01/31/2024
Thank you for your many, many e-mails and messages inquiring about Maine. I can't answer all your questions personally, so please forgive me and read on.
Ironically, Jeff took this photo of me on our front porch at the end of September (2023). I was sipping tea and eating breakfast and telling him how thankful I felt that our 100-year-old cottage stood many feet above John's Bay (straight shot to the Pemaquid Point and bold Atlantic), that we have 100 feet of stone ledge, tidepools, a bluff, and a hedge of bayberries protecting us. I had no idea what was to come.
My research uncovered the facts about a huge storm that occurred along the Maine coast in 1978. High tides, strong winds, snow, a powerful surge, and more. Records were set, but since then, though we've had storms, they haven't compared to the 1978 onslaught.
Until January 2024. A new moon, rain, storm surge, King tides, and powerful winds stirred the seas behind me to 40-foot waves. The surge pushed the peaceful waters of Little Harbor on our inland side, over a causeway, and across our neighbor's property to deposit traps, buoys, lines, shingles, pieces of a camp, chairs, and a twenty foot long gangway. Oh, and I didn't mention an outhouse too?
The huge waves broke over our 100 feet of ledge, surmounted the bluff, washed across our yard and UNDER (thank goodness) our cottage and down the front of our property to fill the parking lot till it looked like a lake.
Yes, we had damage, but NOTHING compared to what many lobstermen and fishermen, and other homeowners suffered. I am grateful that our dear red cottage still stands
I wish we could be there to help all the strong people of Maine begin a long, hard clean-up and assessment of total damages. Until we return there I will remember this peaceful morning in late September. The warm sun on my back, a chipmunk at my feet, birds flocking to the feeder beside me, and the peaceful waters of John's Bay lapping at the shore.
