Some changes at the farm!

We had a wonderful surprise on Monday - RAIN! It wasn't a lot but it certainly has greened the wheat up around here. Farmers are really loving it! and so are we.

We've been talking about putting a screened in porch out west of the house for some time but never have gotten around to it. There are several reasons but first and foremost is the hail factor.  When going from the house to the cellar in a storm - usually get blinded by driving rain and beaned by hail. Not fun - (voice of experience here!) Secondly, I hate those steps! Since I fell off of them and landed on my face and knees - that also wasn't fun! Probably didn't help that both arms were full and didn't want to make another trip to the car - you know it's in our genes to get everything in one trip!! Right?? Thirdly, it would be a lot cooler in the summer. And last, it covers up that horrible looking concrete! Bruce has barely gotten started - seems like people still need guttering and roofs - so this project will happen a little at a time! It would be nice to have the boys home for a weekend to get it framed up, but I'm sure it will get done.

 Of course Emmy is right in the middle of all the action....

 This is a little hard to maneuver carrying groceries...

You should see Penney go under it and Emmy and L.T. jump over it.. :)

 And now -  we have new babies arriving. I love our baby calves! Always have since I was a little girl.

That is Trudy and her baby is the red one - I believe I'll name her Luty! Isn't she pretty?

 Luty and her friend - also a little girl - no name for her yet. Maybe the K-kids can help!

 Took a walk today in the pasture which I do quite often. Especially now since it is hunting season - deer season in Oklahoma. You can hear the rifles early in the a.m. and p.m. so I stick close to home for my walks. Penney, Emmy and L.T. just LOVE to go check out all the critters. Not sure what Emmy got up today, but she was in overdrive..........chasing the little critter.

 This is my favorite spot on the farm - I love to spend time on that bluff overlooking the creek and looking down at the cattle. It is our home ........so many memories. Uh oh, I'm getting a little teary eyed....

 Penney is never far from my side on our walks - she runs back to check on me and make sure I'm coming. She is 16 now and has really aged this summer!

 My faithful friend - also a K-State fan!

The holidays are coming soon - I'm always excited when everyone can come home!

Faith, family, and friends .........God is so Good!

Our home away from home

Clark Point Inn (our Bed & Breakfast) at Southwest Harbor..... we miss you!

This is the last blog on our trip to Maine. I'm so glad we went when we did expecially after the huge snowstorm in the northeast recently..

This is Clark Point Inn - they are remodeling now expanding their kitchen.

 The B&B....

 Southwest Harbor - across the street from our B & B.

Bye granite coast and beautiful ocean ----

We will miss you .......

and now - time to start getting ready for the HOLIDAYS!

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!