Both of my folks (divorced) live in Maine full time now. Sadly, my wife and I only make the 10 hour drive from Philadelphia about once a year. I think about and look forward to our time there all year. Blue Dolphin is right across the bay from Deer Isle which is where my mom lives. Blue Hill Books in Blue Hill is well worth a stop also.
When I was a college student at the U (David knows where I mean) there was a popular bar band named Lamont Cranston. Their rehearsal space in an abandoned warehouse near my apartment had a 10 foot wall of empty Leinenkugel cases. I guess they were saving them for a big return deposit.
Well done, yet again. I get misty eyed about Maine, the memories. Painting with artist friends in Seal Harbor. Fishing for mackerel in Somes Sound, then tying up at Abel's Lobster Pound. Bucket of steamers and what they used to call a "good" lobster (meaning not too large), boiled in sea water over a wood fire.
Very nice. Esp this: “I like to see places that other people have loved year after year, whether it’s a clam shack or a beachside bar, and I don’t argue with their nostalgic beer.”
David, I absolutely love the piece on Maine. I have wanted to visit the state for a long time. After reading your piece I am even more determined to make the trip. After a month of summer already behind us here in South Texas it sounds even better.
So when you stop at Sprague’s in Wiscasset, are you A) jealous of people eating the lobster rolls at Red’s across the street, B) laughing at the idiots at Red’s across the street for waiting in that line, or C) completely indifferent to Red’s existence?
I lived in the Morbihan for a while, and loved walking along the rivers, but unfortunately it was before I took up fly fishing. I loved The Optimist, by the way, and am looking forward to reading The Believer this summer.
My wife is from the Damariscotta area and I moved here from CT in 1988. In all my time on the Maine coast I only had one person pull the "I'm from here and you're not" thing on me and actually mean it, and that was in the middle of an argument on his boat during a fishing trip. I've found that it's more about how you act than where you were born.
Good piece, David. Returning and returning. A lot of what life is about.
Thanks Dad!
David, thank you so much for introducing me to Winslow Homer and Fairfield Porter via your writing lately! Sublime stuff!
Both of my folks (divorced) live in Maine full time now. Sadly, my wife and I only make the 10 hour drive from Philadelphia about once a year. I think about and look forward to our time there all year. Blue Dolphin is right across the bay from Deer Isle which is where my mom lives. Blue Hill Books in Blue Hill is well worth a stop also.
When I was a college student at the U (David knows where I mean) there was a popular bar band named Lamont Cranston. Their rehearsal space in an abandoned warehouse near my apartment had a 10 foot wall of empty Leinenkugel cases. I guess they were saving them for a big return deposit.
Ha! Love this.
“Made by 72 people who care”
My Mainer wife absolutely adored this essay. Cheers.
Well done, yet again. I get misty eyed about Maine, the memories. Painting with artist friends in Seal Harbor. Fishing for mackerel in Somes Sound, then tying up at Abel's Lobster Pound. Bucket of steamers and what they used to call a "good" lobster (meaning not too large), boiled in sea water over a wood fire.
Very nice. Esp this: “I like to see places that other people have loved year after year, whether it’s a clam shack or a beachside bar, and I don’t argue with their nostalgic beer.”
Thanks for the reminder re EB White and the intro to AmiGo and Wonder Valley. Just back from trout fishing on the South Holston - great fun.
David, I absolutely love the piece on Maine. I have wanted to visit the state for a long time. After reading your piece I am even more determined to make the trip. After a month of summer already behind us here in South Texas it sounds even better.
Looking forward to reading the piece about the French seaside town... coming soon?
And with this, the anticipation of returning to Maine late next month builds.
So when you stop at Sprague’s in Wiscasset, are you A) jealous of people eating the lobster rolls at Red’s across the street, B) laughing at the idiots at Red’s across the street for waiting in that line, or C) completely indifferent to Red’s existence?
Ha! Used to be B but now moving towards C.
$700 fishing vests...ugh
Quelle ville en France?
Is your French seaside town actually in Brittany? I’ve been seeing lately people fly fishing in the small rivers there.
It isn’t in Brittany. But I love that area and would absolutely love to fish there.
I lived in the Morbihan for a while, and loved walking along the rivers, but unfortunately it was before I took up fly fishing. I loved The Optimist, by the way, and am looking forward to reading The Believer this summer.
My wife is from the Damariscotta area and I moved here from CT in 1988. In all my time on the Maine coast I only had one person pull the "I'm from here and you're not" thing on me and actually mean it, and that was in the middle of an argument on his boat during a fishing trip. I've found that it's more about how you act than where you were born.