For anyone who likes snow and winter weather, the state of Maine
gives a perfect vacation spot, especially northern areas like
Aroostook County with towns like Caribou, Limestone, and Presque
Isle hidden beyond large cities and heavily populated areas. A
visit in winter results in a different perspective than one
during summer.
Of the four seasons, winter most evokes extreme emotions. Some
people hate winter, the whole season: the wind and the cold, the
coats and the boots, the gray skies and the snow. Others come
alive in winter: the brisk air and fresh breezes, the bright
snow and warm fires, the skiing and the skating. Winter attacks
some places with more anger than others. Some places have
sunshine glittering on a snow-covered landscape; others have
harsh winds and blowing dirt. A Maine winter brings harsh wind,
bitter cold, gray threatening skies, bright sunny days, and a
Christmas card beauty of ice and snow.
Bundled in woolen clothes, coats, caps, mittens, and mufflers,
school children stand huddled in doorways as they await the
school bus. The wind hurls the biting cold through the strongest
of materials. People rush from warm buildings into vehicles and
back into warm buildings as quickly as possible. Eyes water;
noses turn red; toes become numb. Misery runs rampant as the
temperature drops lower and lower; the wind, strong and vicious,
makes the cold penetrate into the innermost core of a person.
Low, gray skies depress and press upon spirits as people attempt
their business of living, many wishing to hibernate the winter
away. Yet, many days glitter and glisten as the sun's rays upon
the snow shoots sparks of light into eyes, causing an illusion
of heat on faces.
However harsh a Maine winter may be, no one can deny the beauty
once snow covers any barrenness and ugliness. Tall majestic fir
and pine stand under their mantles. Crystallized birches appear
at attention. Hill, vale, and garbage heap sleep under a blanket
of white which softens and hides defects.
Thus a Maine winter reveals a great beauty to rest the eyes,
cold and wind to battle, dark skies and bright sun to play havoc
with spirits. Yet, harsh cold and biting winds, sunshine and
depressing gray days create the whole, making the beauty all the
more unique.
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