At the Boardwalk...

Here in Sandwich there is a very popular beach called Sandy Neck. Once of the ways to get to Sandy Neck Beach is over the boardwalk. This boardwalk is probably one of my favorite things in this area. It spans the length of the marshlands and each plank almost the entire way out to the beach has and engraving on it. Its a beautiful place to visit. On this day, we went down to the boardwalk for one purpose only and that was so that the boys could jump off of it.

At hight tide, its very popular to jump off into the water here. We had never done it and I guess Travi had added it to his "Bucket List" and felt it was time. So Trav agreed to go with him while I enjoyed watching from the shore.

"What a beautiful, sunny morning. It makes you happy to be alive, doesn't it? We can't let the sun outshine us! We have to beam, too!"

Summer Camp

While mom and dad were here in June they paid for Travi to participate in a 3 day Kayak camp on Snake Pond. He was really looking forward to it and loved it so much. He learned the basics in kayak techniques and also did team building exercises with the other kids at the camp. When all was said and done he received 9 hours of instruction and had a blast. He of course wants his own kayak now, but that will have to wait. He also hopes to polish his skills some day in Alaska! He is such and adventurer!!

Acadia National Park

This years big summer trip was to Acadia National Park. It was an amazing trip that was jammed packed with all the things we love to do. We hiked, biked, geocached and canoed our way through the park day by day. Acadia is known for is rugged, rocky, beautiful coastlines and we were not disappointed. At times I swear Trav and I looked at each other and couldn't find the words to express how perfect this trip was for us. We love being active, outdoors and together. The park allowed for this on so many levels. The weather was amazing which made us feel lucky because it can be unpredictable in Maine. Somehow I guess we were blessed to have a great trip that fulfilled our desires to relax and have some adventure.

This 4th of July was the first we have seen fireworks on in 5 years and the first time for Taylor ever. Alaska firework displays don't start until midnight and she never made it that late. So to see the look on her face when the first ones where shot in the air was priceless.

We hope to make it back up to this region once more before we leave the Northeast but if we don't, this trip made some lasting memories that I know Trav and I will enjoy for years.



The woodpeckers are very busy in Downeast Maine!

Sands Beach in Acadia. The only sandy beach in the entire park. Water was a brisk 55 degrees!




Ice Cream on the village green in downtown Bar Harbor. Taylor truly enjoyed this!!


Maine Lobster!!!!


The harbor of Bah Habah!!

Bass Head Light

Wild Blueberries grow everywhere up there!

Carriage roads built by Rockafeller all over the park...50 miles worth for biking, running and walking.



Sunset on top of Cadillac Mtn.

Hiking down the North Ridge Trail overlooking the inlets of the North Atlantic

Canoeing on Echo Lake

And swimming and Cannonballs. There were great granite slabs to jump off of and lay on in the sun.



Maine is still our favorite place out here. We love being there as it feels so much more like us then the Cape does. We look forward to another trip up there so soak up its beauty, peacefulness and landscape!


"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."

“In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.”

Fair Winds and Following Seas...

I am saddened to even be posting this entry. Coast Guard Aviation once again is suffering from the lost of an aircraft and its crew. On July 7th the 6017 and 3 of its 4 crew members were lost to the sea. There is nothing that can be said to make this feel acceptable. The Coast Guard in general is a small service, but aviation is an even small group. The more time you serve the more people you know. These heros are gone and three families are hurting. I can not even imagine the dispair that must be felt. Three fathers will not return home to their children. They will not meet their unborn babies. Husbands will not return to their wives and sons will not come home to their parents. These crew members were friends and will be missed.

0 ruler of the earth and sky
Be with our airmen when they fly:
And keep them in thy loving care
From all the perils of the air.
0 let our cry come up to thee
For those who fly o’er land and sea.