Being on the coast of Maine without a boat, it seems to me, is a bit like living in the Alps without skis. I'm sure many people do without.

As a photo person, my landlubberishness, encourages creativity when it comes to the nautical landscape. How does one enjoy the marine life without being a mariner?

A good old friend of mine (old as in long time), who many area people may know, Dr. Ed White, an orthopedic surgeon from Damariscotta, is a good example. Ed, by the way, has patched me up a couple times. His signature work adorns me.

Ed found that floating off mountains (called paraponting I think) was an unique alternative to sliding down the slopes in the French Alps. My air views are from small Cessnas out of Wiscasset, mostly. No skiis necessary.

However, flight is not always a good nautical option. So I seek wonderful vantage points around the region for alternative views. Here are some--- Spruce Point, Ocean Point, Cape Newage, Shipbuilder's Park in East Boothbay, McKown Point, and so on.

Recently, while watching a seagull jackhammer a crab to pieces on the rocks by the Department of Marine Resources at McKown Point, I noticed two very similar sailboats (photo above) gliding along , side by side, perfectly, as if connected by some invisible magnet. I thought that was quite wonderful and interesting and at the same time peculiar. Why would they do that? With all the wonderful open ocean everywhere around them, what's the attraction?

Ah, then the lightbulb! Race time, dummy! Their proximity was not accidental. They were both going to crash into a dock on McKown shore simultaneously. But alas, both vessels aborted their headlong charge at the last moment and peeled off in a new direction, once again in perfect formation!

What a coincidence. Glimpses of sailing perfection while watching a seagull devour a crab. Now that's what the coast of Maine is all about.