Yesterday was a lovely, hot summer day with a blue sky, puffy clouds, a slight breeze, and not a hint of humidity. To paraphrase a Facebook friend, yesterday’s weather more than made up for the misery of March, and it’s why people come to Maine in July. So far, summer in Maine has been splendid, and may it continue.
The first order of the day was to go on an eight-mile bike ride. Slowly, slowly, Clif and I are building up our strength. But after two years of being sedentary, we can’t expect to be super bikers after only two months of steady riding. Still, I am impatient to be the strong biker I once was, and by the end of the summer, I hope to be going on much longer rides.
Our town sponsors summer concerts at Norcross Point, a little park by the lake in town. This week’s featured group was The Sandy River Ramblers, and they play bluegrass and country music. We therefore decided to bring a picnic lunch to have after our bike ride and then go to the concert, which started midafternoon.
We ate at the Winthrop’s Public Beach, just down from Norcross Point. When our children were young, we spent many happy summer days here, and it was fun to watch children and their families swim and play in Marancook Lake.
After our lunch, we headed to Norcross Point. The Sandy River Ramblers comprise two men and two women. The men had decent enough voices, but my how those women could sing. “She’s a good-hearted woman with a good timing man. She loves him in spite of his wicked ways, which she doesn’t understand.” The downfall of many a woman.
Unfortunately, The Sandy River Ramblers don’t have a website, and their Facebook page isn’t up to date. Also, there was no program. The long and the the short of it is that I am not able to identify any of the singers.
Ah, well, the concert was free, and it was a fine thing to listen to this band on such a nice day. We sat in the shade of a flowering tree.
Two boys played soccer at the edge of the park. In matching smocks with smiley faces, little twin girls ran by, tumbling over each other like puppies. On a nearby swing set came a steady creak, creak, creak and the laughter of children. By the lake, a boy rested on a large branch of a birch tree. And on the lake, there was a cluster of boats full of people who had come to listen to the music as it carried over the water.
A day in Maine in the summer.
Notes From the Hinterland 
We have been lucky enough to have what I always think of as a “real” Maine summer, with warm days and cool nights. Can’t get any better than that! Good luck on your biking, it’s the perfect summer for it!
First time in many summers. May this “real” Maine summer continue.
What a beautiful day Laurie, Maine is sparkling in the Summer sun 🌞💜 xxx
Thanks, Xenia!
I want to know if the gentleman was nude sun bathing! Sounds like lots of fun. The stamina does not come as quickly as we get older but the time and effort will be worth it especially with the other activities you manage to add in and beautiful scenery to capture.
No nude sunbathers 😉
It sounds idyllic.
A lovely day.
Don’t worry about being as good as you were, just do enough to improve on where you are now. The rest will come. 🙂
Ah, exactly – Compare yourself to last month – not 10 years ago.
Will do!
Yes, yes. I’m too impatient, I know.
It can be very difficult can’t it? I always see mpatience as part of creativity so I suppose you’ll have to live with it.
Yes, and as I will be turning 60 in September, I don’t hold much hope of ever becoming a patient person. Still, patience is a trait I admire.
Patience is good in other people. I generally take a book when I’m going to need patience, but this has obvious drawbacks when cycling. 🙂
Tee-hee! If I read while riding on the road, I probably wouldn’t have to worry about being impatient anymore 😉
🙂
And, it was a perfect day for sure. 🙂 We worked outside in the morning and ate dinner out at the golf course last night on their deck. It was perfect, and as I was basking in the 81 degrees and 33% humidity thinking this is why people come to New England. May we have many more beautiful days. 🙂
Yes, yes! Let’s put in our order.
Wow – what a lovely, descriptive scene you have described! “Two boys played soccer at the edge of the park. In matching smocks with smiley faces, little twin girls ran by, tumbling over each other like puppies. On a nearby swing set came a steady creak, creak, creak and the laughter of children. By the lake, a boy rested on a large branch of a birch tree. And on the lake, there was a cluster of boats full of people who had come to listen to the music as it carried over the water.”
Thanks so much, Jodie. The writer in me is always looking around, even when I should be just listening to music. Can’t seem to help it. 😉
Looks like a beautiful summer day in Maine, Laurie. A beautiful description of it!
Thanks, Lavinia. By the by, I am following your blog, but I never seem to get notice of new posts. I wonder why.
Sweet days of summer!
Oh so sweet.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/bluegrass.parkway/videos/?ref=page_internal Mick O’Neill on banjo is Sam’s father in law
Oh, goodness! Thanks for sending the link. I really enjoyed the music.
I think that video is quite an old one. They do come over to the States
Yes, I think I saw that the date was 1990 something or other.
THIS is why people love New England! It does sound perfect, in every aspect, and you did a great job capturing that!
Thanks, Kerry! Maine is certainly grand in the summer.
Sounds like a perfect summer day.
Oh, a beautiful day.
Oh Laurie, that sounds like the most perfect day!
It certainly was!
How fantastic that you’re so committed to the cycling. And bravo to the brilliant verbal and photo images you’ve created here. You completely transported me to happy July days growing up in Maine!
Aww, thanks, Melissa!