 |
| Yup… The Way Life Should Be |
Yes, I keep saying that I am going to write about Molokai and well, all the other awesome races and experiences that have happened to me all in such a short amount of time… well, I will. I feel that there are reasons why I haven't. Some say reason, other say excuses… I say yes, to both.
I am now back home in Maine to recharge my heart, my head, my soul and breathe in that cold Atlantic air and feel it on my skin. I feel I have been on a wee bit of a rough road of what I can only describe as, looking for something that I lost, but not really knowing what it is.
For two years now, I have been saying that all I really want is to go out to "The island" and be left alone with no phone and no people. Well, I finally did it. What began as a mixture of new and old friends and a heartwarming time, turned into a wanted loneliness followed up by a sail of laughs back to the mainland. Words can't even touch what being out there did for me. As promised to Michael, my mentor/boss at the botanical garden on Kauai, I called him before engaging on this well needed journey. No power, no people, for a week- just me and front row tickets to Mother Nature. I felt like a warrior ready for anything that could happen… My mind of crazy stories- like having to paddle off the island, in a sea kayak that I was told was the best one. Or somehow, one of my cousins or even my brother coming out in their lobster boat to save me off the island in a crazy storm, even though I would have been ok… Just knowing that if anyone did, it'd be them. Even though, it may haven't been, but still… you get it.
The rumbling bass with cracks of heat with the early morning light-show woke me just before day break, from my first night alone. The bounty provided by an islander and nectar from the fruits of the island, a few sips of whiskey, silent night walks with the sounds of the nocturnal nature- while I was the one being hunted. Hot tears, healing mermaid naps along the shore, a brisk skinny dip with my one true love… the sea, a well stoked wood stove, written words and a surprise visit. All memories had and made of reasons as to why I love Maine… Oh, and I got the best show from "Motha".
I guess what I am trying to say is, I love this place. Why wouldn't you? I have to admit, while living all over the place, from learning the art of running dogs in Alaska to racing in the rain… I love Maine, I love home… it's the rugged coast I love most. The crazy open ocean that one day I will cross. By water for sure, not by air, I did that once. Back when TWA was still in service and you could smoke on the planes. The ocean is really the way to go. That can be taken anyway you want it. Such a bold statement, so deep… yup. Anyway, verbally "written" diarrhea.
Here are some shots to tell the story and then, the rest of the story…
 |
| A beer well worth the wait! Shipyard export has always been a "cold weather" favorite. Not all of the time, but when you've been away… You make up for missed time! |
 |
| Fresh off the bus and put to work by this guy! Clayton is one of the many talented friends that I have. He drove with me all the way to NYC to stay with my friend Carolyn (when I was moving to AK to run dogs), then back he drove with my car… Good ole Trixie Day R.I.P. girl. |
 |
| Not what you wanna get in a fortune when you come home… or do you? |
 |
| Shit kickers, shorts, a flannel, a sunrise and pair of earrings I got on my 21st from two amazing people… |
 |
| Meat… if you ain't eating it, you ain't living |
 |
| Here in Maine, your best girlfriends pick you up in a truck… and you have a dance party like NO OTHER!!! |
 |
| CONTE'S… No Place like it! I can remember literally 20 years, or more, when it used to be down at the Black Pearl dock at Rockland Park. He used to have a dog that would roam around the place. I loved it when you could literally see through the floor… at the ocean! All time nostalgic favorite place to eat. If you read a bad review, they are probably from Connecticut. |
 |
| Local meat and fish… God I love this place!!! |
 |
| Moonrise over Chickawaukie Pond with the ladies |
 |
| My hat from The Kendall Pacific Race on Kauai and my favorite shirt that Max Greeley sent me while in Kauai. Great gift for friends and family that really know what state kicks ass! Board of Maine |
 |
| After our first night on the island, we needed breakfast sandwiches from THE KEAG STORE So Matt, Matt, Christina Rob and I hoped in the Barbara B, made a couple quick stops. One at the wharf and one to visit "Uncle" John's house. When all was said and done, there we were, at The Keag. Where you'll always see a familiar face, hear a story and my favorite… where I love to give hugs to some of my favorite people. |
 |
| The place in the far distance, well, that's home. That's the farm house I was "raised" in. |
 |
| Had to take a shot of this. "Waders in the shitter" I like to call it |
 |
| I love this shot! The colors you get and the composition of low tide… It's photographers porn in my mind! |
 |
| There's a lobster boat in the background headed to Vinalhaven. She's a beautiful island with a lot of good people! |
 |
| The start of Christina's quiche… Oh it's gonna be good! |
 |
| This couldn't be more Maine if you planned it! Numbers right there… give em a call! |
 |
This photo is lit by the amazing sunset that night. This was from our first night on the island. Christina's quiche. SOOOO GOOD!
Once again, straight up island camp life |
 |
| Amen sunset! |
 |
| Shipyard in hand |
 |
| Howl at the MOOOOOOON |
 |
| I love to hike and hang in spots that I think critters would like to hang out at. Well, I was thinking this would be a great spot to be if I were a bird… a bird of prey that is |
 |
| Oh the weather was starting to pick up this day |
 |
| Island bounty |
 |
| He had to split |
 |
| Front doorstep flower arrangements |
 |
| Matt taking me on a secret trail before he left me all alone… Talk about what a real LL Bean add should look like! |
 |
| Just waiting for some snow and a Chickadee |
 |
| There she was… Another amazing sunset to myself! |
 |
| The beginning to everything awesome |
 |
| No yeast?? No problem! Nothing a little PBR can't help! |
 |
| Ahhh… nothing says I love you like cooking with gas, on cast-iron in bacon grease… at camp |
 |
| Self Portrait while writing |
 |
| Big Rock |
 |
| Mermaid Driftwood |
 |
| Mermaid treasure chest |
 |
| I was hunting this day… for a good shot! |
 |
| While I was watching lobster boats go by, I started thinking about dinner and what I was going to eat. I had this feeling that I was going to have company. I was thinking pasta with garlic, lobster and clam. Then after the thought had passed a few moments, there came Matt S. around the corner. |
 |
| The easiest prep ever… All you need are two lobsters and two handfuls of clams |
 |
| Moon Shadow Selfie |
 |
| I love a sharp knife and a good cup of Joe |
 |
| Island tomato |
 |
| FYI… Shipyards are twist offs. I literally saw the bottle cap brand before it popped me in the eye! That's what happens when you eat a good meal with a good friend, play crib and drink many Shipyards… You forget |
 |
| Swamps of sadness |
 |
| It's like "land skipping" |
 |
| Just waiting |
 |
Matt S. rowing us out to his new love… The Ida Mae
To take us back to shore |
Comments
Post a Comment