A fisherman's holiday

WOW, just returned from the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival. It was a treat for us. Thank you Charley York, Laura Orleans, Kristen and Reirdar, and all the volunteers and helpers. Another great festival. A highlight for me was meeting a lovely woman with the same name as mine. First time for everything. Turns out she had the name before me since I married into it and she inherited it.  "Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet?" I am Judith Jahnig Dutra and she is Judith Dutra Iskisen.  She came to the boat to meet me, knowing I would be there to answer questions and sell books. And yes she bought one - in other words: Judy Dutra sold a book to Judy Dutra. I wonder how the IRS would look at that? It was terrific to meet her, we laughed and held hands. And I have to say, she reminded me of me. We both couldn't stop smiling. She has worked with children in the schools and so have I. And if she's reading this I'd like to say, "Nice to have met you Judy Dutra." can you hear me chuckling.``````````````````````````````  

The trip across the bay, through the Cape Cod Canal then Buzzards Bay was uneventful - the way we like them. New Bedford Harbor looks busy, but it is nothing like when Dave unloaded fish there in the 1990's. Durning that decade the harbor was filled with many different kinds of fishing boats - all working. Now most boats are tied up, having used up their quotas for the year. The old draggers are gone and just  few scallopers and clammers are working. Looks can be deceiving, the harbor is filled with boats that can't work. ~~~~~~~

From the minute Charley and John came on board to guide us into our berth - to backing out of the same slip three days later Dave and I talked and listened.  Thousands of people came out to the festival, we couldn't have asked for nicer people or better days.   

I met a man that builds canoes with his hands and by the way he described the process we could tell he formed each boat with care. He said that for many years he's built canoes with all kinds of materials, from the old birch bark to the most watertight compounds on the face of the earth and he found the best to be the old birch bark - because when you no longer needed it - you can drag it into the woods and leave it there to rot.

We met fishermen, tug-boat builders, firemen, musicians, poets, writers and lovers of the sea. And best of all we had a visit from Mr. Arnold Parson who's father brought the F/V Richard & Arnold to Provincetown in 1927. The boat was named for him and his brother Richard. Arnold is now 82 years old and still loves to go out on the water, he was there with his son and his grandson. The Richard & Arnold has had many owners over the years, she the oldest working fishing boat in New England, at least that's what we've been told. If there is another - older and still working, we'd like to meet them.  

This was a great vacation for us. 

We left New Bedford on Sunday afternoon, caught the tide to Martha's Vineyard and Menemsha, spending a night in one of the sweetest harbors. There's a pace to the place, just a little removed from our restless society. Best of all I got to sit on Squid Row and talk to Jonathan, Wayne, and a few of the locals who gather at Marshall's. Thanks for the stories guys.  It was another season of fish and boats, tourists and sun. Thanks for your hospitality. We hope to see you in the spring. 

The next morning it was off to Oak Bluffs. Another unique harbor. Busy but not hectic, ferries and yachts, sailors and fishermen - everywhere we go and we are greeted by people with smiles, questions and stories. 

It's been a great bus-man's holiday, a great festival and for sure it's been a great ride. Thank you to all who make that possible.