Five, six or seven years ago, possibly even eight, I went on a solo hunt for black ice. It was a clear winter afternoon. I drove to the beach just past the Shelburne Farms guest house where I saw a lone guy in a pickup truck who had just showed up with his ancient skates. (He told me he'd bought them used in 1964.) He later identified himself as Marshall Webb, but that was after the two of us began skating toward the Four Brothers islands.

It was an exhilarating skate, especially when we skated back to shore in the setting sun. It was the only time we ever talked but I was left with a strong positive feeling towards Marshall.

I took a few photos of that skate as well as two or three short videos. If any friend or family member would like to see them, email me: ejeleven@yahoo.com and I will shoot you a link. They're not bad.

Eric Johnson