Here you see the end of one of Maine’s many scenic private lanes and the beginning of one of the driveways connected to that road. The gracefully curved lane is maintained entirely by the owners of the shore residences that it serves.
This is private property where the public could be excluded. But, that is not the Maine way. It’s a tradition here to allow the public to enjoy scenic private lanes, roads, and woodlands. In fact, the public is encouraged to wander the private paths in the woods surrounding this lane.
The most spectacular example of this tradition is the North Maine Woods, a privately-owned 3.5-million-acre working forest. Outdoor enthusiasts may enter through staffed gates to enjoy its woods and thousands of miles of dirt roads, provided that they follow minimal safety rules and pay a $10 fee to help defray the costs of the gate personnel. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on December 9 [snow] and 14 [sunbeams], 2021.)