The plans for our next annual family gathering on Monhegan Island begin on the boat ride back to the mainland after our stay. We so look forward to this event that little time is wasted planning to return.

I have been going to Monhegan since my initial Maine landing in 1975. It became a tradition for me long before our more recent family stays. I believe it was my late friend Phyllis Washington, once of “Treasure Island” on Little River, who strongly urged me to make the crossing on the Balmy Days with Captain Bob Campbell. I got to know Bob during my years with Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club, before women members and when lots of the group had a post meal smoke during presentations. Pre-meeting cocktails were often good places to chat and Captain Bob shared stories about the island. He urged me as well to venture out.

Then in the late ’70s I took it upon myself to cross over to the island from Port Clyde aboard the Laura B with Captain Jimmy Barstow to photograph “Trap Day,” Jan. 1 back then. One of the most hair-raising boat rides I have ever experienced. It was mostly me and the crew and the freight with Captain Barstow even casting a concerned eye to the swells and ice accumulation. I survived the crossing then dove into the frigid unheated loft at the Doug and Harry Odom chalet. Jan. 1 came and went without trap setting because one of the boats was disabled. I was disabled too by the time it came to making photos of the event. I will never forget those cribbage games with Charlie MacDonald, Doug and Harry and a bottle of who knows what. Whew!

Our visits to Monhegan are far more tame these days. We drag piles of luggage and freezer chests to the Balmy Days dock. I’m certain there are under the breath rumblings when the Balmy crew sees us pull up with a mountain of bags and boxes and, yes, “Leica” the Wonder Dog, who, by the way, does remarkably well aboard the boat and often becomes the center of attention out on the bow as we cruise our way along the Maine Coast with Captain Terry Arford. Terry is an outstanding captain who has come to be a favorite personality over the years.    

This week in August is busy for the Island community. We generally go a bit later but availability and plans got complicated this year. There are lots of visitors with five boats a day coming from  Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde. It’s a big change from my early years’ visits, especially compared to winter. The number and variety of vehicles on the island have grown exponentially. The days of toting a wagon, pushing a wheelbarrow or dragging a dolly seem to be long gone. More activity on the island seems to require more mobility. But, on the trails, in the woods and at the cliffs, peace is firmly in place with breathtaking views and serenity unmatched. I even got to play with my old Hasselblad friend and film! 

We have scattered ashes for several friends, at their request, in various island locations and we always return to offer our greetings. Our dear friend Dominic Garvey loved Monhegan. But because he was not able to walk well, he would remain on the Balmy Days after guests departed, read the New York Times, do the crossword puzzle and snooze. We also visit with our dear friend “Prunish” who flew from the cliffs many years ago after a substantial coating of his remains blew back with a change of wind direction. He was a unique chap from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, who visited us in Maine and fell in love with the island. He gets very annoyed if we don’t stop out to say hi.

Plans are in the works for next year. We are so fortunate and grateful. Thank you Monhegan, we shall return.