Maine

Just as a warning before you read anything here- this is going to exhibit the randomness part of my blog title, mind's kind of drifting from place to place tonight without a ton of direction.

I've moved a lot, lived in a lot of places but nowhere has had the impact that my two years living in Maine did. Don't get me wrong- everywhere I've lived has had some kind of an impact on me but I feel Maine had the most. Looking back, there were a lot of reasons for it, mainly that there were a number of firsts for me there. First time really being on my own, first time running and being accountable for an entire store, first time really connecting with the community in which I lived and worked. The people there made a big difference too. I had a good group of friends that I made, some of whom I'm still in contact with today, and I learned a lot from them about much more than I could ever put into words, mainly about real friendship and accepting things when they are right.

The environment there helped me grow and realize things about myself too. I rediscovered my love of peace and quiet away from others and surrounded by nothing but nature, the tranquility of a good hike, the simple beauty of looking at the stars from a spot where there were no manmade lights around. There's one spot on the outbound park road from the base that was perfect for the last. Many nights after dinner I would take the drive there and just sit, mesmerized by the uncountable stars and the sound of the surf caressing the shore just a few feet away. Although I know many people knew about this spot I felt it was mine alone at those times, like the turnoff had been created just for me.

After I left it was a few years until I returned, excluding my trip up for a great wedding. In 2004 I took a week off and went camping at Blackwoods Campground in Acadia National Park, the first time I'd been camping in close to twenty years. With the time of year I went the campground was pretty empty, which worked out well for me, I was looking for solitude. There was no cell phone coverage once I got north of Portland which was great- I loved getting away like that. I spent the time I was there hiking, exploring, revisiting places I hadn't been and reminiscing. The base I had worked at was closed and stood closed but very little else had changed. A couple meals at Geddy's brought back a flood of memories and I slept very well when I was there, surrounded by the clean smell of balsam and my memories.

Since then I've done my best to go back at least once a year. Last year was an important one- I brought Viv and the critters up to share that part of my life with them. We stayed at Robinson's Cottages (http://www.robinsonscottages.com/), a couple hours past the Bar Harbor area where I had lived. The weather wasn't the best with the hurricane that brushed past one night but we still were able to explore and I was able to share some of the places that were, and still are, important to me. Unfortunately with everything we have going on it looks like I won't make it up this year but what we're doing is far more important- Maine will be there, what we have to do this year won't wait.

I think, in a lot of ways, I grew up in my time Downeast. Maine is sort of a spiritual center for me- where we are now is home but Maine helps remind me of who I really am, and what's important to me. When driving up there I feel a peace begin to settle over me once I get close to Portland that just grows the further north I get. There is one spot on Route 3, just outside Belfast, that really makes me feel like I'm there- you crest a small hill and there's the coast laid out before you, islands and bays in a perfect symmetry. The feel to the air, its cleanliness and the everpresent scent of balsam, is like ambrosia. Reaching the Downeast area, crossing onto Mount Desert, driving through Bar Harbor on the way to the campground, feels like coming home. The first night there, snug in my tent under the evergreens- it's like there can be nothing wrong in the world. Hearing the surf crash softly nearby, the wind caressing the trees, smelling the residue of a campfire...if that isn't peace then I don't know what is.

I don't have a good way to end this- that whole randomness thing coming into play. I'm glad I was able to share this with Viv, and am looking forward to the two of us going there again. I think she saw a little more of me, who I am and how I got to be the person I am today when we were there and I look forward to sharing this with her even more. Goodnight for now...