TRIPS TO RANGELEY, MAINE

Rangeley, Maine is the town where I truly grew up - even though I only spent summers and holidays there betwen around 1971-1980. I learned so many life lessons in Rangeley and loved the people and the town. I was brought there for the first time by Jill's family when I was 14 years old, and continued to go up on my own, year after year...staying with friends, renting my own cabin...visiting on holidays through college. I stopped going after college and didn't go again until July 2000.
August 2003 Trip:  I visited Rangeley in 2003 around a trip to Montreal I was sent on by Taste of the Nation. What a blast from the past!
A view of the Dorsey's camp from the water. This is where I began my days in Rangeley...staying in the "Doghouse", which is the small one-room building toward the left of the main house. Many an attempt at waterskiing was done here as well as numerous evenings skinny-dipping.		Getting together at Sarge's. Bret, who also grew up in Rangeley, but now lives outside of Denver, wasn't there so I took this photo and brought it back for him. Heidi, Shane, Stephanie, Jill, Me, Monica, Goolie.		Another shot at Sarge's: Jil, Stephanie, Goolie, Heidi, Me and Monica.
Back in the old days, Sarge's used to be called Doc Grant's and many a wild night was spent there. It was a landmark in Rangeley, so even though they changed the name, they still put a sign out front to commererate it's existance. Stephanie, Shane, Goolie, Timmy, Monica (they used to date in the '70's - isn't this cute), Jill, Pam?, Heidi, Tony.
July 2000 Trip:  Gye, who grew up in Rangeley - actually Oquossoc, but lives in Boulder now, and I traveled to Rangeley together around a business trip she had to Bar Harbor. I've included some then-and-now photos for fun.
One of the many reasons I love Rangley. Serene beauty at Height of the Land overlook		Another beautiful site...Smalls Falls.		Main Street in Rangeley today. Where I spent so much time back in the 70's.
My cabin at the town dock, then (1973), getting primed for a Marshall Tucker concert - that's me in the center.		Where my cabin was, today. All that's left is a grassy yard, enclosed in trees, for the house next door (which used to be red and un-renovated in the edge of the old photo)		Visiting the Jill's family on Gull pond. My family away from home in Rangeley and the reason I got there in the first place. Thanks! Jill, Judy's daughter, Judy, Gye (who came visiting with me), Paulene and Kim. That's Gull Pond out the window.
		One night, Jill and I met up with a bunch of old friends at Sarge's bar. I hadn't seen them in more than 21 years and Jill hadn't seen most of them in many years either. Almost everyone knew we that were coming, although it was still quite a surprise to see each other. However, there was one great surprise when Keith walked in, just by coincidence, and almost fell down when he saw us. Some of these photos were also taken up at the Saddleback Inn, where a few of us met another night.
Jill, Kim and Me on the their dock on Gull Pond.				This is what some of the reunions looked like. This was Jill and Lori. "Oh my God!"
Ann, Jill, Gye and Lori.		Monika then (1973).		Jill, me and Monika now.
Timmy then (1973)		Timmy now.		Goolie, looking at my old photos from the early 70's.
Heidi and Me. I think I've had a bit to drink.		Keith then (1973)		Keith now, with Jill.
Tony and me then (1973)		Tony and Keith today.
Jimmy "Pianoman" and me up at Saddleback Inn.		Hal and me at the Saddleback Inn.		Monika's family restaurant, the Red Onion, then (1973). Where I waitressed, and stayed on occasion.
The Red Onion now.