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The Reality of Winter in Maine

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Maine stowstormGrowing 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.

frozen river ice
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.

Maine Frozen Lake

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.

Bar Harbor

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.

Bar harbor Winter
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

 

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0 Comments

  1. Ana says:

    Wow, that’s so beautiful… I live in Brazil and I’ve never been to anywhere that cold, but it seems to be really magical.. I can see what you mean though, when you say you don’t always want to be there… I think I would love to explore the place for a while but I could never live there. 0ºC and I already think I’m gonna first lose my toes and then die.. hahaha

    Congratulations on the blog, Anna! I wish I had the courage to do the same.. Instead I just stay here and go to work and to Law School.. Not cool at all. =]

  2. Leonard Alvarez says:

    Great pictures Anna. I really enjoyed looking at all your pictures specially the one with you laying on the ice since i have not seen an ice lake that big. Also I have not seen a beaver dam and I thought that was a bear in the background haha. Kasey did a wonderful job illustrating how beautiful Maine is in the winter and I would like to come up and visit one day.

  3. Darcy Vawser says:

    Very true! Life during winter will always solder on 🙂

  4. Hayden Rodgers says:

    Beautiful writing, and really enjoyed all the winter shots!

  5. Emily Sanders says:

    This made me want to visit Maine, even in the winter! Will have to check out Kasey's blog! Thanks for sharing!

  6. Sarah Fuller says:

    cool lake photo, I really enjoy winter.

  7. Karen Milliken Glavin says:

    After trying to escape Maine all of my life, I have found all of this to be true! Thanks for re-illustrating it for me!

    1. Peter Farrington says:

      Conversely, I've been trying to get back to Maine for decades…LoL

    2. Robert W. Stalter says:

      Maine may seem to be the forever winter but its also home to some of the most beautiful things to be seen. Ive been to lots of different places only to find that here is home and i welcome the winter when it comes 🙂

    3. The Legendary Adventures of Anna says:

      So happy you enjoyed the post! Do check out Kasey's page!! Her writing is incredible! httpss://www.facebook.com/SecondStarontheWrite

  8. Talli Anderson says:

    Sooooo….what is that in the forth picture behind you….a sasquatch?

    1. Talli Anderson says:

      Oh, and I love the post about Maine. Very nice writing and great pics…thanks for sharing.

    2. The Legendary Adventures of Anna says:

      a brown bear of course.

    3. The Legendary Adventures of Anna says:

      haha…no my sisters giant Newfoundland! My parents have a difficult time getting deliveries because the men see the dog and run back to their trucks terrified that it's a bear!! Nicest dog ever!

  9. The Drifters Blog says:

    Growing up in Hawaii, I never really understood the beauty of snow until I moved to New York and witnessed it for the first time. Your pictures really took me back to those memories. Thanks for the great post, Anna!

  10. Zofia Bałdyga says:

    Growing up in Poland I perfectly know what you mean….but still, I prefer winter in photohraphs. I must say I really loved yours!

  11. noel says:

    beautiful snowy imagery, I’m sure I would freeze in that environment, you look like a natural there!

    1. anna says:

      haha..it was freezing! And much more difficult to take photos! I very rarely go home to Maine in the winter.

  12. Jessica – A Passion and A Passport says:

    Growing up in New York I’m not the fondest of snow- because that means shoveling it and trudging to work in it on the subway! However, your photos prove something different. Hopefully I will find the beauty in snow again next winter!

  13. Bennett – The Further Adventures of Bennett says:

    Half the beauty of winter is dressing up warm! I miss the cold to be honest – Maine looks like a perfect place to go and get back into it – beautiful writing and beautiful shots 🙂

  14. Mary Calculated Traveller says:

    I’m Canadian so I know exactly what you are referring to when you are talking about spring/summer and then winter. In Toronto they have a saying that we have Winter and then we have Construction….sadly this is true most of the time. Still I love winter, the crispness in the air, fresh fallen snow – especially at night. Love your photography…really shows the stillness and freshness of winter!

  15. Kimmy Hayes says:

    I love the snow! We don't get very much in Portland, but when we do, it closes the city down. Everyone gets a snow day. It's awesome and it's you a chance to enjoy it. Beautiful pictures!

  16. Vanessa (@Turnipseeds) says:

    As someone who lives with one intense winter in Canada, I’m so glad you took the time to show the beauty and outdoor fun of the season! Maine and New England are great destinations year round.

  17. Jenna says:

    Great post! I know how you feel; I grew up in Minnesota and always wanted to escape the winter as much as possible. But, now that I am living in Florida I miss it a little and keep planning vacations to winter destinations! Beautiful photos!

  18. Cicily says:

    I love your adventures around the world!

  19. Carolina Saldaña says:

    The Legendary Adventures of Anna , my boyfriend is originally from Maine, we met and live in San Diego, CA and he wants to move to Hampden… we've looked at houses and found our dream home but we hesitate mostly because I've never lived in Climate such as this but this was a beautiful way to look at things! Thanks for the post ladies!

    1. Kasey says:

      Hampden is a great area! Right near the pub I described in the post. The winter will only make you stronger 🙂

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