Almus Thorp's recent Sprucewold column prompted us to write about our experiences in Sprucewold. When I graduated from Amherst College in 1964, Dad and Mom came for commencement. As they were leaving, Dad showed me a AAA ad for a log cabin in Boothbay Harbor; they went to see it. I drove to Ohio to begin graduate school. Three weeks later, Dad called, "WE BOUGHT IT!" I asked, "What did you buy?" This was the cabin on Sunset where Dotty and I now spend summers.

Dad, Mom, and I were born and grew up in Newark, New Jersey. Dad loved New England. He was a draftsman and worked for Bell Labs in Whippany, N.J. He eventually became Chief Drafting Supervisor of around 650 draftsmen.

Our family often vacationed in New England, and I inherited my folks' love of Maine. When Dad retired, they'd spend all summer in Sprucewold. They'd arrive soon after water was turned on and leave just before it went off. Once Mom was drawing a bath when it went off. Dad was the association's treasurer for many years and later president.

In 1964, I came to Sprucewold for three weeks before classes started. In spring 1965, I met a nursing student at a square dance in Cleveland who became my wife Christmas 1966. In ’65 she flew to Maine and spent two weeks here. We drove to Baxter State Park, camped in a lean-to at Katahdin Stream, and climbed Mount Katahdin. I think Dotty shivered all night in a bed-roll Mom prepared.

Sprucewold Lodge was a vibrant place with a salt-water pool where Nahanada Park is today. There was a “tempered pool” just east of the beach that was open to all of Sprucewold. Dotty and I went clamming on the Damarscotta River, washed them at the beach, and steamed 'em along with fresh lobsters. Dad, Sean, and I would fish from the swing bridge. We'd rent a sailboat and sail around the harbor. I remember when the three of us went fishing with Cap’n Fish; I spent most of the trip seasick. Dotty not only caught the most fish, but also the biggest, which the Register reported as a 650 lb. cod (actually 65 lb.) We'd walk around Spruce Point on the rocks starting from the tempered pool, before a huricane destroyed it. Yes, I've more memories of Sprucewold than I'll ever remember.

If we weren't able to come here; family, friends, and colleagues came; as a result others came to know and enjoy Maine and Sprucewold. I remember L. L. Bean when it was a small, two-story, wooden building in South Freeport that only sold only stuff for hunting, fishing, and winter sports. Brown Brothers was a restaurant in a small wooden building with long tables serving family-style.

We've known many Sprucewolders who've passed away. Kay and Dicky Hallinan were caretakers for almost all of Sprucewold. After Dick died, Kay cut back, but she was our caretaker until she had stop. Then Jim Smyth became our caretaker; he's made many great additions and repairs to our cabin. Dr. Audin lived just across the street. Dotty met Laddie Drucker in Sprucewold during years we lived in DC. We went to her house in Arlington and became close friends. We spent many an afternoon and evening with her swapping experiences in the many countries where we'd both lived and worked.

I'm a nuclear physicist who was associated with Los Alamos National Laboratory for 38 years; I spent many years living and working in other countries. Dotty and I now spend 3-4 summer months in Sprucewold. In winter we live in Los Alamos at 7000'; from our rooftop deck we can see over 100 miles up the southern end of the Rockies.

 Whether in Maine or New Mexico, I often wonder how a kid from Newark got so damn lucky...