All four seasons, rocky coasts, lobster rolls, what better way to describe the place I call home? Maine is a one-of-a-kind state. It turns heads once people find out that you're from there and people usually say things along the lines of "I have a camp there!" or "You must not be used to warm weather then" or "You have really good lobster" and even the occasional "What's Maine?" Sometimes the easiest way to answer that question is to say "In New England, pretty much a part of Canada," then people will understand.
Most stereotypes you hear about Maine are probably true. Yes, we do have really good lobster and you won't find it this good anywhere else. If you're ever in Maine I think everyone knows the thing you need to do is to try a lobster roll. I don't mean go to McDonald's and get their kind of lobster roll (which I highly doubt is even real lobster meat), I mean go to one of the local restaurants in Portland or Bar Harbor and pick one up, it'll probably be the cheapest (and best) lobster roll you'll ever get. Another stereotype is that we have all dirt roads and drive tractors or ride horses to school. Believe it or not, we do actually have modern day transportation. As for paved roads, well, most of our roads are paved, but up north there are dirt ones. Another stereotype that isn't exactly true is that we all live in small cabins or shacks. Yes, in some parts of Maine you will find houses like that, but if you drive along the coast you will see tons of beautiful, million dollar houses that have gorgeous views. With that being said, I must put it out there that southern Maine and northern Maine are two completely different worlds, and by southern Maine, I really just mean the coast. 50 percent of Maine's population lives on the coast, which means, as you probably already know, there isn't much in the rest of Maine. That's where you get to the stereotypical Maine with dirt roads, moose, and people who only wear camouflage and need subtitles when they speak. Most people on the coast have never even heard of most of the towns in northern Maine.
Portland is our "big city" of Maine. There are no skyscrapers or billboards and all of the buildings are brick (because the city of Portland burned down three times before people realized it would be a good idea to build the buildings with something that wasn't flammable). It's the tourist destination of Maine where cruise ships and planes come in which, for the locals, is their least favorite thing about the summer. In Portland, there are hundreds of unique restaurants and shops. It's also the home of MECA (Maine College of Art) so you will find quite a few art galleries and sculptures around the city. Art Walk is an event that takes place the first Friday of every month where all of the art galleries are open, the art museum has free admission, and there are tons of people out on the sidewalk selling their different pieces of art ranging from things such as paintings and photographs to handmade jewelry and clothing. There are also performers such as dancers, musicians, and even sometimes people playing with fire. It brings thousands of people to the city.
Another favorite for people all over Maine are to go to the various lakes and ponds around the state, specifically Sebago Lake. Sebago Lake is popular because it's big and super clean. You won't find that gross muck and grass at the bottom of the lake like you'd find in most ponds and lakes. The sand isn't muddy either, it's big grains of sand. You could swim out to well over being able to touch and you would still be able to see the bottom. Sebago is the water source of southern Maine, which is another thing great about Maine that most people don't get the luxury of having: nice, clean, and DRINKABLE tap water! A lot of other states have questionable/gross-tasting tap water (like Florida, I wouldn't recommend drinking Florida's tap water).
If you ever visit Maine there are a few food items you need to try that you won't find anywhere else. Amatos is a small but well-known sandwich shop, famous for its Italian sandwiches. If you aren't from New England you've probably never heard of an Italian sandwich, but other places know them as Hoagies. Not only should you try an Italian sandwich at Amatos, but also the Pazzo Bread. It's basically cheesy garlic bread but it's 10 times better than what you're thinking. Another is red hotdogs, yes, red hotdogs. They're literally just hotdogs that are dyed red, but something about them makes them so much better than regular old hotdogs. The snap they have when you take a bite is what makes them so satisfying.
To wrap it all up, my favorite parts of Maine (and I'm sure many others') are the gorgeous views and scenery. Not many other places in the country can you get the big blue ocean and then not too far away have green mountains. For Mainers, it's an odd thought that there are people that live in states in the middle of the country who don't have access to an ocean. I live five minutes away from the ocean and could go to about 10 different beaches within the span of 20 minutes. The rocky east coast is unbeatable. Maine's sunsets are also some of the best, I believe. In the fall, driving on roads and especially through the mountains, you get to see all of the trees mottled with different colored leaves that make it look as though it were a painting. In the winter, the sticky snow that attaches to the bare trees and power lines outlines everything in white. Not many places in the country do you get a chance to experience all four seasons. Not many places do you get to go to the beach in the morning and then go hiking in the afternoon. Not many places do you get the city and then the countryside within minutes.
Maine is so unique and Mainers are so incredibly lucky to be able to call such a beautiful, safe state home. The younger generation always talks about wanting to leave just to experience new things, but no matter what, it will always be our home and we will always be proud to be from such a great place.
