Aunty Vera and Uncle Ken were long time waterskiing buffs. Vera was a natural on the water, at least I thought so.
For as long as I can remember they had a trailer at the south end of the lake south of Bellingham. There was a dock that we had to walk down to get to it. That's where they kept their boat. When my family would go to visit we would always hope that maybe we would get a boat ride. It was thrilling for me to see Vera or Ken skiing on the back. I can still see the big fish tails that would fly up.
Years later, my dad bought a ski boat. At a yearly sale at Yeager's in Bellingham he came home to our cabin with a pair of water skis. He said 'come on kids put these on and let's go out for a spin'. We had snow skied for years but never waterskied. Yikes! So I called up Aunty Vera and said 'can you help us please'. So over the phone she explained exactly what to do. The next weekend at Birch Bay I was going first. Yup, I got up on my first try and when I was done, you betcha didn't get my hair wet. I too must be a natural, I think it runs in the family. I have since passed on Aunty Vera's Get Up on Your First Try instructions to many of my friends.
Even after all these years, when I get up on a pair of water skis or a knee board I think back to that telephone call I made to Aunty Vera.
Thank you Aunty Vera for 'My First Time Up'.