Hospitality in The County

The amazing couple who hosted our activities, meals, gatherings and botanizing space in northern Maine, who sorted out logistics, and who put out fires left, right and center, coming to our rescue whenever an extra can of gas, or a vehicle, kayak or spare anything was needed, went above and beyond what hosting means - they welcomed us as family. I am awed by their graciousness.

They let us invade their home en masse, and though we were each expected to provide our own food for the week, they spontaneously provided buffet breakfasts with loads of choices before we set off each morning. They also made us a lasagna dinner, organized a pizza night, a community BBQ, and a night out together at a local restaurant. It really unified the team to be eating together as opposed to separately, in our own time. We took over their couches to get rid of 'kayak-butt' at the end of the day, had meetings at their dining table, and charged our phones at their kitchen counter.

The generosity and energy of our hosts was exemplary - when they could have had a quiet night-in once in a while, instead they offered a night cruise on their pontoon boat or a lakeside fire to gather around. They truly made it an unforgettable week for our team - northern Maine hospitality rules!

Here we are enjoying the fireside glow. The sunset and moon were orange for a few days due to the smoke from fires elsewhere in the country.

The camaraderie and fun we had together as a team was inspiring and is always worth coming back for. This is my idea of a dream vacation 😀