Guest Post: Ani Lee’s Notes From The Coast

She’s really good at visiting Maine, imo.

Oct 16, 2024

Hello out there~

Most of you are already aware, but there are a bunch of newcomers here—hi! In the beginning of September, I lost my stepdad and, in the mean time, some pals and peers have stepped in for Guest Posts while I try to come about.1 They absolutely rule.

This week, we have

ani lee

of Close Knit. I’ve been in semi-contact with Ani from my Knit Wit days, but our friendship really waited to blossom on this-here newsletter platform. You never know what context will be just the right one, eh? Ani writes about things I like (and sometimes things I suggest, ha)—but what I love most about Close Knit’s missives is the very specific, and very Ani, voice. I’m so glad to have that voice lent to us this week. 🤍

Take it away, Ani~~

My partner and I moved to Western Massachusetts a couple of years ago, and since then we’ve been trying to take trips to Maine twice a year to visit dear friends, eat well, and dip in (a growing list of) our favorite bodies of water. Our trip last summer was about as magical as it gets: For the first half we stayed off-grid, guessed the time of day by checking the tide chart, parallel played (Josh out kayaking/beach-combing, me hand stitching a lampshade), read to each other by candlelight, and picked wild blueberries. During the second half, we happened upon our friends, who were coincidentally doing an artist residency at The Waldoboro Inn, so we spent our evenings cooking dinner together and stitching at Ida’s wine bar. I mean, that’s almost ridiculous, right?

This year, knowing it would be unwise to attempt to recreate the magic of last year’s trip, but still determined to have a Very Nice Maine Trip, we planned a week of staying with friends, meandering up the coast, and camping. I, however, have a habit of trying to turn any vacation I take into a bootleg artist residency. This is fine in theory, but in practice we covered a lot more ground this trip, which made it hard to settle into a creative rhythm. Once we accepted that we were on more of a road trip than a sit-quietly-and-work-on-projects-trip, things felt a lot more spacious and easy. By the fourth day, we’d found a lovely groove of something like: find coffee (our favorites were Moonday in Portland & Bucklynn on the Blue Hill peninsula), choose a beach or hike, ensure we have sufficient snacks, and hit the road to spend several hours outside.

the contents of my “things to work on” basket

If this kind of trip appeals to you, here are my tips:

Pack an old quilt and, even better, a sheepskin to make a cozy beach nest.
Bring an oyster shucker (or two!) so you can pick up a dozen at your favorite oyster farmer (here’s ours). Don’t forget the mignonette.
Use Hipcamp to stay in unique, secluded camping experiences for <$40/night.
Pack a swim bag with all the swimming essentials (a couple sets of swimsuits, sunscreen, towels, goggles for the adventurous among you, snacks), easily within reach in the trunk for impromptu dips. You’ll never regret packing your swimsuit or snacks, even if you think you’re “just going for a short hike”.
Load up your e-reader with beachy library holds (may the waitlist gods smile upon you), pick up a hard copy at the library, and download a couple of audiobooks to maximize the chance you’ll have entertainment for any mood. I chose The Pairing by Casey McQuiston for bisexy romance, Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi for lighthearted romance, All Fours for that freaky goodness only Miranda July can deliver, and A Year in Practice by Jacqueline Suskin, a perfect companion for reading on the Autumnal Equinox). If you’re as lazy as I am, bring more than one book to the beach so that you can use the other book as a page holder. ;)
Pick up a package of marcona almonds (and salt & vinegar Fox Family chips) – just trust me on this one.
Give yourself options, not obligations. The materials & projects you’ve brought shouldn’t be a burden to you (saying this to myself as much as I’m saying it to you <3 ).
Notice what you’re collecting. After a few days, I noticed I was collecting images of signs—both funny ones and beautiful ones—and I realized I was cataloging color palettes and typefaces. My partner collects a bit more literally: rocks and shells.

Should you like some local recommendations, may I suggest The Post Supply’s Guide to Maine? And for those venturing farther north to the Blue Hill Peninsula, The Brooklinn Inn’s guide is, imho, unmatched. I also love referencing Remodelista’s Maine archives for inspiration, too. :)