Fishermen and artists gather at the famous red shack. The Captain and The Kid came to meet our friend to help transport a boat to south Florida.

This Captain is a southern waters person. The West Indies, The Caribbean, and way up to the northern tip of the southernmost part of Florida is where this Captain and The Kid sail. New England and its cold, Atlantic seas do not seem to be a good fit for this salty-southern-soul.

"This is beautiful!" The Kid exclaimed about the harbors and coast of Rockport, MA.

The Kid, of course was correct. The coast of this part of New England is stunning with old charm, old ways, and old stuff that mix to create a charm that draws you to the north Atlantic Ocean, even when your feet are yearning for warmer waters.

"It's nice." It's nice, and Rockport, MA seemed difficult to express as one in the same sentiment.

"C'mon! Look. This is great! The boats, the water, and this little town are the roots for sailors everywhere."

The Kid was sold. But, its old and cold. Old can be OK. But, cold?

We stood across the water from Motif Number 1 on Bradley Wharf. The little red shack is one of the most famous buildings in the world, recognizable to artists and students of art history. It was build in the 1840s as Rockport became home to artists and fishermen. The shack, due to its lighting, composition, and its symbol of New England's life by the sea is a famous subject for painters, and photographers. New artists find it difficult to grow until they have painted Motif Number 1.

The Kid is an artist. Paint, sketch, photography, and the rest of stuff there is to be related to art is who The Kid is. So, a few sketches, dozens of photos and Rockport, MA was winning over a southern heart.

This Captain thought the shack was nice. A launch could be tied up the wharf. We could set lobster traps... what the...

"Is that your boat?" A voice interrupted my drifting out to my imaginary pots.

"Why?"

"You can't tie up there." The man was weathered in the face and hands. His hands were large, with thick fingers. They were not leathery hands, but were worn and dark from the sun and the wind. His face was sharp featured. It was more the shade of the dark waters than sun-tanned. He was not old, but neither was he a boy.

"Why not."

"It's private. Its for fishermen. you can tie up over there, but not here."

His words were sharply expressed, but not harsh. As we talked I found out that he fishes for his livelihood. He lives nearby and nearby locals look out for one another, especially when tourists begin their touristing madness. I tried to gain a kindred spirit with my friend who makes his living by the sea, but to him I was a tourist. The population of Rockport can swell from its 7000 residents to 20,000 when tourist season arrives.

Rockport is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic and on the fourth side by Gloucester. Artists and Lobster fishermen keep the town to its old-time appeal. Commuters to Boston bring new to this New England village. So, why would you come here, unless you are on a touring jaunt of New England.

1. You're an artist and Motif number 1 is calling. This is isn't about doing what the others do. According to The Kid, this is a classic setting of light and composure with contrasts blended together with... (Not sure what that means, if it means anything)

2. The North Atlantic draws the inner mariner. Southern waters draws us to the sea and its sagas, history, lore and passion, but these waters do offer a sense of being at love (not in love) with the ocean. It is not your lover like warmer waters and the way they touch your soul and senses as they roll and move beneath you. These waters are at odds with you, yet always caring for your needs as you earn their bounty with due respect for their allowance that you may glean.

3. Finally, you are seduced by the manner by which the sea meets the land. You will not find this encounter elsewhere. It is not easily expressed, it is more of an experience that is felt by all of your senses in agreement with a good pleasure yearned for poetically, fulfilled.

"Why didn't you just tell that guy it wasn't our boat?" The Kid asked.

"I dunno. Guess I just wondered more why we couldn't be there more than that we weren't."

More next time about our meeting Boots.

The Captain and The Kid