Somewhere Beyond the Sea

The Maine Event

Somewhere, Beyond...the Sea

Last blog I alluded to heading toward the Maine event. This is a special event because neither Bob or I have ever been here before. This is new territory but has been so far such a magical time of exploration, coming closer to each other, experiencing both of our favorite things, mine art, his music, and adventure.

We are so richly blessed by the kindness and generosity of our friends. It would not have been possible to experience these things this way without  Bob's dear friends. Dunner, we owe you a huge debt of gratitude for providing the magic and the guidance to the treasure that is Maine. We were delighted to see that you even arranged a special welcome sign as we made our way into our special destination. We turned a corner in the RV and saw this sign and started laughing. We knew we were going in the right direction. 

The crimson, gold, yellow, and rust-colored leaves led the way through quaint New England towns with all the Colonial, Federal, and Victorian style houses,  white-steepled churches and a scattering of Irish Pubs and coastal food shacks. We did find out one thing about Maine in October. October is 'out of season' and most of the tourism-driven businesses were closed for the winter. We would find a great place to go online only to find out that it was closed. 

The hardest one to handle was  Red's Eats which is so nationally famous there are books about it. 

We were going to go on Sunday when we arrived but decided to avoid the crowds and go Monday since they are famous for crowds out the doors and around the block for their Lobster Rolls. As we drove up Monday the owners were boarding up the food shack saying Sunday was their last day. They kept it open longer than usual because of the weather but Columbus Day is usually their last day open. We did go across the street to another food shack and had Lobster Rolls but we will never be able to compare them to Reds. That was their last day open.....timing!

All of this beauty and charm and food is nearly eclipsed by the beauty of the countrysides and the wild and gorgeous sea coast. As we view the map of Maine we see mountains (Eastern US mountains) with many rivers and lakes strewn like puddles in the inland fringed beautifully with islands and a seeming million miles of coastland. 

Even this late in the fall there were families, seniors, and foreign visitors enjoying its multi-natured beauty. There were even beaches that seemed as if they would be welcoming havens for swimmers and sun worshippers, of which we have already concluded, I am not. We heard the stories from local artisans and shopkeepers that in the summer the traffic is vehicle to vehicle for miles and lines out the door in most places. I am so glad this journey is happening at the timing it is. Almost no crowds, we have not had to wait at any restaurant we have chosen, and there are just scattered small groups of people at the main attraction areas. There are many here and we could be out every minute of every day and not see them all.

I see the families and miss mine. Many of our favorite times were around seacoasts. This one is definitely different from out West on the Left Coast as its called. It is not that the water is different or the dynamics are different but the feel of the whole area is different. The accents are very different but enchanting to hear. I have really loved the diversity we have been able to experience from the Texas drawls to the deep south meaning Georgia. Florida; and mid-south

Carolinas and Virginia. The eastern states of New Jersey and New York are both different, then you go to the Boston area and the northern New England states and there is another completely different flavor of language. I really should be recording these so that I could be reminded of them and how lovely they are. 

Two Lights Lighthouse

With the RV

I love lighthouses and Maine's coast is littered with 143 of them. I am in no way going to see them all, but I am getting to see the ones we randomly come across. Some we have researched and looked for, but not all. 

We see a sign for a lighthouse and alter course to explore. That could be the reason it takes us so long to get anywhere.  I think the RV is now getting radar and can almost take us there blindly.

One of the lighthouses I have seen pictures of on calendars. I never thought that in my lifetime I would get to see it in person. It may be the most photographed but I am still taking samples of all that I can find. The amazing facts we are finding out is that each one of them has a story. There are usually small museums or stores or placards that tell the tales of the sea and the people who have run these amazing landmarks.  

 

It is funny to me that I am reticent to talk to you about where we are staying. I may post some pictures but I am kind of like a newlywed that doesn't want to talk about the honeymoon because it is so personal. I can tell you this place is a joy and so magical especially at this time of the year (which is my favorite by the way). I am being restored here, body, soul, and spirit. We do want to protect the location, but view these gorgeous lighthouses and accept Bob's song and my camera work as a gift to lift your own soul. As you find yourself resting "Beside Still Waters"