Our vacation in Maine this year (the 4th in a row since we went back to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in 2017, this is the house where we spent our honeymoon) was very very different from previous years. For one thing, there is the pandemic. And, while Maine has very low case numbers, we were still quite cautious about doing the things we usually do like going out to eat and shopping. And for two, Dale’s mobility is limited. This house, which I adore, is on a gravel road, with somewhat uneven steps and a significant slope down to the front door. Those things do not make it easy for a guy with a broken leg to get in and out.

I knew all of this going in, of course. Dale and I discussed several times whether we should go, knowing that we wouldn’t be able to do some of the things we have always done . . . taking walks together every day, both on the beach and through the neighborhood was off the table, in addition to the other things I’ve already mentioned. I figured I’d be okay with the restrictions. I figured sitting on the porch and enjoying the beautiful view with books and Dale would be just fine.

I was both right and wrong about that.

I really really missed walking on the beach and walking in the neighborhood. I know I could have gone by myself, Dale even encouraged me to do it, but it just felt . . . wrong. I had no desire to do that without him by my side to talk with about all the little things that come up on a walk, to show pieces of beach glass to, to exclaim over unique rocks and admire pretty gardens, and dream about the house we would buy if we won the lottery.

I’ll be perfectly honest and say it took a few days to adjust to the changes and hit my stride. By Tuesday, though, I was good with it. I resigned myself to being the one who would run out alone for supplies as needed. I, somewhat grudgingly, accepted that the extra cooking was okay because we got to dine al fresco with a wonderful view every night. And I recognized that while shopping can be fun, there wasn’t anything new under the sun I was likely to find, even if my cocktail napkin supply is in desperate need of replenishing and gift shops are the perfect place to find them.

But enough of this. Want to see some pictures? Because it really was a lovely week.

The night we arrived was cool and we retreated inside for Friday Night Snacks.

And a fire!

After that, though, the days were warm and the nights were comfortable. We usually go in June and July was much different as far as the weather.

We did have a wonderful visit with Kim and Ken, we visited the Farmer’s Market together and had a great afternoon on our porch and an early dinner together before they headed home.

Other than that, though, it was lots of reading and porch sitting.

Dale remarked at one point, there’s not much going on but there sure is a lot to see. That made me laugh because it’s just so true when it comes to gazing out at the bay in front of this house. There’s lots to see: sailboats and speed boats, loons and sea gulls and even a black duck and duckling, fish swirling, people watching, and more.

We ate just fine, I grilled a few times. (Please note, my hair hasn’t been this long since . . . I can’t even remember. I really need to get over my apprehension and get a haircut.)

And we had lobster, of course. First, hot with butter. And then also lobster rolls.

Pretty much each afternoon looked like this.

And each evening looked like this.

It was different. And ultimately good for us. The distractions at home, the news, the mail, the television, were all stripped away and it was just us. And once I accepted the changes as positive it turned out to be a pretty great week.