Morning walk on the Northwest Arm, with companion boy.

Morning walk on the Northwest Arm, with companion boy.

Nine weeks into isolation, sequestered at home with family, has been a mix of pleasure and pain. One of the nicer bits has been morning walks with my kids on nice days, skipping stones and finding modest treasure. This last is hard to come by on the armored shore around Regatta Point, but the place still holds some mysteries, particularly during very low-tide days. Revealed are old stumps, wooden culverts, rusted equipment and runaway items from the yacht club opposite. Add in the keening and clattering of the weather-wrapped yachts on a windy day, which is downright eerie, and it’s kid heaven.

Lots to find at low tide in Melville Cove

Lots to find at low tide in Melville Cove

A tiny mine tantalizes the mind.

A tiny mine tantalizes the mind.