Let’s face it. People “from away” don’t understand Maine. Our friends don’t visit in the winter and family doesn’t know why you choose to endure yet another Nor’easter and haven’t just moved south like them. Sure, it can be cold and snowy and it’s about as far north as you can get without needing your passport, but it’s also home to lobster, sexy lumberjacks, and a unique language you won’t find anywhere else in the country. We’ve compiled a list of ten reasons to love Maine.

Pass these along to your friends the next time they suggest you just meet them in Boston.

  1. We’ve got the best Lobstah in the country!

Thomas Cook / Flickr 90% of all lobster consumed in the US is caught in Maine waters.

  1. We have Moose. Lots of them!

Lois Smith / Flickr They’re cute, they’re furry, they might kill you. Maine has over 75,000 moose. In fact, near Moosehead Lake there are 3 moose for every person!

  1. Our killer coastline is like none other.

Keith Carver / Flickr With all of its scenic bays and craggy peninsulas, Maine has more mileage of coastline than California.

  1. Our insane inland is our best kept secret.

The B’s / Flickr Contrary to popular belief, you can have an awesome experience exploring Maine without stepping foot near the coast. We’ve got more forest than Vermont and New Hampshire combined and some amazing scenic drives. Take a trip on the Rangeley Scenic Byway to see the Height of Land (pictured) and you’ll just be scratching the surface of all inland has to offer.

  1. American author, Henry David Thoreau, loved Maine!

Numb Photo / Flickr (Baxter State Park) He loved it so much, he wrote an entire book about his time here.

“The spruce and cedar on its shores, hung with gray lichens, looked at a distance like the ghosts of trees. Ducks were sailing here and there on its surface, and a solitary loon, like a more living wave, — a vital spot on the lake’s surface, — laughed and frolicked, and showed its straight leg, for our amusement.” - Thoreau in his book, “Maine Woods”

  1. We have Acadia, the only National Park that touches a coastline.

Dave Wilson / Flickr Utah, your desert landscape is great, but there’s something pretty awe-inspiring about hiking through rocks and trees while hearing the ocean lapping against the shore.

  1. We basically invented the lumbersexual.

Michelle Starin Looking for a plaid wearing, ax-wielding guy? Maine is your place. Looking to hone the look? You’ll find plenty of inspiration among the L.L. Bean clad guys throughout the state.

  1. That island life!

JP / Flickr With more than 3,000 registered coastal islands in Maine, you can island hop for years. If you’re ambitious, you can kayak the 350-mile island trail and camp on the shores of a different island each night.

  1. We have cool geography facts.

Maine is the closest US state to Africa. You can almost smell the spice bazaar from Quoddy Head. Sort of. On a clear day. If you’re holding spices.

  1. We have our own distinct language.

Michelle Starin Using Maine’s affirmative grunt can mean anything from general agreement to a quick acknowledgement that you’ve heard someone.

What’s your favorite thing about Vacationland? Let me know in the comments and stay tuned for Part 2!

Thomas Cook / Flickr

90% of all lobster consumed in the US is caught in Maine waters.

Lois Smith / Flickr

They’re cute, they’re furry, they might kill you. Maine has over 75,000 moose. In fact, near Moosehead Lake there are 3 moose for every person!

Keith Carver / Flickr

With all of its scenic bays and craggy peninsulas, Maine has more mileage of coastline than California.

The B’s / Flickr

Contrary to popular belief, you can have an awesome experience exploring Maine without stepping foot near the coast. We’ve got more forest than Vermont and New Hampshire combined and some amazing scenic drives. Take a trip on the Rangeley Scenic Byway to see the Height of Land (pictured) and you’ll just be scratching the surface of all inland has to offer.

Numb Photo / Flickr (Baxter State Park)

He loved it so much, he wrote an entire book about his time here.

“The spruce and cedar on its shores, hung with gray lichens, looked at a distance like the ghosts of trees. Ducks were sailing here and there on its surface, and a solitary loon, like a more living wave, — a vital spot on the lake’s surface, — laughed and frolicked, and showed its straight leg, for our amusement.” - Thoreau in his book, “Maine Woods”

Dave Wilson / Flickr

Utah, your desert landscape is great, but there’s something pretty awe-inspiring about hiking through rocks and trees while hearing the ocean lapping against the shore.

Michelle Starin

Looking for a plaid wearing, ax-wielding guy? Maine is your place. Looking to hone the look? You’ll find plenty of inspiration among the L.L. Bean clad guys throughout the state.

JP / Flickr

With more than 3,000 registered coastal islands in Maine, you can island hop for years. If you’re ambitious, you can kayak the 350-mile island trail and camp on the shores of a different island each night.

Maine is the closest US state to Africa. You can almost smell the spice bazaar from Quoddy Head. Sort of. On a clear day. If you’re holding spices.

Using Maine’s affirmative grunt can mean anything from general agreement to a quick acknowledgement that you’ve heard someone.

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