Staycation 2013 - Part IIII

We took a few trips around the peninsula, to a few of our favorite places, and to a few new ones. We hiked, and visited museums, and picked blueberries. Cora and Beck love to do all of the above, and it's a good day when we manage to fit in all of the above. The hike up Blue Hill (I don't actually know if this is the name, but it's a small mountains with blueberries at the top...so, it fits.) is the perfect length for little legs, and it's a beautiful view from the top.

Staycation 2013 - Part III

The next few days were spent playing in the ocean, treasure hunting along the shore, reading, knitting, playing soccer, running barefoot, relaxing, and generally just enjoying our time together. It was so lovely not to have an agenda, and to get to know one another again...without stress, without obligations.

Staycation 2013 - Part II

...So after the thunderstorm passed, we proceeded to unpack the car and make dinner. All of a sudden, during dinner, we looked out and saw the most unbelievable rainbow any of us has ever witnessed. Really, there are no words to describe it. It was crystal clear, we could see where it began and ended, it was a double rainbow...and we were right smack underneath it. I'd say this was one of the top ten most magical experiences I have ever been a part of. Otherworldly doesn't even capture it. As the rainbow faded, the colors in the sky turned pink and gold, and were reflected in the water. We all felt as if we were a part of something really important, and felt truly blessed for that.

At the end of the images is a short video of the rainbow, which was really the only way to capture the entirety of it.

Staycation 2013 - Part I

Oh what a lovely week we had, and because I took so many photos, I am going to have to break these posts up a bit. The first day alone warrants a post all to itself.

We left, car packed to the gills, in 90 degree heat...with no air conditioning. But, by the time we hit Belfast, there was a cool breeze coming off the ocean. That brought the temps down to, say, 89 degrees. We walked around Belfast for a bit, and I got to visit my favorite fabric store of all time. That alone made my week. But, we also got ice cream, wandered, visited a few stores, and generally soaked our clothes with sweat.

Needless to say, by the time we got to Blue Hill, we were all ready to strip and dive into the ocean. They had been calling for severe thunderstorms all day, and we rolled in to our cottage just ahead of one. I seriously could have just gone in naked, it looked that good. Had Judy not been with us, I probably would have. We had about 10 minutes before the thunder started, and we took advantage.

These photos are the progression from the beginning of the trip to just after the thunderstorm.

Mid Summer

This has been a strange summer. The days have alternated between 90's and humid and 60's and rainy. The garden has loved it, though I am left wondering where our picturesque Maine summers have disappeared to. Nonetheless, life moves forward, and so do our plans. On one sticky evening, we gathered out at the new land to have a bonfire, and a christening of sorts, for the property that is slowly becoming lived into. It was so lovely to be in that magical place on such a warm and slow evening.