As much as the DNR and all who would oppose live aboard rights are concerned, the issue has been settled and the demise of our community is immanent. But there are those whose flukes will hold fast in the murky depths of DNR bottom lands and will remain until forceful eviction, hell freezes over, or both.
It seems that nature has a part to play in this. With the sub-freezing temperatures this holiday season, the game has taken on a more serious tone, as we are forced to consider moving into a hostile environment ravaged by uncertainties of weather and boats ill-prepared for the open sea.
Consider the case of the Professor:
With the eviction deadline looming like flashes on the horizon from an approaching storm, the impecunious Professor cut his painter and set sail for the far Northern promised land in an engineless Buccaneer that sailed like Grandma's gravy dish. He'd gotten as far as Sunrise Bluff and sat for nearly a week rolling at anchor in the wakes of hideous container ships and buffeted by squalls.
The forecast called for North winds of ten knots as the crew of Old Hand, all brave lads and true, set out to tow the hapless Prof to safe harbor. As we steamed around Point Monroe and bore away South the wind rose steadily. Aboard was Dave Ullin and Marc the camera man. Marc is shooting a documentary on the live aboard drama and Dave was using the opportunity to pass some of his vast maritime wisdom to generations of future mariners.
We were rolling fitfully in a four foot sea that had built up with the Arctic blast and sent its jackbooted minions all the way from the Alaskan tundra, setting Old Hand on her beam ends.
Cut to the offices of the Department of Natural Resources where decisions regarding private use of public lands are made. Lobbyists sip lattes with politicians behind closed doors.
Music: Bob Marley's Exodus/Movement of the people.
So the wind howls in the rigging as Dave tosses the Prof a tow line and the two vessels bash together in a flurry of spray. Securing the tow and unable to make headway against the Northerly, we point our bowsprit South and with the seas crashing over the port quarter, motor sail back to Eagle Harbor.
This is what this cruel eviction leads to: Unseaworthy vessels forced into harsh Winter conditions, risk of life and limb, a mass exodus of the poor driven out by market forces. It's a story repeated all over the globe: The Roma of France, Sudanese, Nigerians- or people whose only crime it is to lower property values by their very existence. Here, a few shore side property owners inconvenienced by the sight of poverty marring their million dollar views are powerful enough to influence government policy on regulation of our public lands.
