The skies were vibrant to the west while at the same time the moon lit up the east sky. It was peaceful to see both while standing in a wide open space. Of course the iphone camera can't really capture the night sky in all it's glory.
Prior to heading to Maine, the weather forecast called for overnight lows in the low 40s. Everyone has been saying how much colder Maine is but if you compare internet statistics it is not much different than upstate NY if not the same. The misinformation on the internet is astounding. It was a chilly first night, I knew it was colder than 40 but I didn't know how much.
A frozen fog hovered over the forest. Ice had formed on my tailgate.
As I later figured out, Maine forecast is a mere guideline. Microclimates and human error account for the variety. The following night was the same. And the one after that. All of which were supposed to be in the 40s but changed their mind and dropped into the 20s.
Morning fires were now mandatory along with the regular evening fires.
Getting to work was a good way to stay warm. Since it was obvious we were going to have a lot of fires, a fire pit was in order.
Now with a comfortable hang out spot our lives could move forward. There's nothing like pooping on a frost covered bucket in the middle of the woods while the sun rises.
The moose grunted in the distant marsh while the morning birds chirped away. In the evenings deer would snort at us from the tree line as our presence was obviously foreign. Coyotes would howl from a different direction every night. A daily hike revealed apple trees, beaver dams and separate ecosystems.
Even cleared and leveled a small section by hand.
There is no rush. No demand. I could get used to this.
"If you want to be free, learn to live simply. Use what you have and be content where you are."
- J. Heider
