Author: karenhammond

Summer’s End

Tomorrow’s autumnal equinox marks the official end of summer and the beginning of  the beautiful fall season here in Maine.  Autumn in New England always seems like a time for reflection after a hedonistic summer of swimming, boating, hiking, and yes, lots of lobsters and pina coladas on the deck.  Today I’m thinking about the ways in which the changing seasons reflect the seasons of our lives — spring, with its youthful promise;  summer, when nature, and often our lives, reach their peak of beauty and activity; fall, when it’s dark by 3:30 PM, encouraging concentration on everything we need to accomplish; and winter, when life slows down–at least after the holidays–giving us a couple of months to focus on major projects and prepare for when the cycle of life begins again with the first crocus poking through the earth and the first robin sighting. It would be impossible for someone like me, with 12 generations of New England blood flowing through her veins, to live someplace where the seasons didn’t change.

But enough contemplation! Fall is terrific in Maine and the leaves are changing rapidly in the northern part of the state–about 1/3 of the way toward their peak color in Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Somerset Counties.  Follow the leaf-changing process or sign up for a weekly update through at least Oct. 17 at MaineFoliage.com.

At parksandlands.com you can learn about Ranger-led foliage hikes and canoe/kayak paddles at historic sites and state parks.  And coming right up on Sept. 28-30, check out the more than 60 events and activities planned for the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend, including hikes, canoe trips, trail walks, and bike rides at greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org.

For lots more information about fall in Maine and all there is to do, go to visitmaine.com.

Sorry, no photos this time. I’ve been busy at home with assignments, but will soon be out enjoying the foliage and sharing some pictures with you.  Meanwhile, enjoy the scarlet and golden days of autumn.

Sailing the Maine Coast

Pleasure boats bob on their moorings in the beautiful harbor of Camden, Maine.

Maine by land is wonderful, but as many devoted sailors will attest, seeing it by water is truly something special. I’ve just returned from a lengthy trip along the coast from Portland to Bar Harbor, with stops at several small villages along the way.  From bustling Boothbay Harbor, to tiny, historic Castine, each town has its unique characteristics.

It’s hard to choose a favorite port. Rockland, the lobster capital of the world and home to the incredible Farnsworth Museum,  a great lighthouse museum, and a charming little museum devoted to puffins?  Camden with its lovely park swooping down to the sea? Funky, artsy little Belfast where you can find Maine-made items you’ll be proud to have in your home? Who can decide? You’ll just have to sail the coast yourself. Whether you choose to sail aboard mone of the mega cruise ships that arrive regularly in Portland, a small ship that can slip into our most obscure ports,  or arrive aboard your own sailboat, the coast of Maine  will not disappoint.

Made in Maine

Maine has long attracted creative people, including many who make beautiful items for the home. I was so excited recently to discover the gorgeous table runners and pillows made by Leslie Evans that I wanted to share a photo.  This table runner looks lovely on a bare wood table or over a solid color  tablecloth, but when I first laid it out over the Provencal tablecloth already on my dining room table, I was struck by how pretty it looked — just right for late summer. If you’re a foodie like me and collect dishes and linens, you really should check out Leslie’s work. Her website is leslieevansdesigns.com. You

Lobster table runner by Maine’s Leslie Evans

too can bring a lobster home for dinner!

A Maine Sailing Legend: The Windjammer Mary Day

A lobster bake in a deserted Maine cove is a highlight of every trip aboard the Mary Day.

Imagine having no set itinerary and simply sailing where the tides take you. Imagine relaxing day in and day out in your favorite comfortable clothes without a pair of high heels or a necktie in sight. Imagine bountiful meals of Maine comfort food and toothsome breads, rolls, and desserts all prepared in a wood-fired stove and oven. Imagine…well, you get the picture.

I’m just back from several days aboard the schooner Mary Day, currently celebrating 50 years of taking passengers sailing along the scenic coast of Maine. While on board, passengers can help hoist the sails, lend a hand in the kitchen, or — the favorite pastime of most — do nothing at all and simply watch the scenery go by (referred to by the crew as “upper-level management”).

Capt. Barry King sails in and out of small coves, stopping occasionally to allow the crew to row passengers into tiny villages to stretch their legs.  Hardy souls swim off the boat while it’s at anchor, and in the evening there’s usually story-telling or a sing-along with Capt. King playing guitar and talented passengers trotting out their own musical instruments to join in.

Whether you choose a 3-night getaway or a week-long cruise, there’s always an authentic Maine lobster bake in a deserted cove — the highlight of every trip.  Fall cruises can be spectacular and there’s still plenty of time to sign up — or consider an unforgettable summer vacation for 2013. Check out the Mary Day website at schoonermaryday.com.

Life on a Small Maine Island

Harbor view

August on my little island in Maine means:

–Sultry days

–Star-filled nights

–Lots of friends and relatives eager to squeeze in a visit before their vacation ends

It’s always interesting to welcome visitors here for the first time because their comments range from “Breathtaking” and “Charming” and “How can I move here, too?” to “What on earth do you do here all winter” and “How can you stand living so far from the shopping mall?” (yes, someone really asked that). Of course it’s not for everyone, but life on a Maine island exemplifies the state motto, “The Way Life Should Be.”  At least for some of us!

About 100 of us live in this tiny fishing village all year ’round; in summer the population swells to perhaps four or five times that number as visitors open up their seasonal homes to stay for a week or two or, sometimes, the entire summer. The ebb and flow of the seasons and the population is a fact of life here, much like the ebb and flow of the tides that surround us. Right now as I gaze out my office window the late afternoon sun is sparkling on the water, sailboats are drifting by, and lobstermen are unloading their catch at the co-op across the way. There may be better places for a writer to live, but I can’t imagine where that might be.

Women’s Wellness Weekend

Earlier this year I wrote about a terrific wellness weekend I attended at the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Woodstock, VT.  I’m happy to let you know that this very successful weekend is being repeated  April 26-28, 2013 AND there’s an early-bird discount of 10 percent being offered through the end of August.  Last spring I arrived in Woodstock in need of a break after several weeks of nonstop deadlines. A couple of days later I returned home refreshed and renewed thanks to the stress-free atmosphere, a relaxing facial in the spa, morning yoga and pilates, and some excellent advice from physicians and health-care providers on how to stay healthy while living a fast-paced life. Of course the inn’s excellent food, prepared with an eye toward healthy choices (which I’m happy to say included the nutritional benefits of chocolate!)  added to the weekend’s enjoyment.  For more information visit wellnessweekends.net, or book your space at the inn by calling 1-800-448-7900. And do check out my book, Backroads & Byways of New England: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions for more information about the inn and all the interesting things to do in the Woodstock area. You can find it at most bookstores or at amazon.com and it’s also available for your Kindle.

Bringin’ the Blues (Maine wild blueberries, that is)

Much as I hate to see my favorite month of July begin to slide away, I won’t sing the blues because August brings the blues….Maine’s wonderful wild blueberry crop, an important part of the state’s  economy.  This year’s crop looks to be the largest in more than a decade — perhaps as many as 90 to 95 million pounds– harvested from our 60,000 acres of fields. The first roadside stands are already popping up, so if you are vacationing in Maine, or headed our way, be sure to stop and pick up a pint or two. Blueberries are chock-full of antioxidents and vitamins, so you can indulge all you want.  And nothing beats a bowl of fish chowder and a homemade blueberry muffin on the side. Unless it’s a slice of blueberry pie for dessert.

What’s Not to Love About July?

Hot and muggy it may be at times, but to me nothing beats the month of July. If May is a month of promise, and June is a tease of what’s to come, then July is the time when everthing comes to fruition.  Gardens are at their best (at least for those who, unlike me, keep up with the weeds), boating season here in Maine is at its peak, ospreys and bald eagles soar overhead, and virtually everyone has a smile on his or her face. It’s hard to be grumpy when the sun is shining and you’re living in a state whose motto  is “The Way Life Should Be.”

One of the great sights here in Maine is the Pemaquid Lighthouse on the Pemaquid Peninsula. Of course we have a lot of lovely lighthouses, but this one was chosen for the state quarter—and with good reason. A little park surrounds it where you can eat a picnic, go for a walk, or visit the adjacent art gallery. Climb to the top of the tower for a great view and be sure to visit the museum in the former keeper’s house.

Hot weather. Lighthouses. The first wild Maine blueberries (more on these later). Ocean water warm enough to swim in! Is it any wonder that I dream of July all winter long? And did I mention hot weather??

Let’s Hear it for July in Maine!

July is by far my favorite month of the year–even today when the humidity and temperature are both high.  Here in Maine it’s the month when all the tantalizing promises of spring reach fruition. My window boxes are overflowing with flowers, and the hard work — except for keeping after  the abundant crop of weeds — is done in the gardens. Time to stretch out in the hammock, watch eagles soaring overhead, keep an eye out for lobstermen coming home with the day’s catch, and just enjoy life on a Maine island.

The last couple of weeks have been very busy with writing deadlines and lots of company (when you live on a Maine island you are very popular at this time of year), but stay tuned for more regular blog posts. And above all, enjoy your own July. Like many of  the good things in life, it’s fleeting!

Summer in Maine

Summer has arrived, with glorious weather and a dramatic hot spell. I’ve just returned from a long sail along the the Maine coast from Portland to Bar Harbor and back, stopping in at lots of my favorite little villages along the way. It was a great way to end our early spring and kick off the summer season. It won’t be long before July is  here…my favorite month of all. Everything is in full bloom in July, and the Fourth of July holiday seems to bring out the best in everyone.

Time to weed my garden, neglected during my time away but still filled with day lilies, iris, stargazer lilies, and butterfly bushes.  I am looking out my office window at the water and lobstermen returning home with the day’s catch and know how lucky I am to live in a state  with the motto,  “Maine–the way life should be.”

If you’re planning a Maine vacation, pick up a copy of my popular guide, Backroads & Byways of New England: Drives, Day Trips, and Weekend Excursions for lots of suggestions here in Maine and in the rest of New England. Happy travels!