Well, here goes. The start to our trek North to Maine, our new home-state.

[ben young]

here in Pittsburg NH at the top of the state, 1 and 1A hunting sections, I don't think I know anyone who doesn't have a generator.
If you have a furnace or on the grid. You don't want to lose power when its 10,15 ,20, or more below zero
But many folks also have wood stoves.

[Cuffler]

Originally Posted by bizcuit

I am very much enjoying reading about your transition to life in Maine. Your new life sounds so idyllic.

Thanks. I decided early on in our quest to share some of what we encountered along the way. It has been an odyssey of sorts with so many challenges to overcome. As for Idyllic, from your fingers to God's ears. It'll be idyllic the first morning I wake up with all the excess stuff we brought here all sorted and disposed of and our two cars enjoying the heated garage they were meant to share! Of course I've never been a guy who had nothing to do but once, just once in the remaining years I have I'd love to see what that feels like!

Really, in the quiet of 5:45 in the morning, when the blood red cardinals are at the feeder 3' from the window and the Jays are arguing with the squirrels for seeds, but there are no other noises to distract me, that's when I feel that I've found an idylic life after all. There's a rush of wind in the tops of the firs and I'm transported to our favorite site in Blackwoods. We've begun conversations about maybe never camping again as we are already......here.....in our beloved woods.

I'm also extremely proud of my wife and I for pulling off what began as a conversation 5 years ago on a trip home from camping in Acadia when I suggested we move to Maine, just to plant the seed. I told here I had a very sad feeling every time we hit the bridge on the way home. But, tilling that hard soil was tough but, eventually, she knew we'd end up here.....and now we are. That sign that says "Welcome Home" was meant for me.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by Cuffler

I told here I had a very sad feeling every time we hit the bridge on the way home.

I feel the same. Every time I have visited. And I know nobody in the areas in which I frequent. I'm not even talking the pretty areas like Acadia. Maine gets in your system and you can't get it out. The cliche slogan is right.

[spiderhands]

I have read your story from the beginning. My husband and I fell in love with Maine in 2017 and his health was just so much better. He is originally from upper state NY and I was born and raised in GA. I've lived all over the world. We want to retire in or near Lubec. Covid forced us to stay here in GA, or we would have purchased a home by now. I fear the run-up on home prices and the sales speed might have us lose a few homes we really liked. We already sold our home here and are renting so we can be as mobile as possible.

Thank you for sharing your story! I have learned so much from this!

I look forward to being a Mainer soon!

[CARas2020]

What an awesome adventure you have had. Enjoy that peace and quiet. I would love to look out my window and see cardinals and listen to jay's squawking. Do you see many deer?

[Cuffler]

Some deer. I have a driveway sensor for when people drive in. At midnight it might ring a dozen times when the deer are walking across it.

I swear i saw a young moose about a month ago for just a fleeting second. I recognized it's haunches, different than deer, but I may have been wrong. I did see a fox, however!