Here it is, July, and I’m sitting by the fire writing this. So far this has been a very different summer where we’re actually still waiting for it to start. It just hasn’t felt like summertime! We had warmer weather in May than June or July. I think the sun decided to go on vacation when the rest of us did. Oh well, we’re here in our most happy place and there simply are no bad days in Sprucewold.

The cottages have gradually filled up with the happy sound of campers as enamored to be here as we are and it was so nice to see so many familiar faces at our annual opening party. Sadly, there were also some empty spaces for neighbors that have been here for years and have moved away but we always welcome new members.

We had our two little grandsons visit last week and the sun made a rare appearance so we could actually get to the beach. They met 3 boys that were visiting from Pennsylvania and they were entertained by catching crabs and creating a pool for them. I enjoyed watching them and thought of the timelessness of summers at the seashore with my grandparents doing the same thing. How many generations of little bare foot kids have left their mark in the sand and as surely as the tide erases their footprints, they will get older and move on to other places. Even the little boys of Bayberry have grown into nice young men with jobs and licenses. I still miss the sound of them playing on the green on warm summer nights.

We’ve tackled our rainy day activity list and have started doing the same things over again, Scrabble by the fire, trips to Damascotta to scope out Reny’s, endless rides out to Southport, Barters Island and Ocean Point. We’ve enjoyed picnics in the fog in East Boothbay and walks into town. We were so happy to have the footbridge open again. Our grandsons love walking over it en route to the taffy store.

The endless rain and fog haven’t dampened our spirits yet. The woods of Sprucewold have seemed mystical in the fog. We love sitting on our porch and watching the sea scented fog roll in from the sea and hover over the old lodge. The balsam and pine branches are lush and the boughs are heavy with moisture dripping with the sweet fragrance of water and evergreen.

For now we’ll keep playing Scrabble, reading, loading the fire and taking drives. Waiting for the sun is like waiting for a beloved guest. It will arrive eventually and these several week of rain and fog will be a distant memory. We will get back down to the beach and I will get out in my kayak finally but for now, we’re going to just keep being thankful that we get to live in such a magical place high in the woods, above the sea.