Maine
At the closing of the year
There is a negativity to the world right now that just seems more oppressive than ever. And it just seems to be creeping into everything, I hear constantly “2016 was a horrible year”. I even found myself today thinking that my year had been bad, luckily just a few minutes of thinking proved that wrong. I won’t say it was a fantastic year but on balance it was way more positive than negative.
January found me exploring the side roads of Topsham.
February brought our 20th anniversary of our wedding and the sadness of having spent 18 of those years without him.
March found me exploring Mackworth Island.
Hamilton House & Vaughan Woods got explored in April.
Doodles joined the troupe in May just in time for a hike into Poplar Falls
June got Whale Watch checked off of my bucket list.
July was a busy month: Lubec, Eagle Lake, The Golden Road, Celtic Music Festival, Artisan Bread Festival and Open Farm Day.
In August I got to check the Great Falls Balloon Festival off my list, and kayaking. A visit to the White Mountain National Forest rounded out the month.
Angel Falls was conquered in September and I warmed many a bleacher watching the darling girl playing Field Hockey.
October brought the road trip to Florida and some much overdue quality time with a dear friend.
Thanksgiving was spent at the Smithsonian in Washington.
I rounded the year out with Christmas in Acadia.
The purpose of the path
I was fascinated, as I always am, by the rock stairs built on the trails. In looking at this photo I am curious as to the purpose. If this is meant to be a spot for safe crossing of the water it is contradicted by the fact that just on the other side of the carriage road bridge you see a small wooden bridge crossing the water, so why would I make a water crossing when I need only travel a 100 feet farther to cross by bridge.
Perhaps there is a more mystical reason for this path; is it the spot where the water sprites emerge and walk the path to the human world?
Fairy Tales
The view from either side of this bridge clearly said “Fairy Tale” to me. Walking on what is known in Acadia National Park as a Carriage Road it took no effort to visualize Cinderella’s Pumpkin Carriage trundling down the path.
Christmas 2015
When I was very young I saw a Christmas commercial that showed a smallish tree in the middle of a field lit entirely with blue lights. I believe it is this moment that has fueled my fascination with Christmas trees out in nature. It is something I spot rather quickly and no matter the time of year or weather I picture it decorated with lights and surrounded by snow.
I also believe that this commercial is what draws me to the color blue.
Christmas Getaway
In early November I started to have this thought that I wanted to take a trip for Christmas. Reason argued with me that I should not spend money like that; it wasn’t practical and did not fit my long term goals. Peace of Mind countered with the fact that I had taken little to no time off this past year in advance of the paid time off of work I would need in early 2016. Practicality chimed in with the fact that as the office would be mandatorily closed on the 24 & 25th of December I should take advantage of that. Frivolity contributed that I had been pretty financially responsible for a while now and there should be some room in the budget for an expedition. And thus the decision was made. The rental of a charming cottage 30 minutes from Acadia National Park was arranged and here I sit before the lovely stove enjoying…. well everything.
The Rest of Forever
He would have been 67 today, the rest of forever began for me 17 years ago, and yes there is always a hole inside me that cannot be filled.
“it will be happier”
Yesterday terrorists struck Paris in several coordinated attacks, more than 100 people are dead, many more injured. I spent the evening and most of this morning listening to the reports on NPR. No matter what news reports I hear, or in-depth interviews trying to explain it, I just do not understand. With every instance of terror the same viewpoint I have had for as far back as I can recall is reaffirmed; I will not judge all people by the actions of some with whom they share an affiliation.
And your little dog to
I don’t trespass, no matter how I might want to check it out, I just don’t trespass. Driving down a coastal country road I was brought to a stop by a rather large sign that read “PRIVATE ROAD” I needed to drive past the sign in order to find a safe spot to turn around as I did I spotted this interesting fellow.
On a side note, I reread the sign and it did not say no trespassing so I traveled a lovely country road on a lovely autumn morning.
I almost didn’t go
I decided last night that this is where I would go this morning. I decided that I would get an early start as the drive was going to take a little more than 2 hours. So why then this morning did I start contemplating shortening the trip and going to Pemaquid instead?
I have cruised by the Marshall Point Lighthouse at least four times by boat and none of the photos I took made the cut. Being there and able to shift around to different spots made all the difference I have a boatload of photos that will all make the cut.
There are many lovely memorials to people who have passed, including a stunning fisherman’s memorial. I felt moved to stop and touch each one while saying a prayer for the ones gone and the ones left behind.
aspillingovermind 