11 Comments
User's avatar
Carla Choate's avatar

Lovely.

Expand full comment
Richard Goodman's avatar

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Nancy Harmon Jenkins's avatar

Wonderful, Richard. As I get ready to depart for another well-loved place in the world (my Italian hideout in its equally splendid isolation, I always end up asking myself why? But for years I’ve divided my time between two of the most beautiful places in the world and am so fortunate still not to have to choose between one or the other.

Expand full comment
Richard Goodman's avatar

Yes, you are lucky. But you made your luck, didn't you?

Expand full comment
Mindy Lewis's avatar

Beautiful! You describe so well the wrenching disorientation of leaving a beloved place. Reminds me of the trip I took with my boyfriend in the 70s. We canoed down the west branch of the Penobscot River (Thoreau territory). For three days all we saw were moose and birds in an unsullied land and waterscape that remains indelible in my heart and memory. We finished our journey at the cabin of Maine guides George and Marilyn Dwelley, who treated my severe sunburn with tincture of green soap and fed us an abundant dinner and breakfast with homemade bread, pancakes, and pie. I cried on the way back to NYC. But guess what? I’m going to visit a friend in Brunswick ME next weekend.

Expand full comment
Mindy Lewis's avatar

Forgot to mention: we began our journey at Lobster Lake, and canoed from there. We were dropped in by seaplane because back then there was only one road, for lumber transport.

Expand full comment
Richard Goodman's avatar

That sounds wonderful. Maine is an easy place to fall in love with. Have fun in Brunswick. I like that town. I used to sit and work in the Bowdoin library.

Expand full comment
Gaywynn Menard's avatar

I simply must go....how about next year?

Expand full comment
Richard Goodman's avatar

Deal.

Expand full comment
Christopher Helvey's avatar

"I guess life is made up of goodbyes." What a great line!! Sounds like the closing line to a classic novel. Made me think of Hemingway, especially A Farewell to Arms." Tip of the hat to you.

Expand full comment
Richard Goodman's avatar

Mentioned in the same breath as EH! I'll take it with pleasure. Yes, I remember the walking out into the rain line well.

Expand full comment