The Desert of Maine

A Desert in Maine by Earl Plato

We stayed at Freeport, Maine on the way back from Nova Scotia. Early in the morning I headed down U.S. No. 1. I turned right at the Sunoco Station and headed east down the Desert Road. My wife and relatives slept in while I was off on one of my early morning rambles. It was a pleasant drive through low rolling hills and I crossed three meandering brooks. At 7:45 a.m. I arrived at the Desert Dunes Gift Shop. There was someone stirring inside as I tried the doors. The sign said Closed and beneath it were the hours 9 a.m. to dusk. A lady came to the door and I used my favourite intro line. “Good morning, I’m a Canadian. I know that you’re not open but could I have a little oak at the desert dunes? My wife and relatives are back in Freeport and we will be heading back to Canada shortly.” Big friendly smile from her. I parked my car. No charge just to take a peek, eh.
On the display board of the Desert of Maine I saw several photos of the Spring House. It was built in 1938 and by 1963 it was almost completely covered by a 25 ft. sand dune. I was puzzled for we were miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. I read on that geologists established that a glacier slid through here 8-10.000 years ago at he end of the last Ice Age. As it melted it created the great sand dunes. A thin layer of top soil covered the the crystal sand of the dunes in the years that followed. Poor farming techniques led to soil erosion and the original owners the Tuttles sold the 500 acre farm to Henry Goldrup. It is he and his family that spent sixty plus years preserving the Desert of Maine. Today The Dobsons run this unique spot. I had climbed a low sand dune and from this vantage spot could see the 1783 Barn Museum. Behind rose gigantic sand dunes I estimate 100 feet and more. There was a marked nature trail. Should I enter? Hey, I hadn’t paid! I was just a curious Canadian. Shades of Crystal Beach, Ontario for back in the picnic area a man was checking out his little steam engine that later would take tourists on a great trip through the dunes. Back in the shop I saw bottles of various shapes and sizes. The Desert contains various shades of sand. The Dobsons had mastered the art of manipulating the fine sands into intricate shapes and patterns in the containers, Beautiful memento of this unique place. Back to Freeport and home. I have a friend in Maine. Will I return some day?