Quahog

This week we have been able to get out to the beach (now that the rain has stopped) and do a few outside chores on the boat.  With the hot summer sun, it has become a mission for us to keep Semco (teak sealer) on the outside wood decks.  As a result, Southern Style got another coat this week.  

After some hard work, a little relaxing is always in order.  The perfect spot for our hanging chair is on the upper deck once the dinghy is down.  The davit arm is ideal and can be adjusted for any height or position.

Me giving the hammock chair a try

While I was relaxing,Keith, Russ, and Tom went on a scouting trip to Hog Shoal looking for quahogs (pronounced KWA-hog).  

Keith, Russ, and Tom in the dinghy going to scout for quahogs

What are quahogs you ask?  They are not some rare, protected creature isolated to Ocracoke Island.  Quahogs are also known as hard clams or round clams.  They are found up and down the Eastern Seaboard in shallow waters.  The Outer Banks is a great area to go clamming.  There is no particular season for them, however they are most abundant during the summer months of June, July, and August.  Ranging from just under 3 inches up to 5 inches, adult clams have a thick gray to white outer shell with concentric growth rings.  The inner surface of the shell is usually a pearly white with violet markings.  This violet inner shell (called wampum) was coveted by native Americans for use as currency and to make jewelry.  To catch a clam one can shuffle around in shallow water and feel for them with your feet.  They usually are burrowed into about 2-6 inches of sand.  If you want to and have them available, you can also use a rake.  Pulling the rake through the sand you will hear a "ting" when a clam hits the tines of the rake.  Scoop it up either with the rake or your hands.  They must be 1 inch thick to harvest for personal use and there is a 100 clam per person limit or 200 clams per vessel. 

The boys quahog trip was fruitful

We had some raw and some streamed.  They were very tasty.  I have a feeling we will be having clams several times during the summer.

We are getting ready for company as well.  Keith's brother Scot and our nieces Lydia, Abby, and Courtenay are coming for several days next week.  We are excited to have them for a visit and hope the weather cooperates to give them a great vacation.