Lobster  July 18, 2024

Posted on by Septuagenarian in Nourishment

When I think of Maine, I think of lobster, the prehistoric crustaceans who thrive in the cold waters off the coast.

We rarely think about the journey traveled by this rich ‘fruit de mer’ which lands on our plate along with warm butter and a bib.

One day I was wandering the backroads in the general direction of the ocean. I drove down a two-lane road that ended in a small working harbor. Parked beside all the pickups, I found a rock for a perch and settled in to watch.

This was not a tourist destination, and I was the only non-working person in sight. It wasn’t long before another truck drove down and idled at the edge of the lot. I soon realized he was watching me and my camera. I turned toward him, flashed a big ole smile; he saw how old I was and within minutes, he left.

Fairly soon a small boat with a crew of one pulled up to the dock. The name made me smile.

The captain was a woman and she, along with her male partner began offloading their heavy bins.

I later learned, when they pull up their traps, each lobster is measured for size and the presence of eggs on the females. About half of them are returned to the sea for being too small, too big or egg bearing.

There is an honor code among the lobstermen to only pull their own traps and only sell the legal size.

When the catch is on the dock and accounted for, the crew cleans the boat deck, lines and traps in preparation for the trip the following early morning.

A motorboat follows the lobstermen out to their anchor in the harbor, then transports them back to the dock where they leave for home in one of the pickups parked beside me.

Before I head out each morning, I usually stop to get a sandwich for midday. In every novel set on the New England coast, the main character invariably lusts after a lobster roll. I didn’t even know what they looked like! That morning, in the deli, there they were, made fresh and ready to go. It was so rich and filling, I didn’t eat for the rest of the day!

It was a wonderful day, off the beaten tourist path to observe real people doing hard work in non-luxurious conditions in order to live in the incredible beauty of this state.

I hope you enjoyed wandering and learning with me.

Unknown's avatar

Published by Septuagenarian

12 thoughts on “Lobster  July 18, 2024”

  2. I’m surprised that you had never eaten a lobster roll. Was it hot or cold? They serve them both ways.
    When I was a kid, I would forgo a lobster roll in favor of a hot dog or hamburger. What a fool.
    There was a restaurant not far from my house that served a whole Maine lobster dinner for $1.75. Never took advantage of it.

    Great pics,
    Xo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. There is something calming about these educational and interesting little adventures, these bite-sized snippets into your trip. They have a rhythm, carrying me with both the story and the photos. I love journeying with you! Thank you.

    >

    Like

    Reply

  6. Dear E, I enjoyed this a lot. Wish I’d been with you but I know you like just wandering and ending up back where you started after a few stops… Plus, I was working. You certainly got some nice pictures of areas not often ‘discovered’ and explored by anyone but the hardworking lobstermen (& women). A wonderful revealing of the work they do! Some of it, anyway. Wonderful photos! Well told sea side story. I will check this again later after work. Love, T

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to Paul Scanlon Cancel reply