“What do you want to do on the last weekend before school starts?” Kurt asked me this past Saturday morning.
“I’m not sure,” I said. “Let me think about it.”
This is a tougher question than it may seem. I’ve definitely felt the ratcheting up of tension over the past week–the feeling of the walls closing in and everything funneling inexorably toward the onset of the tyranny of the school year. Did I want to do something big and bold or something low-key and relaxed?
After thinking for a while, I suggested, “Why don’t we get up early tomorrow and go to Morse Mountain?”
“Sure,” Kurt said, “Why don’t we take a picnic?”
“Perfect!” I said.
Saturday was busy with errands and some family visits, but we tucked in time to swing by the store and pick up some goodies for our upcoming picnic: baguette, goat cheese, apples, grapes, etc. I couldn’t remember the last time I had even been on a picnic, and my anticipation was mounting.
“This is such a great idea!” I said more than once to Kurt.
On Sunday we were packed and out the door by shortly after 8 am. Morse Mountain is one of our favorite places along the Maine coast. You hike about two miles in and are then rewarded with an amazing stretch of pristine beach. The distance to the beach, along with limited parking, means that it is never crowded and it is always beautiful.
We set off cheerfully, picnic foods and blanket stowed in our backpacks. We hiked up and down through forest and past a few marshy areas. We detoured up for a scenic view from the summit, and then traveled back down toward the beach.
Finally, the trail opened up from forest to oceanside. As soon as I set foot on the beach, I knew we’d done the right thing. It felt as if my whole being simply expanded along with the view. It was the perfect place to be. An antidote to all things closed-in and constricting.
“This,” I said to Kurt, gesturing at the scene before us. “This is what I’m going to picture in the coming weeks and months, whenever I feel like I’m starting to frazzle and unravel.”
We set off, walking barefoot along the shore. A huge raft of some kind of ducks was floating along, a dark mass of bodies, moving parallel to the shore. There had to be hundreds of them! Next, we were delighted to see dozens of seal heads popping in and out of the water. The sun was warm on our skin, but there was a hint of chill in the breeze. The skies were cobalt blue, and the small bits and bobs abandoned by the receding tide yielded lots of treasures, and created fascinating patterns. Every so often we stopped to pick up sand dollars (mostly in pieces) and shells. We let the sound of the surf and our splashing feet wash over us.
Over and over again I thought, “Yes, this is where I need to be right now.”
After a long hunger-ripening walk, we stopped to spread our blanket and set up our picnic. Reclining on the sand, we stared at the ocean and chatted about this and that. Mostly we just soaked up the sun and the view.
“It’s going to be hard to leave,” I finally said, after we were done eating.
“Yeah,” Kurt agreed.
Eventually, heaving a few sighs, we packed up. Then, after one long backward glance at the ocean, we turned toward the trailhead and the two-mile return hike.
It was time to get going.
Nix the comfort zone 
Thanks for the reminder of the importance to have adventures like a picnic hike. With the memory of this day in your back pocket, I predict you will have a glorious school year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pretty sure I’m going to be adding some more picnic hikes to our autumn itinerary. It really was the perfect way to send off summer in style! Hope your year’s off to a great start as well.
LikeLike
You did a great job of “ratcheting DOWN” the first days tension with that wonderful day of taking in nature’s wonders. I wish you the best this school year. Here’s to another good day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It’s all too easy for me to ratchet up and stay at that level. I like your reference to “another good day”–it makes me think of stacking one good day on top of another. One day at a time 🙂
LikeLike
I’m so glad you had this particular day before all the other looming domino days started crashing down on you. I’m so glad you have this particular someone who knows you so well and who helped you find a way to protect your sanity.
Best wishes for a fantastic school year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mary Lee! Me, too! And now, we’re off and running!
LikeLike
That’s one for Kurt! Great idea to hike at Morse Mountain. And to chill with a picnic! Love it. You recommended this hike and beach to Hannah and me years ago. It was a great getaway to Bath and passing by the Hyde School. First day of school. However nervous teachers are, triple that for the kids. Good luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a stunning stretch of beach. Unspoiled Maine beauty!
LikeLike
Beautiful! I felt like I was there. Love that you shared it with seals!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We thought they were lobster pots at first because there were so many of them! I love the whiskers on that one–too funny!
LikeLike
I LOVE MAINE. How beautiful. Now I know when I return next summer to head straight to Morse Mountain. Glad you had a day to revel in beauty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Warning–bring bug spray! It wasn’t bad when we were there, but it tends to be by far the most buggy hike of any I’ve encountered. I can’t wait to hear if you make it there 🙂
LikeLike
Molly, this is beautiful. I’m so glad you decided to go here for your last day. I was happy to see the scenic view from the summit because it helps to imagine the two-mile hike and getting to the pristine beach. Wow! I wish I was able to say with Joanne, “…next summer to head straight to Morse Mountain.” May this gift carry you through many of the frazzling and unraveling moments in the months ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really was a gift of a day, Denise. Thanks!
LikeLike
The photos are gorgeous. I hope this time in nature is a balm in the coming months and that you seize opportunities to return as often as possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Glenda. The beach is an amazing stretch of unspoiled coastline. The expansiveness of it was just what I needed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A perfect place. A perfect day. Gorgeous photographs. Enjoyed your description. Especially love, “We let the sound of the surf and our splashing feet wash over us.” There is something about walking along the edge of the ocean that calms the soul and lifts the spirit. The Oregon coast is beautiful like the Maine coast, and I never can get enough of it. We spend two week each year during the off season when the prices are down and the crowds have dispersed–one in spring and one in fall. “Our place” is a beach front house that looks on the surf from nearly every room, I can hear the roar of the surf from the beach-side deck. And even when it storms, it is so breath-takingly beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your beach house sounds wonderful! We have only visited Oregon once, but we loved it and noticed many similarities with Maine. We actually spent one night at the coast–it was chilly and foggy, but still beautiful!
LikeLike
I feel like I can breathe deeper just from your words and photos! What a perfect way to end summer break and recharge for the school year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I told my husband that I think we need to make it a tradition. Then, later that evening a FB memory popped up and it turns out we hiked the same place last year on the exact same day! We’d both totally forgotten!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photos you share always catch my breath. You bring us to the moments with you and show us the place. I have added a new spot on my wish list for Maine. I was just chatting with a friend whose family lives in the Bangor area, and she was telling me about all the things she loves about Maine when she goes to visit. You live in an absolutely breathtaking place, and you know how to appreciate the beauty of it and soak it all in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a transplant (going on over 30 years now!) and am thankful every day to live here. It’s always a toss up between enjoying an old favorite beautiful place and exploring somewhere new!
LikeLike