Camden, Maine, USA

These boys must now be on the verge of retirement, and they may not even live in Maine any longer. Wherever they are, though, just think how much reminiscing they must do about all the fun they had reeling in the crabs right from the Main Street docks in Camden, one of Maine's classic coastal villages. [1974]

York, Maine, USA

York is located on the Gulf of Maine, which has a shoreline renowned for three elements of basic physical geography: (1) its hard-rock geology, (2) its land-water interdigitation, and (3) its famously large tidal ranges. Can you see evidence of all three along the waterfront here? [2008]

Brunswick, Maine, USA

Androscoggin River: Maine's third longest (1) penetrates the Maine woods, giving access to the sea at Brunswick, and (2) drops off an ancient crystalline core rather dramatically, providing numerous knickpoints for water-powered mills. Now, those woods and knickpoints are being repurposed for recreation, as pulp and textile mills fade into history. [2008]

Freeport, Maine, USA

When we build models, they are usually smaller than the things they represent. Think: model cars and world globes. In the case of the L.L. Bean emporium, the model boot is larger than any boot you might wear on your foot. Think: Jack in the Beanstalk. Get it? [2019]

Bucksport, Maine, USA

Last chance to prepare your practical jokes for tomorrow. And, a reminder: Don't let yourself be a victim of any tomfoolery, lest you be called a gleefully-targeted laddie or lass. [1995]

Boothbay Harbor, Maine, USA

The Boothbay area is where you can catch America holding hands with the Atlantic, where long fingers of land intertwine with long fingers of sea, where the geography is best described as "interdigitated." And, the cultural landscape just glows with love between the two. [1976]

Portland, Maine, USA

May the fourth be with you! You must use the fourth! Happy Star Wars Day. The original Star Wars came out 43 years ago this month. With nothing else to do, you might as well spend the day binge watching all nine episodes. Thanks, Taz. . . The force will be with you always. [2019]

Augusta, Maine, USA

Maine separated from Massachusetts in 1820, and Augusta became the official capital in 1832, the year the capitol building was finished. Do you see the resemblance between the Massachusetts and the Maine capitols? Charles Bullfinch designed both. 1820 to 2020: Happy bicentennial birthday, Maine! [2019 and 1987]

Portland, Maine, USA

Thirty years ago the Berlin Wall came down: "Forget not the tyranny of this wall - horrid place. Nor the love of freedom that made it fall - "Laid Waste..." After the fall, pieces of the wall found homes in towns and cities around the world. [1992]

Gardiner, Maine, USA

The New England village green: place-perfect, iconic, communal. It is a reminder of what we mean by a "pure public good." Only collectively can we have it. That is why we also call it a commons. [2019]

Kittery, Maine, USA

The ocean is the closest thing to an isotropic surface (featureless plain) we have on planet Earth. To make it less isotropic, Maine's lobstermen mark the positions of their lobster traps with color-coded buoys that float on the surface so the traps below can easily be found. On shore, however, they often help homeowners find their homes. [2019]

Topsham, Maine, USA

The Androscoggin Swinging Bridge bounces you across the river, forcing you to use your 'sea legs.' It's been pedestrian-only for a century and a quarter, designed to allow workers access to the Cabot cotton mill in Brunswick. Today, the bridge provides a visual reminder of the mill era. In fact, you can see the old mill from the walkway. [2019]

Ogunquit, Maine, USA

Today's the day for the recall vote in the Town of Ogunquit. The intensity of the battle over whether to remove three Selectmen is evident here. They apparently supported the town manager in the firing of the Fire Chief. Stay tuned for an update. Results: All three board members survived the recall vote. VOTE NO prevailed. [2019]

Hallowell, Maine, USA

Why the pinwheels? Because they have become a symbol of safe and great childhoods for all children. Let your local public library help achieve that goal in your community. By the way, the building was never a church, but it was designed to look like one. [2019]

Owls Head, Maine, USA

It's not a place until it has a name. The name of this place is hidden in a rebus above the post office door. The lesson: Have some fun with the name of your town or township and show the world you are proud to live there. Note the pre-ADA entrance. [1976]

Boothbay, Maine, USA

Barnyard animals aren't limited to the chicken yard. Find a sty and you'll find a pig. This one, however, has wandered asunder to greet the mailman every day. Being a little short, however, she needs a plinth to give her some lift. [1993]

Biddeford, Maine, USA

For over 100 years Lincoln Mill (textiles, of course) and its clock tower established the rhythms of Biddeford's economy. Then came deindustrialization and deterioration. The clock, which was threatening to topple on its own, was finally removed in 2007, but no further progress was made until 2014. [2008]

Owls Head, Maine, USA

The coast of Maine is famous for its pocket beaches. They're the only places where you can find some sand in these sand-starved regions. Don't expect to go swimming though, unless you are hearty enough to withstand a seriously cold immersion. The Labrador Current fills Maine's coastal indentations with rather chilly water from the north. [2008]

Bath, Maine, USA

When you're reading the landscape, always be prepared for surprises! That's what makes it fun. Surprised at what you see here? Are these people animals? No. Just a little unconventional. We've become used to seeing converted barns, but here's a converted silo. It's another, delightfully different, visual reminder of the agrarian past. [2008]

Wells, Maine, USA

"I know. I know. The season of Christmas caroling is long past, but I have to do something until spring when the 'come-heres' return to the coast of Maine. When I see the first ones, I'll take off this disguise and reveal my true identity as a lighthouse. I'll be perfect for someone's yard!" [2008]