An open letter to the houseboat critic who canoed by my place last Thursday night.
I heard you talking to your buddy as you made your way toward my houseboat in your red canoe. Sound carries on the water.
I gather you guys were headed home shortly after the very well-attended Float on the Rocks. The organizers outdid themselves this year. Glad you and so many others enjoyed it.
I stayed home to make sure the motorized jacuzzi on steroids didn't run over my anchor lines again, but, more importantly, that no one bothered momma duck and her several babies who had made their first public appearance a few hours earlier. I heard jacuzzi guy did show up roaring through vulnerable paddlers SA国际影视传媒� a danger to the many families that were there. One of our people yelled at him to slow down. He did.
I also have a baby gull living under my houseboat SA国际影视传媒� the first one I've ever seen. My mothering instincts have kicked in and I wanted to make sure that that little creature would be OK too.
Fortunately, other than a couple yahoos out on the big lake racing around on their Sea-Doos, it was a quiet night. I was very impressed with all the concert-goers who packed the bay to enjoy the performances on the decks of local houseboats. Yes, the community opened their doors wide to you.
Last Thursday, you were whining loudly about houseboaters not paying property taxes, yet, you said, they used local services. I was tired after spending a couple hours intently focused on the well-being of wildlife and the local environment and wasn't up for a debate.
But let's get a few things straight. You are right, we don't pay taxes, but some houseboaters have approached the city offering to make financial donations. The city has no mechanism in place and can't accept those. When I was looking for a new place to set anchors last year, I hoped that the city would provide a dock and would gladly pay rent if it meant having a safe tie down, plus some of the services you enjoy. But that likely won't happen any time soon.
As for your assertion that houseboaters use the dumpsters and other services, get over it. I'm sure there are some in the community that swim at the pricey new pool on a pay-for-use basis, but most of us have memberships at the Racquet Club, where we shower and meditate.
And to your assertion that we use your dumpsters, we make regular trips to the dump with our garbage and honey buckets all year round and we pay tipping fees. No one hauls our garbage for us. Many houseboaters don't put a drop of grey water in the lake because she is our home. Why would we pollute an area we care so deeply about?
In addition, and unlike some who come from town in the winter, responsible boat owners pick up after their dogs and remind others to do the same. We want to create a good impression for the tourists.
Avoiding property taxes was the furthest thing on many of our minds when we moved in. The draw was a taste of Northern adventure and a new challenge. That's it.
Oh yes, there are a few that live here to avoid taxes, but not most of us. We are just living the dream, not trying to avoid anything. Life is in your face out here.
As for contributing to the economy, maybe do your homework. Many of those who work on the snow castle are past or present residents of the houseboat community. I would love to see you out there at 40-below carving out giant ice blocks for the castle. You likely just enjoy the results.
As someone who has lived down here for a few years, I can tell you that there is a steady stream of tour buses going to the castle night and day. Businesses boom.
Though I am certainly not best buds with organizer Tony Foliot, I guarantee you that the financial contribution made to this city by that attraction is immeasurable. Your kids love it, your guests fawn over it and it decorates the cover of countless brochures.
If you are curious about the popularity of Yellowknife Bay, I challenge you to look at the wall mural in the Chateau Nova or check out how many brochures feature the floating homes of bay residents. In their own unique way, the houseboats make this city what it is.
Further, there are many ways of contributing to a community that are not financial, but equal to it. At Folk on the Rocks, I was impressed by the number of volunteers and staff who live in the bay. They help at food rescue, the farmers market, Ramble and Ride and participate on boards, working to help the people of Yellowknife.
In closing, I would like to suggest you could likely never do this. You could not, or would not, pull your sled over fresh trails regularly to haul away your refuse, bring in your precious water, your wood, your propane or battle those sometimes 50 km winds. This life is not for the weak-willed or feint of heart.
As I looked over the nasty waters one evening dreading what lay ahead on those brutal waves, a fellow houseboater looked at me and smiled as he threw his canoe in the lake. SA国际影视传媒滱w," he said, "the life we choose.SA国际影视传媒�
Indeed, if I survive, that will be the title of my book.
So, my friend, maybe we will see you at Ramble and Ride that many houseboaters are involved in, the big Christmas tree burn or the film night. Or maybe we won't see you until next year's float on the bay. But despite your criticism, I can tell you this: you are welcome for the efforts others put in for you.
