CAPT. VAN HUBBARD: Get on the boat, reflect

Despite challenges, we still enjoy special ‘place of paradise’

I understand we will see hotter weather again. I’m enjoying our recent overcast skies and cooler fall-like days. Our Gulf and Bay water temps are down into the mid-80s. That’s earlier than normal. Good for our comfort and migratory fish runs. 

Recent events have hit home for many of us. Life is different and changes are inevitable. I recommend two things to help us deal with our challenges. First, always pray frequently. Second, find a quiet natural setting and allow peace to calm our minds. Be it woods or water, just get to a peaceful quiet place and breathe.

Boating and fishing are wonderful tools to get away from the rat race and catch our breath. I thought everyone wanted to catch as many fish as possible. I’m learning that enjoying the natural surroundings is more important. I enjoy catching but finally realize that the opportunity to enjoy the experience is more important. 

As I try to learn how to enjoy my golden years, I take time to reflect whenever I can. I was blessed to enjoy a trip to Wyoming last month. Most of my life experience has been on the water. Our Gulf and the bigger oceans are immense. Storms show how powerful the seas can be. The eastern mountains appear big to us flatlanders.

Some of the scenic drives showed me a new world. We feel like we are significant as human beings, but I felt smaller than an ant when driving through the western mountains. Steep walls soaring almost out of sight on one side, then sheer drops for thousands of feet on the other side of the narrow roads. I had both hands on the steering wheel and took my time navigating the switchbacks and turns. I’m glad I was able to experience these impressive views but I’m not rushing back to drive those roads again. Besides, there are plenty of new places to explore.

I have valid concerns about our water quality and unsustainable development. Many of our local waters are impaired. Despite these challenges, we still enjoy a special piece of paradise. 

Let’s not forget and try to speak up and help preserve our quality of life. 

I’m making time to get out and enjoy what we have. I miss the good old days and great catching adventures. I cherish what remains and pray we can correct the “bigger is better” path our local government is pursuing. Some of our waters and waterways are endangered, and many are recognized as impaired. It will take strong sincere efforts to correct our direction. Sewage treatment is a major source of nutrients that impair our waters. We needed advanced wastewater treatment yesterday!

Call me Chicken Little if you like, but if we look at hundreds of other locations we can see destruction caused by careless pollution. Places like the Chesapeake Bay are excellent examples of the damage and the expensive attempts to reclaim and clean up our messes. The cost of redirecting our course vs. the time and billions of dollars to attempt to reclaim imperiled waters is crystal clear if you investigate it. Thank you for your understanding.

Capt. Van Hubbard’s column Hook, Line and Sinker began in the Boca Beacon in 1988. He lives in Placida. Email him at captvanhubbard@gmail.com