We have the good fortune of keeping our boat at Boulder Marina on Carlyle Lake. I say good fortune because, as long as we can't be on the ocean, Boulder Marina is a pretty great place to be. Aside from the park-like atmosphere and the many varieties of wildlife, the people there are "good peeps" as a friend of mine likes to say. Whether you're a sailor, or a power boat owner, or a fisherman, or a racer, everyone is welcome. It never ceases to amaze me.
A few weeks ago I stopped to talk to one of my favorite of these good peeps, a local fisherman who walks the docks fishing very nearly every day. His name is Ralph, and he's one of the more interesting people I've ever met. I asked him how he was doing today and he said, "Seven or eight good ones I think. If I had my filet knife with me I'd give them to you". I told him we had a good electric one up at the clubhouse and I would be really tickled if he'd show me how to use it, since I hadn't filleted a fish since I was 12 with my dad. An hour and a half, and many laughs later, I had a ziploc full of crappie filets ready for the frying pan. I don't know who enjoyed it more, me or him.
The next day I was getting onto my boat and there in the cockpit was a West Marine "Gone Fishin'" attache case set of filet knives, gloves, cutting board, fish scale, and a few other essentials. I yelled over to him a dock away that it was too much, but he just waved me away and said he couldn't use the manual ones anymore since he shakes too bad. I was pleased, he was pleased, and it was a really terrific way to start the day. This kind of generosity is an almost daily example here at the marina.
So, for now, even though we can't quite leave to sail the deep blue sea, we have some pretty compelling reasons to enjoy the shallow greenish brown here at Carlyle. If you're ever nearby, please let us know. We'd love to introduce you to some pretty good peeps.
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