A drizzly day in Maine

Saturday 8/21/2010

We arrived in Maine at supper time and had time to catch a quick ice cream in Perkins Cove.  This is the drawbridge we cross as we walk there from Hillcrest.

As I am actually trying to lose weight this trip, I walked Marginal Way alone in the dark. Emily and Karen thought it was too scary looking at night; however, the bright light shining from Jackie'sToo restaurant lit up the path making it quite easy walking.

I realize we are going to have to find a better way to post all of these pictures so they don't take up so much space on the blog. If you have any ideas, let us know in the comments!  And no, we didn't eat at this restaurant, but it did provide a very Mainy look to begin our trip.

As we begin our adventure we offer a toast from a bottle of homemade wine from two of our winemaker friends. To all friends and family, Salut!

Oh, my research... it's the weekend, I will start that tomorrow!  (Does it count that I did find how to edit the HTML to put the pictures to the right?)

Mike


From Karen:

Why is it that just the simple act of crossing the drawbridge into Perkins Cove seems like coming home?  We've been coming to Ogunquit for over 20 years, so I'm sure that's part of it.  I love the walk along in front of those beautiful houses just before we get to the bridge.  Of course, getting ice cream makes it all worthwhile!
The beautiful beach roses all along the path....just the smells of the ocean and the sound of the surf!  I just love it!  As much as I love Marginal Way, it really did seem too scary to do it in the dark.  Let's hope for clearer skies as we head to the full moon on the 24th, and then I'll walk it!

On Sunday, we got up early and went to church.  Then we headed out for Sunday brunch......and brunch is not complete without mimosas, right?

We decided to meander along Rt. 1 north towards Kennebunkport to try to see our friends, George and Barbara, but they were busy......we did manage to get a picture of their home, though!

Afterward, we went to visit the Wedding Cake House.  The cool thing was, they were giving tours of the house, which has only ever happened twice.  Once was 5 years ago, with the money going to Hurricane Katrina victims.  This year they are touring from August 15th until September 15th with the money going to the York Community Kitchen.  It was our good luck to be there just at the right moment.  The only bad thing was we weren't able to take any pictures inside. 

Tonight, we're off to see "Spamalot" at the Ogunquit Playhouse.  Life just doesn't get much better than this!

Karen

Getting Ready

After a year of planning, it is hard to believe we are almost on our way.
Luckily my sabbatical research involves the computer, and I can take my computer wherever I go.  I will be devoting a certain amount of hours a day to my sabbatical projects.  My goal is to enjoy both my research and our travels around the US and to attempt to integrate the two.  I am looking forward to an exciting trip filled with many discoveries coupled with wonderful times with family and friends...and a romantic sixty-two day adventure with my bride!
--Mike

Spofford sunrise August 2010

And so it begins.....

Well, we leave to go to Maine in less than two weeks!  It is hard to believe that we are almost heading out on this road trip which we've been planning for so long.  Ten weeks on the road, beginning and ending in Maine.

The first part of the trip we'll be traveling with our daughter, Emily.  She'll spend a few days with us before we all come back to pack up, bring her to Dickinson College, then continue on.  Time with our kids is so precious as they all leave home to begin their own adventures, and we cherish every moment we have with them . 

We have been going to Ogunquit, Maine at the end of August for almost 20 years.....it has become, for me, my "goodbye to summer" week.  It has also usually been spent with my daughters.  I have so many memories of time spent at the Hillcrest Resort, walking down the street and over the bridge into Perkins Cove, ice cream cones, the candy store, good food, and most especially, lots of love and laughter!

The beautiful rocky coast of Maine, long walks on Marginal Way, the last tastes of clam chowder and lobster.  It might just be me, but doesn't lobster just taste better when eaten in the summer?  It just isn't the same in the dead of winter.

The countdown to August 21st has begun!! 

Karen

Welcome to our adventure!

Welcome to the blog of our adventure across America to see family, friends, our National Parks and more!!  We will be on the road for 10 weeks, beginning and ending in Maine.  As we travel, we hope you'll travel along with us as we share pictures and the experience from both perspectives!  A "He Said/ She Said" perspective which should prove to be very interesting indeed, especially for those of you who know us well.  We hope you enjoy it!