Month: July 2016

Gotta love Maine fresh seafood! We took a ferry to Long Island (Maine) to see old friends/neighbors whom I hadn’t seen for 48 years.

I grew up next door to Pat (gray shirt) & Gary.  Gary actually use to babysit me.  Pat is a lobsterman and treated us to a lobstah dinnah! It was an awsome visit and one of many to come in future  years!

Also went to visit my Aunt Ola whom I always make sure to see when in Maine. She is a sweet Aunt whom I love very much.  96 years young in September.

Another of our recent excursions landed us in Freeport (Maine) … home of “LL Bean”.

LL Bean is an American, privately held e-commerce, mail-order, and retail company founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean. The company is currently based in Freeport, Maine.  Great items … guaranteed for life!

While in Freeport, we came across “Wilbur Chocolates of Maine”!! Who knew?? Thought the only Wilbur chocolates were in Pennsylvania!

Well, our stay in Maine is drawing to a close (sadly). Only 3 more sleeps (as a dear friend would say). We’ll be heading further north to upstate NY for a visit to my favorite spot in Lake George.  Will miss my family terribly, but looking forward to our continued journey!

… as they say in Maine

Enjoyed time in the lakes region of Naples.  Enjoyed watching the seaplane and boats along the Causeway.  Stopped at “Buck’s Naked BBQ Steakhouse” for a great meal.

The grandaughters were able to learn to kayak this week.  Thanks Cheryl & Brian for transporting our kayaks to Maine!

Natalie’s Uncle Ben

#1 Grandson Nate

Natalie’s 1st reunion/pinata

Cousins…girl power

Riley using his super hero strength to break the pinata

We had our 41 st Annual Family Reunion this weekend. It was great seeing everyone!

We journeyed to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.  The scenery was beautiful! The temps in the mountains dropped down to the low 60’s!

Bill seemed to get lost for awhile but managed to regroup and find his way …

Of course he found “Chutters Candy” which has the world’s longest candy counter (112 feet).  Bill’says favorite ‘ole candy is “zagnuts”!

During this reunion weekend, a couple of family quilts were passed hands.  One quilt is the “crazy quilt” which was started at the turn of the century (1895) and was crafted by many of our family over the years.  The other quilt is a “states quilt” which has 48 states represented  (not the last 2 states to join).  Again worked by the women of this family.  The intricate work on these quilts is just amazing!

It’s been a busy few days but very rewarding in so many ways…

Tuesday we went to Hermon (2 hours north) to visit a friend whom I hadn’t seen for 25 or so years.  Laurie formerly babysat my two boys in years gone by. Great seeing her. We took the coastal US Route 1 back.  Had lunch at “McLaughlin’s Lobster Shack” in the coastal town of Lincolnville where we watched the ferry.

The Margaret Chase Smith ferry is operated by the Maine State Ferry Service connecting Lincolnville and the island of Islesboro.  Depending on the month, the ferry makes the twenty minute/3 mile passage between 12 and 18 times per day.  While eating outside, this one seagull stood watch over my every bite!

We drove by “Moody’s Diner” in Waldoboro.  We had always been told by Scott & Marilyn Mosher to stop to eat there; however, we had already eaten.  It has been around since 1927 and is an iconic spot to stop at.

Thursday we stopped at “Cape Neddick Light” (aka Nubble Lighthouse) in York.  It was erected in 1874.

We had lunch at “Fox’s Lobster Shack” while there.  We came across a scuba diver who showed us some of his catch … a starfish, hermit crab, periwinkle and blood starfish.

Yesterday had a nice visit and lunch with Mom’s cousin, Kay.  She is 90 years young and a spirited person. Loved visiting her.

Only 16 more days in Maine … will be very hard to leave but … excited to chart new territories.

Bug Lighthouse (aka Portland Breakwater Light) in South Portland.  It was first built in 1855.  This is the closest Lighthouse to Portland and gives a great view of Portland’s city line.

Portland Head Light … a historic landmark in Cape Elizabeth that sits on a head of land at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor. It was first lit on January 10, 1791.

Two Lights State Park is a popular point of destination for Maine residents and the many visitors who enjoy the state’s legendary rocky coast. … The park’s name originated from the twin lighthouses located nearby at the end of Two Lights Road.  I have great memories of this area … picnics on the rocks, lobster rolls at the “Lobster Shack” with Aunt Helen …

Enjoyed visiting my niece Amanda and Tom and family/friends at their house warming on Barker’s Pond in Lyman.  What a beautiful home they built with a strong foundation of love.

 Went to “Mulligans” in Biddeford.  Awsome restaurant with great portions and best yet … all meals are $ 4.99 or less!!!

Of course the week was filled with fun, sleepovers and s’mores with 3  sweet girls!

41 st Annual Family Reunion this weekend.  Will be a good weekend!

Saturday was our 22nd Anniversary.  What better way to celebrate than to go to “The Clambake” in Pine Point, Scarborough.  The Clambake sits on Maine’s largest salt water marsh right beside the famous Old Orchard Beach. They have four large dining rooms (seating over 700) all looking out over the marsh.  The seagulls out back wait for left overs to be thrown to them.  Bill gave me a beautiful bracelet. 😍

Sunday night we enjoyed the band entertainment at the campground.  Bill and I were able to get it on and did alot of DANCING!!

Yesterday we cebrated the 4th by going to “Sebago Lake State Park” in Casco with family and friends. Cooking Jordan’s red hotdogs, swimming, catching crayfish …. a fun day.

We all then watched Portland’s fireworks display from the Boulevard which were great!

We finally met and held our great grandaughter Natalie Jean!!

This weekend was also filled with ice creams and Maine’s famous “italian sandwiches”.

Today we ventured downtown Portland to the waterfront.  The “Old Port” is filled with unique shops, cobblestone roads, eateries and lots of seafood.  The girls did some fishing off the docks and little Olivia caught 2 mackerel.  There is a fence there that has hundreds of locks attached.

“Love Locks” has become an attraction in which you place your lock and then throw the key into the water.

Today ended with a trip to “Smiling Hill Farms” in Portland for a baby goats snuggling event.

Of course I had to go see the cows while there!  Why couldn’t they have a “cow snuggling” event?

Well, that about catches us up for the past few days… enjoying Maine!

Yesterday was our last day in CT so we took a ride to “Silver Sands State Park” in Milford.  It was perfect weather.  Legend has it that Captain Kidd buried his treasure on Charles Island in 1669.  We also went to the adjacent beach “Walnut Beach” which is where Bill and his family vacationed as a young guy.

 By the way, I did not win the powerball with my lucky 4 leaf clovers.

Today we journeyed to Maine (my birthplace).  The traffic was horrible ,,, but to be expected for a holiday weekend.  We are at Wassamki Springs Campground in Scarborough.  More to come on this CG.

Looking forward to seeing my son and grandaughters soon!