“It is an ill wind that blows no good,” goes the old saying and although the level of our local lakes was high, we were also given a wonderful opportunity to experience our waterways without powerboats.
What an absolute pleasure it has been to watch flotillas of kayaks, paddle boards and canoes gliding across Kalamalka Lake. Swimmers and folks simply lounging on a variety of floating devices have been able to relax without fear or trepidation. The greatest gift of all, however, was pointed out to me by a young couple on a local beach; the gift of peace and serenity. They told me that it would be such a blessing if Kalamalka Lake could always be so tranquil, but confessed that they were only “little people” so no one would ever listen.
Since that conversation, I have heard countless other little people express the same opinion.
The golden silence was broken recently by three whining personal watercraft and two motorboats whose occupants cranked up the volume of their sound systems as if to announce to all of Coldstream they were reclaiming the lake for the horse powerful.
There is no doubt that waterskiing, wakeboarding and riding in a motorboat on a baking hot summer day can be exhilarating, but so is exulting in the placid calm and quiet of a spectacularly beautiful lake. Local politicians, can you not find an equitable way for the lake to be shared between the little people and the horse powerful?
Serendipity has allowed us a glimpse of the unadulterated, natural, summer glory of Kalamalka Lake that has been hidden for so long. It would be a travesty if we let such a precious insight slip from our fingers.
M. Robinson
Coldstream
