Hey Debbie,

Thanks for the info. It is a pity that they won't let me take the dog. LOL, it makes it much harder to visit a place when I have to hire a baby sitter.

I wish that Maine would re-introduce the Elk. Pennyslvania did it and have had an amazing success with their restoration. Given the massive amount of space that Maine has that is completely empty, and given their push towards trying to be seen as a real eco-tourism state, you would figure that this would be a no-brainer.

James

LOL......the dog!!! I know it is hard to leave the baby behind. Even though ppl know I am not in a position to 'babysit' right now, I am constantly asked and would in a minute if possible.

The elk. Yes, PA has a thriving elk population, very doubtful for this state. As far as I know there is not even a whisper about the subject anywhere in the state. The only elk we see are those at elk farms.

The face of Maine is changing but sadly not for the better. Born and raised here, its difficult to watch the change of events unfold which will alter the state forever.

Our 'space' is right now is a few battles to survive. One in particular, the beautiful area of Moosehead is fighting the big boys to keep out what really amounts to a small city.

It proposes to build close to one thousand homes, two huge resorts, golf course, marina, as well as, three RV parks, convenience stores, gas stations and over one hundred rental cabins. All that is just for starters, it very well could increase, in housing alone, to over three thousand homes. The company proposing this has done it before, destroying huge amounts of beautiful property for the sake of the almighty dollar.

So, visit us when you can, if you wait too long, we could be unrecognizable in the near future.

Hey Debbie,

I had heard that Maine was going through tough times all together. The paper industry is apparently dead in Maine, and as a result there are whole sections of Maine that are essentially empty space. Having said that, Maine has so many possibilities as a state for eco-tourism that I hope that they get it together.

Chanthee and I briefly debated purchasing something around Acadia, but the season is too short, and there is no real winter season at all there from what we can see. We have also considered New Hampshire, which has a solid winter season and potential for a livelihood.

James

Not only is the paper industry dead, all manufacturing jobs have gone overseas. This state is one tough place to make a living for the average Mainer. Taxes are at the high end in the nation, without jobs to back them up.

Our 'empty space' is seriously in jeopardy and fearful desperation is the fuel used to sell the dreaded casino idea in Oxford County and the Plum Creek fiasco in Moosehead. Trying to turn our state into the next Foxwoods or Atlantic City is not going to provide the jobs necessary to maintain a decent lifestyle or keep our college grads in their home state.

If it is a long winter season you are looking for try Carrabassett Valley.

Hey Debbie,

While I know that this has a risk of being 'far afield' for a photography website, I am curious to see what sort of things you think Maine could realistically do as a means of protecting its wild spaces and at the same time generate the revenue that they will need in order to keep the state running.

James

We need something generational in the manufacturing sector. By that I mean, we need manufacturing jobs that are not fly-by-nights, disappearing overseas the minute you turn your head.

We need to manufacture products that are sensible and intelligent; products that enhance breakthroughs in specific areas not only for our state but for the country and the world. We need a 'silcon valley' experience; casino's and anything else based on tourism should not even be considered.