This is Maine by Caitlin Crowe
Spring is coming. Mainers are ready. We made our snow angels and snuggled by the fire. We walked with YakTrax and skied around town in storms. We scraped away at winter, even yesterday. Maine is ready to bloom.
This past weekend, the weather did not stop me from exploring the coast of Maine both days in search of spring. Saturday’s adventure involved cycling 55 miles from Portland, Maine, along the Eastern Trail, through Old Orchard Beach, to the Saco Heath Preserve. We combined the cycling experience with a one minute hike – ok, it was more than one minute. We were excited to explore despite no bikes allowed. It was not chilly for spring, it was freezing. It is always fun to see people’s reactions when they encounter hikers in full cycling gear including helmets. You never know when a chipmunk might start dropping acorns from above. The helmet provided extra warmth as well. It is not easy to hike in cycling shoes, especially when the trail is wet. Cycling cleats are perfect for collecting mud. I had been to the Saco Heath Preserve before, but that was more of a true one minute hike due to icy conditions. Saturday, the snow was gone except for a lonely patch here or there trying not to let spring prevail. The preserve is neat because it has a beautiful colorful boardwalk that winds throughout. It’s not the normal bridge you might come across in the woods; it keeps going and going and going. A few times while clickety-clacking our way along the boardwalk, I noticed wet areas on the wood. The only probable cause was that people were so enamored by the boardwalk while taking photos, they walked right off it into the water below. Thankfully, I did not go swimming on Saturday. Cycle, hike and swim in full cycling gear could be a new form of triathlon though. A few other photographers were also out exploring the preserve. One was so startled by my attire that they almost stumbled off the boardwalk. Luckily, they regained their balance. Now you can see the importance of wearing a helmet. The hike was cold, but getting back on the bike was even colder. I thought restarting the ride would warm me up, but my fingers immediately turned into icicles. A quick stop revived me and we pressed on. I made it home with all of my extremities and plenty of the preserve on my shoes. It was quite the exhilarating day.
The weekend continued and spring still did not arrive. In fact, it went further into hiding. This did not stop the adventuring. Winter reminded us it is lingering and gave Maine a light dusting of snow on Saturday night. A hike in the woods seemed like a fun way to see nature in its fresh spring coat. Sunday’s hike was in Robinson Woods in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. We often ride by the trail while cycling and wanted to explore it without cycling attire. A few chipmunks and birds joined the adventure as we wound our way through the woods. The chipmunks were fast that day and tried their best to escape being photographed. The birds were faster. At least the trees were relatively still and happy to pose for photos. The chipmunks kept their acorns to themselves so I made it without a helmet. After emerging from the woods, it was time to explore a protected cove across the way. There was a single surfer in the water with little wave action who eventually called it a day. We had the beach to ourselves so we climbed over every possible rock and combed the beach for shells. A day’s adventure is not only measured by miles, but the smiles and treasures collected along the way. Sunday’s bounty included a few pieces of ocean-polished sea glass.
Two Maine adventures, two days, miles of terrain covered, and memories to cherish forever. Spring, please join us for the next adventure and stick around. You can even wear a helmet if you want. No judgement here. This is Maine.
Published on April 17, 2018 by Caitlin Crowe
Spring is coming. Mainers are ready. We made our snow angels and snuggled by the fire. We walked with YakTrax and skied around town in storms. We scraped away at winter, even yesterday. Maine is ready to bloom.
This past weekend, the weather did not stop me from exploring the coast of Maine both days in search of spring. Saturday’s adventure involved cycling 55 miles from Portland, Maine, along the Eastern Trail, through Old Orchard Beach, to the Saco Heath Preserve. We combined the cycling experience with a one minute hike – ok, it was more than one minute. We were excited to explore despite no bikes allowed. It was not chilly for spring, it was freezing. It is always fun to see people’s reactions when they encounter hikers in full cycling gear including helmets. You never know when a chipmunk might start dropping acorns from above. The helmet provided extra warmth as well. It is not easy to hike in cycling shoes, especially when the trail is wet. Cycling cleats are perfect for collecting mud. I had been to the Saco Heath Preserve before, but that was more of a true one minute hike due to icy conditions. Saturday, the snow was gone except for a lonely patch here or there trying not to let spring prevail. The preserve is neat because it has a beautiful colorful boardwalk that winds throughout. It’s not the normal bridge you might come across in the woods; it keeps going and going and going. A few times while clickety-clacking our way along the boardwalk, I noticed wet areas on the wood. The only probable cause was that people were so enamored by the boardwalk while taking photos, they walked right off it into the water below. Thankfully, I did not go swimming on Saturday. Cycle, hike and swim in full cycling gear could be a new form of triathlon though. A few other photographers were also out exploring the preserve. One was so startled by my attire that they almost stumbled off the boardwalk. Luckily, they regained their balance. Now you can see the importance of wearing a helmet. The hike was cold, but getting back on the bike was even colder. I thought restarting the ride would warm me up, but my fingers immediately turned into icicles. A quick stop revived me and we pressed on. I made it home with all of my extremities and plenty of the preserve on my shoes. It was quite the exhilarating day.
The weekend continued and spring still did not arrive. In fact, it went further into hiding. This did not stop the adventuring. Winter reminded us it is lingering and gave Maine a light dusting of snow on Saturday night. A hike in the woods seemed like a fun way to see nature in its fresh spring coat. Sunday’s hike was in Robinson Woods in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. We often ride by the trail while cycling and wanted to explore it without cycling attire. A few chipmunks and birds joined the adventure as we wound our way through the woods. The chipmunks were fast that day and tried their best to escape being photographed. The birds were faster. At least the trees were relatively still and happy to pose for photos. The chipmunks kept their acorns to themselves so I made it without a helmet. After emerging from the woods, it was time to explore a protected cove across the way. There was a single surfer in the water with little wave action who eventually called it a day. We had the beach to ourselves so we climbed over every possible rock and combed the beach for shells. A day’s adventure is not only measured by miles, but the smiles and treasures collected along the way. Sunday’s bounty included a few pieces of ocean-polished sea glass.
Two Maine adventures, two days, miles of terrain covered, and memories to cherish forever. Spring, please join us for the next adventure and stick around. You can even wear a helmet if you want. No judgement here. This is Maine.
Published on April 17, 2018 by Caitlin Crowe
|
|
Life in Portland, Maine by Caitlin Crowe
I have been living in Portland, Maine for one year now. I lived in Boston for nine years following my graduation from Dartmouth College in 2008. Boston will always hold a very special place in my heart, but Maine is truly my home and it feels so good to be back. I grew up in York, Maine and spent all of my summers at my family’s property in Chatham, NH at Topo Pino. I have always loved to explore whether in my own backyard or around the world. I wanted to share some of my thoughts about life in Portland vs. Boston.
Published on April 11, 2018 by Caitlin Crowe
I have been living in Portland, Maine for one year now. I lived in Boston for nine years following my graduation from Dartmouth College in 2008. Boston will always hold a very special place in my heart, but Maine is truly my home and it feels so good to be back. I grew up in York, Maine and spent all of my summers at my family’s property in Chatham, NH at Topo Pino. I have always loved to explore whether in my own backyard or around the world. I wanted to share some of my thoughts about life in Portland vs. Boston.
- Sounds. I wake up to the sound of seagulls and birds chirping. I used to wake up to sirens or street traffic. Now the first thing I notice each morning is the sound of nature. I love it. My days are off to a more natural start from the moment I open my eyes and ears.
- Light. Everyone in Maine seems to chase the light, including me. Will it be a nice sunrise to walk on the beach? Will I make it home before sunset? Is tonight’s sunset going to be so spectacular that I should clear my schedule to soak it in? Don’t worry friends – I won’t cancel on you for the sunset, but I might invite you to join me on a sunset adventure. Mainers follow the light. Whether the light of the sun, the moon or a lighthouse. Did you know Maine has 65 lighthouses? That’s a lot of guiding light.
- Hi. People say hi and engage me in conversation everywhere I go. At first, I was shocked by this and kept thinking, Is this person talking to me? Do they know me? Do they think I am someone else? I then realized people in Maine genuinely care about people they encounter throughout the day. It’s the little exchanges that add up over time and create an amazing community of warmth and care. I didn’t always feel this way in Boston. Mainers care about one another, even if you are a complete stranger.
- Traffic. Omg the traffic. I’m going to be one minute late! Rush hour in Maine is totally different from rush hour in Boston. I love being able to get around my city with ease, not to mention fewer car fumes. I walk to work every day. Don’t get me wrong – I love taking my adorable Mini Cooper on adventures into the wild. I prefer my own two feet whenever possible though. Did I hit my step goal yet?
- Sleep. We rise with the sun and rest with the moon. People in Maine embrace the early to bed, early to rise culture. A late night in Boston was 2am – now if I am still out and about after 8pm, oh boy. Mainers sync their bodies with nature and I think it agrees with us. Sleep is gold.
- Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. People in Boston meet for drinks. People in Maine meet for coffee. If you meet someone for a drink, you’re either besties or on your way to that. I mean, how can you go out for a drink after work and still get to bed by 5pm when the sun goes down? Jk – I don’t really go to bed at 5pm.
- LL Bean. Everyone in Maine has at least one article of clothing in their closest from LL Bean. In Maine, we opt outside, we play in the dirt. In fact, the dirtier, the better. The more remote, the better. The more wild, the better. The higher the elevation, the better. The more animals roaming around the better, unless it’s a moose that wants to eat you for dinner. Then run. Run for your life. If you are running from a moose, you probably don’t have cell coverage, so good luck. Oh right, LL Bean. I hope you’re not running in your LL Bean boots. I would advise sneakers with micro-spikes. If it’s a bear you found, then don’t run. Stand very still and pray.
- Lobster rolls. If you live in Maine and don’t like lobster, why do you live here? Every restaurant is competing for the best lobster roll in town title. Do you like your lobster roll traditional or modern with a twist? My personal favorite lobster roll is at Eventide. Unless you don’t mind waiting a few hours to bite into your prized roll, stick to Eventide in the off-season or at least off-hours. Did you know Eventide offers $1 oysters on snow days? Shh. Our secret.
- Work. People in Maine work hard, not just hard, really hard. It’s in our blood. Life in Maine is not easy (why is there still snow in the forecast?!) and we are proud to work hard to support the economic and environmental health of our state.
- Connections. Mainers want to connect. They want to hear your story, even if it’s not perfect. The more interesting stories are full of grit. Maine’s landscape is full of rocks strewn every which way and we embrace the imperfection as even more beautiful. Listen up. Listen to your connections. Build them into friendships. Friends will be your best professional and personal network in Maine. Mainers don’t do things casually. Unless you connect on Tinder. I’ll leave that to you.
- Creativity. Mainers are some of the most creative people I have ever met. We can turn almost anything into something hip, made in Maine, crafted with love. Whether it’s the artist collective, Running with Scissors, in Portland full of artist studios, the amazing murals around East Bayside, First Friday Art Walk, beautiful galleries dotting each town, etc. Maine embraces and celebrates creativity.
- Home. Mainers love Maine. They are effusive about Maine. If you are hardy enough to survive a Maine winter, it is a badge of courage to carry with pride. When other states have snow days for an inch of snow, seriously?! We love our state and will dig our way out of 91.2 inches (this year’s total in Portland) of snow to prove it. I admit, I left Maine. I went away for college (go Dartmouth!), traveled the world, started a nonprofit in Ghana, West Africa and explored the NYC / Boston finance markets. I made life-long friends and we had a blast. That was my 20s. It was priceless. All along, a little bird (ok, maybe it was a big seagull) was calling me home, pulling at my heartstrings. I finally listened to that bird and took the plunge into the unknown. I moved here knowing less than a handful of people. That was quite the change from knowing hundreds of people in Boston. A year later, I may not know hundreds of people, but it is not the size of the network that counts. It is how your heart feels day in and day out. My heart is happy here. I work with growing companies in Maine. I adventure to the beach and into the woods. I wake up to birds and cross chickens on my walk to work. I put my feet in the sand and listen to the call of the wild. Maine, thank you for welcoming me back with open arms. I am home.
Published on April 11, 2018 by Caitlin Crowe
