A Step Back in Time
By Patty Gross
4 Apr 2008
What a fortunate person I am to be living in the woods of Downeast Maine. This part of Maine is located on the craggy coast approximately halfway up the state. Forests encompass this beautiful area, and are filled with many varieties of trees, especially the beloved evergreens. White pines are seen towering above other shorter trees and are absolutely gorgeous. Also living within these magical forests are wonderful species of flora and fauna, as well as large numbers of wildlife. We are home to the ever popular moose, deer herds, smaller mammals such as squirrels, and magnificant birds. These woods provide homes for eagles, osprey, cormorants, and hawks, just to name a few.
Downeast Maine is where one would often hear phrases rarely heard in any other area of the world. A few of the phrases would be wicked good, finest kind, lobstah, Bah Hahbah, and ain't he/she cunnin'. This last phrase is complimentary, and roughly translated means the person referred to is pretty. It is used most often when describing an infant.
The seasons in Downeast Maine are quite simply indescribeable. It is a magical place you have to see and experience for yourself. However, I will make a humble effort to stir your imagination with my own feelings about each of the four seasons as they occur in my neck of the woods.
Autumn is absolutely brilliant when the leaves reach their peak. We have thousands of "leaf peepers" who travel here to see this gorgeous color explosion. It has been said to resemble the world's largest Christmas tree.
Winter is wonderful as the fluffy, white snowflakes begin to fall daily, and young children still catch them on their tongues. There are many winter sports in which to participate too, such as snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding.. Warming up is done by sitting around the woodburner stove while sipping a cup of hot tea.
Spring's arrival is a time of great joy. What a happy day when we see the first daffodil push it's way up out of the ground, reaching toward the sun. We spend many hours watching how much the snow in our yard has melted from one day to the next! The roads are clear and dry, and the only problem we have driving on them is "frost heave", which is quite simply a bumpy road.
Summer is a time of cookouts, swimming at the beach, picnics, sailing the bays, and exploring the many uninhabited islands not too far offshore. Fishing is a great summer sport as well. We also enjoy fine music festivals with some very talented local "stars." There are many fairs and outstanding art exhibits to wander through, perhaps even finding that "perfect" painting or photograph for your home.
But you won't find any nightclubs or stores open late at night. When the sun sets over the Atlantic, we're home relaxing with those we love. We like it this way....and it truly is "the way life should be."
