i lived in MAINE for 8 years. when i 1st got there, we would ride and see these houses with a DOOR on the 2nd story........AND NO PORCH!!!! thought it was dumb............BUT AFTER THE 1ST WINTER, i understood.
the snow get so deep up there, that you cant get out the door on the ground floor!!!!!!!!!!!
so you go out the 2nd story door WITH SNOWSHOES!!!!!!