SETTING THE TONE A relaxing ambience pervades the Merrymeeting Bay destination

I’ll tell you how I am going to get through this winter. In Bowdoinham — one of those postcard Maine towns, etched against the sylvan inlets of Merrymeeting Bay, just half an hour north of Portland — live Darcy Thirlwall and Ray Hall. On their forested property is Riverview Sauna Spa and Massage Therapy, which offers a private, wood-fired, Finnish sauna and an outdoor hot tub. I went there earlier this month, unthawed in the sauna, then sat in the hot tub while watching trees pale under the first snow of the new year. I plan on going back. Again and again. Until June, if I have to.