It Was Love At First Sight

So Henri finally got his truck. 

And sort of a new look to go with it. 

Well actually it was my idea to take some Fall inspired shots with it on our way back from town. 

Lest you think this is our backyard, I will tell you the backdrop is really of a saltwater farm right up the road from us.   

We had just come back from town where we picked up some Fall decor for outside.   

Only thing is, I think I like the way it looks inside the truck. 

Tailgate up or not.  Just between you and me, I am more than a little smitten with it too.   Hayride anyone? 

Better As A Memory

After enjoying 3 seasons with our lobster boat Fearless, we made the decision to say goodbye to her. We sold her yesterday to a commercial lobsterman who will fish with her out of Gouldsboro Harbor.

So turn up your speakers and have a listen to my first ever video compiled from images I have taken over the past 3 seasons.   We remain truly humbled to have been given this opportunity and are so blessed to have been able to learn and experience all the joys and discoveries recreational lobstering on the coast of Maine can afford.

Just In Case

Early this morning we made our way out to Fearless to prepare for what may arrive late Friday evening. Ours was the 1st of 30 boats scheduled to be hauled out by our local Boat Transport, before Hurricane Earl is expected to arrive.

Sorrento Harbor is sheltered from the open ocean by it's surrounding islands. Look how calm it was this morning. It's hard to imagine just how bad it can get. But we're not taking any chances.

With our skiff Chowdahbucket in tow, we head back to the dock to wait for our appointment.

The sun rises as we wait.

Our turn.

That's our dentist's office in the background. They have boarded up a few of their windows already.

It sure was a short season this year for Fearless. We'll sleep good knowing she's back home though.

I didn't even get to show you any pictures from this season. So here's one Henri took of me a few weeks ago. So much for action shots, but if you look really close, that's mud on my upper arm. I had already taken off my bright orange apron, because well frankly, with my life vest under it, I look quite hefty. Plus it was covered in mud. But mostly because I don't enjoy looking more hefty than I have to.

I didn't get to show you our traditional first catch of the season either. So here's a shot of some that Henri ate.

So for now, we remain on storm watch with everyone else. Although, I suppose we really could use some rain.

Launch Day

Yesterday's launch of Fearless.

Henri heading to the dock to pick me up.

Once on board, we take a test drive around the harbor. It's good to be back out among all the other smiling faces.

We had a gorgeous day for launching.

And a good friend was aboard to make sure the installation of our recently rebuilt transmission needed no adjustments. Because we tend to be a little "boat numb" at times.

By the time the sun was setting on Sorrento Harbor all was well with Fearless.

Here she is back on her mooring where we are very happy to have her.

We are so blessed to experience such wonderful times such as these.

Our $900 a Pound Lobsters

You just can't put a price on the thrill of being able to go out and catch your own lobsters. But we jokingly tell each other, for every lobster we catch, our investment to do so, costs us about $900/lb.

Each Spring we begin the first of many trips to Downeast Fishing Gear to replenish our supplies and pick up what we need for maintenance. Thankfully, we have plenty of traps thanks to our good friend and former commercial lobsterman, Dan G, and husband of my lovely friend Diane. Below is a shot of some new ones being offered at the store. Aren't they pretty?








I really do enjoy our trips to this place, it's only painful if you have to spend money on boring stuff though. Thankfully, I think there are a lot of pretty selections though. Here's a sample of available gloves. I use the green ones and they are still in good shape so no need to buy a new pair.

Here are some available buoy paint colors. We still had leftover hot pink, but we ended up having to buy more green this year.

A selection of colorful rope. Rope is expensive. But we're all set with that too.

These are bundles of bait bags. We needed some of these too.

This is what we came home with. Anti-fouling bottom paint, touch up paint, green buoy paint, bait bags, and bands for the lobsters. The damage was just over $200. (And we bought the cheap paint.) Keep in mind this was our initial trip though, and there will be many more trips made. It's less painful that way, sort of.

So it was time to unveil Fearless to get her ready for a new season.

That reminds me, I need to get her a 2010 registration sticker too. And renew our recreational licenses as well.

Time to get the ladder back out to climb aboard.

Henri has his work cut out for him, but he loves it.

And you just can't put a price on that.

Lost Cargo

I still remember the day this gemstone washed up right next to where I was standing in the water. At first I thought it was a piece of sea glass, but upon further inspection, it appears to be a lost gemstone from the setting of a ring. Someone lost this, yet what are the odds of them finding something they once lost at sea?

It was June 2008, when I found the gemstone, the same day we had beached our lobster boat in order to perform a minor repair. Below is a picture I took that day.

Today, quite literally in the same area as the above picture, we spotted a lobster trap washed up on shore. Possibly due to the over 60 mph wind gusts we had here yesterday -- the same ones responsible for last night's power outage.

For some reason, Henri decided to check to see if it could, quite possibly, be the trap we lost back in October when we were on our last haul of the season.

Each trap has a tag with the licensee's number stamped on it. Turns out, it was one of ours.

It sure is a vast ocean and we're not sure what the odds are of that happening.

But all we know is, today, our lost cargo found it's way back to us.

Pouring Down Happiness

Cormorant sighting during our morning row out to Fearless.

Fresh from the garden mouse, our afternoon snack.

For dessert, a sugar cookie inspired by today's weather.

Us = Happy, Clam, High Tide

Of Lobsters and Sun Dogs

Today was launch day for our lobster boat!

Shortly before 8:00 a.m. the boat transport truck from Milbridge arrived.

From our dooryard to the harbor, it doesn't take long, but if you've never seen the process, it is fascinating to watch.

Down the ramp and into the water . . .

slowly floating away from the trailer,

and into the ocean's tide!

We are very thankful and blessed for today's successful launch

of this lady we have christened Fearless.

And just a few hours later we stared in awe as this Sun Dog appeared in the sky.

It was impossible to capture a shot that would do it justice . . .

but WOW... what a rare sight... and our first time to ever see anything like it!