Melissa Tagg

It was who was the first to toe off her shoes and say, “I’m wading in.”

And it didn’t take long for and to follow suit.

But only seconds into the ice-cold water, the tide started rolling and we started running back over the rocks. I’m so happy that Katelyn (last pic) captured those delightful moments on camera!

I could list about a thousand gifts that came out of our Maine Reader’s Retreat (and it’s very possible I’m going to annoy every single person in my life doing exactly that in coming days and weeks!) but one of the very best gifts was getting to know Heidi and Amanda. I’d read and loved their books before meeting them in person—and they are both every bit as wonderful as the stories they tell! We connected quickly and deeply, and I’m so, so grateful the Maine memories I’m going to cherish for years to come include the two of them.

❤️❤️❤️

One final enchanting day in Maine!

It was cold and rainy but that didn’t stop us from squeezing in a whole day of stops and sights, including:

🫐A visit to Fields Fields Blueberries—a wild blueberry farm! We got a tour of the fields and it was so interesting. Of course, I had to take a couple pics of Autumn by the Sea in honor of Neil and Muir Farm.

🌊Portland Head Lighthouse—sooooo pretty! So cold, but so pretty! (And we had to take pics of , and my slightly differing feelings about climbing steep cliffs. 🤣)

🏠A tour of Victoria Mansion…super ornate and intriguing history!

✨One last big group gathering at where they created a blueberry cocktail/mocktail for us. I’m so grateful for so many new friends (and old friends, too— !)…for bookish and meaningful conversations…

…and for memories that will stay with me forever. ❤️❤️❤️

Last night was magical! 🥰

Bass Head Harbor Lighthouse would’ve been the prettiest, most picturesque piece of this trip for me even if it wasn’t the inspiration for the cover of Wedding at Sea. That was just the biggest, happiest bow on top of what was already such a gift. Ahhhh I can’t get over the beauty of it!

And an extra sweet thing: it rained on the way to and back from the lighthouse…but when we were there…no rain AND the sun came out!!

I followed the example of and left a signed copy of the book on the rocks for a stranger to find.

Other highlights of yesterday:

✨Bar Island hike
✨Time to read and journal
✨Classic Maine lobster roll at Stewmans
✨A rainbow!
✨The sweet gift of a poem written by Paul (aka Katelyn’s dad)
✨Sharing memories and laughter in a big circle with new friends

And now, our final day 🥲! First stop, a blueberry farm! And then off to Portland…

If this trip ended right here, I’d be more than content. Marshall Point Lighthouse took my breath away. 🌊