Memories from Brian Harrington, photos from Steve Broker
Sept 13 2010.
This was the last time I saw Bob Clem before he died (the next week) He was at the ‘Wasteland’ with his video camera nearby to flocks of BBPL at the waterline on this especially high tide. When he had finished, and returned to his boat, I paddled over and we had a very pleasant chat about the shorebirds, the peregrine, the migration this year, the bar-tailed godwit that is around and others he had seen, about his old boat engine, and some other topics.
As we were readying to part he asked that I wait until he started his engine, and then offered to tow me in. I declined, saying that I wanted to try my new kayak sail. We agreed to ‘race’.
I last saw Bob far ahead, in the channel heading to Stage Harbor inlet at Hardings beach. The traditional image of him – traditional boat, hat, long shirt and pants, heading into the lowering afternoon sun. He clearly had had a very enjoyable afternoon at South beach. What finer parting image could there be!
Brian Harrington
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