As Always, The Longest Day Of The Year Begins Right Here In Maine

I think one of the first factoids about Maine that we learn when we're kids, is that our little state catches the first rays of sunshine every morning. Being the easterly most state, it comes by default. But, depending on the time of year, it varies a bit from town to town, as to who gets the first rays.

For instance, as we move right now through the late spring to late summer months, the sun rises first up on Mars Hill in Aroostook County. Pretty much from April through September, that lovely area is bathed in the first rays of our days. As we transition into the fall and winter months, Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park takes the title. And at two very brief points, around the time of the spring and fall equinox, West Quoddy Head in Lubec gets lit up.

This graphic from the National Weather Service in Caribou Facebook page lays it out pretty succinctly:

Like I said when I was a kid, in Social Studies class, we were taught that Maine was the first spot in the U.S. to be hit by the sun. Specifically, I remember them saying it was Mt. Katahdin. And I'm sure it's one of the first, but I'm definitely going to agree with the National Weather Service over a 5th grade text book, likely printed by folks that lived somewhere far away from here. Dang flatlanders!

So I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy this looooong day for all it's worth. Sure, technically, from now until the end of December, the days get shorter. But enjoy the next several weeks of seemingly endless daytime. We don't get a lot to look forward to as far as warm weather longevity, so we need to take these little small victories where we can get them.

Just to rub it in, here's a nice one from at my camp...

So crack a beverage, fire up the grill, put on some bug spray, and stay outside as long as you can tonight. Because it's all downhill til winter.