Maine was originally part of Massachusetts with settlement by colonists as early as the sixteen hundreds. The relationship with Massachusetts lasted for almost two hundred years but the citizens in the area that would become Maine often felt neglected by the state government. When Massachusetts left the coastline unprotected during the War of 1812 the citizens began to lobby for independence. That break came with the Missouri Compromise when Maine became a free state to balance the slave state of Missouri. In 1820, Maine was officially named the twenty third state in the Union.

Before meeting up with our granddaughter we struck out on our own taking in the glories of the countryside. There is water everywhere in the form of lakes, creeks, rivers and the ocean. The land itself is filled with ancient trees and lovely flowers in the spring and summer. Signs of history as far back as the beginnings of our nation abound. There is a find of unspoken reverence for the preservation of both nature and historic places in the area. 

We were stunned by the presence of so many older individuals and would eventually learn from our granddaughter that an aging population is actually a major concern of the state. The majority of residents are retired and growing older creating problems for the workforce and housing. There are not enough locals young enough to fill the jobs and those who choose to live in Maine find it difficult to find affordable housing. Leaders worry that not enough is being done to encourage younger Americans to embrace the state. 

Bowdoin College is at the center of the town of Brunswick which had been our destination. Its massive campus and student houses dominate much of the main street in the town. Founded just after the American Revolution, it has been a center of education for famous authors, politicians, and entrepreneurs. It is consistently ranked in the top five of liberal arts colleges in the nation, presently at number three. Known as a “Little Ivy” it is home to some of the top students in the country. Only five hundred young men and women are chosen to enter the freshman class each year. The competition is fierce with applicants from all fifty states and from around the world. 

When students arrive for their first year they sign a book that also contains names like Longfellow, Franklin Pierce and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a hero of the Union Army during the Civil War who received a Medal of Honor for his actions at the battle of Gettysburg. Chamberlain would eventually become president of the college as well. 

The time honored traditions at the school continue year after year. All two thousand of the students feast on lobster at the beginning of a new season of study. There are fall athletic competitions between other “Little Ivies” like Amherst and Colby. The faculty members make it a point to get to know each of their students and to guide them on their educational journeys. The school offers opportunities for internships, job placements, and admissions to graduate programs that are unparalleled with a near perfect graduation rate.

Once we met up with our granddaughter we spent a great deal of time exploring the buildings on campus and learning about the school followed by a quick trip to the Giant Steps in Harpswell, one of Maine’s many coastal towns. It was a quaint village nestled on ancient rocks including those that appear to be a stairway for a giant person. The waves crashed on the formations and boats dotted the water in the distance. It was a breathtaking view that I will never forget. It contrasted with the seeming serenity of the white houses on the cliffs that were festooned with summer flowers. No postcard could have better captured the essence of Maine. 

The rest of our day was dedicated to moving our granddaughter’s belongings from her internship apartment to the house in which she will live this school year. Given that we filled the back of our truck four times and made multiple trips up and down the narrow stairs, we were glad that we had decided to come help her. I can’t even imagine how she would have accomplished this alone with only a bicycle to carry her back and forth. 

With group effort we knocked out the work quickly and decided it was time for dinner. She recommended a place called the Salty Dog which was packed with hungry revelers.The menu was massive with a variety of seafood, sandwiches and burgers. I decided to try the shrimp which was quite good while Mike, chose the haddock which was out of this world. The ambiance was lively and lovely with a spectacular view of the river. We enjoyed learning all about the area from our granddaughter and watching the people as they passed by our table. We realized very quickly that the folks in Maine are incredibly friendly. 

We were all tired from the exertion of moving our granddaughter from one place to another so we departed and headed back to the motel to rest up for the coming adventures. We happened to see that one of our favorite movies, Jeremiah Johnson, was showing on television so we of course had to watch it even though Mike had viewed it so many times that he was quoting lines along with the actors throughout the film. Somehow we felt that it had been a perfect day.