the Volvo line.... (Bangor, Augusta, Old Orchard Beach: credit, home, movies)

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

I'm very happy on my side of the Volvo line...but I recognize that I would probably be happy on the other side as well. It has more to do with my personality than anything else. What is difficult for me *anywhere* is to see the lives of those driven by their things--how much, how many, what value, is it better than theirs?--SO much is missed in a life driven by those "values", the stuff and the comparison to others rather than the look inside to one's self. I agree wholeheartedly with you Maine Writer--you are rich when you're happy with what you have.

I couldn't agree with you more Mollysmiles.... You manage to put to words all of our thoughts.....

[Maineah]

I begged Cabela's to come to Maine in several letters. I can't wait until they open. LL Bean blew a fortune on their version of a hunting and fishing department attached to the back side of the retail store... Yawn. I still had to order a set of ice creepers for my boots from Cabela's as Bean's didn't have them. (They do now,though it's almost spring!) I really don't know why they bothered trying to put in a "better" hunting and fishing department when it's soooo obvious their heart isn't in it. Beans can sell you nice pink clogs to wear while paddling your kayak around the tidal marsh looking for that elusive snowy egret to take a photo of. Or you can go to Cabela's and get everything you need including the wall tent and stove to live forever in the woods, process what you kill or catch, and be proud you're doing it...... But wait didn't I see Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel standing in a hurricane with a jacket from LL Bean?? My point, (and yours NMLM) exactly! WELCOME TO MAINE CABELA'S

[mollysmiles]

I went to Bean's this year and talked to the guy about tents....told him about the hammock tents I was interested in.... He looked at me like I'd made it all up!

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

I'm very happy on my side of the Volvo line...but I recognize that I would probably be happy on the other side as well. It has more to do with my personality than anything else. What is difficult for me *anywhere* is to see the lives of those driven by their things--how much, how many, what value, is it better than theirs?--SO much is missed in a life driven by those "values", the stuff and the comparison to others rather than the look inside to one's self. I agree wholeheartedly with you Maine Writer--you are rich when you're happy with what you have.

Someone give that woman a box of chocolates!

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

I don't crack up often, but this was priceless:
"I don't think the Volvo line was meant in the granola, Vermont, envrionmentalist, candle dipping, terms associated with the '70's and 80's aging hippies who's children have evolved into the new envrionmentalists"

That is exactly what was meant when the term was first mentioned in the Unorganized Territories Newsletter around 1992. In fact, they had a contest with regular updates to see how far a specific Volvo would get when it came across the line. The terms of the contest were a pink Volvo, driven by a guy with a pony tail, bumper stickers saying "Save the Whales", "Vote Yes on the Compact", "Ban Bear Hunting", RESTORE the North Woods" and "North Woods National Park". The task was to drive said Volvo from Orono to Fort Kent and back. The first one to make it would win $500. There were no takers.

LL Bean abandoned the traditional Maine sportsman and decided to be Lands End about 15 or 20 years ago. They contribute large sums of money to all the yuppie environmental organizations. The customers they drove away eagerly await the opening of Cabelas in Scarborough. There is an article about the new Cabelas in today's Maine Sunday Telegram.

I stand corrected then! I thought it was just another term for Yuppie line! My wife has a friend who lives in Hebron and considers us here in Freeport below the Volvo line. She thinks that we live in the city. Portland is like New York City to her. She thinks we're pretty yuppified, probably because we have a Saab and she lives on a horse farm. (she has a better truck than mine though!)

[Unhappycamper]

Stubborn Pride on both sides make these debates irrational.

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by elston

I have no intention of trying to clean up the folks whose life is connected to the woods.

But those whose life is not "connected with the woods" (however that is defined) need to go?

My philosophy on all of this is simple - if you don't like what somebody is doing with his land, make him a fair offer for it. And if he doesn't want to sell, then bug off.

And if you're a Massachusetts environmentalist who wants to keep Maine your weekend playground in the image that you, in your infinite wisdom, deem is appropriate - well, Old Orchard Beach has a 300-foot pier. Take a 301-foot walk.

[Dangerous Dave]

I thought you all drove Range Rovers up there.....

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave

I thought you all drove Range Rovers up there.....

HEY!!! a Range Rover....a Range Rover???!!!! ick. ick. ick......


My Jeeps laugh at Range Rovers



after I pull them out.

[elston]

Some of the remarks and sentiments on this thread are so hateful and negative that I am not reading anymore; there is more than enough ugly in the world and I choose to avoid it and those who promulgate it. I only wish you could totally ignore the distasteful, but the names and topics keep popping up on the screen.