I have always offered custom trips for folks who ask. Over the years those have included small plane trips to find big White Pines in the remote corners of the North woods, photographing moose, and even a salt marsh. Lately though they have mostly been variations on something I already offer like can we see an eagle or seals on a Scenic Boat trip or can we get out and swim on our family fishing trip. Keeping me on my home waters for the most part the places I really know and understand (well mostly).
Recently a returning client e-mailed and asked if we could do a scenic boat trip closer to where they were staying. Short answer of course. I thought about where and what we might be able to see that was interesting. I decided on the Penobscot river; launching at Verona Island. Turns out there was a ton to see!
Of course, there is Fort Knox right across the river and that spectacular bridge to go under. A lighthouse that is not much to see from the land side but is fabulous from the water. Seals by the dozens on the ledges further down river, that by the way were way more curious about us than we were about them. Eagles and ospreys (a pair with a nest on a navigational buoy), cormorants by the dozens and even a loon or two.
My last stop right before calling it a morning was to slowly cruise over huge schools of pogies (menhaden) with perfect light conditions to see thousands of them cruising right below the surface of the water.
A great adventure for my clients and a truly delightful change of pace for me. Topped off by meeting a friendly Marine Patrol Officer who even put on his boots and helped me load the boat onto the trailer. Yes he did a safety check of the boat and my various licenses but was friendly and courteous the entire time.
I had to drive further than a usual trip and use many of my navigational skills again instead of simply knowing where and what to see. But what a grand morning out for all of us!
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