Wild Crow Motorcycle Tour - Part IV

Wild Crow Motorcycle Tour by Stephen Vose (Part IV)

It had rained all night long and as I rounded my first corner the bike slightly fishtailed and I began to seriously reflect on my decision to hold off until next summer to outfit the bike with new shoes. Fortunately, by the time I reached the boat launch in Robinson the fog was lifting the car traffic had dried out route one enough to make the remainder of the trip less “interesting”.

The miles went quickly and before I knew it the sun had completely burned off the morning fog. The evaporative effects of the suns rays were causing the freshly cut hay fields to steam creating some beautiful effects. I attempted to photograph a few locations but some things in life you just can’t photograph or express but rather have to be seen to be truly appreciated.

Upon arriving at “Duckman’s” home on Beals Island, I was presented with a pair of knee high rubber boots and a note stating that I need to meet him at the town dock. Taking off leather hikers and throwing them inside the door I donned the rubbers and sped off toward the landing! Well, the Duckman was “patiently” waiting for me at the landing. After brandishing an 8 inch long rusty knife and flashing a million dollar smile, he mumbled something about gutting a tardy individual like a fish . . . I immediately jumped in the boat!

Well for the remainder of that long day, I snapped photographs and assisted where I could which consisted mostly of swabbing the deck and eating my way through the Duckman’s profit margin. I have to admit that I initially felt a little bit guilty, as I tore my way through a couple of two pound lobsters and watched Duckman choked down a peanut butter and fluff sandwich but that soon passed. I believe in the end, we pulled close to 250 traps but Duckman will have to remind me of the poundage.

On my final day on Beals Island I was fortunate enough to be able to follow Duckman and this Dad onto the tidal flats and document them “wormin”. For those of you unfamiliar with this process let me tell you its damn hard work. Digging sand and blood worms requires you to be bent over and working a worm rake through the mud for hours at a time. If you can somehow miraculously manage to keep you footing in the mucky soup and not break your back from the effort you will be rewarded with profits but just how much depends as much on mother nature as your work ethic. The highlight of my morning was showing off the pictures to Duckman’s Dad who in turn showed me how to successfully crack and pick a crab . . . something that despite all my years in Maine I had always failed to do correctly.

I wished I could have stayed longer on Beals but know I will be returning in November for sea duck hunting with Duckman and his newly acquired 18 foot Lund. The open road beckons, however, and after washing off the morning filth I was once again heading down route one toward Castine.

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For the rest of the Wild Crows Motorcycle Adventure See:
Wild Crows Motorcycle Tour Part I
Wild Crows Motorcycle Tour Part II
Wild Crows Motorcycle Tour Part III
Wild Crows Motorcycle Tour Part IV
Wild Crows Motorcycle Tour - Podcast