Month: June 2023

Thursday morning, June 1

Kathy and Alex of Vermont were the first visitors up the tower this season! They came Monday afternoon, marveled with us at the views and historic testimony of this place, and left with a family membership to Friends of Seguin Island Light Station and a long-sleeved souvenir t-shirt from the gift shop. They have a thing for islands! We heard some beautiful stories about the dog-sledding experiences they’ve offered through their business in Vermont, snow permitting.

On Tuesday we spotted a group of sea kayakers making their way around Seguin, and were delighted to meet them all when they came up from the cove in their dry suits and booties. Simon, Nicholas, Suzy, and two named Francois – from Quebec. Rick led them up the tower where they got a different perspective on the paddle they’d just completed. They were super enthusiastic and uplifting to be around. Departing from the cove they turned their kayaks back to face the shore and gave us a roll salute!

Yesterday was our first day ashore for laundry and supplies. Tom, Chris, and Rick M. came out to join Cyndy working on the island and Captain Ethan took us back to Popham. We arrived by about 7:30 am. Triple A showed up at about 10:05 to jump the car Cyndy had left for us : )   Tom, Chris, and Rick M. did a great job setting up the ways to make it easier to secure the dinghy and replaced some door knobs among other things. I thought shore days would be a breeze for Rick and me, a day off, so to speak. But upon return to Seguin in the mid-afternoon we both noticed it was considerably more stressful to be onshore. 

This time when Captain Ethan headed out of the cove the Miss Lindsay had Cyndy aboard as well as the volunteers. Rick and I are suddenly, well, caretakers.  

– Lee

Monday morning, May 29

We’ve seen three boats come and go in the cove over the weekend. One sailboat moored overnight, but no one has come ashore. If I were more adept at pulling the dingy down to the shoreline I’d have rowed out to greet them all. As it is, however, we’ve been busy clearing trails, and mowing open spaces these first couple of days. We’ve also learned how to manage the composting toilets.  Yesterday we cleaned the tower and got to polish the Fresnel lens! That’s 248 prisms, made in France we’re told, and shipped here in barrels of molasses back in 1857.  (The molasses apparently helped prevent breakage. How clever is that?) 

The weather has been dry and sunny, seas variable, and wind continuous! The temperature is comfortable for physical labor by day, yet by early evening we’re all wearing our winter gear.

Cyndy will keep coaching us until Wednesday. Weather permitting, that’s a shuttle day when Captain Ethan brings volunteers to and from the island. 

– Lee

Saturday morning, May 27 2023:

We are Lee and Rick H., honored and excited to be this summer’s keepers. Hats off to all the keepers who have gone before!

Spectacular opening day yesterday. We were onboard the Miss Lindsay with Captain Ethan by 6:30 am. The ride to Seguin was smooth and just long enough to enjoy short conversations with sternman Dana and documentary film student Isaac, and to garner good feelings for long-time volunteers Rick M., Tom and Greg.  Rick M. skillfully rowed us and all the supplies ashore. Apparently there have been occasions when the loaded dingy flipped in the surf, but not yesterday. The hike up to the lighthouse was awe-some with views and vitality, a pleasure to make several trips carting up supplies even if our arms ached at times. Cyndy and Jody followed about an hour later, bringing even more enthusiasm and practical gusto. 

It was invigorating to be alongside those incredible volunteers while on the island. Tom and Greg tended to the water system, Rick M. to the mowers and solar connections, Jody cleaned indoor spaces despite perhaps a preference for outdoors, Cyndy did a bit of everything while answering our ongoing barrage of questions. Isaac hauled all manner of supplies and took a lot of video and audio for his passion project, a documentary relating to Seguin Island. 

The volunteers departed in the late afternoon.  As their boat left the cove I felt the reality of our isolation alongside a sense of deep connection. Thankfully they left Cyndy with us for the next few days to guide us into the groove of daily chores and other projects around here. 

We cooked a good dinner, got a little lost on what we mistakenly thought was the Cobblestone Beach trail, then watched the sunset from Sunset Bench. Despite the cold, it was easy to fall asleep after such a glorious day.

– Lee