Maine (sigh)

Peeping time 

The way my friend Watson and I say Maine to each other borders on reverence, almost like speaking in a hushed tone about something sacred. We sigh it out, and just thinking of Maine makes our blood pressure drop.

We had never been in Maine at the same time until a recent October weekend when Watson’s son Paul and his bride Maricka got married at Sebago Lake. 

The venue was Migis Lodge which I pronounced “Midgies” assuming it was a friendly diminutive like Mimi’s. Boy was I wrong. It is pronounced MY-GIS. The guy at the front desk told me it is a Native American word for beautiful place to rest. I doubt that, but it makes a nice selling point for the lodge.

Sebago Lake

Migis Lodge, a popular family resort needs no selling points. Some families rent a cabin at Migi Lodge for the same two weeks every summer generation after generation.  When you arrive you are awed by Sebago Lake, as clear as a Windexed window, surrounded by trees aflame with the colors of oranges, clementines, lemons, pomegranates, and lobster bisque.

Migis Lodge Lobby

Inside the lodge, the dictionary definition of cozy. Leather couches, fireplaces, books. Our room was a grand affair with a four-poster bed, a fireplace, easy chairs, a balcony overlooking the lake, high vaulted ceilings with what looked like brand new cedar wood. But how could that be? Migis was built in 1916.

And the nicest touch, one I have never seen in the hundreds of hotels I’ve stayed in, a Levenger’s lap desk for writing. Intended for use by the fireside, or in bed, or on the balcony, or wherever you happen to find your lap. 

Migis Lodge

Migis Lodge is on 125 acres of Maine forest along 3500 feet of lake shoreline with plenty of athletic activities and short hiking trails. 

Okay I admit, I head for the ocean every time I go to Maine. I have eschewed lakes and forests. How narrow minded of me. Maine has 6000 lakes and ponds, and 90 percent of the state is forested, something  I've ignored, instead hugging the coastline, which is so very huggable.  Migis Lodge made see what I’ve been missing. 

The wedding party

The wedding weekend was beautiful and fun, the food was delicious, the guests were a mix of astoundingly fit grandparents, people who never have never to Maine, and well-dressed gen Xers from Boston where the bride and groom live. Paul has a successful career, Maricka is a soon-to-be medical doctor and the world is their Pemaquid oyster. 

 How nice to experience three days of pure joy, hope, and optimism. 

Higgins Beach

We flew into in Portland a day early, and had a Japanese lunch at Miyake with my delightful 86-year-old cousin Zandy who regularly dances the tango. We stayed overnight at the Higgins Beach Inn with a wonderful restaurant called Shade. Higgins Beach is far different from my childhood home, Old Orchard Beach; it is devoid of carnival rides, skeeball, and French Canadians in Speedos. 

Higgins Beach

We made the mandatory stop at the flagship LL Bean in Freeport. When we asked the greeter where to have lunch she said "Go to The Tuscan Brick Oven. It’s decent.” She was right, nothing more and nothing less. It is not a good time to go to LL Bean. A new building is under construction, and the interim location, which looked like a tent, reminded me of shopping at Nordstrom Rack. 

Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery

We drove to Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta to visit the grave of my birthmother, whom I did not know existed until I was 38. I sat by her marker on a warm sunny fall day, brushed the leaves off her head stone, left some flowers, and thanked her for the gift of life. 

You can read a bit more on that story here.