Home

I'm home.  I thought I better tell you all that so you would know I'm not still in gorgeous Maine on an extended sabbatical.  I wish I was.  But I'm not.  I know you were waiting for that news with bated breath, restless at night wondering where I was, if I'd gotten washed off the coast somewhere!  =)  But no, I am, in fact, still here.  Sorry for giving just a taste of Maine and then disappearing.  It was the ocean's fault.  That, and the crackling fireplace.  Both of them lulled me into a blogless stupor.  I couldn't help myself.  I had every intention to blog more while I was there, but as you can see....... I'm really a victim here!  Sucked into the beauty and serenity that is the coast of Maine.  It's a timeless trap, and oh so hard to leave.   Anyway, leave I did.  Because I'm a slave to duty and responsibility and all that, that's why! lol  I mean,  I really couldn't let my boss down, now could I??  Oh but I wanted to!  Unfortunately there is also the matter of moolah to be considered........sigh.....  So I'm back.  We had a lovely time.  I did notice, though, that this time we were all quite lazy.  It was like we were all just plain tired and needed a break that included a lot of doing nothing.  So most mornings we lazed around the house until Noon or 1, when we would finally get out the door to go see something.  We did a couple hikes, drove out to Schoodic Peninsula one day (hoping for some crashing waves, which sadly did not materialize as hoped), stopped in at Bass Harbor Headlight (simply a MUST if you are ever in Acadia!).  We would prowl around until dark then head back to the cottage and it's alluring fireplace like moths to a flame.  The nice thing about Acadia is that when the sun goes down, there really is very little to do.  Which means that you can head back to the fireplace without a smidge of guilt that you are wasting precious vacation time doing nothing but sitting in front of blazing logs!  It's wonderful!  So the days went something like this: I got up between 7 & 8 (because I can't stay in bed much later anymore!) and soaked in the quiet of the house enjoying my coffee until 9 or 10 when the others would start to get up.  Then came the comaraderie of the breakfast choices (donuts or creme horn or toast or cereal or.......decisions!) and the conversations between sisters.  Following that there was the packing of food bags (do you notice a trend here?) for the day's outing.  Seriously though, don't go out and about in Acadia without food!  The air there has some special spore in it that will start making you hungry as soon as you get in your car!  If you don't take anything with you, I promise you will be in starvation mode when you finally get back to your cottage because there is not much food available in the Park---unless you consider the few protein bars at the shop near Thunder Hole or the berries you find in the woods!  But I digress.  Once the bags were packed the adventure of the day began and would continue until dark/dusk---somewhere between 6 and 7.  Then it was back to the cottage for supper and fire.  This year I mostly spearheaded the meals, which was quite fun.  I love to cook and don't get to cook for others very often, so having that responsiblity was rather enjoyable. ( Not to say that the others didn't help!)  We'd eat around the fire and spend the evening there, enjoying the warmth. Can you see why it was so hard to leave?  6 days of this bliss---not nearly enough! lol  But I am grateful for what we had and am looking forward to next year.  Are you ready for a trip yet?  I can't say enough about this piece of God's creation.  I know there are lots of places in this world that are full of incredible beauty, but for me, this one does it every time.  Go see it!!  =)

The Blonde and The Beautiful

What a gorgeous day!  Before noon we had rain and fog and mist---the kind of weather I have come to associate with Maine and learned to love.  And because we come here so often, I don't get antsy when it rains during our vacation time---first of all because we have seen many places multiple times, so if we don't get to see it this time, it's ok; and secondly, I have learned that stormy days in Maine often mean the sea will be wild and joyous---truly a sight to behold!!  So rainy days are ok.  But today was not all rain.  Along about Noon the rain disappeared, along with the clouds, and the sun burst out, complete with Fall clouds and blue sky.  The temp was about 60 as well, which made for a perfect day to be outside.  So off we went for an afternoon of shopping in Bar Harbor.  Bar Harbor is a great place for strolling and browsing.  There are, of course, the obligatory souvenir-type shops that one always finds in tourist places (though I must say, the souvenirs in Bar Harbor are mostly tasteful), but there are also a lot of other shops with highly interesting inventory.  WindowPanes is a good example.  I always love going in there.  It's mostly a kitchen and table shop with interesting linens, beautiful dishes and all kinds of kitchen gadgets, but there is also a nice array of gifty-type things.  So fun to browse through.  Then there is the Katahdin gallery where Steve Bart has his photos (find him online at www.katahdinphotogallery.com).  Breathtaking is one word that comes to mind.  I like to go in there because the beautiful photos feed the photographer part of my soul.  =)  There is also the food.  Lobster? Salmon? Swordfish? Steak?  It's all there, as well as places to get yummy ice cream and fudge. (We bought Maple Walnut and Penuchi Nut. Yum!!)  There is one place, though, that has captured our palates and hearts above all others.  That is Galyn's.  Years ago,  my sister Mary and I went in there on a whim, and we've been going back ever since.  The place itself has a very pleasant, slightly upscale ambience, and it's situated so that you can look out at Bar Harbor proper while you eat (interesting boats and, if you're lucky, a cruise ship or two).  In the Fall there is a large maple tree right across the street that is ablaze with color, and if you are there in the late afternoon (as we were), the sun shines on that tree, the fluttering Flag next to it and the boats in the harbor.  A stunning sight for the digestive juices!  Digestive juices that will, I might add, be flowing freely after you see and taste the food!  =)  So good.  I usually order the Lobster Linguini.  Sauteed lobster with fresh tomatoes and basil on a bed of linguini.  Simple but delicious.  And easy, since the lobster is all pulled from it's shell for you.  Are you hungry yet?  =)  Overall, it's just a really nice dining experience, and we look forward to it every year.  Then this evening, after our dining, the moon obliged us by coming up, huge and full right over the harbor---just as a cruise ship came into view below, all lit up for the night.  How cool is that?  It really was gorgeous.  I would post a picture, but I can't.  I know, I know! Those of you who know me cannot believe I have no pictures.  Well, here's where the 'blonde' part of this post comes in.  This morning I had my memory card in the computer to move pictures from card to computer..........You can see where this is going, can't you?  Yep, you guessed it.  I left the memory card in.the.computer.  Can you believe that???!  Don't answer that! lol  So there I was, with the beautiful sunshine on trees and boats and flag, and then that fantastic moon scene, and a camera with NO memory card!!  Panic nearly set in! And what's worse, this is the second time I have done this on this vacation! Yesterday when Mary and I went walking I went to take a picture, no memory card. I couldn't believe I had done that then, so when I did it again today, I was really, really in shock!  I have never, ever done that before!  I have forgotten an extra battery before, but never, ever, my memory card!  I could not believe it!  What is going on?!  I think it must have all started when I booked the wrong dates for my tickets.  The blonde genes started churning then and just never stopped, so by now they are at high tide! lol  So.  Tonight when we got home I put the card directly in the camera and told the rest of the gang to remind me about the memory card before we go out tomorrow--just in case it slipped out in the night for some reason! lol  At present there is a large note on the door going out to remind the blonde one to make sure she has all her proper gear!  Maybe one of these days I'll get it together, though I'm not going to hold my breath!  In the meantime, I'm lovin' Maine! (Just lacking in pictures! lol) Night all!

Maine

Back again---to Maine, that is.  Back to the land of the first sunrise in the nation, crashing waves, solid rocks, and natural serenity at its best.  It's become a habit with us, a craving deep in the soul that starts its calling to us for the next dose nearly as soon as we finish the current one.  Like crack, only with much deeper meaning. =)  We've been coming here so many years I have lost count.  Sometimes we think about seeing other places, but when seeing other places means giving up our annual feast of Maine, most times we just can't do it.  I cannot really describe what Maine does for us, but if you've ever had a place that made you feel at peace every time you went there, then you can understand pretty well. 

This year, the adventure started early.  Well, I started early, I should say!  I discovered the night before I left home that I had booked my trip a day early......Oy!  I always knew I would do something like this one day! lol  Somehow I got the wrong set of dates in my head.  I don't know how that happened as I hardly ever get things mixed up!  (You really needn't be smiling so knowingly!)  Anyway, off I flew to Maine on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.  The trip went without a hitch and I was even able to stay at the old hotel we used to always stay at in our earlier visits.  So many memories there!  If you are ever in Southwest Harbor and need a place to sleep, check out the Harborview Motel.  There are few amenities and the rooms would definitely be considered out of date and rustic, but they are inexpensive and always have the freshest sheets and towels.  It's a place to sleep, not to hang out.  Anyway, back to the adventure.  Wednesday found me with most of a day to kill before the rest of the gang could get there.  What does a gal do to kill time?  Why shopping, of course!  I shopped till I dropped! lol  So handy that there is an LL Bean outlet here, as well as a nice big Goodwill...... Let's just say, I may have to send some stuff home with my sisters for me to pick up when I fly home for Thanksgiving! (I'll have an extra suitcase then.)  =)  It was quite fun, actually.  Other years I have wished to prowl about some of the shops in town, but have not wanted to take vacation and together time to do it.  But this year because of my blonde behavior I had ample time to do so!  Isn't it amazing how sometimes God takes our mistakes and turns them into something good and fun?  I even timed the shopping just right and landed at Walmart just as the rest of our "gang of girls" arrived.  How cool is that?  We had a rather large list, so decided to divide and conquer.  We split into 3 and rounded up the victuals.  For once we were quite organized---a proud moment to be sure!  =)  We piled 3 cart-loads into my rented Silver Sonic---a sight to behold---and headed off to The House.  For years we rented a cottage from Harborview and while they were quite cozy, there were no laundry facilities nor internet service.  Last year we decided to "upgrade" and rented a house.  It's a wonderfully cozy place complete with fireplace and old-fashioned claw foot tub (not to mention washer/dryer, full kitchen and wi-fi!).  We enjoyed it so much last year, we rented it again.  So last year we met a new "friend" and this year we came to our vacation "home".  =)  One of the first orders of business after unloading the cars was to go in search of wood---priorities, dontcha know---and get the fire started.  We spend a bit of money on wood (because it's just easier than bringing a chainsaw! lol)  But it's cheap entertainment and so pleasant besides.  So our evening was spent in front of the crackling fire, eating (of course!), and beginning the relaxing that only happens when one is on "holiday".  What will happen next?  I have no idea, and don't really care.  Just being back in Maine is wonderful enough.  =)