HYANNIS –  [HN NOTES]  —  It had just warmed up to a balmy 12 degrees Fahrenheit when HN decided to leave the heated seat of the toasty news vehicle to brave the short span of parking area and  icy dock planks at the end of Pleasant Street, to hopefully meet the skipper of the Jenna Lee. I think I had traveled (on foot, mind you) a total of 75 feet! Sure, I knew I hadn’t quite reached the level of “arctic explorer” in today’s adventure… and I was quite aware of my latest years spent on dry land gradually turning me more into a Hytown “indoor cat” of sorts, an aging cameraman who has long lost his sea legs, a far cry from the hardy fishermen aboard today’s Jenna Lee, who had just returned after two days working the unpredictable, unforgiving lonely sea, about 40 miles southeast of Nantucket.

It was about 7:30 a.m., the sun had attempted to rise about half an hour prior, only to have been viciously pack-whacked by ugly gray clouds, angrily holding back any signs of warmth on what had already been an exceedingly cold morning, compared to anything we have experienced this winter thus far.

Captain Zach Storer, the skipper of the Jenna Lee, pulled his jacket a bit tighter when I must of reminded him (me all bundled up, shivering a little) how cold it actually was, just prior to snapping the top photo of him… as if he had forgotten… as if he hadn’t realized… as if being cold had been last on his morning list of “things to do,” the man surrounded by heavy-metal fishing gear layered with sea ice.

The busy captain generously gave HN an impromptu moment to enlighten this bundled up land-cat about their most recent trip: The trip had lasted two days and they had done “alright,” according to Captain Storer. This time of year, with cold snaps and other weather challenges, Captain Storer estimates it takes about three trips to haul in the amounts of sea scallops they would typically get under better conditions. Aware of the challenges, the crew of the Jenna Lee knows that winter fishing is something best plugged away at carefully. It’s hard work. A working lifestyle one must love in order to endure the tougher times, like this morning’s fishing, gear laden with sea ice.

I asked, “Do you love it?” And Captain Zach Storer admitted he did love it…

… although, pulling his jacket tight once again, his expression seemed to slightly hint of loving it all a little less on days like today… but knowing many a rugged fisherman, their boats like battle weary sea brides, a good Captain always finds a way to keep the dream going, through peaks and valleys, cold snaps and…

… whatever.

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is brought to you by John Denver… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! GET YOUR CAKES ON THE GRIDDLE!]

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