We had a solid plan for our one full day at Acadia, but instead we arrived to Bar Harbor to find the entire town shut down for their Fourth of July parade. The shuttle service we were counting on was suspended most of the day. We wasted an hour hoofing from our parking spot outside town to the bus stop and back, then driving to Thunder Hole. It was beautiful, but the tide wasn’t right for the full effect. We decided to head to the larger spot at Jordan Pond for bathrooms, except that after 35 minutes of driving around, we learned that the closest parking spot to that was a mile away. Hiking two miles to and from the car plus the 3.5 miles around the pond without having lunch was not in the cards, so I cried a little and we headed back to Bar Harbor. The parade was over and we had lunch and did some shopping and then our paddle tour, which was absolutely wonderful and peaceful and just what I needed. But then everyone was setting up for fireworks and there were insane lines everywhere for dinner. We decided to head out of town for dinner, except that by the time we got back to the car and found a place, almost everything was already closed. And when we got to the one place we thought would be open, it was closed for the holiday altogether. We ended up getting back to the campsite at 9pm and ate bagels and peanut butter by lamplight until surprise, it started raining again. Not the best day, but not the worst, and at least we enjoyed time together, which is the point.
-
July 3
We hiked up Cadillac Mountain – 7.5 miles round trip with 1,500+ feet elevation gain over rocky scrambles and muddy, flooded trails in rain and fog with little to no visibility. The kids were good until about mile 3, and then they started complaining. Poor Robin had a nasty blister on her foot. But we made it, and I’m really proud of everyone. It was exhausting but in my opinion rewarding, despite the lack of panoramic views. Robin slipped and landed hard on her butt several times and there were tears, but I managed to make enough jokes about it to elicit some smiles and laughs despite it all. All in all, very impressive.
-
July 2
Not exactly the best vacation photo. We made an unexpected stop in Bangor to stay in a hotel so as to avoid the inch of rain expected tonight. It has been raining steadily all day and I just can’t imagine setting up a tent and feeding ourselves and sleeping all night outside in the rain. The rain is supposed to taper off tomorrow morning, so we’ll try again then. We were disappointed that the hotel pool is closed (wah!), but we have our National Parks board game from Siggi and our chocolate from Wilbur’s in Freeport and we’ll make the most of it anyhow!
-
July 1
Robin struggled today. There were a lot of tears. She ate an entire container of Cool Whip out of Aunt Cathrine’s refrigerator. She heard me talking to Aunt Cathrine about it and felt horribly embarrassed. BUT… she told me the truth and we talked about it afterwards and I so appreciated that gift. I hope she continues to feel safe talking to me about these things.
-
June 30
We went into Portland since the weather app indicated it would be the best weather day of the week. Well, it was cool and foggy. We thought we might go to the Portland Head Light, but there was no point in the fog, so we wandered around spending money for hours. It was fun and I think we bought some nice things that we will use and that we couldn’t find somewhere else. Then we came home and had an amazing lobster dinner. It’s only the second time I’ve had a full lobster and it was delicious and special. The kids wouldn’t touch it. More for us! Someday they will not desire day-old pizza instead of fresh lobster. That day is not today.
-
June 29
I walked over 16,000 steps around the island, including one jaunt I thought would take me to a nice lookout point. Turns out that lookout point was a lot farther away than I estimated and between Christina’s shoes being completely inappropriate for walking and the fact that I had to be back for dinner, we never made it. But we did find a little private beach at the end of a dirt road and a very well-hidden trail. Christina was tickled.
-
June 28
Lots of rain this morning, and then fog, and then a moment of sun, and then more fog, but we managed a family bike ride around the island and I got a short walk in afterwards. There are thousands of pictures I still need to take! We enjoyed a Lions Club dinner courtesy of Uncle Bob.
-
June 27
We had a great day exploring the area. At one point I suggested a walk around the island. We got as far as around the corner, but I loved watching the girls explore the rocky beach, which they have never experienced. We were there for well over an hour. They discovered quartz, sea glass, snails, and even a crab.
-
June 26
Made it at last to Maine. Today’s drive was much easier than yesterday’s. The weather leaves a little to be desired; cold and foggy. We had a nice lunch overlooking the water before getting on the ferry. The kids enjoyed biking, although Robin is not used to hills or requiring use of bike brakes and she rode directly into a bush and halfway into the ocean. Now she doesn’t want to bike ride anymore. We’ll break her in. It’s been great spending time with Aunt Cathrine and Uncle Bob. Looking forward to a quiet week ahead.
-
June 25
I forgot NYC traffic. I think I got one or two new gray hairs today. The traffic itself doesn’t bother me, but the cutting in and out drives me crazy. People are so disrespectful on the roads, it is unbelievable. And completely draining to deal with. A 7-hour drive took 9+ to complete because of traffic, and we didn’t even go over the George Washington Bridge or through the Bronx as the Yankees game was ending. But here we are, and I had awesome ribs and mashed potatoes and beer for dinner and now the kids are at the pool and honestly, it’s good. A few more little old hours and we’ll be on the beach. Cannot wait!
-
June 24
The trip is underway. We were delayed a few hours because our a/c stopped working last night. The technician came by this morning and luckily it was a quick, easy fix. And then on the road! We couldn’t agree on where to go for dinner once we arrived in Virginia, and Robin and Christina weren’t thrilled about where we ended up, but turns out the food was great and they had something for everyone. I even got a BLT, which I had been craving in the car but never thought in a million years I’d find on any menu anywhere on our way. We hit traffic as we crossed into South Carolina for about 50 miles, but otherwise was smooth sailing. Tomorrow we head through Washington, DC, Baltimore, and NYC… headed through the Bronx at the end of a Yankees game… so I am not expecting great things, traffic-wise. I made a great 60’s playlist (I mean, truly great), and it is 19 hours of music, so it should get us to New Haven, no problem. I sang almost the whole way today. I’m sure I drove Billy crazy, but OH FUCKING WELL.
-
June 23
Busy day getting ready to travel. I was trying to wrap up several things at work, but kept having to step away for one reason or another. This was a worthy cause, though. The kids spent the week at summer camp preparing a production of “Stone Soup,” and it was really good! Christina was the narrator and Robin was on the production crew. A nice break in the day.
-
June 22
Did a little shopping for Christina for our upcoming trip. It looks like it will be a little chilly in Maine, so we had to get her some long pants and long-sleeve shirts. She got cute stuff. Watched the Yankees lose bad. Finished rereading all the Harry Potter books. Now what?
-
June 21
Time is slipping me by. I have had very little of it for myself, and when I do, I don’t know what to do with myself. I end up staring in space, running through lists of things I could do to fill up time, never actually doing anything. I need to do something replenishing, and soon. I’m fading into the ether, losing touch. Nothing feels right.
Year in Photos 