A Tale On Lake Travis: A View

The sun turned out to make it just the day for it. The mailer had made its rounds leading up to it, and the notice had registered: It's the day for the boat ride, Saturday, and Volente, Texas, the place

“Wow, it was difficult getting here,” Kehinde said on arrival. “Yeah,” Obi agreed. I thought differently, but I was not behind the steering wheel, so my comment counts for less. Yet, I think the dips, curves, swerves, and immediate hills on the way there made for a bit of an uneasy drive.

Okay, we are here; that's the good part.

All dressed for the dip, Bro. Akin, walks in, and takes in the chats underneath the tree. We had taken refuge from the sun under it. His sons follow, ever present where daddy is. Nice family, these are.

Bro. Akin ushers in a sort of quick year look back. Unwilling as most youth are, we offer quick 'all's wells' to move the topic along. Yeah, it will take quite a bit to go over the last 5 months. Let's get to the boat I sensed was the feeling hovering.

Not denying our trust, we take in the prayer in a circle, hands in hands. The tree was a nice shade, I thought. The prayer is said for safety aboard the boat and in the water, but home affairs back at the sanctuary are not left out. Pastor Doyin gets his due in the words offered.

'Away, let's go!' is the spirit we all feel: all head to the boats. I am making a judgment in my head on where exactly the swimming part will take place. These are open waters, and I wonder where room could be made for dipping.

Cowboy And Company

Yeah, he wore it: Obi the cowboy. The hat atop his head was not bad at all, as was his good company on the other boat: Mayowa, Bro. Akin, Nana, Rita, Nike, Sister  Uju and her boys. And it was funny seeing him play sheriff on the boat, standing behind the boat driver and watching over everyone else. Amusing, that pose was. Too bad I couldn't get him and Mayowa into the water.

Giddy Moves

Well that says it all, right? The grips on our boat's railing get firmer as the boat makes unsteady moves on the lake. Vincent thinks lightly of it though, keeping his hand on the wheel, but our riders are not in the same mind: no where is solid ground to be had, and folks are taking no chances. Grips get firmer still.

Laughter breaks out all around, and the life jackets come into play. Deji throws his over his head. Wise man, I think: safety first. Yeah, but the boat's dance on the water was welcome for me, for before then it was just sitting and looking, a little on the boring side, save for taking photos.

So, right, swing this craft some more. Nerves do have a way of making things exciting and are again the reason we will all remember this.

The Dip

Into the water first, Bro. Akin, takes the lead. I look closely at the water, judging it's fitness for swimming. Others got ready on both boats to take a dip, and precautions are not forgotten: life jackets and all.

Yeah, daring Vincent. He dives into the water, which we all look closely at, unsure of the water's depth. Guy's good, though, could swim, and showed little trouble in mid-water. A brave sister follows, Fredba. Kudos.

Nkem joins in, and Sister Uju's boys also want to have a go at it. Auntie Nike's watchful eye had them covered till now. Tsife gets a feel of the water with dad's help, but fright leaves his younger brother no room, on his turn. Yet daddy's safe hand is close-by. Oh, kids, they'll grow, and punch 'fear' in the teeth soon.

Little-riskers also sit on the boat's edge and kick water: Kehinde, Mayowa, Obi, and others. A very safe fun that is. It's all good.

Grace and company, Rita, choose another dare: going up the rocky hill on the shore. Well, that seems like a good alternative, as I watch them stand atop the hill and look over and at all that's before and below. Nice view, ha, gals?

A quick dip will be good for me, too, so I take it. The water's not too kind though, as it made it's way into my mouth---Can't avoid getting wet when swimming, right? I might as well take it in stride.

Wrap

'No Wake Zone' shows up again on our way back, signaling time up. Both boats moored, and we all heard back. We all thank the Lord, funny faces get their turn in whole group pictures, and 'see yas' are exchanged.

A good time, this was. It was nice seeing all come out. A cyber toast to all.

Memories...glues...friendships...and no waste of ink, penning this.

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Acknowledgments: Mayowa, Obi, Kingston, Rita, Grace, Nike, Fredba, Vincent, Deji, Kehinde, Nana, Bro. Akin and Family, Nkem...and all.