Postcard No. 4
A few of my favorite things about sweet Maumee
A few weeks ago, I was sitting at a bar with my parents in Florida when a woman sat down next to me and struck up a conversation. After an initial introduction the conversation went a little something like this:
her: So, what do you do?
me: I own and run a bed and breakfast.
her: Oh! Where?!
me: Maumee, Ohio. It’s outside of Toledo, Ohio.
her: Where is that?
me: It’s about an hour south of Detroit, just below the Ohio/Michigan border.
her: scoff - oh, no one goes there.
While I’d love to be the type who lets this roll right off, I’ve let it bother me. I’ve played it out a few times in the shower or while doing dishes, and use that as my opportunity to deliver a far wittier comeback than the response I gave, which for the record, was a nervous “ha.”
She hasn’t been the first to share that sentiment, and she most likely won’t be the last. Listen, if you haven’t been to Maumee yet, it’s hard to grasp the cute, quaint, and cozy little town that it is, and just how much it means to me.
Here are 5 things I love and appreciate most about sweet lil Maumee, Ohio:
I love being 2 blocks away from the Maumee River, and the towpath that runs along side of it. It’s is one of my favorite places to witness the change of seasons. This time of year, I eagerly await for the buds to form on the eastern red bud trees, as they turn a beautiful vibrant purple, and to see the wild pops of yellow forsythia.
I love my neighbors. And I love that my neighbors love our neighborhood. I have arguably the best of the best. My neighbors have helped me a great deal in this adventure, and are a blast to be with. When guests arrive at the inn, I always encourage a stroll through the neighborhood or a walk down to the river if they’re able to and time allows. And 9/10, guests will arrive back at the inn and share that people actually waved and smiled at them on their walk. It makes me feel proud to be a part of this community.
This past summer, I invited the neighborhood, friends, and family over for my 30th birthday, and each of them chipped in for an incredibly thoughtful gift. (I’ll be sending another post card about it!)
I love the excitement around July 4th here. Years back, there was a Martha Stewart Living July issue that painted this iconic backyard New England July 4th extravaganza, with sparklers, fresh berries, fireworks, and friends. To me, Maumee feels just like that Living July issue. Neighbors are all having bbq’s, everything is green and lush, there’s a festival in Uptown with live music, beer tents, and food trucks, and a fireworks show to round out the night. I look forward to it every year.
I love small town livin’. Back in 2021, a friend told me about Julie O’Rourke on instagram (@rudyjude). I immediately fell in love with her content and all of the crafts and handmade things she shared. From foraging flowers, to mending clothes, to what her life is like in rural Maine, she inspired (and still does) the reframe of how I view my life here. To see abundance. To embrace the quirkiness of small town life, and to let it shine.
I love the nooks and crannies of Maumee. Even if you’ve lived here your whole life and have “done it all”, there is still so much to uncover. Having grown up in the area, this was my mentality when I moved back. It wasn’t until I went to an estate sale down the road, I changed my mind. The man whom the home belonged to, was the 3rd generation to own the house since the 1860’s. He had a fantastic collection of books, art, and fascinating bits and bobs. But the coolest piece, in my opinion, was his family’s American flag from the civil war that was hand sewn and dyed, and didn’t even have all 50 stars on it! Nooks and crannies, friends, nooks and crannies.
‘Til March 1st, friends. Spring is almost here!
