It’s 65 degrees today and the breeze is steady through the open windows of the cottage. A welcome respite from a couple days of rather unusual heat, at least unusual for here.
It rarely gets in the 80’s in DownEast Maine—much more temperate than summers in Maryland, where the humidity is so awful, thick and sticky. Here, the locals are all red and covered in sweat if it gets much over 75. The hearty folks up here are very much like those back in our new home state, Michigan, and are more at home in the cold than the heat.
After hiking with the kiddos yesterday and spending some time at Sand Beach, we decided to sleep in today, drink coffee, eat bagels from a nearby bakery, and enjoy the cooler morning temps. Yesterday was the sun was quite strong. I supposed because we were so high up in the mountains. After a brisk hike, we headed to the beach, where our little guy waded in tide pools. There were plenty of tourists and locals alike. The Atlantic riptide here is brutal and few went in beyond their waist, although there were a couple surfers enjoying the wind and water.
So I have for you today a pair of watercolor studies, both of Jordan Pond from the Carriage Trail. I think that’s my favorite place to walk in the park for now, while the kiddos are still prone to slipping. I’m hoping to hike some other more challenging hikes with the fella in the future, perhaps when we can sneak away.
I had to paint some white birch. It’s almost a required subject to put down on paper or canvas while here. Since I don’t have my paints, I used ink and watercolor. We have plenty of pine trees in Michigan but the pine trees here in Maine are so full and beautiful, I suppose that’s why Maine is the Pine State.
Evening approaching and the pines are backlit with a lovely sunset.
I’ll be driving back to Traverse City on Thursday and Friday (about 22 hours if the traffic is light). Send me some prayers for safe travel! I’ll be back to work on a commission when I get home and am very excited to have that finished up soon.