Growing up around America’s oldest fishing port, my boys have learned a thing or two and I couldn’t be happier. I made this little movie (click on the link to see it) after spending the day watching them work over the weekend. There is a difference between growing up near the water….and growing up on the water. From the beginning we thought it was important, living where they live, to experience the working waterfront…and to understand the rich, honorable, and often solemn history of the fishing industry. I couldn’t even begin to add up the hours we spent walking the docks and going for drives to see different types of fishing vessels and to learn the inner harbors. Thatcher, in particular, practiced reading by sounding out the names of boats…. and a big part of both Finn and Thatch’s vocabulary came from conversations about marine life and maritime history. They both love to fish…especially Finn….and they both love to sail…especially Thatch. Lobstering is something they have both enjoyed for a long time and they’ve become pretty savvy in recent years. I love that at 10 and 12 years-old they not only love being on the water, but they also aren’t afraid of some hard work. They spent six hours getting some gear into the water on Saturday and then practiced hauling a couple of traps as well. I love watching them work and I’m so happy that they have had the opportunity to grow up on the water.

