Quest for Beauty ~ Maine Adventure

On a day like today, what would be better than a quest for beauty? Let’s leave the heartbreaking 😢 world behind for a little while and go see Maine! It’s October, and we have MUSICA . . .

We planned this trip a few months back . . . to drive north to see our friends Sharon and Jeff who were coming from California to stay in their camp on the rocky coast of Maine . . . so here I am, your own private tour guide, just in cases you’ve ever wanted to see Maine, which I have to say is a destination that could keep a person enthralled for a very long time. 💝

Doesn’t it look fun?

Happy, as always, Joe and I travel better than almost any other thing we do. All our troubles and long work hours stay far behind us, and we are free. We have more stuff than we will ever need, big cups of ice tea with shots of lemonade in them from Micky-Dees, the radio is playing, the trees are beginning to turn colors, we’re on the open road, who could ask for more?

We stopped at the BEST farmstand. Herricks ~ and while we were there, they brought in fresh corn, just picked in the field. Be still my beating heart!

Hill and dale we go, past villages and rivers and church spires, and the only thing breaking the old-fashioned-ness of it, were the myriad of telephone wires, my pet peeve in life. You can’t get away from them these days! If you are a time traveler like I am it’s hard to pretend it’s 1800, even with the luv-lee church spires, when your view is criss-crossed in black wires.

Fields and meadows . . .

We traveled north on Sunday, look at everyone going back home after the weekend ~ which was nice, because the rest of our trip was pretty much traffic free! See the throngs of people on the left of the photo? They are standing in line for lobster rolls at a famous eatery called Red’s Eats in Wiscasset . . . we thought, yes! We will stop there on the way back, we’ll be there in the middle of the week and have it all to ourselves. And across the bridge we went… breezing along with the breeze . . .

Into the small town of Damariscotta . . . very adorable, would look like 1845 except, of course, for the wires. I promise I will never talk about the wires again. You will just have to see them without me pointing them out.

The Damariscotta River runs right through the middle of town and they make the very best of it. Damariscotta is also famous for their yearly PumpkinFest!

Lots of small charming ma-and-pa shops, excellent yarn and quilt stores that people drive from miles around to visit!

Sharon and Jeff invited us to stay in their Air BnB apartment ~ it was a lovely place with a darling kitchen, filled with books and comfy places to read them. This was my view from the sofa on our first morning where I was sitting drinking my tea and writing back to all the lovely comments you left on my last post, thank you so much! 💓

The next days we went over the river to walk through the old neighborhoods to take pictures of houses because we love  New England architecture so much . . . walking along, kicking up leaves, listening to the birds and the wind in the trees . . .🍂

This was the street we (too many wires but don’t tell anyone I said that), filled with leafy shadows and the ghosts of days gone by . . . 🍂

Most of the houses were late 18th, early 19th century. I wish when they said 18th century, they meant 1800s, because I am never-endingly confused by hearing 18th century, then immediately having to re-compute weak brain to 1700s. It never seems to get automatic, I have to think. 🤔

Porches and bird feeders . . . and porch ceilings painted traditional blue like the sky . . .

Out of focus, but there is no way I am leaving out this cranberry enchantment.

Picket fences and rock walls, all handmade . . . In a thousand years I will never get tired of this view of a peaceable kingdom, where all is tinged with the sounds moths beating on porch lights, of baseball games on the radio, slamming screen doors, the smell of cookies baking . . .

Very interesting upstairs windows on this one . . . perhaps that’s where they practiced piano . . .

Love the blue door with the little “lights” over the top, the trellis’s on both sides, the criss-cross windows with the reflections in them, the glassed-in porch, the big ole tree . . .

Porches and low branches and pots of chrysanthemums . . .

And wild asters everywhere . . .

Bunches and clumps of them all the way down to the river . . .

A huge harbinger of fall in New England woods and coasts . . . Free, they re-distribute themselves every year, seeds fly through the air, and there they are the next year, for the picking.

And in Maine, as here on the Island, huge hydrangea bushes, turning colors like everything else . . .

And right in the middle of this neighborhood, is a graveyard, from a time when families stayed nearby even in death.  (I loved how they painted the telephone pole white to make it “blend”  . . .)

See? There are houses on all sides, the barbecue is there too . . . your history was as much a part of you as your now . . .

The tree of the goddess, the magical hawthorn tree’s red berries hanging over the fence, the world decorates itself for fall!  MUSICA

Of course, we did lots of this . . .

Another thing Maine is very good at . . . and nice prices I might say!

Baskets full of vintage Christmas linens. . .

And we stopped for lunch, warm goat cheese to go with the lobster salad!

Maine lobsters, Maine oysters, YUM!

Then out for more antiquing . . .

I bought a silver serving spoon and a white cotton lace cloth for my bread basket . . . thinking holiday dinner parties!

Signs like this everywhere . . . farmer’s and fish markets too, fresh local delights.

And they still hand out these flyers from the 1960s.

The recipe for boiled lobsters is just like Joe’s, except he puts cut lemons in the boiling water.

And off we went to Sharon and Jeff’s camp, near this little fishing village called Christmas Cove. Don’t blink or you will miss it, and for sure, you don’t want to miss it.

Out of town and onto a finger of Maine coastline. . . the Maine coast is ALL FINGERS. A travelers delight, so many little crevices to explore. We’re about mid-way up.

See? There’s a finger right now . . . smells of salt and pine. . . and takes us to

. . . a dirt road leading to the cottage, then a path through the woods.

Deep in the woods, voila, we find it!

All kinds of wonderful critters populate this area, fox and moose, chipmunks and red squirrels, too. And although Sharon is a master gardener, not a bit of a garden here, hard to garden on rocks . . . she lets real be real.

And she lets candles be candles. This is the living room, their house has perhaps ten rocking chairs in it, most of them on the porch.

Which you get to by going through this door. Note reflection, because that’s what’s behind me.

 Speaking of reflections: I’m outside, on the porch, looking back inside through a large plate-glass window with the reflection of the sea behind me and my own reflection in the window glass . . . on the far wall inside is a mirror made like a window, you can see me in it, and the lamp that’s in the foreground of this photo, AND the view behind me.  Plus a cozy chair with quilt . . . and the unlit candles on the coffee table. I love this photo.

And now, I’ve turned around, the window is behind me and view is no longer a reflection. The sound of the waves, the rocking of the chair . . .

Here I am, rocking with Sharon’s husband Jeff . . . Note delicious edibles on table . . . we wanted for nothing . . .

At one end of the porch is this tiny screened in room; no bug dast destroy ambience of deliciousness . . . table is set . . . pears are lined up on the window sill . . .

Into the kitchen we go.  I love seeing our cups on other people’s shelves!

 Sharon and Jeff, being from California, despite Maine connections, are weenies such as I, and will not cook a lobster. Joe was our only hope, and he came through like the hero that he is. We may not cook it, but we will totally be the hypocrites that EAT it. ☺️

We also had farm-stand corn on the cob, dripping in foreign butter, salt and pepper and this wonderful healthy kale salad from our blog girlfriend Martha  . . . here’s the recipe . . .be sure to massage the kale to make it soft.

And took it outside, to eat with the sound of the waves . . .

lots of candles, glasses of pink wine . . . we stayed out there forever because it was a gorgeous evening . . . stars and crickets and the waves . . .

Then we came inside and made a fire with the owls whose eyes light up . . . and basically, to sum up, we did this every night while we were there, as we solved all the world’s problems and rocked the night away . . . We’ve known each other many years, our rocking is different than it used to be!

XOXO

Just your basic evening in heaven . . .

Another dinner . . .

Sometimes we couldn’t see that finger of land north of us because of the fog . . . but there it is!

More candles . . .

And another cozy fire . . . but this one is different . . .

Because it’s our last . . . we go home the next day . . . we are talking about Joe’s legs, because I think they are like the legs of a four-year-old roller skater.

Sharon talks with her hands . . . she’s a communicator!  MUSICA

Before we go, we need the love photo . . .

We now pronounced them man and wife, kissed them good bye, said thank you, thank you, see you in California . . . And off we go, down the long dirt road . . .

And the next day, we head straight for the little town of Wiscasset, the one we passed on the way in, where that crowd of people was waiting in line . . .

We are nice and early, they haven’t opened yet . . . not a soul around . . . perfect.  We’ll be back.

Such a famous place, they even have paintings of it in the art galleries . . . must be good! We can’t wait to find out why! Off we go to work up an appetite . . .

By shopping this luv-lee little town . . .

Look what’s in the window of the antique store!!! All Petey’s friends! (If you’ve read A Fine Romance, you know who Petey is!)

There was a wonderful women’s clothing store called In the Clover with fabulous sweaters and scarves. . . and across the street, this fantastic shop filled with original and wonderful stationery and gifts, called Rock Paper Scissors … I had a great time visiting with the creative owner and buyer, Erika, and found the perfect handmade diary for our next trip to England. I also did some rather magnificent Christmas shopping, just little things, but really special little things. 😘

She had interesting and creative jewelry too ~ go there if you can, but try to go on week days, when it’s not crowded, because this is a very popular little town. We started back over to Red’s Eats to get our Lobster Rolls, and AGAIN, there was a line around the BLOCK! 😱 But, we had to catch a ferry. No Red’s Eats for us. Must go back another time.👍

Time for one more antique store stop. And in the parking lot, we saw this! Oh, to be famous! Ha ha ha!

And we needed to get our pumpkin allotment . . . The little ones for over the front door, the big ones for the porch and garden . . .

Off we go! Leaves blowing up behind us!

This is the sky out the car window as we’re heading for Woods Hole to catch the boat . . .

And from the bridge that goes over the man-made canal that separates the Cape from the mainland . . .

As the clouds followed the sun into the sea, we followed them to our boat . . .

We were on our walk yesterday and, like we often do, stopped to see our friends Bruce and Gail Kissell. They live in a little camp like Sharon and Jeff’s, right on the water, and asked if we’d seen that gorgeous sunset.  I said, “Not from your front row seat!” Gail had taken photos! She sent them to me, and these are them ~ wasn’t it amazing? Love the reflection in the sea and wet sand.

The clouds chasing the sun into the sea . . .

And this wiggling, squiggling, green-eyed fuzz ball was our reward for coming home . . .💕

We unpacked, and put up the pumpkins and hung the wreath . . .

And distributed the pumpkins . . . 🎃🎃🎃

I need to go out and see the world sometimes, to bring home the juicy creativity that lives out there in such abundance, but I’m just a homebody at heart. 🏡

POLDARK started last night!!! Did you see it? We did, and I recorded it so it could play while I was working on this post. So good. Look how long her fingers are. I think my little finger comes up half way to hers.

Odd view, but this was us last night watching Poldark. That’s my shawl on my leg on the left, Jack’s between it and the arm of the chair, but for some reason he liked hanging his head over the edge . . .

I used my camera to look down there and see if he was happy, and he was. The paws are my favorite. My little prince.

Yup, home, and back to work. Today I have to choose the embroidery thread colors to include in the new cross stitch kits we are having made!!!! This is the fun part! More info on that to come!

I designed two little cards and sent them to Kellee this morning. You are going to be able to print them out to include with your cup-gifts for the holidays  . . . two kinds, one for a Merry Christmas one for a Happy New Year. Soon I’ll give you a link so you can print them on card stock.💞 And I think Kellee did lots of fall “Free Stuff” for you to print out ~ Enjoy! 😘

I hope you enjoyed our Maine Adventure! I loved reliving it! Best part, the memories! Have a luv-lee rest of the day. The Constant Nymph, with the impossibly young Joan Fontaine, just came on TCM, leaves are falling 🍂, you-know-who is waiting, and my new British Country Living is here! Happiness! Wishing you the same! XOXO

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698 Responses to Quest for Beauty ~ Maine Adventure

  1. pat addison (cave junction, OR) says:

    good morning Susan, Girlfriends. I am so green with envy to be in anywhere in New England now is my biggest wish. but I have my own Autumn glory here and I am content with that, but oh to be in New England when the Autumn comes…. sigh maybe some year I will accomplish that. well sad to say Sunday was one bad day for me, around 9 in the morning a neighbor’s dirty mutt got into our chicken yard and killed 12-13 hens and 2 ducks, I ran over to a neighbor’s to get help in bagging up the dead hens and ducks, and then we went looking for that mutt. I have a very strong gut suspicion that the dog belongs to one of the bozo’s over in that obnoxious neighbor’s place, he allows these sleazy and dirty homeless and drug addicts to live there all the time and their dogs run wild all over the neighborhood, including coming on to our property. we have told them all ( first, last and final warning) that if we see any of their dogs near our chicken yard we will shoot that mutt on sight, and trust me if see that mutt anywhere, that is going to be the end of that mangy mutt. plus to add salt to the wounds, my husband’s pet cockatiel, Sydney< died. she live a good long life, over 32 years and most cockatiels won't live beyond 15-20 years so she had a good life, and managed to drive me nutsy every morning wanting to hear the theme song from "Bonanza" each morning or the theme song from "The Virginian". that bird loved westerns!! anyway I am waiting for the animal control people to return my call so I can report this and maybe they can do something about this, its going to cost me plenty to replace the hens and the 2 ducks next spring and I figure maybe this jerk of a neighbor should share in the cost. at least reimburse me for my losses. well so far today is looking better, the chickens are bit gun shy about going out into the pen, some are still shell shocked and I can't blame them, that had to be horrible to go through. I figure with a little coaxing and a lot of patience and love they will come through okay. off to get the laundry going and go check on the birds…… have a great day today everyone…. Happy Fall. hugs…. 🙁

  2. Patricia Ayala says:

    What a wonderful little adventure dear Susan!
    Just what we all need, love,beauty and more love!
    Thank you so much,wish you a magical day, have things to care but I walked away from the computer with a lighter and hopeful heart!
    xoxoxoxo 🙂

  3. Susie says:

    I love your work and adventures! Thank you so much for bringing joy into my life.

  4. Tracie says:

    Love your adventures and photos!!

  5. Beth T. says:

    On such a day as today, this is balm to my weary soul. Many thanks and love to you.

  6. Judith says:

    Wonderful, wonderful, wonderfullest! I loved traveling thru Maine with you, it’s on my list, and now I have names and places to add to it. So love that kitty catamus of yours. He always makes me smile. And then I got to CROSS STITCH KITS!!!!! YES! Can’t wait. A winter project to keep hands busy whilst oggling, I mean watching, Poldark! But now I must run off to the mts to see the golden larches stretching up out of ruby red vine maples. Nature is so good to us. Happy Fall!

    • sbranch says:

      It’s beautiful out there, I must say . . . we’ve just decided to go for a walk, can’t stay in, too pretty!

  7. deezie says:

    Hi Susan
    What fun that was. You always make us feel like we are traveling with you * I would live in Maine its so beautiful. You shared the most gorgeous pictures as always. Enjoy this wonderful day Susan
    deezie

  8. Barbara Stewart says:

    You and Mr. Joe are one of the luckiest couple I know. Wonderful place to love and have such a great kind circle of friends and family, my next lifetime, if I get one, I want to grow up and be you. I love your art and your writing expertise but especially your generosity of spirit. Thank you for sharing.

  9. Barbara Fruehe says:

    Oh! Can’t wait to hear about the cross stitch kits! With a fresh lit Yankee Candle burning, I feel like I just went on a lovely fall outing. Thanks so much for all your wonderful shares. My heart has also been lifted. Much needed today.

  10. Barbara Stewart says:

    P. S. I love doing cross stitch and can’t wait to see and purchase your new goodies.
    Barbara Stewart

  11. Lin says:

    Oh thank you for this post, Susan….we just returned from our trip to Maine and Nova Scotia and I’m missing it all! So wonderful to see your pictures and hear your similar thoughts about this fabulous place! There’s no place like it, especially coming from flat, waterless Ohio :))) I love the architecture, too, especially the way they connected the homes to the barns. I’d love to live there, even in the winter! I’m saving this post to look back on l – I can almost smell that wonderful pine-iness, reading your words! Thanks so much.

  12. Becky says:

    Your new post certainly perked my spirits on such an awful news day it has been. Thanks so much!

  13. Anne says:

    This was wonderful! I hope to get to Maine someday.

    P.S. Is there a deadline for pre-ordering the mugs that will be released in January? Have to watch my budget. Thanks!

  14. Christie Levin says:

    Love your good medicine to help us through today: happy road trip through the autumn countryside, welcoming homey locations to rest and renew beloved long-lived friendships, delicious dinners from the farm and the sea, ocean views and sunset sky masterpieces ~ so much beauty and warmth! When I first saw your photo on Twitter of the interesting cloud patterns in the sky, my first thought was “Even the sky is pointing their way home.” Thank you, again, Sue, for taking us along. xoxoxo

  15. Jackie Mc. says:

    A store full of Peteys!!! I am still giggling! And cross-stitch kits to come? I’m so excited! Loved all the Maine pictures — not to mention my stomach is now growling from the thought of lobster rolls.

  16. Judy from Maine says:

    This post is just perfect…my hubby and have planned a trip to the eastern part of our state…guess where we are going? Edgecomb and vincinity, we’ll be walking in your footsteps! I’ll be on the lookout for some of those shops, but the crashing waves are what is drawing me most. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip to my beautiful state , as always you hit the mark.

  17. Sandra says:

    Happy autumn Susan and what wonderful words and pictures of life in Maine…loved the antique shops, houses and picket fences..and the flowers look amazing too.
    I used my Autumn mug this morning for my tea..it tasted great and I could read your words and reflect too as I look out at my garden and the apples on the tree…
    Thank you for all you do for us and including us in all your adventures..many blessings.x

  18. Pam Burkham says:

    Thank you for this blog this day! I have a dear friend here in Texas who traveled to Maine a couple of years ago and wants a return trip – from your photographs I can better see some of the views she had. I do love my Texas but seeing these pictures I long to visit New England in Autumn. Thank you Susan for taking us along on your trip. Hugs and Blessings

    Pam

    • Pam Burkham says:

      Why is my comment awaiting moderation? What have I done wrong?

      • sbranch says:

        Nothing Pam, I’m just very late, things kept interrupting me and I didn’t have time for “moderation” which just means I love to read them first! I love to answer people, but I give up this time, just too much to do, and everyone waiting . . . still over 100 to go!

  19. Susan Lance says:

    Thank You Susan! You are so thoughtful. I needed this post today. Also super excited about the cross Stitch you will be bringing out!!!
    Take care,
    Susan

  20. Catherine says:

    Your blog posts always make my heart so happy. 🙂

  21. Shirley Burt says:

    Susan, Thank you for the little adventure in all of its wondrous glory. Loved the little pine tree cutouts on the door, and the sailboat. Charming. And the reminder of blue porch ceiling, I love this but never get around to getting it painted. THE mugs on your friends shelf, and later peeks at new mugs. Oh be still my heart. Now a request. I see that you are choosing floss for counted cross stitch, but sometime could you design something for those of us who embroider. I have the fabric of fat quarters from you, and an embroidered project would be the icing on the coconut layer cake. Thank you bunny bunches for the little getaway that gives us so much to think about.

  22. Linda R says:

    Maine is the way life should be (sans the present Governor in Augusta). But I digress! Maine is my home, born and bred here. Loved the road trip, best arm chair travel, except maybe all the other road trips you share with us. Keep surrounding us with beauty, joy and peace, we so need it now more than ever! Make the world go away and get it off of my shoulders….la la Eddie Arnold.

    • Linda R says:

      What is awaiting moderation? Ooh, that sounds bad!

      • sbranch says:

        It’s not bad, it’s just that I am the “moderator” and I like to read them first, and right now, because I just put up a new post, the comments are coming in fast . . . I have 113 waiting for me to read … I’ll get there, I always do!

  23. Lori Metschan says:

    Love the trip to Maine and you!! xoxo!!! Going to pre order my Winter cup now. Love my Autumn cup!!

  24. Bethany Fagundes says:

    Oh what a lovely respite from the troubles of the world. Our only son-in-law is from Maine and I hope someday to visit. My father is a railroad fanatic and he has always talked of visiting too. Funny how Sharon and Jeff make it seem oh so possible to take a visit from California to Maine! I loved sharing your journey!

  25. Kathy Branch Spicer says:

    Your post, as always, came at EXACTLY the right time. It’s dark days for me right now, even in the bright fall sunshine. My brother had a really devastating stroke, and I’m sad and I’m stressed and I needed a reminder that my pity party needs to lighten up. I cannot change what happened. I just need to BE. And be happy and take care of myself. So, because I always feel much better after reading your posts, thank you. FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

  26. Connie Kaupe says:

    One of my liquid amber trees is finally showing some color at the tippy top, and it’s below 80 degrees, down here in San Diego – that’s as fallish as it gets this early in October. Thank you so much for taking us on your wanderings – it was balm to my heart today.

  27. Jean Carrington says:

    Loved your trip to coastal Maine. Do you remember where the Christmas Linens were? I need some.

  28. Kathryn Mattus says:

    I so enjoyed going over hill and dale with you today. :~) One of these days I’d love to take a meandering visit up the coastline visiting lighthouses, visiting little quaint towns antiquing, staying at charming B & B’s, and enjoying lots of good eats!

    Thank you for taking us with you, have a very blessed day!
    Kath

  29. Oh my, the utter bounty of this post is almost too much to take in! But then, most all of your posts are like that! 🙂 Sunsets, houses, church spires, lobster, friends, fires, maps, asters, hydrangeas, oysters, your art, someone else’s art, cottages… Of course, Autumn has its way of melting my heart every year anyway… perfect colors on the trees and shrubs with perfect sunsets and perfectly delicious food meant to be enjoyed in front of perfect, warm fires! Well, I know nothing is really perfect, but there is SO much beauty that I feel overwhelmed and my creative juices are just overflowing from it all… anyway… not too long ago I was reading through Vineyard Seasons (after having recently read Heart of the Home again), and it struck me yet again how generous you are with your vast knowledge of *whatever* you can pass along that will add beauty to our lives… whether a treasured recipe or a new take on an old one, or some lovely quote from literature that is just so appropriate for the moment, or your artwork used to perfectly illustrate whatever it is you’re sharing, or even your wonderful photography in your blog posts and books that allow us to see what you’re seeing and adequately understand what you’re describing. I am constantly amazed by your gift of generosity (and also your gift of teaching!) and your willingness to share! The world could learn so much from you…

    xoxo

  30. Caroline says:

    Made me smile ear to ear to think of you and Joe in Maine:) Our family’s favorite place to be at rest and joy with grandparents! It is a magical place worthy of your visit:) On this very hard day, I am clinging to Marmee’s words, ” I so wish I could give my girls a more just and kind world, but I know you will make it a better place.” You make the world a better place Susan! Thank you for this post.

    • Caroline says:

      Hmm. Sometimes my comment doesn’t show up until I add a reply… I am forever shorting out computers all around me!
      I am excited to have ordered TWO winter mugs; one a gift for a friend, thought it would help us both make it charmingly through the winter. My house is a red cape and reminds me of the cottage on the front:)
      Also excited, because of your inspiration, I have planted 100 english blue bells all around our pond house- out door pavilion with fireplace where we spend as much time as possible:) Today there was an osprey flying over the pond! I wonder if being in touch with your 12 year old self, loving England, and Bewitched, did you read the Harry Potter books? Charming and an Epic tale!

  31. Lorraine says:

    Thanks for sharing your trip to Maine. It was very much appreciated and a lovely diversion from the tragedy that was on the news this morning. I’m glad you had a good time.

    I’m looking forward to seeing your cross stich kits. I haven’t done cross stitch for a while, but I enjoy it. I’m also looking forward to pre-ordering a couple mugs. Fingers crossed it won’t be long. Enjoy October!

  32. mary says:

    what a lovely relaxing post to read after waking up to the distress of the day!

  33. Alice Fornuto says:

    Can’t wait to forward your blog, Susan, to one of my very best friends who was born in Maine and lived there many years. She has a miserable cold at the moment, so I’m sure this will cheer her up. Thanks so much for sharing!!

  34. Beth Doherty says:

    Thank you Susan for my trip to Maine. I too, as a past Californian, really love old Eastern architecture. I was raised in Fullerton, a half hours drive to Disneyland. So having seen the artificial first, when we moved to New Jersey I would say”This town looks like Disneyland!”
    Boy did I have it “bass ackwards”! 😜 But now I’m straightened out… at 66🙂
    Perfect timing to share your trip. I needed that. Thank you.

    • sbranch says:

      Walt was smart and brought the charm to Southern California and taught us all to see things with different eyes.

  35. Linda Lorenz says:

    Hi! Susan!
    Just came back from a bus trip with my Mom going from Ohio to Booth Bay Harbor! Maine!
    Met some very nice people, and had many laughs, our tour guide and bus driver were like the Bickersons, always kidding each other and making us have a good laugh! Met some very nice people, and some people that stayed to themselves and did not get friendly but hey it takes all types to make a world!
    We went on a whale watch boat trip and sailed thru some pretty thick fog banks till we saw clear skies, and two whales! Mom and I took the front seats on the boat right in front of the captains station and found that it was a mistake to sit
    there because we got wind burn and a little sunburnt, so we had to move to the back middle of the boat!! Mom made it ok, but with me I had the help of our announcer who had to grab me and keep me from going down to the deck floor!
    I thought I had sea legs, but I guess I am not sea worthy!
    The whales were beautiful!!! We saw many birds out at sea, and two of our boat group people were there to NOT watch the whales but to count the birds!!!
    They kept running back and forth on the boat whenever they saw a bird! With very pricey looking cameras they took photos!
    I am not a lobster person due to the time that my parents went to have lobster
    on CITY ISLAND in NY, and I was only three years old, saw the live lobster in the window and FREAKED OUT! My Mom and Dad had lobster but I would not go into the eatery, and stood outside (with other relatives who did not want lobster)
    Screaming my head off! So NO lobster for me, I had chicken, and hot dogs on this trip! They looked like big bugs to me!!! (the lobsters did!)
    I loved the houses with flower boxes, we went on a train ride, walked, walked,
    and walked all over and saw the lovely gardens and the Seamen Memorial
    that listed all the men who died at sea! I found out, and you probaly know this that before we got out to sea past Booth Bay Harbor we passed the last bit of land where the house of Margaret Hamilton was, the wicked witch of the west,
    from THE WIZARD OF OZ! That made me happy, but i wish I could have seen it up close, and I asked our tour guide if it was allowed, but she said NO, because it is private property and still owned by the family. DARN IT! In any event we had a great time, and hope to go on another bus trip to Maine, maybe Cape Cod in the future! XOXOXO Linda

  36. John Schick says:

    Kathleen & I visited New England when her employment required it years back.
    There’s NO PLACE like it! The history, charm, grace, food, and scenery is
    remarkable. We now live in southern Oregon, and are discovering the numerous
    little towns that dot the beautiful mountains and hills that surround us. The
    coasts here are astounding! We “AIN’T” leavin no time soon!

  37. Connie Erskine says:

    I’m sitting in the Portland airport as I read this. On our way home to Salt Lake City, Utah. We loved Maine and stayed in Camden. So beautiful. We started to stand in line at Reds Eats but went across the street to Spragues. It was still good. When we got done the lady we were behind had about another 45 minutes in line. I’d like to know what they put in them to make them worth the wait. Always love reading your posts. Thanks. Connie

  38. Linda Lorenz says:

    First full day home and the Vegas terror happens! Prayers for all those hurt or killed by this maniac! Love to all! Linda

  39. Connie Erskine says:

    PS. The phones lines drove me crazy too.

  40. Susie (Rocky Point, NY) says:

    A lovely gift to find your post today. Much needed. Thank you Susan! Ah Maine. Love it so. Crisp. Clean. Great eats/antiquing/seashores galore. Lobster. I am now drooling. Oops. I missed Poldark last night but now hope to catch it tonight. I was busy with Outlander. A gal can only handle one hunky man at a time! Oh the pressures! Loved seeing the pumpkin decorating over the door and in the yard and wonderful Jack looking so darn cute. Cats have a special way of knowing just how adorable to look when snuggling up with us. Have a great day Susan.

  41. Becky from Central Coast. says:

    New England in the fall is on my bucket list. I love California, but in the fall it lacks color. Thank you for posting this lovely weekend you had. I enjoyed it.

  42. Nicoline says:

    Hello Susan,
    Thank you for taking us along on your lovely trip through Maine! It certainly looks gorgeous!
    Oh my, imagine having 10 rocking chairs, like your friends do! Did they come in all shapes and styles?
    The biggest surprise was seeing all Petey’s (and his Dutch creepy doll cousin)
    relatins, haha, never seen so many together!! Were there any girl Petey’s?
    We are off to St Ives in Cornwall next week, so I’ll have a good look to see if I can see Demelza or Ross anywhere:)
    Lots of love from Holland
    Nicoline oxox

  43. Troy Louise says:

    Thank you for the beautiful distraction on such a heart wrenching day. Being in Nevada makes it even harder. I feel warmer after viewing your wonderful post. Maine is definitely on my bucket list! Thank you and big hugs.

  44. Karen Baron says:

    Exquisite pictures of Maine! I loved the rustic home with your friends! You didn’t need those lobster rolls with Joe cooking fresh lobster! I loved When You wish upon a ⭐️ since I was small!! Thanks for my vicarious travels with you!! I am now relaxed!!🍂🍁🌻California Girlfriend Karen B

  45. Bonnie B says:

    So much of Maine reminds me of my home state PA. Hubby was stationed at Loring AFB so I got to taste their seasons.

    I recognized the Petey shop right away. 🙂

  46. Ruth Kelly Fortner says:

    I have always wanted to see Maine in the fall . . . and now I feel as if I have. I, too, love old houses and flowers and leaves and fall colors and the coolness of the weather change (though here in Texas we are often warm even in November!!). Thank you for sharing your pictures and your adventures.

  47. Elaine Depo says:

    Oh happiness, the Maine trip! I can never get enough of New England homes so was happy seeing all you showed ~ isn’t the red one darling? My late hubby and I were in Maine for just one day long ago, I had a lobster roll….oh boy, we have some here (CNY) but not like that one! Pretty sure my eyes were rolled all the way back in my head ~ scrumptious! Jack was always good lookin’, but has turned into a head-turning guy that’s for sure. Nursing my kitty along, over 20 now and in pretty good shape for the shape she’s in! Love your post, your friends look adorable, happy for you & Joe for the great visit you had with them ~ what a spot they have, just stunning! Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos of another happy trip! Have a delicious Fall!

  48. Kay Bennett says:

    Thank you Susan for that beautiful break from this very sad day. All those lovely houses reminded me of your home. My daughter and I can’t wait to visit New England, especially after seeing all your photos. Hopefully next year. Have a wonderful week. Blessings to all families today.

  49. Kristi says:

    YOU, dear one, are just what the doctor ordered! Thank you for letting us travel vicariously alongside!
    Hugs to you and that darlin’ Joe!

  50. Cindy Brosh says:

    Oh Susan you’ve delighted me with another of your sweet adventures! Your books and newsletters have been a source of joy and adventure for years, and this little excursion to a State I’ve never seen is no exception. I live in the Pacific Northwest and always love to see what the “other” coast looks like as the seasons pass by. On a deeper note, I woke feeling so sad with the state of the world, and finding your words and pictures in my inbox has lifted my spirits and my hope in the beauty you always manage to teach me to find. Thank you, and bless you!
    Cindy

  51. Nancy says:

    Hi Susan, thanks for sharing your little piece of heaven with us. Again, your adventure and pictures were breathtaking!

  52. Hello again, Susan: What a wonderful trip to Maine and wish I could have been with you to savor the sights and sounds of the life there.. Living by Lake Erie for so many years, I can remember the smell of the water, the sounds of the gulls and the feeling of peace. We all need a place to go to relax and enjoy places to go and good friends to see, while wandering around a small village with unexpected surprises to discover. Take care and soooo glad you escaped the bad weather. Happy Autumn to you, Joe and Jack.

  53. Sophie T says:

    Such wonderful pictures, Susan! You sure know how to capture the spirit of each place you go to, and take us along for wonderful virtual travels! We were in Maine last year and I loved it, loved the coast and didn’t get enough of it. I hope to go back and take time to sit back and enjoy a few lovely villages along the coast.

  54. Carla says:

    This is my most favorite post ever. I loved seeing you at Sharon’s cottages, and I am a displaced new Englander living in California. I love, love, all things Maine. Then you finished the blog with Poldark! I’m thrilled that it is on again. My favorite character is Caroline Penvenen. Thank you for sharing all of the pictures~my heart is smiling.

  55. Rae Ann R. says:

    Now I really want to go to Maine! Lobster, antiques, old beautiful houses…some of my favorite things…we have friends in Lewiston Maine, but soon they will be moving back to Michigan…we are still in heaven over the second Harbor Springs Festival of the Book which happened here this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I’m going to send you the program book to whet your appetite and hope that some year you might come to Michigan in the fall and be a presenter at our Festival of the Book😉 Molly Yeh was here~are you familiar with her? She has a new cook book. And Denise Kiernan, author of The Girls of Atomic City-I’m not a non fiction reader, but I really enjoyed this book…her new book is about the Biltmore and I can’t wait to read it…plus 50 more authors from as far away as Australia delighted us on panels and engaged our brains…we even went to our first poetry reading since college and it was wonderful. We started our Christmas shopping too with bags of wonderful books. You have gotten me in the mood to go get 🎃…thank you for your wonderful blog…Rae Ann R.

  56. Barbara Weaver says:

    Thanks for sharing your Maine trip. We have visited there twice and love it. We had a nice day in Wiscasset,too. (But couldn’t get near Red’s, either.) 😟 And I LOVED that stationary shop, too! So many fantastic things in there. Reading the blog was like being there again. Two of my high school friends have settled in Maine and I get to visit with them when we go! Must go back next year!

  57. Anarita says:

    Okay, so I’m IN LOVE with the owl fireplace grate! I am going to have to search one out now that I saw that and the eyes that glow 🙂
    Love the pics of your trip, too! This is the absolute best time of year to travel. Williamsburg, VA and Ohio Amish are our October trips this year because one can’t get enough autumn colors and weather!

  58. Rae Ann R. says:

    P.S. I couldn’t believe all the Peteys you found!😳

  59. DeLores E Johnson says:

    Dear Susan,

    I was so happy to see your latest blog, so I poured myself a cup of coffee(forgive me, but I am a Minnesota Norwegian, and we love our coffee!!!) I sat down in my rocking chair and went on a trip to Maine!! It was wonderful and looking at your beautiful pictures I could almost feel the ocean spray on my face.
    I am looking forward to your new cups & I am so happy to see you will be having Cross Stitch Kits. I do a lot of cross stitch and have won blue ribbons at the fair a few years ago. I will be interested to see them.
    DeLores Johnson

    to see you a Someday I hope I can meet you.
    DeLores Johnson

    • Margot in Sister Bay says:

      So cute DeLores! I know you like your ☕️. My mother-in-law (Whose grandparents were Johnson- Peterson, but Swedish) loves her coffee too. Lol. They lived in Irma, WI and my husband’s family was from Merrill, WI.
      My friend in NH, who was Irish Catholic asked me if it is all true about the Lutherans and their coffee. I told her, oh yes. The pot must be on by the time the sermon is finished. Lol
      Hugs,
      Margot

  60. Donna Watkinson says:

    Dear Susan,
    Thank you for taking us with you on your trip to Maine. Absolutely beautiful! Very much appreciated the loveliness on a day like today. Love you and your blog!♡

  61. Carolyn says:

    Ohhhh, thank you so much for this post today! It is just what I needed. It helped to fill a big hole in my heart. Thank you for bringing such warmth and beauty to us.

  62. Ruby Tobey says:

    Thanks for taking us on this trip. A lovely fall time.

  63. I left my new home of Maine to visit Massachusetts this weekend, and it was wonderful to visit new (very old) towns, catch up with an old friend, walk and talk and eat some of the best pasta I’ve ever had, and look at fall coming to beautiful New England. But when I got near home this morning, and turned onto the road that leads to my house, my heart started beating faster, then I saw the marsh, and it beat faster still, and when I caught sight of my little cottage, I could hardly stand it I was so happy. Isn’t it simple to make a homebody happy? You just have to go away and then come home again! I was wondering if this feeling will ever go away, being completely and insanely in love with a place, then I read your post and realized that it just might stay. Fingers crossed! You give us hope in so many ways, Susan. I’m so grateful.

    (And P.S.: I have tried not to gush to New Englanders, but one day I just couldn’t help myself, and a woman at the market gave me the most skeptical, eyebrows-raised look, and backed away from me, and as I drove home I just cried – I was so lonely, and now people were actually RUNNING AWAY FROM ME. And I was saying to myself, “I’m driving people away in droves! I’m never going to have friends here! I’m going to die alone!” as I cried. But then the ridiculousness of the drama made me start laughing at myself, and then I remembered you writing that you felt the same way, in Martha’s Vineyard: Isle of Dreams, and I just felt immeasurably better. Because you survived, and you made friends! And right then I knew I would too. And you know, I already have two. So there you go.:) Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s so nice, knowing there are kindred souls out there. I haven’t met any of the girlfriends in person, but I love you all. You make life so much fun.)

    • sbranch says:

      A happy homebody. xoxo SO wonderful. I think the insanity can last a life time. I hug my house every time I see it. My friend, my solace, my protector. It’s really not us you know, it’s them.😃 Actually it’s no one. Just a different culture. A generality: We are gabby, and they are private. So we scare the ones who grew up there . . . it’s okay, but it does feel like we’ve done something wrong. Cheer up, you’ll find there are lots of other displaced people around you and you already have two! xoxo

      • Margot in Sister Bay says:

        Very good explanation Susan! I too had this problem in NH, and felt better when I read your book.
        When I move out of NH partially because of this, I realized I had many friends and they were hurt that I was leaving them after 5 years! I felt guilty, but I do try to visit.
        Big hugs,
        Margot

        • Vicki South of Arroyo says:

          What an interesting few comments! I lived for three years in southwest Houston and worked at an old, highly-regarded company of ‘locals’…company had been there since the 1800s (a bit stuffy but, gosh, I was so proud to be working for such a historical, interesting, good business [I’d won the jackpot; I had people tell me I’d never get a job there…but I did!])…and for the entire time I worked in that building, the people (I felt) continued to look at me as an outsider (Californian) and kept themselves at arm’s length. Polite but, man, was I on my own as a new employee; nobody was gonna give me any tips, hints, helps. I was shocked because my dad was BORN in Texas and I have deep Texas roots from many generations back (and all I’d ever seen with my kin-folk was hospitality and friendliness). It’s true, at this Texas company, I did work for one of the higher-ups who wasn’t from there either (Connecticut) and we came in new as a team, so I guess it was a big shake-up with the growing company and a lot of change for people who’d been there for awhile. But, then, the week I was leaving, having resigned to return to California, I can’t even tell you how many people came forward, bringing me goodbye gifts, crying, chatting…I was like, what the? I even said to the employee I had the most involvement with there, “How come I didn’t know this while I was working here? We could have been really great friends all this time!” (And then she continued to write to me for the next ten years.) It was all such a mystery. It made me feel isolated; unloved!

          I have been told by out-of-town relatives that people in California are much more forthcoming, open; speaking with candor and almost an intimacy; not enough reserve, which can be considered inelegant or inappropriate. I yam what I yam, right Susan?! I guess we’re just generally too casual out here, with how we act, talk and dress among the palm trees and surfboards. And it drives me crazy when I’m told I have a “California accent”!!

          Disneyland. Yes, for we SoCalifornians, it’s in our backyard and most of us have been there several times since we were little kids. I never stopped to think of that being such an influence on me in terms of its Main Street or other ‘lands’. It’s true, isn’t it. Not just walking Disneyland but also from a lot of the Disney movies in the 60s, Walt showed us a lot of the world before we actually saw the world. I went straight from L.A. to London as a 21-yr-old, never knowing anything but the U.S. West (relatively newer!) and I often thought to myself that a lot of it in England and Europe didn’t seem real.

    • Rachel Scott says:

      Melissa, I think part of the problem is “where you are from,” sort of sets a tone for you being from another part of the country. I lived in Boston/Revere for 8 years, taught school, and really only had one “close” friend. And, never was I invited to her family home. I also find New Englanders to be very involved with their own families, which leaves little time for newcomers. Let me suggest finding some groups (Google; local papers; community centers; etc.) with which you would enjoy meeting: book club, knitting, hiking, card making (I found one of my best groups at Hobby Lobby), wine tasting, cooking/dinner club, etc. There may even be a newcomers group that could direct you to some of these. Don’t give up….there are friends out there, just waiting to meet you. If your neighbors haven’t welcomed you, how about you taking them a plate of cookies and say, “Hi.” I’m going to write a thank you note to one of my neighbors because they put out the cutest holiday decorations: red, white and blue pinwheels for July 4th; and right now, small hay bales with pumpkins and ghosts hanging from their trees. Rachel

      • sbranch says:

        She’ll scare them to death with those cookies! 🤣 No, I’m just kidding, you have the best ideas Rachel! Volunteering for something is good too, because you work beside someone and the friendship has a chance to grow organically. xoxo

  64. Barbara A Case IN says:

    Oh my goodness…I can’t believe I’m the first one. Anyhoo wonderful post…..I love Maine…I have gone on three windjammer trips from Rockland……Wiscassett is a lovely town and Red’s is really special. I need to do another trip on the Stephen Taber, hopefully soon. It’s a fantastic way to spend six days. Luv to you and Joe.

  65. Liz Lamontaylor says:

    Susan…. thank you for the brief visit to a place I dearly love. I lived in Scarborough Maine for 8 years and they were the happiest years of my life. Thank you for the peek of my favorite place during my favorite season. You are the BEST.
    Smiles,
    Liz

  66. Gail Golden says:

    Thanks for taking us with you to Maine. It is lovely indeed. I love how you put the little pumpkins above your door. I’m going to get mine tomorrow. Fall in central Florida is not a whole lot different than all year ’round, but the Golden Rain trees are blooming and their tiny, yellow flowers will be falling soon. Then the little lanterns form and they fall, too. As close as we get to color here…but it’s beautiful. Your post came at a good time…something sweet and good to focus on instead of the sadness. Thank you.

  67. Lynn Marie says:

    Loved our trip to Maine! So much beauty here in our USA–each coast and in the middle is so very different and how do we ever see it all? The whole post was a delight and then that little tidbit about a stitching project in the works–I can hardly wait!

  68. Libby Blaha says:

    What a wonderful trip ! I felt like I was there with you !

    America The Beautiful !

  69. Barbara A Case IN says:

    I wasn’t first, but close. Yay me !

  70. sylvia in seattle says:

    A much needed retreat from the fray! Maine looks enchanting. Your pictures the next best thing to going there. Your friend’s place looks the epitome of rustic coziness. Love the fireplace shots and mantel décor. Sorry you didn’t get to consume any of Red’s lobster sandwiches. My mouth was watering for a description :-). That heart punctured pot on your steps with color coordinated flower to pumpkins is to die for. I’d love to find one for my window box . . . Now I want to go antiquing. Such charming places in Maine. Thanks for the tour.

  71. mary spring says:

    ..oh Susan .. a post from you today is exactly what we all needed !!!..( all morning long I kept “clicking’ to see if you messaged us ! ).. when my daughter got off work early she texted me :”Susan posted a new post !!” )..even tho she lives so far away, we read it together !! texting back and forth, as we both love all things Susan Branch !!.. I’ve always loved how you make everything so right with our beautiful world !! ..and I never tire of telling you “thank you ” from the bottom of my weary, stitched up heart !!..we love you Susan !!!!..and thank you !!…sincerely !!

  72. Donna Kozak says:

    Another ‘feel-good’ blog on a rather sad day…Maine is so beautiful and that lobster roll would have been a perfect ending to your visit !! That Sharon sure looks familiar, hmmm …

  73. Cheryl Carr says:

    Thank you for sharing Maine with us. Isn’t fall just delightful!

  74. Jana Jopson says:

    Think I read something in an old Victoria magazine about a house in New England, perhaps even Maine, that had an upstairs sort of chapel for the family. Perhaps that was the beautiful arched upstairs windows you saw.

    Time with friends is priceless and what enjoyable surroundings. Bushels of appreciation for your exquisite sharing!

  75. Cheryl McBride says:

    Susan, have you heard of the podcast, Desert Island Discs? It’s a British interview/music program that has been around since 1942. Last night I listened to an interview with Emma Bridgewater (November 27, 2016) and knew immediately you’d want to listen as well. The interviewer is very good and the music is varied according to the person being interviewed. You must check it out. It would be perfect for your road trips.
    Cheryl in Salida, Colorado

  76. beverley voss says:

    Hi Susan! Thank you for the Hygge Day!!! Just what we all needed. After reading this blog I felt cheerful and lighter. What a fun trip. Love and hugs back to You, Joe, and Jack!
    thanks,
    Bev

  77. Kelly Paquet says:

    I’m so happy that you enjoyed your trip to Maine, Susan! It sounds wonderful. I’m 65, and I was born here and have lived here most of my life, with the exception of a few scattered years in Hawaii, Alaska, Wales,U.K., and Utah and Minnesota! I have always returned to live here – it is the most beautiful, and most charming place I know. It was so nice to read all the good things you had to say about it.
    I love Poldark, too!

  78. Fae says:

    I love going to Maine in the fall!! We used to travel there the first week in October, all along the coast, and loved every minute of it. Now that we’ve relocated to FL, we don’t get to Maine, but thanks for sharing your memories and bringing back ours….

  79. carmenstephens says:

    I suggest you go to Grafton, Vermont to see a line free town that is very old and lovely to tour. Maine, of course is a place of the heart. Thanks for the look see. I enjoyed it.

  80. Kelly Houlton says:

    Thank you, Susan, for your thoughtfulness and generosity. This was a lovely trip and I feel I was right there with you! Enjoy your autumn, Kelly

  81. Janet K. says:

    Our thoughtful son and his wonderful fiancée just got engaged in Maine. It holds a special place in their hearts and ours. I’m so glad you wrote to us all today. It cheered my soul. Thank you with lots of love.

  82. Denise says:

    So glad you enjoyed your trip to Maine. My husband and I spent three glorious months on the Rocky Coast (which is wayyyyy DownEast). Practically in Canada. The late spring/summer was gorgeous, with apple trees in bloom and lilacs everywhere. Disappointed to not see the fall colors and enjoy the cool air as we are back home in South Carolina and fall hasn’t started yet. So your beautiful photos made up for my missing Maine in the fall! P.S. For the best lobster rolls you have to go to Quaddy Bay Lobster in Eastport. It is worth the drive!!!!

  83. Deb Holets says:

    Thank you, dear Susan, for this wonderful, mini trip! It certainly lightened our heavy hearts today…..

  84. Margot Birkett says:

    Ah what adventures in Autumn. Where I live it looks a lot like Maine. They have more pine trees, and we don’t have moose or lobster, but we have walleye and whitefish, salmon and trout. We have more deciduous trees so we have lots of color! Lots of pumpkins too! 🎃
    I love, love, love those wooden screen and storm doors!
    I can hardly wait for the cross stitch.
    Hugs,
    Margot

    • sbranch says:

      I forget, where do you live Margot? In Idaho or Montana or Colorado?

      • Margot in Sister Bay says:

        Sister Bay, WI

        I am having trouble with posting lately, I always have to re-enter my name and email with each post. FYI

  85. What a fabulous post…looked like a wonderful trip! Thank you for the free stuff – I needed some nice writing paper. I had a letter from a former student I had not seen for a few years – thanking me for being her librarian!!! Oh, my – I teared up. It is a keeper and I want to write back and let her know she made my day. I also have a local pen pal….a group of women and men where I live have adopted 4th and 5th grade pen pals from a local school. We will correspond until May then meet at a pizza party. Letters! Love them ! Have a great October in your cozy home….and OH….just got my new blotter SB calendar and a pocket one, too !!! Hooray !

    • sbranch says:

      What a wonderful letter to receive. We all remember some teacher or counselor, or librarian, that made a difference to us, how sweet your former student is for taking the time to let you know. And fun to have the little kidlets for pen pals!

  86. Teresa says:

    Loved your post–just what I needed. We love Maine as well. We go to a wonderful place called Attean Lake Lodge in Jackman. It is a little island in the middle of a lake where you can hike, kayak, canoe, read, relax, etc. and fall asleep to the sound of loons. The cabins are gorgeous and the food is copious and delicious!!! A family owned place for generations, a very special trip!!! And that kale salad is just amazing. I make it all the time. Thanks for a little escape. And now I just heard Tom Petty has died. Oh goodness, such a horrible day. Thanks for being a little ray of sunshine.

  87. On this sad day in Nevada it was a nice respite to read your blog and enjoy your photos of your trip to Maine. Thank you. I love New England as I come from a family of whalers and sailors, some of whose names are on church walls in New Bedford and Nantucket. The houses are always dear. I spent summers in New Bedford, Acushnet, and Fairhaven and got to explore many old homes including my great-grandmother’s.Thank you again. Love you, Susan

  88. jayne reimers says:

    Loved reliving portions of my trip to Maine in 2013. My daughter took me for my 80th birthday. We were at Red’s Eats, rocked on the porch at wonderful old inn in Camden, took a sailboat cruise and hiked Acadia Nat’l Park. It was all so wonderful! Being from Texas, we so appreciated the beauty, the charm and the history of it all!!

  89. Elizabeth Mary says:

    Oh, I loved this post and getting a small glimpse of Maine. My family and I are actually headed that way in just a couple of weeks. We are going on a roadtrip from TN to Maine for ten days and I cannot wait! It looks like such a beautiful place and I love all the antique shops and small-town quaintness.

    Thank you for sharing a little peek inside your trip…it was a joy to read!

    Happy October to you! May your week be filled with beauty, joy and happy times!

    • sbranch says:

      You are going to hit so much color! I’m excited for you, you’re going to love it! Thank you Elizabeth Mary!

  90. Mrs, Mary Elizabeth Lawrence aka MiMi says:

    Absolutely love Maine, my son lived there for eleven years, had two darling children while living there. They moved back to Virginia this summer. The snow was too much for them.Adam being a nurse had to plow his driveway every morning at four am. We will always visit . Lovely blog. Mary Elizabeth

  91. Shannon(Pennsylvania) says:

    Thank you, dear heart. We needed this today❤️Hugs.

  92. Luanne says:

    Susan,
    Thank you for this post. While reading it, I was able to, for a bit, escape from the awful reality of this truly horrific day. Thank you my dear!

    As a fellow New Englander (Central Mass formerly Cape Cod), I too have a love for the coast of Maine. My husband & I visit Ogunquit on weekends each August plus here & there throughout the year. I love walking the beaches in winter when snow is on the sand. We love the contrast to hot summer days spent lounging in the beach. We use the York/Ogunquit/Wells area as our base to explore & relax. This past summer we spent some time in the Damariscotta area. Love it!

    Luckily, I get to spend a weekend in Ogunquit in 2 weeks with a close girlfriend. We have a spa day scheduled along with the usual walk on the beach, antique perusing and, best of all, MAINE LOBSTAH! YES!

    Thank you again for this post. It was well needed and well appreciated.

    Take care,
    Luanne

  93. Luanne says:

    Oh, I forgot. Cross stitch kits?? Yes!!!!!!! 🙂
    Luanne

  94. Sally Jenks Roth says:

    This was perfect on such a sad, scary day to remind us of the beauty and goodness in people and places. Thank you!
    It all looked so familiar because my husband and I took a little trip in Maine in early August and visited some of the same places. One place that you’d love is Peaks Island just off Portland via ferry. The 843 people are great and the pace is slow. One taxi, most use golf carts or bikes and there’s a Museum of Umbrella Covers!!
    Hugs from me xoxo

  95. Samantha says:

    Cross stitch kits?!?! Yay!
    And this California girl is SO happy to see your Fall travels. Thank you! I have to live vicariously though the ones who have autumn gorgeousness.

  96. Darlene says:

    Ahhhhhh…so nice! Now I just want to go to Maine!

  97. Jane Franks says:

    Hi Susan! I loved re-living that Maine adventure, too. I just love it up there. My parents rented a big old Victorian “camp” right on a lake every summer with another family with kids our age (my BFF then was one of them) — all girls!! The poor Dads! They loved it though. Two “kings of the hill”. But we did all that stuff you did. I just love driving in those little dirt roads between the trees to get back in to the camp and the lake! Several years ago, I took Gene up to the coast, too, on all those “fingers”. We were hunting (and found) Andrew Wyeth scenes and paintings for Gene, and we were in Damariscotta, too. Isn’t that just the cutest little town? And those big square 19th century farm houses are so Maine! My Mom was born in a brick one up in Buxton! We found it (on the Andrew Wyeth hunting trip), and it was so exciting. The people who owned it then took us inside! Oh, yes, watched Poldark last night. Another sizzling adventure in store!! So good!! Well, I’ll quit chatting and leave room for somebody else! So nice to visit while I’m sitting here working on the bank statements and bills! Jane xoxo

    • sbranch says:

      Hi Jane, so nice to hear from you! Lots of wonderful memories, thank you so much! Maine is something isn’t it?!

  98. Laura says:

    Thanks for the visit. I miss the East coast more and more each year, and especially in the fall.
    I so loved the ocean and high seas in Poldark yet the Maine see is soothing too.
    Enjoy your pumpkins! Stories to find them and now more stories to hold y’all all through the fall as they watch the comings and goings at your doorway.

    • sbranch says:

      We’re going to Cornwall next year, so I think we’ll get a bit of those Poldark views. xoxo

      • Vicki South of Arroyo says:

        Cornwall seems fascinating. It’s been the setting for many a historical, romantic work of fiction. Isn’t that where a lot of the PBS “Doc Martin” is filmed? (Yep, looked it up: Port Isaac, Cornwall; SO very scenic!)

        I also loved how author Rosamunde Pilcher (born in Cornwall) painted a picture of Cornwall in her book, ‘The Shell Seekers’ (made into a Hallmark film at one point starring the great theater/film/TV actress, Angela Lansbury; many scenes were filmed in Cornwall and the Cotswolds). And did you see the movie with Judi Dench and Maggie Smith called “Ladies in Lavender”? Gorgeously filmed in Cornwall (I read, specifically: Cadgwith, Helston, St. Ives and Prussia Cove). Written and directed by a fave actor of mine named Charles Dance who I first remember seeing in PBS’, “The Jewel in The Crown”…

  99. Anne says:

    Thanks Susan,
    Your post brought many happy memories. Such a beautiful part of the country especially in the Fall.
    You have know idea how restorative and inspirational these little gifts are to me.
    Thank you with all my heart,
    Anne

  100. Barbara says:

    Susan, Thanks for the memories ‼️ My late husband and I had our honeymoon in Maine some 56 years ago! 💞 I think instead of Rick Steves Europe we have Susan Branches America! 🙏🏾 For all those who lost loved ones.

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