More Mainely Maine!!

Part II

The next day, bright and early, we left for Acadia National Park. These are the most beautiful, rugged, granite coastal rocks - Breathtaking. We absolutely loved this coastline.

Sandwiched between the granite rocks is Sandy Beach.  So pretty..but the water is frigid!

Thunder Hole with the tide out..

Same location....

Picture of a gull for Shawn...

 Then, we went hiking around Jordan Pond at Acadia. It was a 4-mile walk which was a little rugged at time. Sometimes the trail was only rocks and boulders. I needed some of Eric's rock climbing skills from his earlier years in New Mexico.

 This lake was crystal clear....

 Incredible how these tree roots are suspended on the granite. Some of the trail had planks lining the way.

another view from our trail.....

The highest point in Maine - Cadillac Mountain.

View looking down at Bar Harbor with a cruise ship in the harbor and a schooner.

 Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - only 2 miles where we stayed.

 This is one of my favorite pictures - so peaceful!

 I was standing on the dock here at Long Pond.  Gorgeous!!

An old 1800's church on our way to Lubec, Maine. These old churches were everywhere...

 The house where FDR lived in the summer - correction - they called in a cottage. Had 17 bedrooms and around 34 rooms. The top floor was for the help.

 FDR contracted polio while here in the summer. So much history here - wish we could have stayed longer.

 Lighthouse by Campobella.

 Quaddy Head Lighthouse - the eastern most place in the United States.

 another view -

 Lighthouse on Bear Island.

Dock at Little Cranberry Island.

 Our Bed & Breakfast -Clark Point Inn at Southwest Harbor.

And thus ends our journey - life's too short not to enjoy each and every day God has blessed us with!

Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing!

Leaf Peepers

On October 8th, Bruce and I began our adventure to head back east to Maine to visit the coast. I've wanted to go for so long but never worked out since I was teaching but now we are beginning to do things on our bucket list. Because of the weather issues and the air traffic, we decided to fly commercially so we left Wichita very early on Saturday the 8th. After a hangup in New York we ended up in Bangor by 6:00 pm. We checked into our hotel and then left on Sunday for Southwest Harbor. On our way, we discovered Pentebcost Bay which boasts an incredible observatory from their bridge. I was a little hesitant to go up in that that thing, but I'm so glad I did. Bruce really enjoyed looking at the construction and the views weren't bad either.

 View from the top of the bridge looking at Bucksport. There is a paper mill there also which we enjoyed seeing.

 We went up the elevator to the top of this pier.

 The bridge on the left was replaced by the new construction..

You can see the bridge in the distant background!

 downtown Bucksport where we ate at a grille overlooking the river.

 The Pentebcost Bay bridge in the background.

 This is the large papermill on the river. We read they were planning on laying off 125 employees.

 So sad.

The river....from the top of the bridge.

Fort Knox was part of the tour area next to the Pentebcost Bridge. This was built to protect our nation from enemies wanting to infiltrate our bays and rivers and then move inland from there.  A basic stronghold.

 We got to witness reenactors this Sunday and Bruce really enjoyed talking to the guys about the history of this site and how this cannon worked.

 The reenactors were truly engaged with the public.

 I can't believe I got a shot of this actually going off. It was so LOUD!!

 Inside of Ft. Knox was this cannon! Massive.

This area which is the center of Ft. Knox is where the troops would gather for exercise, drills, etc.

This was a view towards the paper mill from Ft. Knox where the cannon was sitting. After spending most of the day here, we drove on to Southwest Harbor....

 This is the harbor across from our B & B. The tide is out....
they unload lobsters in this area - very busy place!

 another view off the dock.....

 The Coast Guard with some of their boats docked here.

That is lobster buoys all over the harbor. I had no idea they trapped lobsters so far inland.

and that was only our first day! More to come......

Just some of the beautiful color we encountered!

Cowgirl Tough

When Bruce and I came back from Minnesota we got to bring two of our granddaughters back - K-girl and K-sis. They were so excited to make that trip in Papa's airplane. After we got home, K-girl wanted to ride immediately so we caught Cheyenne, cleaned her up, and stabled her for the evening. Next morning, it was "time to ride" as deemed by K-girl. Well, we had one spill, and then she got right back on and Cheyenne ran off with her aboard. She had a crash, and came out of it really well, but scared the tarnation out of me...... But she has never let her love of horses waver..... A true testament to the cowgirl way of life! The next day, I told her I was going out to feed Cheyenne and she said, "you mean naughty Cheyenne?" Anyway, she was right back out with her and Blackie and even little Frankie (whom they all love and adore!) I make so much fun of Frankie cause he is, shall we say - a little overweight! but he is always the same - loving, docile, and friendly! So, below you'll find some of these very special pictures of my "special and brave cowgirl" AKA - Kgirl!

 Frankie and K-girl

 Blackie is always intrigued wit K-girl - he really KNOWS her....

My favorite picture of these two friends.

 K-Sis was so good thru this whole ordeal - always has a smile on her face :)

 and you guessed it - she loves Frankie too!

 A new perspective on Frankie!!

 Cheyenne and K-sis.

 cleaning out her feet....

 They are a cute pair -

 Notice her smile ....

 ain't she sweet??

 Blackie's looking for a snack or a kiss??

The girls were so good! I'm so proud of them! Nothing like a little time at the farm~ Papa and I love when we can spend time with all of our special grandkids. They are all so unique and special. God has blessed us with all of our "extraordinary treasures".

Our next blog will have some special pictures of our trip to the east coast to visit Maine. We are gonna become "leaf peepers." Until then..... God bless.