Reflecting on the Pond

On this our final day in our little home on the lake, I have been reflecting on the past two weeks here at Embden. And while the cabin was less than perfect I did come to respect it. It is a lot like the people we’ve met in the north woods, rugged and hearty, weather beaten on the outside, warm and friendly on the inside.

I will miss watching the reds and pinks of dawn paint their morning masterpiece as the fog slowly gathers. I will miss the haunting cry of the loons and the mallards that were always willing to pose for pictures. (Family, take note!) I might even miss the crows who cawed incessantly overhead insisting that all living things should begin their day…NOW. I will miss the stands of birch staged in a brilliant display of silver against the dark greens of hemlocks and pine and the surprise of rounding a bend in the road and being gifted with an amazing view of mountains and lakes.

The weather has been close to perfect with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s and 70s during the day to 40s and 50s at night. Shear bliss after the sweltering Florida summer we left behind. Evening the rainy days were welcome reminders to slow down and enjoy the ride.

The lakes of the north woods are blue from afar and crystal clear upon close inspection. We refrained from diving in, as the water was a bit too cool for our southern blood. But it didn’t stop the natives. We watched from the comfort of our porch as they frolicked in the lake oblivious to the chill that greeted them.

We traveled north and west exploring two lane roads that wind up mountains and dip into the valleys below. There were deer and moose and even a few wild turkeys along the way. Small farms dot the landscape and produce stands function on the honor system. Every home sports a satellite dish, a pick up truck with a plow blade and woodpiles as high as the Empire State Building.

I have decided that I wouldn’t want to live here but it was an amazing place to visit and I might like to visit again one day. However, we would do a couple of things different. The lake would actually contain fish and rental boats of some kind would be available; the cabin, the cabin would have comfortable furniture and a state of the art kitchen (or perhaps just a sharp knife or two).

After today I don’t know when I will be able to post again. We are traveling north to Millinocket and Baxter State Park. There is a hotel, but at $59/night and no pet fee, expectations are low. We have found that the local libraries all seem to have wireless internet that can be accessed from the street. Perhaps Millinocket has a library.

On Saturday we head “Down East,” otherwise known as the northern coast of Maine. I have no idea what to expect, but I know that it will be an adventure. I also know there is lobster in my future and it will be “wicked” good!

Until next time.