I promised to publish this post a million years ago. I’m not sure why I haven’t yet, but better late than never.

The cottage in Maine has a guest book that renters sign at the end of their trip. They typically write about how they spent their time there, what places are good to eat, how many trips into Rockland they took and always about how they never want to leave.

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Aaaand here’s another one! I wrote this the night before we left from our too-short trip to the Octagon Cottage over Memorial Day weekend.

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I knew traveling to Maine with an infant would be different. What I didn’t know is how I could on being here, always being the same.

The cottage and its picturesque setting, the sounds of the birds and the waves, the smell of the salt… the fire. Sure, I’m a mother now and I have certainly changed, but the emotions and feelings that I have when I’m here, have not.

Our daughter’s first trip to the cottage. Teary moments for me as I told her about how this very structure was built by the hands of her Great Grandfather Gets and Great Uncle Sandy. How I explained they’re certainly looking down at her from above and smiling. At only 9-months old, she won’t remember this trip to the cottage, but we will. And we’ll certainly tell her time and time again about the first time she put her teeny feet on the rocks, took a bath in the sink, sat on the deck in the sun, warmed up by the fire, and crashed for the night exhausted by the fresh, salty air. While every trip to Maine has special meaning to me, this one, sharing it with Lyla, is a little extra special.

We invited our dear friends, The LilFoot’s, to join us and spend the (always) too short vacation here at the cottage. LFM plans on writing after me so I’ll let her elaborate, but I think they too have felt the magic and fabulous spirit of Maine. Especially here, at the Octagon.

Too short a trip for any big adventures, but we did manage to squeeze in an hour at the Car & Air show at The Owl’s Head Transportation Museum, lunch in Rockland, an afternoon photo session at Marshall Point Light, and a short hike to Pebble Beach. We’ve already planned our next trip to include a journey to Pemaquid Point and perhaps a Kayak adventure (2.5 hour guided tour from $55 out of Port Clyde).

Sad to see the Dip Net closed, but heard the owner of the General Store will be opening a restaurant this season. We had lunch at Farmers. Food was great, people were kind, atmosphere okay, but definitely was not Port Clyde harbor.

As I do each year, I will leave here with tears in my eyes tomorrow morning – watching the blue and white kitchen curtains fade in the rear window as we head down the driveway. I never know when I’ll return to the cottage, but I do know that I definitely WILL; back to create new memories and reflect on the previous ones we’ve made.

Thank you, Barbara, Ann, Ruth & Gets. I’m so lucky to be able to share this place. I’m forever grateful to you all.

Love,
Allyson