These past couple of weeks, we’ve had occasion to remember what our coastal communities were usually like at the height of the summer tourist season. We could count on Route 1 for heavy traffic and back-ups on either side of the bridge linking Wiscasset and Edgecomb, and usually a long row of cars headed down Route 27 onto our peninsula.

Summer cottages were filled with family members enjoying their precious time here on the coast of Maine.

Public parking lots were full, as were some of the private landowners who handle the overflow on busy days.

Sidewalks were crowded with shoppers looking for those special gifts to take home to family members and friends.

There were scores of unfamiliar faces in the grocery store, and an occasional shopper speaking a foreign language.

Getting gas often meant having to wait in line at the pumps.

Restaurants, at least the more popular ones, often greeted diners with the news that there might be a short wait before a table became available.

“No Vacancy” signs were posted at not only the larger inns, but at the smaller bed and breakfast establishments as well.

Trolleys were full of visitors enjoying a free tour of the area with the operator graciously answering questions and serving as a tour guide.

The refuse district looked like it needed a traffic cop to direct vehicles coming and going at a frantic pace.

Boat launches, likewise, had a steady stream of watercraft of all sizes and shapes going down the ramp. Every cove, inlet and harbor was crowded with boaters. Visiting yachtsmen called ahead to rent space at a marina or to ask if a mooring was available, sometimes disappointed, and having to drop anchor and wait for an opening.

Passenger boats left port with lots of smiling faces aboard, anxious to witness the beauty of the area from out on the water and hoping to see playful seals, harbor porpoises, puffins, sea ducks and an occasional whale.

The height of the summer season meant crowds everywhere, and we knew it was crucial to our economy because our businesses had precious little time to make their money.

We’re hoping that some of these telltale signs we’re seeing around town of late mean that our area is experiencing a healthy influx of tourist dollars again after a number of lean years. We’ve got our fingers crossed.