Tag: a to z blogging challenge

#AtoZChallenge | Y is for Yarmouth and an Island Hike at Littlejohn Island Preserve

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There are over 4,600 islands off the Maine coast. Some are more remote than others. In winter, all are a little quieter.

Some islands are actually accessible by road including two off the coast of Yarmouth: Cousins and Littlejohn Islands. Littlejohn Island has a preserve that includes a hiking trail with scenic views of Casco Bay.

We actually hiked the trail a few days into spring so the snow cover was spotty but the wind chill was intense making it feel like we were still in winter. We hiked late on a Sunday afternoon which probably impacted the cooler temperatures.

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#AtoZChallenge | X is for Xerochilia and Six Ways to Fix It.

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So, it’s at the point in this blogging challenge, where I really have to dig deep for something to use for the letter X. As always, I start randomly scrolling through X words and definitions in the hopes that something will click. In this case, it did click and, while this is more of a medical term, it does fit my theme.

Here is a definition of xerochilia from dictionary.com, “Dryness of the lips.” Guess what? There is no shortage of dry lips during the winter months.

How to deal with this perennial problem? Here are seven lip care products made by Maine based companies designed to help with dry lips:

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#AtoZChallenge | W is for Walking in a Winter Wonderland

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Snow is prettiest right after it falls. Once it’s on the ground for a few days, it immediately starts getting dirtied up with life and loses that pristine whiteness. But, right after a storm? It is incredibly beautiful.

My favorite winter scene is once the storm has stopped leaving behind a snow covered landscape.  When every part of nature is draped in white it’s magical. I especially love seeing trees turned completely white by the clinging snow.

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#AtoZChallenge | V is for Views of the Artist’s Bridge in Newry Maine

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Covered bridges bring up feelings of nostalgia as your mind wanders back to an earlier time. They are the poster child for idyllic countryside drives and simpler times. Maine has nine covered bridges remaining according to the Maine Department of Transportation site on historic covered bridges.

Covered bridges at the center of a snow-covered scene are a quintessential New England image. While covered bridges are not specifically a winter thing, they do look even more lovely painted in white.

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#AtoZChallenge | U is for Unrelenting and Unending

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Winter has some wonderful moments. There is deep beauty to the landscape during the colder snow-covered months. When it arrives covering everything in white, it makes me smile.

I love winter.

There are no mosquitoes or ticks to bother us during our hikes and the overall pace is slower and peaceful. You can snowshoe under the stars during a full moon hike or sit by the fireplace, sipping wine and binge watch the latest Netflix show while snuggled under a blanket. There is so much to enjoy about winter.

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