When Lonnie Sisson lived on Southport, Rachael Carson was spending a fair amount of time nearby. Lonnie's cottage, no longer present, was sort of next door to Ms. Carson's cottage, an easy stroll. And both artist and writer could walk to the location of this week's photo in the time it takes water to boil for a cup of tea — not using a microwave — not that fast.
Lonnie told me how he used to put non-native items in the tide pools near where Ms. Carson walked at the water's edge. Then he would watch for her discovery of a shell from the Florida Keys or the Carolina coast. I think he actually told me he would hide miniature plastic lobsters under rocks with very un-ocean-like critters from the five and dime. He had fun and now and then, a brief visit.
But the spot where Lonnie painted and Ms. Carson wrote is special. And not just at sunset. It was a favorite haunt of mine long before I ever knew anything about either Sisson or Carson. Actually, long before we lived on Southport Island. I believe my first encounter with the Salt Pond was during a winter of land-based gunkholing.
I'd drop anchor here and there and get out and explore, as long as I didn't annoy anyone. There were fewer people along the shore back then, and a little more access.
I'm a bit more reserved in my explorations now.
Sheepscot sunsets are marvelous. From Newagen to Green Island and beyond to the tip of Barters Island, as the sun travels with the seasons, the show is endless and wonderful. It’s no wonder Lonnie and Ms. Carson chose the spot they did. Were I a painter or a writer, I'd look for such a place. And then I'd park my car further down the road.