For so many children who’ve read Oh the Places You’ll Go, the experience of climbing Salt Island at the end of Good Harbor Beach is what the book is about: “Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!”  Our young grandchildren did that for many summers.  They crossed the spit of sand at low tide, they climbed to the top, they inspected the tidal pools, and they prowled the intertidal rocks and marine plants searching for crabs and fish.  Once they caught a lazy lobster unaware.

 

The lobster was old but of regulation size, so Jacob and Rachel convinced us to take him home in a bucket.  That evening Jacob expected grandpa to cook the lobster for supper. Rachel wanted him saved and returned to the waters of Salt Island.  She was in tears at the thought of boiling the lobster, but Jacob was insistent.  Denton counseled Jacob on the front porch while Kathe consoled Rachel with games on the rear deck.  Jacob was reminded of the times we’d returned hermit crabs and mummichogs to their respective habitats and let chipmunks run free.  A few hours later, Jacob relented, Rachel beamed, and we ceremoniously released Rudolpho at island’s edge.  Then, we returned home for hamburgers and ice cream.  In college, Jacob majored in environmental science and Rachel chose early childhood education over law school.

 

For our children, great grandchildren, and generations yet to come, Salt Island is a mountain waiting.  We must preserve Salt Island to be among the places we’ll go.  It teaches us all.

​