Maine Vacation

My first trip to Bar Harbor with Heather was in 1996. We have had many wonderful times together. We have gone on sunset sailboat cruises, glider rides, deep-sea fishing, hiking, biking, and many comedy shows. This was Gavin's first trip to Maine. It was nice to spend time with the family after having a very busy time at work. I look at Zoë at how much she's grown and think back to when she was as small as Gavin. Time really goes by so quickly. Zoë was just over a month old when we first brought her up to Maine in August 1997. Along with Violet and Marina we have our complete family and I enjoy watching them interact with each other. I really had fun doing our hikes and trips to the beach. Sand Beach was a great deal of fun. The waves were as tall as I am and knocked me over a few times.

Maine 2007

Maine was fun as always but way too short. We were there for over two weeks but it just flew by. This year because of Marina and Gavin being so young, we decided to make it a two day trip both up and back. On Saturday we had Edyta's wedding but Violet was not feeling well, so we just stopped in at the reception for a short time on our way to Freeport ME where we spent the first night. We arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's Hall Quarry house the following day and settled in. Bob, Heather, Harrison and CJ stayed at the Beech Hill house and the Newly weds. Kim, Will and the new inlaws settled into Southwest Harbor. The first few days were hot and we did a few hikes and swimming in long pond. The middle of the trip was a little colder, followed by a really hot spell the last few days. Zoe really enjoyed reading the old guest books from when I was a teenager and Jody would come up with us. She also liked to read all the silly things that Kevin and Chris wrote on their visits when she was younger. I think it is hard for her to believe that there was life before her!
Some highlights of our trip:
This is a picture looking down at sand beach. Brrr... the water was really cold there but we did manage to brave it out long enough for a swim and some body surfing.
One of the hikes we took off the park loop road. This is looking out at the fog from the trail near thunder hole. We also hiked Beech Mountain, Ships Harbor trail and shore path off the village of Bar Harbor. We did not get in as many hikes as we normally do because of the heat and the fact that we had two kids to carry this time.

Grandma and the girls play at the boat launch in Seal Cove.
Gavin hanging out at the lake.
We went to Jordon's Pond house for tea and popovers twice. The second day was nice weather and we got to sit outside and get the full view of the pond. (pictured here)
Seal Cove
Mommy helped Zoe catch a big crab during our picnic at Seal cove. We also caught a shrimp and lots and lots of snails.
We dinned twice at our favorite restuarant, The Chart Room in Hulls Cove.
We went three times to see the band on the green at night in Bar Harbor. The kids had lots of fun running around the bandstand with the other children while the music played. Marina got to try the drums out.
Exploring the coast for treasures with daddy!
DJ and Marina inspect the crab.

Mommy wearing Gavin in the sling searching for some sea creatures.
On the way home we stopped in Saco at FunTown/SpashTown for some family fun. Here is Violet on the bumper boats. She was a mad woman behind the controls!


Zoe on the bumper boats

Violet and Marina on the kiddie canoe ride... heading for the teepee. Doesn't Violet look like she is having so much fun.
Marina had to go on the baby bumper boats, unfortunatly she was the only one there. :-(
We purchased this shirt because we felt it summed up Marina. It says "I am two years old and there is nothing you can do about it!"
We decided to keep the tradition alive and go up to Cadillac Mountain to watch the sunrise. It is the highest point on the eastern seaboard and is the first place you can see the sunrise in the continental US. If it was less cloudy we would have had a great view of the islands below but instead we were looking out at a "sea" of low lying clouds.
We got up at 3:45 and made it up there before the sun rose at 5:07. (and that was without coffee!)
I kept Gavin in the sling to keep him warm but even though it was windy it was warmer then in years past. Kim's parents joined the tradition... (will we see them again for sunrise next year?? (left to right, Will, Violet, DJ, Marina and Zoe)We then went down for blueberry pancakes at Jordons.
We made the mistake of having "date" night on the same day as our sunrise adventure. We ate at Getty's and then went down for a couple drinks overlooking the water on the terrace of the Bar Harbor Inn.
All I can say is Aaargh! (inside joke) Here is Pirate Willy and his "Wench" :-) He got a few comments and snickers walking down the road with his paper hat on! We then headed over to the comedy Improv, where they did a dream sequence of Will's day. Too funny! I decided the following morning that I am too old for such a long dayand night! I also had the opportunity to go out without the kids one night to see the comedian Tim Sample while DJ did babysitting duty. It was a great trip, great company and a wonderful location.... I just wish it could have lasted a little longer.

Mommy helping Marina off the raft at Long Pond. We also went swimming at Echo Lake. The big boys and kids later tried to sink the corner of the raft. I wish I had the video camera with me for that one.

Will Kayaking at Long Pond, We brought one of the canoes this day too.

Zoe and Gavin on the green at night.