This past weekend some New York City area friends visited.

Tom, a retired Wall Streeter, and Dwight, a retired Navy Seal and current real estate consultant. Both old salts of sorts. Tom a veteran of “Outward Bound” and Dwight a veteran third generation sailor, and, of course, military service. Both had spent time in Maine but never visited our Boothbay region.

I taught with Tom’s older brother 50 years ago in Montclair, New Jersey. Tom was 8 years old then. We all went deep sea fishing off the coast of New Jersey from Manasquan Harbor. Until a recent New York City visit with our daughter, I had not seen Tom. We reconnected, oddly, through a mutual acquaintance I met at a memorial service in Oquossoc, Maine, up near Rangeley. Pretty random.

Anyway, Tom told me he’d love to visit us here in Maine, preferably in the off season, perhaps winter. He told me that he might bring his old college friend from University of Pennsylvania. He did, and I arranged for them to stay at the Russell House, an excellent choice, by the way, as reported by both. They wanted to see the area without the hustle and bustle of summer tourism.

Both Tom and Dwight were intrigued with the Ernestina-Morrissey project at the old Sample Shipyard, now Bristol Marine. So I made that our first stop after a quick spin down through the Harbor. It was totally fascinating to listen to their comments as we meandered along Village roads. They were quite impressed with our beautiful open Harbor, imagining its fullness “during the season”. I was fascinated by their comments, super big shots that they are, from another world. They were blown away by the Ernestina-Morrissey project. I showed them some of the great slabs of Danish oak that had been imported for the ship.

On we went to some of my favorite spots including Spruce Point, Cape Newagen, and Ocean Point. We even cruised by the great Washburn and Doughty Shipyard for a glimpse of current projects.

Both gents were familiar with Moran tugs from their visibility in New York harbors, but seeing something so grand close up was very impressive.

Tom and Dwight only visited for one day, but pledged to return, probably not in summer. They were duly impressed with the native beauty of our area. The quiet and openness really appealed to them. We made many stops along our tour to exit the car (Tom’s rather sophisticated Mercedes SUV which I could not figure out how to start) and breathe in the crisp wafts of salt air and hear the cry of observant gulls. It was a real treat for them and a satisfying share for me. They will be back.