LONG ROAD TO
Summer
By Sandra Voisine - PHN
Here it comes, the much anticipated signs
of summer pushing spring into our midst
like a slow moving locomotive going
uphill. After months of shoveling and
snowblowing icy walkways, of plowing
snow covered roads and driveways, the
season is beginning to change. What
started as a slow trickle of melting snow,
turned into a rush of flowing water filling
the ponds and rivers, lakes and streams,
some of which overflowed their banks.
Then suddenly, spring arrives and the
long road to summer begins.
out of the cold ground. Trees begin to
bud and the grass turns green. Life renews
itself and nature bursts forth in all its glory
to welcome summer. Animals and insects
thrive in the warming weather. Domestic
animals and wild animals give birth and
the cycle of life continues. Moose and
deer venture out of the woods to the fields
turning green to eat their fill of the newly
sprouted grass.
Our countryside is a nature lovers paradise.
As the scenery changes, the hills and
valleys grow lush with vegetation. Birds
of all types return to spend the summer
months among us bringing glorious song
and color to our backyards and fields.
Professional and amateur photography
abounds in this wonderland of beauty.
But don’t put away your shovels just
yet. The sounds of spring in Aroostook
County includes the scraping of shovels
along the sides of the road where power
brooms and rakes have pushed salt, sand,
dead grass and gravel to be scooped up
into wheelbarrows to be carted off. The Maine’s state motto is “Vacationland”
and here in Aroostook County we have
last dregs of winter slowly fades.
learned to experience nature at its worst
Maine has a reputation for very cold and at its best. To go from the drudgery
weather, long months of winter, lots of of endless shoveling and plowing of snow
snow, and an abundance of black flies to the warm days of summer, makes
and mosquitoes. Our large area of forests us appreciate summer even more. No
and multiple waterways create a breeding longer confined by the cold and snow,
ground for many insects, one of which people can enjoy the great outdoors. The
is commonly nicknamed the “Moose- summer road leads to backyard barbecues
quito.” Through the long harsh winter and neighborhood ballgames, to fishing
months, bears hibernate, moose and deer and kayaking. It is a time for family and
gather in herds in “yards” to wait out friends to gather for picnics and local
the cold and insects burrow in any small parades, for high school reunions and
crevice they can find; like the bark of trees, the renewal of old friendships. We have a
quality of life in our area some never get
underground or in tree stumps.
to experience. The long road to summer
It seems to take forever, but the seasons leads here.
quickly change and the landscape comes
alive. Daffodils, hyacinth and tulips push
SUMMER 2014
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