Greeted by harmony along the coast

A stunning scene from the ferry on the way to Peaks Island in Maine on Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The open air, the brilliant sun, the peace as the sea breeze moves across your face. All these things are part of the coastal experience during the summer, and we enjoyed it to the fullest during a recent trip to Maine. 

This past weekend, we returned to our camping ways in Maine, staying at the Durham/Freeport KOA. On Saturday, we drove to Portland and joined the family on the ferry to Peaks Island in Casco Bay. The sun was doing beautiful things that day, as it illuminated the land and ocean. There were several schooners in full sail, gliding through the water. Everything seemed to glow, beneath the sweeping patchwork of clouds and pure light. 

After the ferry landed and we had a quintessential Maine lunch, we rented bikes and went for a scenic ride around the island. At one photo stop, I was able to capture some spray from the water, as a lighthouse kept watch very far in the distance. It was tremendous to see up close, numerous times, the many layers of the coastal landscape, between water, sand, rock, and vegetation. These layers combine to create a true treasure, as seen in their innate harmony in this incredible ecosystem.

The water splashes against rock along the coast of Peaks Island, with a lighthouse far in the distance. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Before we headed back home to Vermont, we went down to Old Orchard Beach, where we joined a friend for the afternoon and enjoyed letting our feet touch the sand along the beach during a walk. The hightide greeted us multiple times. At one point, I didn't know if my feet would get used to that cold ocean water. But they did before too long. It was a beautiful day, and a perfect way to wrap up the weekend. 

Nature always reminds us that we are one harmonious whole with the natural world, never separate from it. Looking out on the water, taking the Peaks Island Ferry for the first time, I felt perfectly at home with what I was seeing. It was natural for us all to be there appreciating the great beauty surrounding us. In a world that can feel made of islands, it’s moments like that which unify us, and bring home the greatness that underpins the world we share with one another.

— Gareth Henderson

Hightide along Old Orchard Beach on Sunday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Peaceful waters: Building a fabric of joy

Long Lake in Maine on July 10, with Hawk Mountain in the distance, near center. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

You might call 2021 the year of travel. People are hitting the road everywhere, after emerging from the decidedly travel-less world of 2020 into their usual summer routines. 

For us, this includes driving my daughter to camp in Maine, which has been part of the summer travel schedule for the past eight years. Seeing the smile on her face, and on the faces of her friends, after seeing each other again in person for the first time in nearly two years, was a special moment. It was sheer joy and gratitude, surrounded by the wonders of nature in the Maine landscape, and the prospect of a lively, fulfilling summer. That moment was easily the pinnacle of the trip.

Leading up to that moment, however, were other joyful experiences. The first one: sharing a delicious Maine lobster dinner with friends — a treat I just have to mention. Another experience, while not directly related to culinary delights, is also related to nature. And that's the beautiful boat ride we had on Long Lake, a lovely 11-mile lake between the towns of Naples, Bridgton and Harrison. It's enjoyed by many summer camps, and the famous Charlotte's Web author E.B. White once had a vacation home on the lake. 

A loon pokes its head above the surface of Long Lake. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

That Saturday was the kind of day that brings numerous people to lakes in Maine. There's nothing like being surrounded by the expanse of water, with bright sun and wind on your face. At a couple stops, we'd see the occasional loon popping up, then plunging back down again to feed. White clouds dotted the clear blue sky, which soared above the green trees around the lake's deep-blue surface. It was an awe-inspiring contrast in color, which also blended together seamlessly. 

While we were swimming, tubing, and boating around that wonderful place, we were also, of course, in the home of the loon. And they did a pretty good job staying out of sight of my camera — except for one little fellow (picture above), who almost escaped the lens again as we scanned the surface for that one, perfect moment.

It was a series of great moments out on the lake, enjoying the ride and the company of friends and family — as were others on that summer day. Being on the water, time seems to expand and hang in the air, as your eyes move from scene to scene of graceful nature and the interplay of its elements. While boats toss the waves about, and the surface moves and changes, you realize a certain peace, revealing the lake's majesty as all-embracing, welcoming and a true treasure. That’s really part of an unfolding experience, of people being able to travel more and experience various, inspirational surroundings with others. Like the very waters of the lake, those experiences will blend together to create a fabric of joy and togetherness that blesses everyone around it. How fulfilling it will be, to keep adding to that fabric.

— Gareth Henderson

Spectacular clouds and reflections at Long Lake in Maine on July 10. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Still innovating

Scarborough Marsh provides majestic scenes along Route 1 in Scarborough, Maine. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As we drove home to Vermont from Maine on Sunday evening, I couldn't help thinking about the long, varied, dynamic path leading from the work of history to today’s greatest achievements. 

Passing the impressive location of Bath Iron Works, with massive equipment lighting up the Kennebec River’s shores as seen from Route 1, I was struck by the many decades of ship-building and innovation that took place there, starting in 1884, through World War II and the present day. The company's work defined a region and helped shape history. 

Today, innovation defines us still. During a pandemic, millions have taken to sewing machines at home and in groups to create masks for hospitals and other organizations. Retail technology has adjusted with the popular shift to curb-side pick-up, and conferences and events will keep innovating further in the virtual realm.

These examples of U.S. ingenuity will only grow in the coming months, and, to be sure, it's a pattern seen in many sectors. A number of advancements we can't fathom yet, and many of them we won't know about for some time. However, we can rest assured they're underway, because when it comes to new ideas for pressing issues, that's what we do as a people. We are problem-solvers, and present challenges will lead to advancements that will impact generations to come. 

— Gareth Henderson

Taking a hike

A stunning view from the top of Cadillac Mountain. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After no camping at all in 2020, we opted to break that pattern this weekend and head to Maine for our first family camping trip of the year.  Mount Desert Island is home to many campgrounds dotting the Island’s edge, including the Oceanside KOA, where we stayed.

We headed to Bar Harbor in one of Maine's numerous "green" counties — meaning Vermont has given Hancock County the green color on its non-quarantine travel map, so we don’t have to quarantine upon the return trip. 

As one does in Maine, we took full advantage of the outdoors. We met some friends for several enjoyable outdoor excursions — including a bike ride around Eagle Lake and a day hike up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Between the autumn beauty of riding a bike with woods all around, and the incredible blending of scenery up the mountain, these were special places to behold. 

I'm sure I haven't done this much hiking at once since my mid-teens, but it's well worth the experience of being surrounded by nature's harmonious beauty and its many expanses. The hike has some lovely forested sections going up, with some fun, half-hidden shaded spots where you could sit on a rock and write for a while. Eventually, forest blends with rock faces until the rock takes over. In one spot fairly high up, you dip down into a forested trail with a beautiful field off to the side — including a few more autumn colors. Then it's quickly back up the rock faces, over some more shaded trail, to the summit — where you can see the Maine coast and its numerous harbors. On the other side, the view is nothing but ocean. It was a moment of awe to see that majestic wall of blue meeting the sky, especially when, on the way back down, you can view it over the tops of pine trees. A Vermonter doesn't get to put those two things together in his writings, unless he's somewhere like Maine. To finish off our day, we headed to the Thirsty Whale for the lobster rolls and enjoyed a lovely late dinner overlooking the harbor.

Though the mountain and ocean scenes were beautifully inspiring, for me the most inspiring part was interacting with other hikers on Saturday, though these were mostly little more than friendly greetings. They were multiple moments of kindness, and those moments always do good things for you. One memorable moment later that night was when our car battery died just before heading out for lobster, and not one, but two, total strangers stepped forward to help get our car started.

During the Cadillac trek, everyone was wonderful and always ready to share a smile and sometimes a bit of humor. Mask-wearing was common along the trail, as was social distancing, very respectfully done. It appears many have become used to hiking in these unique times of change, but one thing hasn't changed: Our inclination toward being inclusive and kind to others. That was the best part of the weekend, and one I plan to take home with me. 

— Gareth Henderson