Photographer's reflective trek through Maine's rural eastern area, DownEast region
In the heart of Maine, a state known for its open spaces, placid waters, and forested coastlines, award-winning storyteller Pete Muller recently embarked on a journey that brought him back to a place where he first found clarity as a teenager.
Muller's initial visit to Maine was part of a program for at-risk youth. Back then, he was struggling at home in New Jersey, getting into trouble and acting out emotions he didn't understand. But in Maine, something shifted.
The simplicity of the Maine woods and the leadership of the trip guide led to a transformation for Muller. He witnessed a fog-cloaked sunrise at the West Quoddy Head Light station, the first morning light to hit the continental United States. The experience offered a level of connection to the natural world that has been clarifying for him ever since.
Muller's journey took him to various corners of the region. He boarded a whale-watching cruise at Easport Windjammers, observing whales, porpoises, eagles, and tidal whirlpools. He had dinner at Yellow Birch Farm, feasting on produce harvested steps away and prepared by Chef La Mason.
At Deer Isle Oyster Company, Muller received a hands-on tour of a sustainable oyster farm. Owner Abby Barrows is on a mission to remove microplastics created by sea farming gear, a testament to Maine's commitment to preserving its natural beauty.
Muller also met the family owners of Raye's Mustard at their stone-ground mustard mill in Eastport. And he kayaked on the clear, glassy waters along Cobscook Shores, a wildlife-rich park system.
Throughout his trip, Muller recalled a clarity that emerged during his first visit to Maine. His work as a reporter, editor, and photographer has explored cultural ideas about masculinity and their influence on how men process emotion. It's a journey that began in Maine, and one that continues to this day.
Though details about Muller's personal life are scarce, his connection to Maine remains constant. Visitors are drawn to Maine for an escape, but return for connections to nature, others, and themselves. For Muller, Maine offers a unique and transformative experience that has shaped his life and work.
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