Growing up in ‘Vacationland’ never seemed like a blessing until recently. The reality of Maine is that we have about five months of spring and summer squished together from May until September and then the rest is a frozen, cold, winter wonderland. I used to hate this and I admit, it’s not always the place I wanted to be. Days like April 12, where we had a small snowstorm, make me second-guess why I choose to live here. Then I take a look around at the beautiful white blanket it leaves and it feels all worth it again.
Since realizing how lucky I am to be able to enjoy the beauty of this state, I’ve been trying to soak up as much as possible. There is beauty everywhere, from each frozen lake to the bulking Moose that roam the land like they own it. You can’t seem to go anywhere in Maine without stumbling upon a Narnia-like world. Walking onto a frozen pond, hidden somewhere deep in the woods, still untouched by human selfishness and seeing the way the colors of the sky reflect off its reflection is nothing short of breathtaking. At first glance the barren trees that huddle around the mirror-like water seem cold and lonely but the hundreds of pine trees that are scattered around envelope them into their embrace, keeping the barren birches warm until spring finally arrives.
While everyone seems to assume that the world around them is dead or asleep during this time of year, the beauty of nature continue on. There’s life everywhere, from the water that flows steadily from the tiny waterfalls, to the otters that you watch playing on the ice. We’re all still here, fighting back.
Even visiting the ‘cities’ of Maine is a true adventure in the colder months. The people who live in them compensate for the bitter, anger of Jack Frost by making sure they provide warmth and kindness to anyone they meet. Close your eyes and picture you’re heading downtown on a Friday night with the snow falling all around you, as you get closer you can already hear the voices from the local pub echoing from the night sky. You step inside and are immediately greeted by people laughing, dancing and singing. A local Irish band is playing in the corner with all the energy that the winter days have tried to drain from them. Sweaters, boots and every other piece of clothing decked in flannel is the style of the night, everyone, guy and girl, share the same warm look.
This is life in Maine. This is winter in Maine. We ski down mountains during the day, chasing the colors of the sunset. We snowshoe through the deep woods, finding hidden winter homes of the many different type of animals that find refuge there. We build small shacks on frozen lakes and spend hours in the cold attempting to catch our own dinners. We don’t hide from the winter; we embrace it and try to enjoy every second that we’re given. Summer in Maine is a beauty that’s indescribable and I know many people flee to the south to soak up heat year ‘round but winter is not one to be overlooked. I appreciate my warm fires and homemade mittens and crave the warmth that can only be found deep within the hearts of the Maine people in our own personal winter wonderland.
About blogger Kasey Richards: Student. Newspaper bitch. Daughter. Sister (3x over). Aunt. Pickle connoisseur. Non-cook. Sometimes crafty. Sarcastic. Music. Mustaches. Notebooks.
My thoughts on life after getting out of a long term relationship. Trying to add humor to an otherwise sucky situation.
Click here to read her amazing blog: Second Star on the Write