Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Summer Camp 2011




Sailing Regattas, Merit Badges, Hiking, Campfires, Sleeping in Tents, Bear in the Mess Hall, Gopher duty, Launching Rockets, Sweet Treats from the trading Post, Letters from Home, Home Sick, Wood carving, Latrines, Sunsets, Sunrises, Mountain Dew - phew mom never lets me have this!!, Rifles, Shotgun, Mammal Study, Nature, Indian Lore, the fun never ends when at Summer Camp!!

Off the needles . . . . .



This was called a Pashima Rib Scarf and it has traveled many miles over several summers. It came off the needles while on Acadia this summer. woo hoo!!! The colors are many of those seen at Acadia. The blue/gray green hues of the Ocean and rocks, pink granite rocky cliffs, yellow and brighter red/pink wild flowers, light green grasses and mosses. The yarn is a very soft cotton alpaca that was a true delight to work with. Can't wait to wear it !! ( but all the excessive heat this summer has not been conducive to that. )

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Red Squirrel Fun






So I was waiting in a Parking lot in Acadia - You see my adventurous children were exploring rocky ledges and cliffs at low tide and Dad was with them and I decided after one to many deep breathes that we all would enjoy this moment more if I did not watch. My head of course knew they were safe but my heart kept leaping up my throat and it was just not a good time. I retreated to a parking lot, took some photos of local flora and sketched, read a book and caught these little devils in action. At first I did not think much of it but then it was clear that a show was to be seen. Whenever you are quiet and still in nature the most amazing things can happen. There seemed to be a whole family sharing this recycling container as they would race in and out hardly stopping at times to see if the coast was clear. I showed my kids pictures and I think they still were not sure and then- bam they saw the real thing in living color - quite a good laugh.

Maine Lighthouses 2011

Bass Harbor Lighthouse

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Twin Lights Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Lighthouse different view

Nubble Rock Lighthouse

Petit Manan Lighthouse




Well these were some but not all of the lighthouses we visited this trip. I believe that Maine Boasts 70 Coastal lighthouses. Some of these we have been to many times and several were new to us this year. These days most are automated and taken over by the Coastguard or Private agencies but in their day, there's was an important job. Many of these lighthouses are on remote islands or craggy ledges and the houses for the keepers are there as well. Modern conveniences would have to come by boat and would not come very often. It is a wonderful piece of history to see them and wonder .. . . what it was like to build them . . . . to live in them and just how many lives or "souls" were saved by them. After exploring the Great Lakes lighthouses - always interesting to see the Open Ocean Coastal Lighthouses. I think that this time Portland Head was my favorite but I really like each of them for their differences and the different locations that they are built on. Below is some information from Maine Tourism and a cool link to the lighthouses of Maine. Click on the link and then check the box lighthouses on the left side of the screen.
Carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, Maine’s coastline is a jumble of points, passages, bays, inlets, coves, and fjord-like fingers of land reaching into a sea dotted by hundreds of little islands, ledges and shoals. To navigate these unusually complicated and dangerous waters, mariners needed help. Beginning in 1794, an array of lighthouses was established to help them find their way.

The lighthouses stood atop dangerous isles and ledges, warning skippers to beware. They guided vessels to navigable water channels and marked the mouths of rivers. During the most terrible storms and the foggiest nights, they stood against the elements, fixed points of light and hope helping sailors of all sorts to chart a safe course to their destinations.

Explore an interactive map of the once-perilous Maine coast.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

In my Garden now . . . .






Lots of bright colors in the garden the third week of July. We have had little to no rain for the past month so everything is struggling. We are 4 inches behind in rain which I know is nothing compared with some areas of the country. I am pulling out lots of garlic mustard, creeping charlie and crab grass that has taken up residency but does not belong there. I like the very early morning in my garden or later at night but late at night I have the companionship of many discontented insects that all seem to want to meet me. We are on our 5th day of above 90 degrees which is not very agreeable either. Again I am thankful that it is only above 90 and not above 100 like many of you. Stay hydrated, stay cool is the mantra around here.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Jordan Pond

The Question: Where would you most like to go back to if you could only go one place?

The Answer: Jordan Pond Mt. Desert Island, Maine

My daughter asked me this question a while back and I really did not have to think about it at all. I just love this place, it is peaceful and has "soul" if a natural place can have that. I so wanted to climb the Bubbles at the end of the pond this trip but our kids were not on the same page for that. Another time. It is a long ways to get there but ever so worth it.

What is your place?

Friday, July 15, 2011

Just back . . . . .




Ahh - getting away . . . . there is this wild rush and flurry both on departure and in coming back home. It seems at times that it is hardly worth all the effort and planning but then you are there , living the moments and then you are looking back at those moments and it is worth it. We had a wonderful time. We camped in a tent for 2 weeks at 2 different locations. We were on the go a lot so there was not a lot of down time or relaxing which was a little hard for me. We had foggy days and bright sunny days. We were on land and water and were able to see a lot of wildlife. I will try to put together some more posts to show you. We were not where we had much of any cell coverage or wi-fi but I can't say I missed it. Here it is hot sunny and dry.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Summer Treats at Chestnut Hill



Summer is all about special things. Chocolate covered Strawberries and Easy Blue Berry buckle - our favorite!!!! What are your summer favorite foods?