Next week at Maine Crime Writers, there will be a posts by Charlene D’Avanzo (Monday), Maureen Milliken (Tuesday), Kate Flora (Thursday) and Darcy Scott (Friday). On the weekend, we’ll be sharing photos of some of our favorite Maine (and a few other select) places.

Kate Flora: I’m always torn between telling people how gorgeous Bailey Island is, and keeping it a secret. But the walk to the Giant’s Stairs, or those amazing sunsets? Can’t be beat. Plus, there’s that photogenic shack adorned with lobster buoys.

John Clark: Hard to choose a few as Beth and I have taken thousands of photos of Maine, but here are a few.

Dick Cass: Haven’t figured out the mechanics of social distancing on the streams yet, but here’s one of my favorite (unnamed for now) trout streams:

And a reminder of what we’ve just come through–in the winter marsh in Scarborough.

And a photo  just because I like it–not Maine, but moonrise above a bluff over the Pacific Ocean in Manzanita, Oregon.

Maureen Milliken: I have many favorite places in Maine, but one of my favorite is our monument to nature and social distancing, Baxter State Park. Because they limit the number of people who can get in, you’re never crowded out. Our family has been going there since I was a kid. Here are some snaps.

My sister Liz kayaking on South Branch Pond in, I believe, 2015.

Lots of places to go!

The Millikens all like a good book — even in the woods.

Even when it rains, it can’t be beat. That’s sister Liz in 2017.

That’s me on North Traveler Mountain, I believe in 2015.

Me enjoying the wild blueberries in 1975.

I can’t wait to get back there, and if you’ve never been, plan a trip.

And I’ll leave you with this, something to think about as we all try to get through this weird, but tiny tiny, moment in time. Percival Baxter, on donating the first land for the park, which included our beautiful Katahdin, said:

“Man is born to die. His works are short-lived. Buildings crumble, monuments decay, and wealth vanishes, but Katahdin in all it’s glory forever shall remain the mountain of the people of Maine.”

UPDATE: Since I wrote this a few days ago, the Baxter State Park Authority announced it won’t open to camping, vehicles and above-the-treeline hiking until July 1 this year. At least we know it’ll be there when we’re on the other side of this!

Brenda Buchanan:   I’m glad I’m not the only one unable to confine myself to one beautiful photo of Maine.  Here are four for your viewing/remembering/aspiring to visit pleasure, and a bonus photo from our 2017 trip to Ireland. We were scheduled to travel there this week, and Scotland, too, but the pandemic changed our plans:

Rosa Rugosa in bloom on the shore of Swan’s Island on a June afternoon. I can almost smell them . . .

The sea on a memorable January beach walk at Pine Point in Scarborough

Lobster traps frame the boats at Cape Porpoise Harbor in Kennebunkport.

A sublime sunset on Allen Cove, Brooklin.

View from the other side of the North Atlantic, taken from Slea Head Drive along the Wild Atlantic Way, Co. Kerry, Ireland, home of my maternal ancestors.

In the news department, here’s what’s happening with some of us who blog regularly at Maine Crime Writers:

Maureen Milliken: Still working on a standalone domestic thriller and hoping to get to the fourth Bernie O’Dea mystery once I’m done, but meanwhile, if you’re looking for something a little different, check out the true crime podcast I do with my sister artist Rebecca Milliken, Crime & Stuff. We’ll have a new episode up shortly (some technical issues), of a New Hampshire crime, but we have plenty of Maine ones and others — 73 and counting — to keep you entertained.

In case you missed it yesterday, Susan Vaughan says: If, like me, you’re at home, here’s your chance for new reading matter. The e-book of the first book in my DARK Files series, Dark Vision, is free on Amazon starting today, April 17, and ending April 21.

An invitation to readers of this blog: Do you have news relating to Maine, Crime, or Writing? We’d love to hear from you. Just comment below to share.

And a reminder: If your library, school, or organization is looking for a speaker, we are often available to talk about the writing process, research, where we get our ideas, and other mysteries of the business. Contact Kate Flora