Deer Isle, Maine

It’s been a while since this trip, but had some down time to write it up. I’ve also done a pretty good job of staying off social media platforms lately 🤷🏼‍♀️ But I’m back at it to share my adventure – it’s never to late to share! 

One of the biggest reasons I extended my New England trip was to travel up to the state of Maine. I had never been before and was beyond ecstatic about exploring. Every time someone asked about my NE trip, I quickly jumped on the chance to ask “Have you been to Maine? Where did you go?” And 9 times out of 10, people said “Bar Harbor”. So, DUH! It was a given that I was going to make my way all the way up the coast to Bar Harbor.

But before Bar Harbor, where was I going to stop off and rest? 

Thanks to Google and the desire to stay in hostels instead of hotels, I found the most interesting place (hostel) ever! As popular as northern Maine is, I was surprised to only find two hostels in the area…and one possibly closed. What was I left with?

One, single, solitary, secluded hut in the middle of nowhere…also known as Deer Isle!

It took me 3 days and lots of back and forth with my boss and intern to finally commit to booking my stay in the “Secluded Hut” on Deer Isle. Booking my stay was the only scheduled part of my entire trip and I was delighted to book it. I would have kicked myself, if I didn’t end up visiting the homestead.

Of course I was scared and nervous, but the experience was exhilarating nonetheless. The separation from technology, other human beings and connecting with nature on a deeper level was absolutely ideal. I had never been to a place like it before. I learned to appreciate a different lifestyle and respect the dream of getting away. The hosts live off their land, use solar panels, keep perishables and non-perishables in the basement (YES, the basement – no refrigeration system!), and shower with a watering can, heated by a compost pile.

Oh, and how could I forget? The toilet…was a bucket in an outhouse that you covered your “droppings” with sawdust. I can’t make that up…it was real! (I didn’t take a picture of it, though. That would be weird, right??)

While I only stayed one night at the hostel, I left feeling refreshed and accomplished. I shared a community dinner with the hosts and one guest; enjoyed a good night’s sleep in a hut; woke up to weird noises in the middle of the night (success?? Ehhh…maybe not!); took a leisurely hike along the shoreline; ate a non-traditional lunch, while reflecting and preparing for yet another year, called 30+2, and found a pine cone as big as my head!

Way to go, me!

Highlights of Deer Isle:

• Peace and quiet in the middle of nowhere
• I pushed myself outside my comfort zone on all levels during my stay
• Stayed in a hut (and pooped in a bucket!) LOL
• Beautiful shoreline
• A new respect for different lifestyles and those who live basic and off the land

Stay tuned to hear about my last stop on my New England trip and how I celebrated my birthday, in style, in Baa-ha-ba! Happy adventuring!