Autumn In Maine
Though the weather has been unseasonably warm Autumn has arrived in Maine, and we couldn’t be happier.
Cool days followed by colder nights, and whether that begs outdoor enthusiasts to come out and play. Whether Autumn is your favorite season or not, local and nearby residents agree that fall is one of the best times of year to visit the “Pine Tree State.”
What the Ouellet Construction Loves About Autumn in Maine
There are so many reasons to love this season in the Northeast, and we’re kind of proud to say we live here. Aside from being a beautiful place to live all year long, fall is one of the prettiest times of year in Southern Maine. But that’s not all we love about it.
Our team loves everything about Fall in Maine, especially the following:
1. The Foliage
Though this reason may seem pretty obvious, it’s worth mentioning, since the foliage is downright spectacular this time of year. People travel from all over to take a peek at what we are lucky enough to see every day from late September through early November. Though skilled photographers can capture much of the beauty of fall in New England, being able to experience it in person is like nothing else. Year after year, the vibrant, multicolored leaves continue to create a stunning scene that never seems to get old.
According to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, northern Maine typically reaches peak conditions during the last week of September through the first week of October.
Remaining parts of the state begin to see more foliage in mid-October, with Coastal Maine reaching peak conditions usually around mid-to-late October.
Walking, hiking, and taking spontaneous road trips (which we love to do) are great ways to experience the beauty of Autumn in Maine. From Western Maine to Moosehead Lake, and everywhere in between, there are so many beautiful places to visit.
Acadia National Park is a sight to see any time of year, but especially during Autumn in Maine.
“My wife and I, along with our friends, enjoy hiking — especially in the fall with cooler temperatures and views of the colorful foliage,” said Corporate Vice President and Director of Operations, Dean Ouellet.
2. Festivals (and Food!)
New Englanders, in general, are known for their love of certain foods in every season. But again, Fall brings out some of the tastiest food trends and activities. From fairs and farmer’s markets to apple-picking and pumpkin spice-flavored everything, there’s something fun (and delicious) to do around here just about every weekend.
“What do I love about fall in Maine?” said one of our carpenters, Eric Cote. “That’s easy — hunting and fair food.”
Fall is when we get our fair food fix, it also just happens to be the best time to eat our famous Maine lobster. Home cooking’s also great this time of year, according to the Ouellet team. Some of their favorites include deer meat, homemade soups from scratch, homemade apple and pumpkin pie, and Don Ouellet’s wife’s chicken stew is to die for!
The Fryeburg Fair is an annual favorite, taking place this year from October 1 – 8, providing plenty of fun activities for the whole family and some of the most gorgeous foliage you’ve ever seen. If it’s apples, pumpkins, cider, donuts and hayrides you’re looking for, you can find an orchard or farm stand around just about every corner.
And if you’re a craft beer lover, there are more Fall flavors than you can taste before the season ends. From robust winter ales to pumpkin-flavored brews, hard cider and more, there’s something for everyone.
3. Perfect Outdoors Weather
There’s something about fall weather that just makes us happy. It’s starting to get cold enough to wear sweatshirts and jeans, light scarves and stylish hat. The mosquitos will soon leave us alone (for a while, anyway.) And, while we don’t always love raking leaves, our children do enjoy playing in them.
Mild temps and light breezes make outdoor activities like hiking, four wheeling, biking, and kayaking much more pleasant. If you’re an avid camper, there’s still time to squeeze in a night or two under the stars before Columbus Day weekend arrives. And of course, the smell of burning leaves and colder air is indescribable.
Ouellet’s Project Manager, Luke Ouellet, said he loves fall in Maine because, “I like to go hiking and four wheeling, and of course — pumpkin pie. Work is busy as usual, but fall is the best season for working outside.”
4. Hunting Season
When temperatures start to dip, and the leaves begin to fall, many of our team members enjoy heading to the northern part of the state to hunt. Hunting is a favorite pastime of President Mike Ouellet. “We like to go bird hunting, and enjoy spending time in the woods,” he said.
We love venturing into the woods to hunt for birds, moose, and deer. We also like to fish, and just to spend as much time outside as possible, enjoying nature and the fantastic weather. The office is always a buzz this time of year with stories of conquering the great outdoors, and a lot of great photos share.
4. Football Season (and Parties!)
Superintendent, Don Ouellet said he loves fall because
“It’s hunting and apple picking season. Plus, it’s football season — what’s not to love?”
Whether you like watching the sport or not (we do), there are plenty of reasons to love football season. Football parties are a great excuse to eat all of our favorite fall indulgences, like chili, chicken wings, nachos, seasonal microbrews, and a host of other hot appetizers and desserts that make watching our beloved Patriots even more enjoyable.
If you’re not a Pats fan, it’s OK (sort of…), it just makes it that much more fun to listen to everyone talking about who won the Thursday and Monday night games in the office the next day.
6. We’re Busy (and lovin’ it!)
“Things seem a little busier this time of year,” said Assistant Superintendent & Foreman, Mike Cyr.
Maybe it’s because winter is right around the corner, or maybe there’s just something about fall that inspires people to get stuff done. Whatever the reason, a lot of construction projects seem to come up during fall, or existing projects start to become a priority to wrap up before the colder weather sets in.
Things can get pretty busy, but we’re not complaining. Then again, it’s pretty busy all year long, regardless of the season. But the weather and temperature in Fall make working inside and out more comfortable than any other time of year. We love it!