I found yet another old boat I hadn't noticed before. Just numbers on this one, no name. It was an interesting old boat too. I'm sure, if it could talk, it could tell a lot of interesting stories.
Just inside the door, I saw this beautiful old sewing machine. Notice ~ there is still thread in it. I guess I had never realized some of those old sewing machines were so ornate before. This was a beauty in its day. I'm sure it did its share of serious work too.
Here is another shot of the little cove the fisherman fished out of. Notice the waves. There is also that old scale in the foreground, covered with lichens and blending right in with the rocks on the shore. I just thought this was the neatest old thing when I first discovered it on another trip. The leaves are all down and gone now so I notice a few more things each time I walk around ~ always being careful not to disturb anything. Some things are to be looked at and pondered ~ not disturbed. Just think about all that has happened here over the years.
I should add, the first time I saw this, I had no clue what the heck it was. I posted a view of it taken from the other side. I was pretty sure a few of the people that had commercial fishermen in their families would know what it was and enlighten me. And, they did. I was amazed at how many knew what it was and in some cases, still had them. But, I bet most of them aren't blended into the scenery as well as this one is. A piece of the Hovland history, for sure.
Here is another shot of this old scale, taken from the other side. This is more like the original I took several weeks ago.
I spent a bit of time just standing on the rocks ~ watching the waves roll in. I wondered about the times he had to go out and pick those herring or trout in some of this rough weather we get on the North Shore. He was a tough old fisherman, for sure. They had to be. I had noticed how gnarled his fingers were from years of picking nets.....way back when. I'm sure the old fishermen must have had their share of arthritis from picking all those fish in that cold water.
I never used to get quite as interested in all the old fishing history around here as I do now. I watched it and knew several of the old fishermen. I guess I just took it for granted ~ like a lot of younger people do. Now ~ when I look at some of this stuff and think about it ~ I appreciate it a lot more, I think.
Last of all ~ I found this old net rack today. I thought it was pretty cool. It isn't real close to the lake so the fisherman had to haul his nets a ways to use it. It's pretty much surrounded by the brush and trees now. But ~ another piece of history discovered today. It might make you appreciate that next fish you buy in a store ~ just a little bit more, now.
What a lovely post, Sandy! Oh my yes, if the boat, the sewing machine, the scale could talk. Their tales would be enough to fill several books . . . and all of it so very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks. :) I appreciate that. I have been thinking about writing something like this for a while now. I just love looking at some of the "history" of our area. Some of the old fishermen's places are pretty much all gone, now, tho.
DeleteWhat a great photo journey! Hey - you need to add Betsy in your bio! <3
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right ~ I do need to add Betsy. Thank you. :)
DeleteBetsy is now a part of my daily life and deserves to be added.