Checking social media activity and book stats became an unhealthy preoccupation for me this summer. The hyper-communication of book promotion had my brain stuck in overdrive. I was pretty exhausted. How lucky I am to have Maine’s summer at my door to provide respite.  
 
Over the years, thanks to excellent plan-ahead friends (a skill we lack), Jonathan and I have canoed Lobster Lake, the West Branch of the Penobscot, and lovely Donnell Pond; we’ve camped at South Branch Pond and skied Maine’s Huts and Trails in good company. Most recently, we discovered a stretch of Maine coastline that took our breath away and helped me break the spell of electronic addiction.
 
I might vote for Cobscook Bay, a lesser-known destination, as the most dramatic stretch of Maine’s 3500 miles of coastline. Quoddy Head lighthouse, the easternmost point in the US, is a popular stop. I’d been, twice! But I had never walked the coastal trail that begins right at the lighthouse. On day one, we walked in and out of an expressive fog that added texture to the stunning scenery.
 
Have you ever seen a “fogbow?” That’s all I can think to call it. A white rainbow, made of fog. Never seen anything like it.
 
Maine’s “Bold Coast” was our second day destination. It’s a long schlep through the woods to the shore, but worth every step for the jaw-dropping cliffs and crashing waves that you’ll reach. It helped that we had sparkling sunshine on a high tide surf creating a roaring soundtrack to accompany our hike. I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.
 
Thanks, Maine. I am renewed.