surfboard. He was asking advice on how to handle the situation.

I was feeling a little blue because my little adventure yacht was sitting under a tree in South Arkansas. It had been there since our move to San Antonio. Gerry was having a good time and I was high and dry. 

Well thank you Gerry and Pat. I am once more inspired. I am back into that "your never too old for just one more adventure" mode. I'm planning on bringing "Old Blue Nose" back to San Antonio. I've even begun a little excitement plan of my own.

Now let me get back to Gerry at his home in Campbell River, British Columbia. He lives right along the Inside Passage. Each morning he has to make a tough decision, "whether to put the boat in or leave it out". He sent some great pictures. Vancouver Island is absolutely beautiful. 

There is a lot more to Gerry Lavoie than I realized. He was a school teacher who taught almost every subject. Music was his favorite. He is retired but still subs from time to time. He fills his schedule building boats, camping, hiking, biking and exploring the coast in the big canoe, he calls Scotty. 

He is involved with the local sailing society and volunteers with the paramedics. His infatuation with building and rebuilding boats brings him all kinds of projects. You can see from his pictures Gerry is a heck of a craftsman.

Gerry is single with lots of friends. He owns a duplex and rents out the second side to state. The government has a program assisting adults with special needs. Gerry helps out with the program. He believes in lots of outdoors time for his clients. He refers to the guys as his buddies.

I asked Gerry for a few pictures. I was delighted with what I saw. I think they tell the story. 

Atta Boy Gerry...good job pard.

                        Gerry

          This Boomer Magazine story brought to you by:

                              John B. Boykin 

                      "The Hard Hat Photographer"

        

                                 Photography link

                           If life is boring, don't just sit there ! 

                                        Do something !