Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Maine


We finally made it back to Acadia and Blue Hill Maine!  It has been years.  The kids hardly remembered the last time that they were there.  We began our adventures with a weekend visit with John's Bates buddies at Nicholas and Ruth's homestead near Blue Hill.  We have no pictures, but had such a wonderful time eating, preparing food and playing on their farm.  

playing games



Lobster Boy

Club House
Beach Time 
Chickens
Making Ice Cream
Next stop was Acadia.  It was a short trip for John and the kids.  We were too late to get a campsite in the National Park, but found a wonderful campsite at Sommes Sound Campground. We usually steer clear of commercial campgrounds, but we really wanted to spend a few days on Mt. Desert Island, so we took a chance on it.  The kids loved the pool, showers, and neighbors. 




We made it to Great Head:


 



We went on Lulu's Lobster Boat (where Hazen had to pretend he was six) and we all learned a lot about seals and lobsters.





 

Hiked to Beech Cliffs:


Went tide pooling at sea wall:

Visited the College of Atlantic Museum:



Swam at Lakewood:

We went to Bass Harbor lighthouse:



Road bikes around Eagle Lake on the carriage roads:



And had plenty of family time:


Acadia is our happy place.  It is so fun to hike and bike and play in such a gorgeous and different place.



Meanwhile, I had been planning to meet up with my amazing, fun, and inspiring college girlfriends.  I had missed a gathering in California this past November, so I was really excited to be able to make it work to be there this time.


My friend, Eliza's family has an amazing place right near Bar Harbor.  Friends arrived from Idaho, California, and New York.  We had an amazing four days.  Days that were filled with laughter, love, kindness, compassion, and more belly laughing fun than I have had in awhile.  Four days of loveliness is exactly what this mama needed. I am so lucky to a) have such wonderful friends 25 years later b) have a husband and kids who give me the space to be with my gals.


After spending a weekend with John's amazing friends from Bates and then four days with my wonderful girls from Middlebury, I realize the power of friendships.  They take work, but the rewards they offer are so, so valuable.  I hope the Hazey and Cal find lasting friendships like these.

"A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow." 
--William Shakespeare