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When the last trip of the fall is finished next week it will end my 39th season guiding at Maine Outdoors. Hard to imagine that sometime next winter I will begin my 40th year working as a guide at Maine Outdoors (I have been a licensed guide a little longer) . As I think back over all of those years I marvel at the great folks I have had the chance to spend time with outdoors. Several thousand to be sure. To each and every one I say thank you! Know that the survival of any small business is never certain and to have lasted more than half of my life is simply amazing.
Lately I have been guiding well over 100 trips a season. Some clients I have spent time with for many of those seasons. Rewarding for a fact and a total pleasure. I would like to celebrate the 40th year somehow and would be delighted to hear your ideas about how best to mark the achievement.
I turned 70 August. Pretty amazing to have reached that number. I have a very clear memory of being a young boy of maybe 7 or 8 and realizing that I might live to see a new century. Made it with another quarter century for good measure. The birthday week was great fun. Lobster here on the deck and in lobster rolls with family and with friends. A little guiding, a little fishing and an extra day off made the week a treat.
I have been truly fortunate in my life and appreciate it all. Marrying Argy Nestor certainly made all of the difference. We have been through and done a lot together usually with determination and good humor. We have two sons to be very proud of, both successful guides in their own right and now a daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Truly lucky here.
Some ask, “are you going to retire?” Short answer, no I can’t imagine not spending time on the water with my clients old and new; but some changes are in the offing. To quote Noah our older son “why are you still working so hard?” more than a fair question. This year I took two days a week off making the pace more reasonable and reducing the number of trips I am guiding from around 130 for the season to 105. The hot and humid days of summer on the water really knock the wind out of my sails.
Since I oversee my own calendar I adjusted my availability to 6AM to 2:30PM five days a week. It is still possible to guide two 3 hour trips in a day or even one 6 hour trip. I am guessing though that alone will further reduce the number of trips further. Starting early and heading home earlier. I enjoyed the slower pace in September and October. We are still talking about limiting to one trip per day but will wait to see how this new schedule works out next spring.
As mentioned in a blog post (link in this newsletter) rates will increase next summer. Not an easy step to take for sure but one that must be made for every small business I am afraid.
For existing clients gift certificates for trips and trips paid for before January 1 will be at current prices.
Again than you all for your support over the last 40 years and I'm looking forward to seeing you all again next summer!
As always come write or call if I can help you create your outdoor memories.
Best regards,
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