The Seasonal Tourist
We are considered seasonal residents, as such; we get a few seasonal perks. Like free admission to some of the tourist attractions… except the National Park. Each week I try to check out a different trap… I mean attraction. We are given this privilege in hopes that we will point the tourist in their direction. With that in mind, I would consider myself a seasonal tourist.
On a rainy day, there are not many directions to go, but the Oceanarium is one of them. It was… well… unique. First you have to know that this is not a fancy shamcy Aquarium like Boston. Second, this is Maine. It’s rough/tough around the edges with a big heart, raw honesty, and a wicked sense of humor. With that in mind, this place was either a lobster hatchery that does tours or a funky little roadside attraction that grows lobsters. Either way it was mildly interesting, a little dingy, and in need of a good spring cleaning.
The best part was the woman that was our guide at the Discovery Tank. The wife of a lobster man and self taught ecologist was a Birkenstock mama that face and hands had seen many Maine winters. Regardless, with a twinkle in her eyes the tuff old bird waded her arms in the cement pond over and over and came up with star fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, ocean snails as big as my fist, and few other spinney or squirmy sea creatures for us to handle, pet, and prod.
The Lobster hatchery was not as entertaining. The pudgy college interns’ monotone lecture was difficult to hear over the bored children tugging at their parents. But never fear, even with the distraction I managed a few tidbits of fun facts to share with you.
- The lady lobster can lay around 12K eggs a cycle but only less than one percent survive to adolescences.
- Although Maine lobster man are not required by law to throw females back unless they are carrying eggs, Maine lobster” people” (as there must be women too) know what’s good for them and voluntarily throw all females back.
- Even with that, over fishing threatened the industry, so the lobster hatchery supplements the survival rate and maintains a healthy balance in the Bay. Last year the Oceanarium released 30, 209 juveniles.
- A one pound lobster is 7-9 years old and considered an adult and about the perfect size for my plate. Lol.
The other seasonal perk I took part in this week was the consumption of freshly picked mussels from the Narrows of Western Bay. That is to say, off the beach at the camp ground. Wading out in the muck can be either ankle or knee deep depending on the tide. It is much easier at the ankle but watching the tourist get a mouthful of salt water reaching for mussels at knee deep is rather entertaining.
Anyway, our workamper mates dropped by about six dozen freshly gathered and cleaned mussels for us today. It is a shame Ruth won’t eat any… I suppose I will have to choke down her share… if I must.
Cooking mussels or clams is the easiest thing you’ll ever cook. My favorite is steamed. I had a bottle of dark ale left and added a tablespoon of minced garlic, any 3 dozen mussels in a pot on the grill. Bring to boil and steam until the shells open. Some people like to stir them up and continue until they are all open. I can’t wait… I guess I don’t have to wait. I eat them as they open… a little butter and lemon and I am in heaven. I am getting so spoiled on this fresh seafood I may never be able to order it at a restaurant off the coast again. Excuse me as I channel Frogger, “This is Yummer Dummers!”.
Lastly, some of the blog watchers have asked for pictures of our camp. I completely forget about that since we are “living” here rather than visiting for a few days. The Bar Harbor KOA has two locations a mile apart, Oceanside and Woodlands side. We reside on the Woodland side. I must admit that I was a little disappointed at first. I had visions of greeting each morning by s
tepping out onto the beach with my coffee and smelling the salt air. In the end, I am happier our little forest oasis. Our campers are mostly tenters and as such are the campfire / hiking’ type rather Fred and Ethel in the 40’ bus that complain endlessly about the mosquitoes. Anyway, I’ve included pictures of our seasonal neighborhood so to speak for your enjoyment.
Sign / Slogan of the day as heard on the weather radio: “Don’t Drown, Turn Around.” This was the public announcement urging people not to drive into flood waters. It doesn’t sound as funny to me right now but Ruth and I had a good chuckle. This would make sense to you when you realize that they have islands here that... rather than building a bridge, they wait until low tide and drive over… every day. Can you imagine your work or mail schedule being based on low tide. Only in Maine. Lol.
Until the next installment...
peace, luv, and sea creature (edible or otherwise),
barbie
Fort William Henry … was also not open yet… as the tourist season has barely peaked its head out from under the covers.
