Bill’s eyebrows lifted. “That’s the first time I’ve had that question. And the answer is yes, and no. Sections of the old concrete wall are still there, and there are some roses, but it’s quite diminished. Any other questions?”
“What about the old main station in general?” Joanna asked. “I saw pictures of a house buried in sand. Will we see that today?”
“It’s westward, I’m afraid, and this tour takes us east. Besides, the structures aren’t safe.”
“Of course,” she replied.
Bill turned to the others. “If that’s it, let’s get going.”
Joanna turned to her grandfather and whispered, “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”
“It was worth a try.”
Three hours later, after climbing grassy dunes to breezy heights and descending steep slopes into warm, sunbaked hollows in the interior, Joanna knew that she was experiencing something very special, perhaps even miraculous. Sable Island was a place like no other. It owed its existence to the perfect meeting of ocean currents that swirled around the edge of the continental shelf and stirred up the ocean floor. It relied on strong, deep roots of marram grass and vegetation to hold its fragile existence together as it was eroded, then newly sculpted by the wind and water. It seemed impossible that it could even exist, yet here it was—dynamic, durable, and resistant, but malleable enough to change and adapt after every storm. It had been doing so for centuries.
As Joanna stood on the beach looking out at the vast Atlantic Ocean, she began to fully appreciate the wonder of the entire planet—the enduring and renewing of life, in all its forms. Everything about this trip was inspiring her to get out more, to travel more, and to experience as much of this miraculous world as she possibly could.
Joanna turned away from the water and rejoined the group as they made their way toward Bald Dune.
Toward the end of the day, rain clouds smothered the horizon and turned the ocean to a foreboding gunmetal gray. The temperature, however, remained comfortable and warm.
Bill led the group onto North Beach, where a herd of gray seals—startled by the sudden appearance of humans—scattered into the foaming surf and dove deep. They surfaced farther out beyond the breakers.
“We have some time before we need to be back at Main Station,” Bill said. “So if you want to take your shoes off and dip your feet in the water, feel free.”
Joanna met her grandfather’s eyes, and they smiled at each other. They removed their hiking boots, rolled their jeans up to their knees, and moseyed down the sloping beach.
“It’s so cold!” Joanna laughed as the first wave washed over her feet, halfway up her calves. She took a few seconds to catch her breath, then moved in a little deeper, where she watched a curious young seal swim up close, then cruise back and forth, in front of her.
“I don’t know about that sky,” her grandfather said with a frown.
She examined the murky horizon. “It looks like rain.”
He nodded, barely conscious of the waves dampening his rolled-up jeans.
A short time later, Bill strode to the water’s edge. “I hate to break up the party, but we should head back.”
Joanna glanced at her grandfather, who was quick to leave the water and reach for his boots.
By the time they returned to Main Station, the wind had picked up, and dark clouds were rolling in from the southeast. A few raindrops pelted their faces as they entered the building.
Joanna watched her grandfather walk to the wide bank of windows and observe the sky. Hesitantly, she approached him. “What do you think?”
He shook his head. “If you really want to know, I’ve seen skies like this before. It doesn’t look good.”
She studied the angry horizon and felt a shiver of unease. The last thing she wanted was to fly into a raging thunderstorm and risk her life when she’d just begun to fully appreciate it.
All at once, raindrops hit the window like bullets, and the marram grass around Main Station began to whip wildly in high winds that assaulted the island like a fast-moving train.
The door flew open, and Garrett, the meteorologist, walked in. “How’s everyone doing? Did you have a good day?”
“It was incredible,” Mrs. Dalrymple replied, unfazed by the sudden gale outside the window. Her husband, however, was quiet and solemn.
Garrett slid his hands into his trouser pockets. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Bill, can I talk to you for a second?”
Joanna and Oliver exchanged a knowing look while Bill and Garrett moved into the sitting room and spoke with the pilots. A few minutes later, they returned.
“I have good news and bad news,” Bill said. “Which would you like first?”
