Publish Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Location: Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada
Coordinates: 44° 22.544′ N 64° 18.661′ W
A family mystery during our last year of travel has been my deep attraction (Dave and Ayla might say obsession) with fishing boats. Every where we go I just love the fishing boats, whether its a Chesapeake deadrise, a South Carolina shrimper, or a Nova Scotian sailing rig with fishing dories. Much to Ayla’s chagrin I often approach fisherman hard at work on wharves to ask about their vessels and their work. The reason this behavior seems particularly odd to my family is that I don’t like to fish — not one bit. I can’t bear the thought of watching a fish die, especially up close on our boat.
However, here in the Canadian Maritimes where fishing has been an integral part of daily life for more than 300 years, I feel very at home. I love the small fishing towns here; the colorful clapboard buildings; the sweet smell of the sea (and even the pungent smell at times); the fisherman’s simple but functional wardrobe; the pubs with ale, music and fish n’ chips; but mostly I love the people. They have a twinkle in their eye, and a smile that welcomes even the most far away visitor. People here are proud of their heritage, and are anxious to share it with you if you show the least bit of interest.
I always enjoy a good local museum, but I’m completely enthralled with the Atlantic Fisheries Museum here in Lunenberg. In fact, our Three@Sea is docked at the museum amongst historic sailing vessels like the BlueNose II and fishing vessels such as the Theresa E. Connor, the Cape Sable, and the Cape Islander. How cool is that?
Yes, I’m sure of it…if I believed in past lives, I was definitely a Nova Scotian fisherman. 🙂
Hi every one , are you going to Digby N.S.?
Hey Ms.Besemer!
It’s Alex here! I love your article it is quite interestin. Becaus i know you really do not like fish an yet you love fishing boats and all!! I miss you all so so much and hope I can come visit you at some point in time. Hope you all are well!!
All my love,
Alex
Hello TAS,
I updated this a.m. and see you finished the crossing. Welcome to New England and Maine!
Richard
Oh, one other thing, really loved this entry. It’s just plain thought provoking and I’ve reflected on what you wrote over the last couple of days.
Let me share a similar maybe experience, a peculiar thing started happening when we moved up to Massachusetts from Maryland 12 years ago. I was very drawn to the something about the story of the first day of the Revolution. Specifically what happened in Concord at the North Bridge. It has quite literally given me shivers and shortness of breath on occasions too numerous to mention. We’ve been over to the North Bridge many times (it’s only about 10 minutes from where we live, too). Seeing it doesn’t have this effect. Hearing or reading a description of the events of the day is what gives this effect.
This has always been puzzling. I’m not a reenactment guy or really have any specific interest in wars, battles, and that sort of thing. But there is something about this story that provokes a noticeable physical reaction.
When I was writing up the Boston suggestions for you guys and touched on this story, it happened even when I was writing about it.
Curious.
Richard