I get the same good feeling every time I shop at Renys. I wander the aisles thinking, “This store has what Mainers truly want.”
I get the same feeling while shopping at other Maine-based outfitters. Indian Hill Trading Post in Greenville comes to mind.
Don’t get me wrong — I love the outdoors and I am no stranger to L.L. Bean, Cabela’s and a host of other outfitters. As a youngster, I grew up reading every page of the Herter’s mail-order catalog that came addressed to my father. Fun fact: if you remember Herter’s, you’re old.
On my last visit to Renys, I tried to figure out what made the store feel different. After all, Renys carries many of the same brands as larger retailers. I concluded it was the merchandise mix that was distinctive.
For instance, all retailers carry hiking boots that resist moisture. But Renys seems to have a higher proportion of footwear that resists slush. Large retailers sell plenty of Columbia sportswear. Renys also offers a lot more Carhartt. National chains offer a wide selection of stylish winter hats. Renys offers hats that keep my ears warm.
I notice the difference while traveling, too. While strolling around the terminal at Logan Airport in Boston, I swear I can distinguish Mainers from Massachusetts residents by their clothing alone, even though the two states are only separated by 16 miles of New Hampshire.
I pondered further: if Maine outdoor enthusiasts in general are a little “different,” then Maine birders are probably a little different too.
Right.
Maine people can drive in snow. Massachusetts people can drive in Boston. Let’s face it — those are two very different skill sets. On a per capita basis, nearly twice as many all-wheel drive Subarus are registered in Maine compared to Massachusetts.
Mainers — true Mainers — think a sunny day of 22 degrees and no wind is downright balmy. Perfect for birding.
On colder days, Maine birders have only one big decision in the morning: how many layers to wear.
Maine is larger than the other five New England states combined. Traveling longer distances is normal for Mainers. A birding excursion from Bangor to southern Maine is just a quick hop. In fact, Mainers don’t describe in miles how far it is to where a rare bird is being seen. They estimate how long it takes to get there.
Maine birders — my wife Sandi included — believe Gifford’s Ice Cream stands should stay open in winter, so a successful day of birding may always be celebrated with a scoop of Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate.
The differences are just as stark in summer. Nobody likes black flies, but Mainer birders don’t complain about them. Well, OK, yes we do, but only to garner sympathy from fellow sufferers.
In late June, the sun rises and good birding begins at 4:30 a.m. Visitors to Maine think that’s crazy. They’re right.
Mainers know where the Atlantic puffins are. No other state has them.
We wish snowy owls would visit more often.
Even our backyard bird feeding habits are a bit different. Maine birds universally appreciate black oil sunflower seeds. A lot of cheap, packaged bird feed has too much filler — types of seeds that local birds won’t eat. Milo, also known as red sorghum, is the chief culprit. Quail and pheasants in other parts of the country might enjoy such fare tossed on the ground. But these round, impossibly hard seeds are too difficult for our local birds to eat.
Mainers are self-reliant, rugged and resilient. Nobody gets the best of us. Except squirrels.
Real hot dogs are red. End of story.
On a full day of birding on the road, it’s good to know that every convenience store has ready-to-eat pizza slices.
“Ayuh” is pronounced differently in Aroostook County vs. Washington County, but nobody in Hollywood pronounces it correctly either way. Furthermore, I’ve never heard a Maine birder say it.
Maine birders like orioles and blue jays, but not if they’re playing the Red Sox. Every Maine birder hates the Yankees. Prove me wrong.
I admit, not all Maine birders relish going deep into the North Maine Woods. But for those who do, coming face-to-face with a moose or bear is just normal.
Maine is a state of 1.3 million people. People from away think that all birders in Maine must know each other, no matter what part of the state they come from.
We do.
