Damariscotta River Harmony
Anyone with an interest in the Damariscotta River should be sure to check out a great article in the Portland Press Herald about the Voice of The River Conference being held at the Darling Marine Center in South Bristol. The conference is sponsored by the Damariscotta River Association and is being attended by people and organizations from all along the Damariscotta River like Boothbay, Newcastle, Edgecomb and Bristol.
One of the people quoted in the article is old friend Glenn Mitchell who runs Midcoast Kayak and has a great perspective on who uses the river and the spirit of cooperation that travels like a current up and down the river.
I have spent a fair amount of time on the water in New England and while most boaters are friendly and try to be helpful I have never experienced the level of kindness that I have on the Damariscotta River. I recall one spring when I had just bought a new boat and temptation overcame good judgment. I dropped it into the river and off I went for a quick ride without adequate and proper preparation.
Well of course something did go wrong, an empty fuel tank, and I found myself in a small motorboat floating down the river as the tide was going out. I was lucky that a local oyster boat was on its way in, saw me waving and didn't mistake my motions for over enthusiastic friendliness. Even though I didn't have an oar or a suitable line to be towed with he patiently helped me back to the dock without the lecture that I certainly deserved. All he did say was " You might want to get yourself a few things for that boat before you go out again." Words of wisdom, gently passed along.
Since that time I have had a few opportunities to pay back the kindness to other people along the river who have needed a tow and I hope that each of them has had a chance to pass it along as well.
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