Thursday Thirteen

Several of the blogs that I stalk read do a segment called the Thursday Thirteen. I've decided to put this into rotation with my Thankful Thursday segment. So, every other week will host one of these segments. Today's Thursday Thirteen theme is:

"13 Reasons that I want to move to Maine"

(ok seriously folks, did you really think you had heard the last words about Maine already?)

1. Maine is 1 of only 4 states left in the U.S. that has a law banning billboards. I personally despise billboards and found it so refreshing to drive up & down a major interstate and truly be able to appreciate the natural unobstructed beauty of the landscape. You can read a bit more about it here.

2. The average temperature in Maine is 43 degrees Fahrenheit. That's cold, but not unbearable. The weather can change there on a dime and the summers are very mild. That would be such a nice change from the summers in my current area of the world!

3. Maine has 63 lighthouses along its 5000 miles of coastline. There's just something about lighthouses that stirs up this emotional response inside. I think it's because of the rich history of lighthouses and the beauty of them sitting by the ocean while waves crash in.

4. Freeport, Maine is the home of one of my favorite retailers...L.L. Bean. When we entertained the thought of moving there several years ago, this is the company that I wanted to work for. Can we say "employee discount"?!

5. Maine is one of the few states where you can be at the ocean to surf, the mountains to snow ski, and the country to relax all within an hour of each other. It's 1-stop shopping!

6. More blueberries are grown in Maine than in any other state. I love blueberry muffins!

7. Acadia National Park is the 2nd most visited national park in the U.S. (#1 is Yellowstone) I've not made it to Acadia yet, but I'm hoping to visit it sooner than later!

8. York, Maine, established in 1641, is America's first chartered city. And it's a gorgeous and quaint coastal town!

9. Portland, Maine has a large neighborhood that has been certified by the National Registry as one of the best intact original Victorian housing neighborhoods in America. I took some pics while driving through there and the houses are GORGEOUS and so historic!

10. Maine is quite far away from a lot of crazy people that I would love to live far away from. I'm sure there will be blog entries forthcoming about some of these said people. LOL.

11. Maine is a very dog-friendly state. Portland is a VERY dog-friendly city. It boasts 9 dog parks! The city I currently live in has 1 dog park and it's population is more than double the size of Portland. Chloe says, "Woof, when are we moving?"

12. Patrick Dempsey is from Buckfield, Maine, which is within Lewiston, Maine. I've driven through this town and it's cute. I would think that I have a better chance of running into McDreamy if I move to Maine, instead of staying in my current town. Of course, I could get lucky and Shonda Rimes could decide to move the staff of Seattle Grace to the banks of the Tennessee River. Ok, maybe not.

13. Moving to Maine would be a huge, new adventure that would be frightening and exciting all at the same time. It would be such a joy to explore a new landscape, new people, and new experiences with my family.