Sharks, octopuses, and missing Maine

Looking through the sliding glass doors out over the Atlantic Ocean, 3:15 in the morning, I can see a solitary white light on the dark horizon. It’s probably a commercial fishing boat. The almost full moon, nearly hidden behind clouds, casts moonlight enough to see white foam on cresting, crashing waves roll up the beach and disappear in the sand.

I’m in Florida. I arrived by car three Fridays ago on Florida’s west coast. Camp Marlene South is a small fixer upper. My first week here was a work week. Mornings were devoted to communications/marketing. Eileen and I aren’t at Camp South enough during the year to justify year-round internet. Instead, I use my smartphone for email and social media. When I really need to be connected with my laptop, I walk to the club house and use its wi-fi.

My first year with this internet arrangement was almost intolerable. Now it’s fine. I miss nothing. People can — and do — reach me at all times, and periodically getting up and out of the house is a good idea.

My first week’s afternoons and early evenings here were dedicated to painting a bathroom and kitchen. Bringing Camp Marlene South back to life was a multi-year gut job. Most of its insides are replaced. After last week’s painting, yes, there is still minor work to tackle, but, for the first time, nothing major.

Also, I uprooted and cut down all the last six months’ plant growth. I could not get to the hot water heater without first clearing a path through the weeds and vines.

Eileen flew down last Saturday for vacation this week. After a few days at or near Camp Marlene South we drove to St. Augustine on Florida’s east coast, to visit with a couple of Eileen’s old friends. This is a fascinating city. Founded in 1565 — America’s oldest city — St. Augustine is still celebrating its 450th anniversary. This is a place of many cultures, from Indian tribes, to Spanish settlers, to English settlers, to American settlers — with remnants abounding from all those different cultures.

I do miss Maine, however. October snorkeling in the Gulf of Mexico, yes, I count my blessings. I would not be bringing up conches to admire and toss back from Bear Pond this time of year. Still, the fall Maine photos posted by friends on Facebook make me homesick. Fall and spring are my two favorite seasons.

And I miss grandson Grafton too. He called me a couple of days ago to keep me humble, I suppose. When I told my young Maine swim partner of my exploits in Florida waters, Grafton paused only a few seconds before declaring there was no way he would swim in Florida waters. “Why?” I asked. “There are sharks in Florida,” Grafton said. And Florida waters also have “octopuses.”

I tried using 5 ½-year-old logic to explain the long odds on encountering a shark or an octopus in these waters. No sale. And after my fallback pitch on swimming only in waters designated safe for human swimmer? No sale. Sorry, Papa Fish. Florida waters have sharks and octopuses.

Later today Eileen and I drive back to Camp Marlene South. Sunday morning she flies back to Camp Marlene North. I head home over the open road. Lots of time to think, to catch up on podcasts, to record my travelog and random stellar ideas on my always-at-the-ready digital recorder. I do love having GPS with me as a map/travel advisor, and I do love having Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity.

Before I know it I will be halfway across the Kittery Bridge driving beneath its northbound “Welcome to Maine.” Then, like the Atlantic Ocean waves breaking outside my window, I will roll up my driveway, singing, “Gee, but it’s great to be back home.”

Scott K. Fish has served as a communications staffer for Maine Senate and House Republican caucuses, and was communications director for Senate President Kevin Raye. He founded and edited AsMaineGoes.com and served as director of communications/public relations for Maine’s Department of Corrections until 2015. He is now using his communications skills to serve clients in the private sector.