When you think of Maine, you think of its rocky beaches, picturesque mountain viewpoints, and in a sense its close resemblance to the wilderness that Thoreau wrote so much about; however, in my first trip up to Maine about a week ago I was sorely disappointed at the nature that was presented to me because it was nothing of what I expected. Old Orchard Beach, ME was closer in appearance to Seaside Heights, NJ with the amount of trash and traffic congestion littered throughout than the wilderness haven I was expecting. I was generally disappointed with the nature that was presented to me. I didn’t travel to Maine to see wilderness, or experience nature that was essentially identical to that of what I experience in my backyard of the Jersey Shore.

Out of all the characteristics, the one that disappointed me the most was the fact the beach was made out of sand (Pictured Below). That may sound weird, but when you live so close to a white sand beach at home you travel to experience something new and I didn’t. I was looking forward to walking the cobbled beaches I was told so much about from my parents, but it never happened.

Only white sand here.

I was told by a fellow tourist that to experience the real Maine I had to go further north, but my stay was short and really just unsatisfying. I understand I may have been in the wrong area and my expectations a bit too high, but still I can’t get over the fact that Maine’s so-called wilderness was so unspectacular. The next time I go up and have more time to donate to adventuring I will have to travel futher north up to Arcadia and really experience the real Maine.