Elaine Ash and I exchange books by mail with the frequency that some order Netflix. My most recent borrow from Ms. Ash, Stephen King’s 2008 short story collection Just after Sunset, arrived shortly before I departed for Maine, a place I’ve never been and of course King’s home state. Appropriately, I came to Maine on a mist covered day and it was the perfect ambiance as I settled into bed that night to read “Willa,” the first offering in Sunset’s terrific anthology. Speaking of atmosphere, take a look of this pic my charmer snapped -- I can imagine how incredible this is going to look at the height of summer. When the sun briefly burst through the dense murkiness, we managed to capture a couple of extra pics. Some locals expressed their dismay that we arrived on such a foggy week but to us it was King-creepy ideal.
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32 comments:
Where in Maine will you be traveling? I grew up in the small town of Orono, right outside of Bangor where King lives. As a teenager I resented the place (and still do, to some extent), but am beginning to appreciate what it has to offer more and more everyday. The asphalt jungle of New York has made slightly nostalgic for its secluded atmosphere.
Cullen, I'm only about an hour from Bangor and passed by the sign for Orono while out on a drive today. I'm in Castine which is really quite scenic. I agree that it is secluded, but being from a smalltown in upstate NY, I'm used to peaceful surroundings. And it's great for writing. I'll be in the area for a just a few more days before heading out again.
wow..it's beautiful...and it sure isn't like texas...
Such a wonderful place to spawn all those horrors.
Wonderful peacefulness, David. Just the spot to jot down a few inspired words. Maine is a beautiful state.
Yellowdog, I've spent a good deal of time in Texas and am a fan of the Lone Star state as well... Thanks for stopping by.
Archavist, I've finished the rough draft on my western and polished off two short stories that had been languishing and even sent one in to be published. The vibe here is awesome.
Barbara, The scenic shots here don't even begin to do this place justice. And as I mentioned to Archavist, the creative juices are flowing.
Maine's a place I've always wanted to visit, and your photos have really stirred my envy.
Enjoy your peaceful writing while you can.
I was in Maine for the first time last fall. Portland though and more of a city than Castine, I'm sure.
I haven't been to Maine in years. But it was beautiful!
Patti, It's a very secluded area that houses the Maine Maritime Academy but other than that a very quiet home to maybe five hundred residents. Another distinction is since 1814, the United States's oldest post office in continuous operation is located here.
Maine is another place to which I've always wanted to travel. I feel connection to these kinds of places...
Beautiful photos, David.
You keep hinting at stories that you're writing. When, where?
A good foggy day is worth its weight in imagination.
RReynolds, My dear old Axiom R. friend. This Wednesday, "The Education of a Pulp Writer" will be published by Cindy Rosmus at Yellow Mama. I'm hoping it's worth the wait.
This was the first ever MTM piece from Maine. And now we have two in one week.
Dave,
I'm visiting, even if its by myself. How could I miss out on this, its so breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful looking. My stressed out brain is crying out for a vacation.
Mates
Beautiful, I love the fog/misty shot at the beach. I hope you get to see a moose!
Travis, I'm glad I was able to add a new one to your list.
Mates, I know you would enjoy it but be prepared for quiet because this place is rolling in it.
Reb, Moose is on the wish list. We have seen a red fox which was just incredible and we have been told that bear sightings are routine.
Sure is pretty country!
Well you have two of my favourite things in one post!! I am a very keen Stephen King fan, almost obsessive, so much so that I resent other people having discovered him. The other is a facination with maine, fueled initially by the tales from my singing teacher who came from Maine and who taught me a very useful song listing all 50 of the states. My ambition is still to visit there, on my to do list!!
The pictures are beautiful though the first one looks like something out of one of King's novels. Enjoy your trip to Maine.
lyzzydee, I’ve always been a fan of King but now I’m kinda seeing how he does it. With hardly a distraction and nature as the muse, I was able to get quite a bit written in the last week. One whole story came together in about fifteen hours and three others were polished up that had been hanging around.
I did manage to slip over to Bangor where King’s house has bats, spiders, and webs appropriately adorning his front gate. Too cool.
Maine is the 4th lowest crime state, people are friendly, hardworking and community/family minded. We are all lucky to grow up and live here.
It was a misty afternoon,
shadows lengthening to evening.
The road stretched ahead curved and unwelcoming........
Andrew, You certainly are fortunate and everyone here talks about the next to nothing crime which is an incredible plus.
Cloudia, Great passage. Yours or Kings?
Glad to hear you enjoyed it here! You're a good couple hours away from me, but if ever you pass through Portland, let me know and I'll buy you a drink!
And as another former upstate New Yorker, yeah, Maine's pretty damn fantastic. I couldn't imagine living anyplace else.
Chris, Maybe I will grab that drink on my return. Yeah, the solitude here, nature, people etc are all amazing. I've really taken to it very quickly.
A little less solitude down my way, but the nature and people still can't be beat. And every once and a while, Kat and I go visit her parents up in Kingfield, so I get my dose of quiet (and long country walks) then.
It's fitting that talk here turns to King; I read King like crazy as a kid (starting way too young, no doubt). When I met Kat in college, and she said she grew up in Maine, my first reaction was, "me, too!" Then she convinced me to come up to Kennebunkport one summer and work, and it was pretty much all over from there -- I was hooked.
I've always wanted to visit Maine. After seeing the pics, I'd think of S.King as well.
Chris, Lucky you. I have a current similar adventure I will have to tell you about at some point. I grew up on King as well and without a doubt he's the Poe of our time. Frankly, in many ways he's even better.
D.A., A local resident told me she saw S.K. parked along the side of the road writing one day. She said he sat for about 45 minutes and then moved along.
How much fun to see pictures of Maine on your blog! At first I thought I’d clicked on the wrong URL. I love when my reading synchs with my location which is why I read so many books by Maine authors. I adored King’s book On Writing, but I find his writing too scary to read – a testimony to his skill, no doubt.
It is too bad about your timing as it has been bright and sunny all week, but the coast is pretty in the fog and spooky as you say. I find the long winters are conducive to writing.
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