Never Underestimate an Old Guy

CG44331 - David Stone Painting

 How many years has it been now...over fifty! That's how long ago it was when I spent a few of the most challenging yet rewarding years of my life. I'm talking about the years I spent as a member of the United States Coast Guard. Most of that time I served at the Umpqua River Lifeboat Station located in the picturesque little coastal town of Winchester Bay, Oregon.

Serving at a unit like that one was considered some of the best duty you could have in the Coast Guard back then and probably is still considered so even today. They are unique, challenging, and elite operations requiring skills unlike any others required to be a part of that amazing branch of service.

At the time we operated with two of the most storied surfboats in the Guard; the CG44303 and the CG44331. We also used for a time one of the last remaining 36-footers, an old wooden hulled surfboat originally brought online during the 1920's. Our was the CG36498 which was commissioned I believed during the 1940's. 

Our mission was simple; to provide a measure of protection for the commercial and civilian fleet of boats that operated out of one of the most dangerous bar's on the west coast; The Umpqua River Bar. That bar possessed multiple personalities. At times, it was placid and calm offering pleasure craft's the opportunity to partake of the seasonal productive Salmon fishing opportunities.  But it could turn violent and mean where massive breakers formed across its width.

 These breakers could crush almost any vessel attempting to challenge its domain, and indeed it did several times during my tenure there. Countless other vessels had succumb to it's moods on numerous occasions over the years and a number of lives were lost as a result. There is a plaque in the harbor area listing the names of those lost over the years. Reading it certainly is a humbling moment. 

Our 44's were designed to tackle the conditions on this and other similar bars. They were by far the best surfboats in the world capable of handling heavy surf conditions upwards to twenty-five feet in size...and we often experienced conditions at or above those levels. They were self bailing, self righting, powerful boats with the agility of a quarter horse but with the strength and power of a Clydesdale. The were able to do a 360 degree roll in heavy surf and complete their mission. They were amazing boats and we all took pride, as did every unit, of the ones we were tasked to operate. 

47 Footer

Most if not all of them have been retired and decommissioned now replaced by the newer and equally capable 47- footers. Got to actually ride on one of those a few years back, and what a thrill it was to do so. 

As I have grown older, I have found myself remembering back through the years returning again and again to those most important days of my young adult life. Those were important days for me for many reasons, but it took the maturing of the years to finally understand just how important they were.

On The Umpqua River Bar

 When I spend time reflecting on those days and looking at the few photos I have from back then, I find myself falling into a kind of nostalgic trance almost wishing I could return again to experience the thrill of riding through the surf and feeling the spray of salt air on my face. Most people have no clue really what it was like and even less understanding of the impact of serving at a unit such as the one at Winchester Bay. But, that's okay, because if everyone had served there, then the uniqueness of the challenge just would not be the same.

Having done so...well...I can honestly say...'Never Underestimate an Old Guy who use to ride the surf on those old 44's for $400.00 a month...'

The Object or The Light

 The past couple of months I've taken somewhat of a break from photography only venturing out on short walk arounds taking simple snapshots of this or that. Basically photographing objects without thinking too much about what or how I approached the moment. Yesterday I took an hour or two and made a simple walk around outback eventually heading over to a pond where I knew dragonflies would most likely be swarming...and they were. Dragonflies are interesting subjects and can be difficult to photograph. They do have one tendency; they tend to return to the same resting spot time after time often providing you with good opportunities to capture their unique qualities. The trick is to find them in good light for that is when an ordinary object like a dragonfly can become an extraordinary subject. It's all about the light.

I've preached this concept for many years; It is less about the object and more about the light when it comes to capturing a good photograph. Most times when I am out and about, the light is what I seek first, and when I find it, I begin to look for a subject that will be enhanced because of the light. Most times it is the subtle situations that generate the boldest of opportunities. And, sometimes those bold opportunities only last for a fleeting few seconds before they dry up.

Light can be there and gone before you even get your camera focused. Training your eye to identify extraordinary light comes with practice and trial and error. I over the years have missed more shots than i have ever captured simply because I was too slow to react. The fleeting nature of quality light often produces a lot of frustrations in a nature photographer. Too many times I second guess myself right out of an opportunity. However, on those rare occasions when I guess right, seeing the moment, framing it, and capturing it, well...you just know it when it happens. 

The object does possess a certain importance of course; you have to have something to photograph. But it is light that truly turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. Even a simple dragonfly can capture light in extraordinary ways. Having the patience to find it sometimes is what causes the hit or miss opportunity.

Countdown - (Now Available on Amazon!)

 Writing a novel is something I thought about doing for many years but never followed through because of my lack of writing skills to pull it off. Last year (2024) I revisited that idea and a storyline I had played around with, to finally complete that first attempt at creating a full blown novel. It's title, Running The Edge, and it reflected the premise of a story based on the operations of an elite U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboat Search and Rescue unit...something in which I have some personal experience. 

I enjoyed creating that book so much, in more recent times I decided to write a sequel to it called 'Countdown'. It is a continuation of the same premise of the first book using the same characters and setting. Countdown is a more involved story with twists and turns where the main characters are thrown into dangerous situations made more demanding and serious by a time limit factor. It explores the personal relationships between the characters and how they overcome not only their personal haunting demons, but external events that threatens to destroy everything and everyone they love. It is a story about good vs evil and one that will send the reader to the edge of their seat.

A third book in the series may be in the works in the near future, but for now, I'll just leave you with enjoying this newest of novels called Countdown...available May 26, 2025 on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats.

Please enjoy this short Promo Video...