When you get older, the aches and pains last longer, and you can’t do things as quickly as you once could. I don’t know how long I can still go clamming. I still love the water, and I’ll go as long as I can, but I know there will come a time when I will have to hang up my rakes, and when that day comes, I’ll accept it, and I’ll look back with no regrets.

Fifty years ago, I decided to be a clammer, and I’m glad I did. I call the bay my office and what a beautiful office it is. Each dayIgetupandgotowork. Itakeonedayatatimeanddomy day’s work, go home and start over the next day. If I’m off the water a few days I can’t wait to get back out there. I’ve seen countless sunrises and some sunsets too, and as I’ve said, I’ve experienced every type of weather there can be. If I had to sum up clamming, it’s exercise and fresh air, it’s solitude, and it’s freedom, and it’s definitely peace of mind. But, most of all, it’s hard work, really hard work, and I loved every minute of it and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.