MY MAINE PLACES

I love to tell stories about states, places and people using words that rhyme. This is my hobby and these are my stories.                               

		MAINE VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

                                                                            

 The far northeastern corner
of this great country USA
A vacation land for all to enjoy
From Fort Kent to Casco Bay.

The lobsters of Maine
Are the best you can eat
Baked boiled or in a stew
The meat is tender and sweet.

Potatoes of Aroostook
Are delicious in every way
An important part of a diet
You should eat some every day. 

From Kittery to Cape Elizabeth
The sandy beaches abound
Continue on toward Eastport
And it’s rockbound coast to be found. 

 Come to Old Orchard Beach
When you want to have a ball
For day or night time fun
It’s the  most popular place of all. 

There are rivers and lakes galore
Seven thousand and a few more
The water is sparkling bright
For swimming and boating just right.

 Sugarloaf is the place to be
When you have the urge to ski
When the winter snow is deep
And the slopes are very steep.

The Maine state bird and tree
Are the white pine and chickadee.
For decorating your castle
Use the state flower
White pine cone and tassel.

MOUNT DESERT ISLAND

		Mount Desert Island VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Great Bar Harbor Fire
Consumed everything in its path
Three long weeks in 1947
Islanders faced natures wrath.

Beautiful Acadia National Park
Forty four miles of rugged shore
Mountains, lakes and a fjords
Preserved by efforts of George Dorr.

Traveling up Mount Cadillac
Driving, biking or on horseback
From the bottom to the summit
The variety of landscape has no limit.

Watch the seagulls sour
Listen to the water roar
Each contributes to natures role
In the show at Thunder Hole.

Peaks of bald granite
Picturesque, cozy and romantic
Blessed with abundant flora and fauna
Surrounded by the great Atlantic.

Always a popular summer retreat
Indians, tourists and the very rich
For a few who stay all year
A permanent lifetime niche.

Wreck of the Grand Design
Blown ashore at Long Ledge 1739
Ireland to Pennsylvania bound
Only a few survivors found.

The rich and famous
Came to splurge, play  and relax
Until World War I brought change
With servant problems and income tax.

THE B & A AND ME

		THE Bangor & Aroostook Railroad VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

My home town Smyrna Mills
Nestled between two rolling hills
Aroostook County Northern Maine
A winding river a rumbling train.

The steam engine years
A young boys fascination and fears
Puffing smoke and blowing steam
Stand my ground, run or scream.

Walking the rails
A game we used to  play
Competing for greatest distance
without falling along the way.

Roaming the Oakfield Switch Yard
Climbing on railroad cars moving or not
Searching for new adventure
Trying not to get caught.

I became a brakeman
In nineteen fifty two
Working on the railroad
A life long dream come true.

Each day a new experience
Freight train, passenger, plow
Switching, flagging or handling mail
Learning from employees who knew how.

Sometimes bidding a job
But mostly working spare
Assignment was ruled by seniority
And newcomers didn’t have a prayer.

Winter work was not enough
But that’s all there was to be
We parted company in 1954
The B & A and me.

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hampshire The Granite State
Where people come to enjoy and share
Scenic beauty everywhere
From ocean shore to highest peak
Each mountain, forest, lake and creek.

White mountains standing tall
Long winters and great snowfall
Granite beds of red and gray
The elegance of nature on display.

The famous Cog Railway Train
Carries passengers
Over rugged mountain terrain
From Base Station to Summit House
A two and three quarter mile run
Up the slopes of Mount Washington.

Opposition was extremely fierce
For Democrat President Franklin Pierce
The issues, immigrant rights and slavery
Created the American Party and the G.O.P.

Space program volunteer
In pursuit of a second career
Elevated to national fame
Christa McAuliffe was her name
Teacher, astronaut and one of seven
Who gave their lives now rest in heaven.

Aroma of Purple Lilac in the air
Purple Finch in a landing flare
White Birch growing in the square
The General Court declared these to be
The state bird, flower and tree.