The Escapist Guide to Maine

You will eventually know when it’s time to plan your escape. You can still leave your location on, though for the true escapist you’d ultimately turn that off (except on Wednesday). There are some non-negotiable supplies to bring. Here is the complete list in no particular order:

Art supplies: not only is the escape a physical move, it’s a mental one.
Music: any form of analog (tapes, cds, vinyl, includes an old iPod) not connected to wifi.
Speakers: preferably a tower set, even though solid shelf speakers could work.
Your favorite wine (spirits can be sourced anywhere).
A leather duffle, not only for the move but for the day and weekend trips (including picnics).
Four to ten meaningful art works collected. If they feel like decor, it’s decor aka do not haul.
Expensive china: you only want the best, bring grandma’s or your parents (yes with saucer).
Recreationals: for the 1 - 4x a year indulgences.
Cigarettes: one pack, no filter.
Rolex: I hate to admit it, it’s an insurance policy in a bind (money or shipwreck).
Sunglasses.
Loafers (preferably made in Maine).
Photos. Older the better.
Bring the cat or get a cat (shelter preferred).
Bedding. Thickest, coldest, warmest down, sheets, six pillows.

Selection of where comes down to a couple factors

Closest airport, (all are measured by distance to Boston Logan Airport). Trust me, in short you’ll still have to touch civilization and connections suck.

Not an Island. You are escaping not running away. The last thing you want to think about is ferry, car, plane etc. Which is why Nantucket is out (also not Maine).

Bar. Yes alcohol is bad, man though you still need people; in my opinion the best humans are the crusty old mayors, lobsterman, artists, former tv personalities, third generation wealthy. The stories they tell i.e. They made money when their great great grandfather owned the market for ballpoint pens. You can always find them at the bar (rain or snow be damned).

Locations in Maine depending on rhythm:

York ($$$) The York Country Club is nice and an ear shot to Oqunquit, and not Oqunquit.
Kennebunkport ($$$$) To have a former President as your neighbor, they know.
Biddeford ($$) Charm of a working small town.
Brunswick ($$) Bowdoin aka college town.
Friendship ($) Water is affordable.
Rockport ($$$) Artist crossroad of Maine.
Port Clyde ($$$) Andrew Wyeth to the Harpoon (‘Poon’) as locals call it.
Camden ($$$$) The town where everyone actually knows your business, but the harbor - chefs kiss.

Why nothing beyond Camden? Aka Bar Harbor etc - it’s too far. We are still yuppies most likely none of us reading this are escaping that hard.

Types of dwelling.

Of course the classic Maine cottage is typically a rectangle anywhere between 600 to 2000 square feet. Regardless if you opt for a cottage, a condo or a full blown house with carriage detached there are some non negotiables.

Fireplace. Doesn’t matter if it’s pellet, gas or wood. A fireplace is a must.

Big leather couch. Yes chesterfield yes mid century, needs to be worn in. Several wool throws of various thickness.

Rug(s) authentic Persian.

The biggest dining room table. If you want a measurement, start at eight feet.

Big windows. They help regardless of weather.

The point is nothing should feel decorated, but everything should be good quality and used.

Ok so you decided. Good.

Seasons and Music (find the analog versions for full vibes)

Like many places, weather is the IT factor. In Maine, it is almost a religion. While sweatshirts and loafers can reign supreme, the season when in full bloom is peak five and half months. Below for context:

Winter (January - April) you are in a true Stephen King story. Movies, hobbies, expressions through art, writing, really come through. There will be days of light, yet the blistering cold and constant wet boots become tiring, a mud room helps. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3S6qCdUwfXJUTJotzWdyu6

Spring (May - July) the sun begins shining through several days of unusually warm weather (still slightly cold and rain tends to linger) yet gives a glimpse into the coming summer. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1iL9qc8PGUadB5UD0jAMP2

Summer (August - September) Basically if heaven was a season in Maine. Beaches, swimming, oysters, crisp white wine on a sun deck. You can taste the brine now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5EJjA8DFbc&t=

Fall (October - December) The holidays are coming, the first nip in the air. From sweatshirts and shorts during the day to jeans and a light coat at night. Halloween brings the changing of seasons witnessed by the leaves and smoke rising from chimneys. Eventually the smell of wood and wet punctuated by light dustings of snow. The home stretch of the final days are dizzying with Thanksgiving and many local (and tourist) happenings for upcoming holiday / Christmas festivals. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/10oBx7QH0dcMPk5cykofOA?si=aCUI01zETU2W7NI5VO9Fhw

Your Week Ahead

Monday: Inventory check. From art to laundry to food, coffee, water and supplies.

Tuesday: Supply run (we wait a day so produce comes into town from surrounding areas). Coffee, eggs, meats etc. Always buying for the 7 - 10 day arc. Weather is a bit unpredictable (depending on your personality).

Wednesday: Work. Whether that is art life or not. The garden, lavender, chickens. Connect to the internet, proof of life.

Thursday: Town day. Locals only places. Laundry day; fresh sheets for the week.

Friday: Volunteer. Most likely there are tourists, help out.

Saturday: Art life, write, build, watch, listen - total zen with a hint of party aka you might end up going out or you might end up including people over - the plan is no plan.

Sunday: Reset, though deeper zen on Sunday super moody (dark academia or coastal jazz). Protect your Sunday. Make sure house, apartment or cottage are clean for the coming week.

Your Relationship.

This is an interesting point aka are you solo or conjoined. Me, I’d like togetherness for others especially those with kids - this is more an escape article than a guide. You’d want someone with you that can balance you out. There will be times of extreme doubt of this life typically right after the holidays Jan - April. The best way to combat this - leave. Yes Florida, Arizona, Mexico, the Caribbean (not for a week, most likely three months). It’s best if one of you is a maker, whether that is butter or essential oils. Bonus points to the gardener / botanist.

Family.

Also tricky. Depending on everyone’s health, financial status etc - this life will be isolating at times. While also freeing your body and mine to fully be YOU. Yes of course they can come visit and should. Why don’t they join you next door? Now you are talking.

The Compound.

We probably all day dream of this scenario and having lived it once vertically in Seattle, it works! The problem is too many people become pre-occupied in the routines of their own lives; they forget that collectively we are better as a human species. Throw in the economics of each other, careers, kids we essentially self isolate without even knowing it. Planning the compound has to take into account all of it. Parents (aging and new) this becomes complicated from healthcare to education.

Maine may be one of the few places left where the compound can still feel romantic instead of cultish. Not one giant house. Think three or four cottages, maybe a barn, maybe a guest house, all within walking distance of each other; walking distance means less than .1 miles if even, needs to feel mindless

Parents get one place. You get another. Brother, sister, best friend, whoever actually makes the cut gets the third. Kids can move between all of them like it is one big property. Someone has the garden, someone has the chickens, someone always has wine, someone owns the truck, bonus for a boat (not me).

This is where Maine helps. Land still exists. Old houses still exist. Barns still exist. You can be close enough to town for coffee and a martini.

That might be the real escape: not getting away from everyone, but choosing exactly who gets to stay close.

Full stop.

Ok back to work.

-MM

Note from author: Mark Michael and Ashley Michael have been returning to southern Maine for the past 15 years.

Mark MichaelSeptember 10, 2026