The query was a simple one, and one we were sure would evoke memories and elicit plenty of responses: What does ‘Summer in Maine’ mean to you?
To some, it’s water. To others, it’s time spent with friends and relatives deep in the woods. Or maybe it’s sunrises … sunsets … campfires … fireflies.
Summer in Maine is, quite honestly, something different to everyone who’s fortunate to spend one here. And though summer isn’t over, even though some view Labor Day as the unofficial end to the magical season, here’s a sampling of what our readers had to say … and what they chose to show us in their photos.
Consider them postcards, if you will, from (or in some cases, to) our little corner of the country:
From David Bonar: The last week of July and first week of August have become symbolic in our residence. Those are the weeks that we escape the heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic and trek to Maine for our summer vacation.
Sweat dripping from our brow, we climb into our vehicle, having packed the camping gear, bikes and kayaks, turn the a/c on high and begin the 500-mile drive north.
We wind our way through Delaware, onto the Jersey Turnpike, then north along the Garden State Parkway to the Taconic Parkway in New York. Traffic is usually horrendous. It’s noisy, congested and usually punctuated by drivers who appear more angry than determined to get to where they are going safely.
The journey continues, sealed in our vehicle, through Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and I feel the blood pressure ebb as we slip through the rolling hills.
At long last, the Kittery Bridge and the wide expanse of the Maine Turnpike. The traffic thins, the sun seems brighter, the skies are a beautiful blue and we roll the windows down to breathe the clear salt air, and the aroma of fir and balsam that welcomes us with open arms. We are home!
From Pamela Martin: It was fun to take a trip back — what you described as “fleeting” is all too true! The smiles, gatherings, longer days and glorious color make it one of the dearest seasons in Maine! I love all four, but summer rests in my heart and always will! I grew up on Portage Lake during the late ’60s and early ’70s. Our family returns like the ducks and geese to this part of the Fish River chain to begin new memories with new generations. Travels around the state do happen, but we find it hard to leave our little corner of paradise sometimes. It will be fun to see what you get! I’m sure they will all be full of color, love and light! We are quite blessed to live in such a magnificent state!
From Ken Fogelman: I have made Maine my permanent residence since 1999 and have nothing but the deepest affection for my newest love.
That notwithstanding, I have never spent winters shoveling as much snow as I have done, endured ice storms without electricity for extended periods of time, watched cold weather come earlier and leave later than in previous times, or learned to survive seasons filled with mud, tourists and black flies.
Regardless of the costs and struggles, I always smile and look ahead when standing by the bay on a summer’s night, listening to crickets which arrive each August, and smelling the pine that emanates from the multitude of trees surrounding me on all sides.
I guess that’s what summer truly means to me: the unbridled appreciation of things I love and the reminder that all things in life have costs worth paying. I pay the price gladly and better appreciate the beauty surrounding me on all sides and throughout all seasons when I can stop for more than a moment to breathe in some unfiltered air and watch a multitude of creatures compete for the supply of nuts and seeds I place outside for them on a daily basis.
From Patricia Claus of Orrington: I love summer in Maine as well and there are so many photos of this beautiful state that it is hard to choose, but I will send this one: a perfect summer day off Brooklin, lounging on a white shell beach on Seller’s Island after kayaking out from Naskeag Point. Really doesn’t get much better than that.
From Denise Larson: [Here’s an image of] a practically perfect summer day in the Pine Tree State:
The sight of a tall ship coming into port, the sound of fiddle music, the feel of a steady breeze and not-too-hot sunshine, the fragrance of food on the grill, and the taste of an icy cold drink while enjoying all the above. Ah, summer!
From Sue Shaw of Castine: My friends and I, who are all in our 60s or early 70s, all love Maine fiercely and enjoy it no matter what the season .. but summer is very special!
We are always up for something active and fun. Our motto is “we are intrepid!” We bike, we kayak, we paint and ‘art’ in many ways, and will try almost anything. As you can see in the photos, we recently tried the “Come Boating” adventure in Belfast Harbor … and we highly recommend it! We are looking forward to a zip-line adventure soon. These pictures show us on Great Cranberry (complete with bike helmets, but the bikes are up on the shore), on Monhegan Island for a painting trip, on bikes and with kayaks at Cold Stream Pond, with kayaks on Lake Megunticook, in Belfast Harbor rowing with “Come Boating” and biking on the Sunrise Trail.
The other side of the story
Alas, not everyone has such fond memories of Maine summers. In the interest of fairness (and accuracy), here are a couple of responses that illuminate the not-so-rosy side of the season.
From Zane Puv: To me, summer in Maine means having to move again. It means the lease is up on my lovely winter rental, where I’m lucky to spend 7 wonderful months. But then I have to relocate to some s—hole for the next 5 months, if I want to keep my job and stay in my beloved Maine. I know some people who are tenting — and some have given up and left the state entirely.
And the final word from Paul Sheridan, who headed his email with the word “BUGS!!!!!” before answering the question we posed, ‘What does summer in Maine mean to you?’: Staying inside.
