Idyllic Summer At The Lake

An Idyllic Summer At The Lake is all about enjoying nature’s beauty. There is a rocky shoreline, lined with tall majestic pines, and mountains in the far distance. You can hear the muffled sounds of gentle waves on the sandy beach mixed with the haunting call of loons. It may sound like the opening scene of a movie but that is how I would describe time spent at Long Lake in Naples, Maine during the summer.

Island On Long Lake Maine

Now add the shrieks and laughter of kids as they are bounced over the waves while sitting on tubes towed behind boats. There are the sounds of jet skis as they zoom by, the roar of a seaplane as it takes off and the occasional clang of a bell as the large stern-wheel paddle boat passes by our dock. There is also the boom of fireworks as they explode and the accompanying oohs and aahs as their colors fill the nighttime sky. Add the sound of giggling children standing around a crackling fire as they roast marshmallows and make s’mores and you will know what summer at a Maine lake can be like…lots of fun.

Fireworks Across The Lake

Waiting To Roast Marshmallows And Watch The Evening Fireworks

The Songo River Queen Tours Long Lake

Seaplane Takes Off On Long Lake, Maine

Tubing On Long Lake

Click on any photo in the galleries to see a slide show.

The lake is where our life slows down and most days are spent outdoors. You can usually find me sitting in a weathered Adirondack chair on our shady back deck. I have the computer on my lap working on the blog or planning a trip, with my husband next to me reading a book. Sometimes I’m distracted by the chipmunks scampering about or coming up for a few sunflower seeds. Other times, you will find me taking care of our gardens.

An Adorable Chipmunk Can Distract You From Your Work

Chipmunks…You Can’t Help But Love The Little Rascals

Lakeside Garden

Long Lake has many large homes hidden down private dirt roads as well as lots of small cabins and cottages like ours. There is also a famous summer camp just across the lake from us. Camp Takajo is a camp for boys that runs for seven fun weeks each summer.

Lots Of Room For Guests

Large Home With A Small Cottage Close By

Do You See The Seaplane

Our Small Cottage Set Back In The Trees

Guests and family can pretend they are at camp when they come to stay with us.  Our little cottage sometimes feel crowded when we have visitors but we all have a good time. No one seems to mind the lack of air-conditioning in the guest bedroom, sharing the one small bathroom or kids sleeping on the floor, if necessary, on an air mattress.

They enjoy laid back days sitting on the beach in the shade or swimming in the clear, cool water. If they want more action filled days, they can have a fast ride on the jet ski or we can take them for a cruise around the lake on the pontoon boat. Once back, cocktails are usually had out on the dock where we can enjoy a beautiful sunset before dinner.

Our Shady Beach

Ready For A Ride On The Pontoon Boat Or Jet Ski

Kayaking At Sunset

Most of our meals are eaten at the cottage,  usually prepared on the grill in nice weather. Of course you know that lobsters will be eaten more than once while in Maine, whether at the cottage or a nearby restaurant. Sometimes we will drive thirty minutes down to Portland for a nice lunch or dinner. Did you know Portland was called “the foodiest small town in the America” by Bon Appetit.

Grilled Lamb Buger

Lobster Fra Diavolo

Greek Leg Of Lamb On The Grill

There are just a couple of weeks left before summer ends and I’m going to enjoy every last minute. I love my time spent each year in Maine and always feel a little sad for my idyllic summer at the lake to come to an end. But the weather is starting to turn cool and the apple trees in our orchard in New Hampshire are almost ready to be picked. I’ll eat a few more ripe tomatoes from our garden, help put away the outdoor furniture, empty the cottage of all food, cover the furniture, and look back at our little cottage one last time, knowing I will return, God willing, early next summer for another fun summer.