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The Buoy Tree

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Good morning everyone. We are anchored here at Isle Au Haut, one of my very favorite places. Seems I have been saying that a lot this week. There is so much going on aboard the schooner. I will try to get you up to speed. The weather has turned considerably drier in the last few weeks and that has brought a turn in the seasons as well. Autumn seems to be knocking on the door and Orion is above the eastern horizon by 3 AM. A few maples have decided to call it a summer and our adorned in modest hues of red and orange.

For the crew these last few weeks have been a re-emphasis of basic details. After a few months of building new skills we have circled back to the basics that keep this big sailing critter going, not that we ever forget them but a healthy review is always good. Molly, Jennie, and Madeline have all headed back to school despite my best advice. Peggy has joined us as the new assistant cook and is doing great. Rob, formerly in the messmate position, has moved up on deck and is turning to with great alacrity. The jump from galley to deck can be over-whelming but he is transitioning with grace. Sara and Curtis have been coaching him along through all the nuances and details he never had a chance to see. We have combed every square inch of the rig checking every nut, bolt and screw. Seizings and mousings have been renewed where necessary and no piece of the rig is taken for granted. This is the time of our season when the winds get feisty once again so the crew’s skills and the rig will be tested. Basic details, basic details… that is the name of the game. The fancy sailing stuff will fall into place when the time comes.

We passed a very interesting tree yesterday that appears to be filled with fruits of a strange variety. We have often wondered where the lobsterman get all their wonderfully colored trap buoys. A buoy tree of course!

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.
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Unknown said…
Back in July I took a picture of what I now know is a buoy tree thanks to Captain Barry adding to my tree of knowledge. This one appears to be struggling to survive the harsh conditions where it has taken root. Upon the rocky shoreline and subjected to the tides of salt water this tree has managed to produce just one fruit, a bruised red buoy its short life on this wind torn place a difficult and dangerous one. This struggle only makes the fruit more special. Click this link to see the photo. The tree Barry recently photographed was much more sheltered and obviously in fertile ground. Nonetheless one can see in both pictures the natural beauty produced by these magnificent northern arboreal wonders.

Ed - Just back from the Gulf of Mexico coast running from Gustav.
August 30, 2008 at 4:31 PM
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