Growing up in the Northeast, it was easy to get to so many destinations on summer vacations. Our family drove everywhere. I’ve always enjoyed the mountains over the beach so when, as an adult, I would choose where I wanted to go, I tended to gravitate to the mountains and lakes.

One of my favorite places to go is Maine.  It truly is a destination… not many people just pass through. You go there because you want to go there.  Now, I do have several friends that live in the great State of Maine, and I love the food the state has to offer.  Lobster followed by blueberry pie for dessert is a meal made in heaven for me. 

A year ago, Maine was once again my travel destination and while visiting with a friend, was introduced to a camp located along the banks of China Lake. I was there on my first full day in Maine, which was the best way to start my vacation, and it became one of my favorite memories of the trip.  It was quiet, peaceful, relaxing. I could have spent the entire week, just sitting on the porch, listening to the lapping of the waves on the shore from a boat passing by. But I was there with friends and their kids, so the moment had to end… after all, this week was not all about me!

It’s so important to find your place where you can center yourself, relax, take a deep breath, and breathe in the love and peace God has for you. Whenever I need to “go to my happy place”, I pull out that picture.  Just looking at it transports me back to that chair…on the porch of the cabin… by the lake. It’s my visual reminder to let go and enjoy the moment.