In the past, when I thought of Maine, I pictured the craggy coastline and Kennebunkport but Rangeley is what locals call "the real Maine." I've never found a place that more closely resembles a Norman Rockwell painting.

Ya’ know the things that we worry about at home -– like the political situation and world peace –- they don’t matter here. What’s important here are issues like whether to retain parallel parking on Main Street – yup, it’s really called that -- or switch to angled spaces.

This kept Rangeley residents embroiled in a year-long battle, which in some instances became so bitter it split family members on opposite sides. They finally settled on a Solomon-like decision: Half of the parking places would remain parallel, and half would be switched to angled parking. And broken homes healed.

There's no traffic light, and many cars are pickup trucks with a canoe or kayak strapped to the top. Oh, and only one cop, whose sole job I guess is to deal with the local high school boys on a rowdy night. Can’t keep him very busy, though -– there are only 12 kids in the whole graduating class.

The people are just as colorful. I love to linger at the post office, where folks gather and gossip with an outpouring of "heahs," "yups" and other Maine-speak. And listen to this. The women's auxiliary ran a raffle to raise funds for the town's volunteer fire department -- and offered a shotgun as first prize. Ya’ gotta love it.

And the names are great. The Rangeley Lakes Region was settled by Abnaki Indians who set up hunting and fishing camps along the area's 111 bodies of water. That's why lakes have names like Cupsuptic, Umbagog and tongue-twisting Mooselookmeguntic. Sure has it all over Lake Erie and Lake Placid!

And folks here love to fish. Rangeley has been a true Mecca for giant-sized trout and freshwater salmon for over a century. And kayak and hike and snowmobile. There’s something different to do every season. For me, it’s the access to several stretches of the Appalachian Trail that keeps me happy. Did I mention the skiing right at the edge of town? And I suppose I should mention the golf -– but you know how I feel about THAT sport.

Fall attracts deer, bear, small game and bird hunters – the only sport I like less than golf. However, that's also when Mother Nature puts on one of the most spectacular displays of foliage I've enjoyed anywhere. You’d like it here.

For information about Rangeley, call the Chamber of Commerce at 800/MT-LAKES (685-2537) or check out its web site at rangeleymaine.com.

Until my next destination,
Fyllis

Fyllis Hockman is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance travel writer. She writes regularly for The Washington Times, is syndicated by the Copley News Service, and is a feature columnist for several online travel magazines. Ms. Hockman's travel stories also have appeared in the New York Post, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Providence Journal, Halifax Herald, Boston Herald, Gazette Newspapers, Asbury Park Press, New Hampshire Sunday News, Buffalo News and many other publications. She is the author of AAA Guidebook: A Photo Journey to Washington, D.C. and co-author of the Pelican Guide to Maryland. Ms. Hockman is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and Travel Journalists Guild.

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