It appears that those who want a special spot in Maine are heading for the hills.

The above photo depicts the Blue Mountains of Franklin County. I deem them as quite beautiful but I barely noticed them when I bought my property several Ice Ages ago.

Now more developers - and buyers - are looking at the mountains as the next marketable resource. The ocean is much too expensive for most people, and retreats on lakes and rivers are also costly.

In my sector of Cabin Country, new developments such as Hampshire Ridge and Skyline Estates are being built. Right now the construction consists of the roads and sewerage work, but no doubt next spring will find cabins and houses being constructed.

The above photo was taken on Route 134, which runs from New Sharon to Mt. Vernon. Several farmhouses perched on this ridge have glorious views - if I lived there, I might never leave the breakfast deck to pursue the day.

There are many cabins and retreats in ski country, of course. But it seems like the "average" mountains in central and western Maine are being eyed by developers who see them as the next marketplace where people can afford a cabin or camp.

Curiously, I can now see the mountains from my front deck. A (nonappropriate) clearcut across the dirt road has given me a better view (in winter) and I enjoy sitting outside on cool November days and looking into the hills. It's another benefit of having a camp, and as I often say to myself, it was my lucky day when I bought the land.

(An aside: When I purchased the property, the deed said "30 acres, more of less." But when the town revalued all property a decade ago, I got a tax bill based on 18 acres. I complained. But the assessor, with a pronounced Down East accent and a droll sense of humor, replied, "Well, it does say 30 acres more or less. I guess you got less." I did get less. But so be it. I am happy with what I have).

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