Mark Stover has great stories about his family connection to the Life Saving Station at Damariscove. You can hear his genuine affection for the place when he talks about the island and its history.
Recently I got a call from a charming young lady from “Down South” who is a school teacher interested in photography. She wanted to see some of the special spots around the Boothbay region and thought I might have some suggestions.
It occurred to me to give Mark a call and see if he had any time to “show us around.” No better way to see the area than from the water, and I should know, because I don't.
Although, “the missus and I” paddled around Cozy Harbor the other evening in our little plastic skiff and had a grand time. Cooled us right off.
I only bumped into six boats. Paddling to go backwards never did make much sense to me. Must have looked like an old pinball machine ball bouncing around the harbor — it’s quite full this time of year. I do better in the late fall with fewer boats, although I do still manage to find obstructions. Anyway, I digress.
Mark showed us all around. He used his patented osprey call to dislodge a mother osprey from her post off Squirrel Island and then barked at the seals on Shag rocks. Thank goodness for his musical skills — we could have cut a new album from just his conversations with the wildlife. We had a blast.
But it was a little choppy, no chummin' over the sides, but a little green. A visit ashore on Damariscove helped settle everyone down just in time to roll back into the harbor for another dose of “the stomach express.” Again, no fatalities.
Damariscove is a great place to visit with amazing history. If you have the time, it’s well worth seeing. Just don't eat too many jelly donuts before you go!