This is the story of how one of my favorite photos came to be. When I was little, my dad and I had a tradition. Every Sunday afternoon, if neither of us was sick and the roads were clear of any ice or snow, we would go for a drive. We would be gone for hours, exploring a different part of Maine or New Hampshire each week. Given the time constraints, we weren’t able to go to the furthest reaches of the state, but we explored as much as we could in the areas available. Sometimes we’d go places Dad had been before that he wanted to share with me. Sometimes we’d go to familiar places that were special to both of us. And, sometimes we’d go somewhere completely new. It was always an adventure, and always meant so much to me.

      One year, we ended up driving along a winding road heading towards Rangeley. We found ourselves climbing higher and higher, then rounded a bend in the road to see a beautiful vista before us with trees and lakes and mountains as far as the eye could see. We pulled off the side of the road and got out to explore. We found a trail going higher up the mountain into the tiny alpine trees. This was the Appalachian Trail, and this spot was called Height of Land.

      Several years later, on our way to Quebec for a week-long road trip, we found ourselves back at the Height of Land once more, this time closer to sunset. It was so beautiful and so peaceful. We pulled over and spent a few minutes enjoying the view before continuing on to find accommodations for the night. This place had become very special to me, and any time I was in the area, I couldn’t help but stop and spend time there.

A film photo from one of those early trips with my dad of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

      In 2010, I had taken on a bit of a mission. The state of Maine had started a program in their state parks to try to get more visitors. They had created little passport books and a station in every park where visitors could go and get their state park passport books stamped, similar to what the national parks were doing and to what happens in your actual passport when traveling internationally. I couldn’t resist the challenge, so I decided I wanted to try and visit as many of the state parks that year as I could in order to get as many stamps in my book as possible. Whether on my own or when I was visiting with my dad, Jan, or any of my friends, I’d try to go for a drive to hit some parks.

      On a mid-September day, I was with Jan, and we decided it was a perfect day for a drive. There were several state parks in her neck of the woods that I’d never been to, so off we went. First, we stopped at Sebago Lake State Park and Songo Locks. Next, we hit Range Ponds State Park. From there, we ended up at Grafton Notch State Park. I’d been there only once before and definitely thought it’d be a good one to spend more time at with all the nearby hiking trails.

The Songo River Queen II, a replica of the paddle wheeler boats that had been on the Mississippi River, approaching Songo Locks. Sebago Lake State Park, Naples, Maine

Two people manually operating the locks. Sebago Lake State Park, Naples, Maine

The lifeguard station on the empty beach. Range Ponds State Park, Poland, Maine

      Since we were relatively close to Rangeley at that point, at least as the crow flies, I wanted to stop at the Height of Land. Once again, it was into golden hour, not too long before sunset, when we arrived. It was absolutely beautiful, and we had it all to ourselves. I carefully pulled off the road and hopped out. The conditions were perfect, and I had my little Panasonic point and shoot digital camera with me. All the other times I’d been there, I either didn’t have a camera or didn’t have the skill to get great images. That year, I had been doing all my photos with this point and shoot camera because the quality was better than what I was getting from my film camera, but I hadn’t decided on a specific digital SLR yet.

The low sun just above the mountaintop shining through the leaves and across the low vegetation was the best light I'd seen in all my visits. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

A small glimpse of Mooselookmeguntic Lake and the mountains beyond. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

      As always, there were a handful of birch trees scattered along the edge of the road with a meadow sloping down before reaching the forest below with Mooselookmeguntic Lake stretching out to meet the mountains in the distance. The light of the low sun caressed the white bark of the birch trees, turning it a lovely golden hue. Birch trees are my favorite type of tree, and I was in heaven.

The beautiful birch trees along the edge of the road glistening in the sunlight. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

      I’m not sure how long we were there, but I took quite a few photos of the trees and the vista. Eventually, though, we had to head out. We stopped at one last location, Mt Blue State Park, on the way home, but it was completely dark by then. All in all, it had been a really fantastic day.

More of the birch trees near the road framing Mooselookmeguntic Lake beyond. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

Another view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake framed by the leaves of one of the birch trees and with the grasses and evergreen trees glowing in the sunlight. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

The colors of sunset over the mountains beyond Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

      The next time I went back to the Height of Land, everything had changed. A few years ago, I had decided to go for a long drive around the state. I’d had a bear workshop out of state a few months previously and was about to leave for another one in Alaska. I’d been so busy with work, I hadn’t had much chance for landscape photography or even just getting out, so I was in desperate need for both.

      Eventually, I found myself back at the Height of Land, but it was completely unrecognizable. The road had been widened and repaved and a large scenic pullout had been built. It was really well done with beautiful flowers planted among the parking spaces and walkway. It was very popular with loads of people enjoying the wonderful view. However, it made me so sad. All of my wonderful birches were gone. I don’t know if they’d been cut down for the construction project or if they’d died before it was started. Either way, they were gone, and the whole place was changed forever.

A new view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake with some of the flowers planted alongside the parking area of the scenic overlook. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

More flowers and the rocks lining the edge of the scenic lookout of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Height of Land, Township D, Maine

      Knowing what has happened, those photos I took that day with Jan have become even more special to me. I had always loved the photos I captured up there at the Height of Land. Now, however, I will cherish them even more for capturing the essence of what made that place so special and for the memories of all my times there and my adventures with my dad and with Jan. One of those photos, in particular, captured my heart more than all the others. This photo is among my all-time favorite photos. It may not be the best from a technical perspective, but it lifts my heart so much when I see it. It fills me with peace, and I hope it may do the same for you.

One of my absolute favorite images - Sunset Birch Tree Over Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Height of Land, Township D, Maine