Lobster 101

We are friends with a wonderful island family who fish for a living. They took us out today and we had a blast. We are total landlubbers. Being on the water is fun enough. But being on a working lobster boat is more fun. And grilling hot dogs on the boat for lunch was hilarious. And watching Samson squirm and squeal at all the icky things that come up with the traps was fun. I had to tell him to man up but I couldn't blame him. He's gonna wear gloves next time. We'll toughen him up eventually. He brought home a "pet" whelk named Gary.

Coming to pick us up from the dock

Captain Cory cookin up them dogs. I'll bet the lobsters die of fright right there in the trap when they see that big hand reaching in for 'em.

Got one!

Ruby's pet

Ruby and Wyatt playing with a crab. Notice Samson is nowhere near.

A lobster mouth. Eewww!

Look at that face! You'd think we were dangling a crab over his head.

whelk (sea snails)

sea urchin

Instead of their regular PE class, the school kids are going off island for swim lessons at the Y in Bar Harbor. We think this is just awesome cool. We take the ferry (where we also eat lunch) to a waiting bus that takes us all to the Y then after lessons we get back on the bus which takes us back to the ferry (where we eat snack) and then get back to the island. A lot of work but worth it. He is already making progress. I can't wait to see where he is at the end of lessons. I think all kids need to know how to swim but especially island kids who spend so much time on the water. You would be shocked how few islanders, especially lobstermen, know how to swim. Seriously.

Loretty

I don't like country music. I mean I really, really don't. At least not today's country music. But I do appreciate the classics. And I even kinda like bluegrass. (Hellooo, I was born in Mayberry). But for some reason I have always liked Loretta Lynn. All the way back to her twangy early music to when she did that weird collaboration with Jack White. I've always wanted to see her in concert but it just never worked out. She doesn't tour like she used to and she's gettin on up there in years. So while I was in Richmond, I found out she was in Durham. It's her 50th anniversary tour. So my sister Amber and I made a super last minute decision to go see her in concert. Amber is also a fan (the only other fan I can claim to know) so off we went to the D-PAC. It was great. And something I can mark off my bucket list (before Loretty kicks the bucket!)