So I return from Mexico just to be whisked away again, and I can’t say that I’m complaining. My summer has been a whirlwind ride of adventures and my latest one has taken me to Vacationland. Ideally, when I think “Vacationland”, I think of beautiful, empty beaches with miles of clear blue water. I’ve learned, however, that Vacationland is Maine’s pristine landscape with miles of unchartered land and sea. In this first installment of my description of my week and a half long getaway to the great outdoors of Maine, I will begin by describing my journey to Bucksport. From Kentucky, Maine is a not so comfortable 21 hour drive. This drive was torturous and I drove probably a third in total, switching off with my sister and stepfather. I have still been recovering from returning to the states from Mexico and spent the majority of the ride dehydrated and miserable, merely preparing myself to entire yet another climate and environment shift.
When we arrived in Bucksport, I honestly felt as though as was cast back in time at least a decade. The architecture, the town, everything, just seemed a few years behind. We made it to my family’s campground that evening and I saw the beautiful Lake Alamoosook which serves as our backyard. I was astonished to find that, yet again, I was in a region with no air conditioning nor cleaning drinking water from the tap. The difference this time, however, was that I was far from sweating to death — I quickly bundled up in a sweatshirt and leggings to adjust to the 60 degree temperatures. (Pretty far from the 100s I just experienced in Mexico)
The past three days since we arrived I haven’t had wifi (again, of course) so I was not able to blog immediately. In that time, I have done/learned the following:
– Every individual in Maine exclusively wears L.L. Bean and drives a Subaru Forester.
– Lobster is a poor man’s meal. We ate lobster for dinner the other evening that my cousin had caught fresh just three hours prior. Lobster mac n’ cheese is also in the oven as I write.
– I tried a delicious fresh crab roll, nothing else quite like it.
– Last night, we went to the Bangor State Fair, just 30 miles east of Bucksport. It was..quite an experience. I took some pretty artsy fartsy pictures as shown below.
– The youth of Maine seem to be stuck in the gothic/emo phase of dressing. I’ve never seen quite so many people wear the same dreary style — makes me really miss my bright sundresses and bowties of the South.
– I don’t use my arm muscles enough. Hours of kayaking taught me that very quickly.
– Life is slower up here. I thought the South enjoyed their time but I’ve never played so many games of cards or sat and stared at the wall as much as I already have here — but I don’t want to say I’m bored quite yet, I know there’s still much to explore.
– I saw Stephen King’s home in Bangor. Pretty creepy.
Overall, I’d say I’ve been decently impressed with Maine. Although it isn’t the hustle and bustle I sometimes crave and I sat curled up in blankets half the time we’ve been here, you truly can’t replicate some of the views I’ve seen of the literally untouched land. I can’t wait to see what else this trip brings me!
With love from Maine,
Sarah Alexandra
