This place is the place! I could write long and enthusiastically of that other place, or even, another place – I’ve been to both and loved them dearly, but THIS place is MY place of dreams…

I am a simple man. I do not require anything extraordinary of any place. Ostentatious surroundings or furnishings have no place in my priorities.  Peaceful, but not too isolated is what I like. Laughter, but not too loud is best.  Friendly, but not too familiar, artsy, but understandable, comfy, but affordable, bright, but not blinding, challenging, but not overwhelming.  And, a moderate climate, please…

Beautiful.  Inspiring.  In fact, I am here, vacationing in the place of which I write.  Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It is a place where the sea, and all the wonderful things it provides, joins with the land of lush vegetation and trees, with hills and twists and turns of narrow roads, and an "indigenous" people who have their own ways, their own history, points of view, independence, personalities and, of course, accent.

 

Let me quote the old adage, “opposites attract”.  Indeed! This place is so special to me because it is essentially opposite of my own place. Texas.  Oh, we Texans have our special places, our cuisine, our music and places to hang out with others.  Never let it be said that we don’t know how to have a good time!

But, Boothbay Harbor, is an oasis of wonderful things I do not get to enjoy often.  Lobstah (lobster spelled phonetically) is a prime example.  I very seldom eat lobster; I refuse to spend that much money on something I must dip in butter to enjoy.  But, the pleasure I get from watching my wife and others crack those claws and suck the various parts brings me much joy (until the bill comes, of course).  I’m a fried clam and scallop man, not too far from my fried shrimp and oyster DNA roots on the Gulf coast.

Another favorite of the area is the sea.  This old sailor loves the sea and all the things it welcomes.  Those moored boats of all shapes and sizes are mesmerizing to me.  Those boats with sails almost inspire me to “come about” (a common sailing term for a directional change), raise a spinnaker, and sail that coast of jagged rocks and lighthouses.  On the other hand, I find less challenging pleasures in boarding the whale watch boats and sipping a local beer whilst watching those marvelous creatures do their show.  “Coming again” wins out over “coming about” with this now RV landlubber tourist!

Of course, the beautiful old buildings along the narrow streets go right to my heart.  Being long a homeowner, I know that the maintenance on those old homes and stores is not easy or cheap, but the citizens of Boothbay show pride and diligence in their ownings.  Inside many are art galleries and antique collections worthy of note.  How often does our marital debate involving “want vs. need” arise in such days of visitation. Old book shops are a big interest for my wife while I enjoy the ambiance and moderate weather outside…

Just outside of town, the Botanical Gardens offer the guest the best walks anywhere.  What a wonderful, beautiful display of local vegetation. May I use the word “inspiring” again? In this case, however, wife and I have no debates on what we should try growing at home. It would NOT grow in Texas. Forgetaboutit!

 
Indeed, for me, Boothbay Harbor is THE place!  On the other hand, full disclosure:  While I have visited Boothbay Harbor on several occasions, I have never visited between Halloween and May.  There is a chance my praise might not be as enthusiastic if I visited in winter.  In that case, expect praise of another place as the place for me.  That would likely be Akaroa on the South Island of New Zealand. Akaroa is a place much like this place, but in the Southern Hemisphere.  As did the old fisherman dream of the lions playing on the beach (“The Old Man and the Sea” – E. Hemmingway), in my sleep, I dream of Akaroa…