my 15 year old granddaughter, just joined the band this summer after transferring high schools from Topsham (Mount Arait High School) to South Portland. Now you need to know a little something about Mack (as I affectionately call her) She is an over achiever. She is a 4.0 honor roll student and she eats and breaths music. She is an accomplished clarinettist's and taught herself to play a mean piano. And she loves to bake! Anyhow, as I waited for my son, Rob, to pick me up to go the performance, I suddenly realized......Fall is in the air!! After suffering in the August heat in Arizona for the past 20 years I had forgotten what the Fall feeling felt like! (Now that is a mouthful!). The calendar says August, but the air says Fall! (At least the beginnings of Fall). And this same Fall feeling manifests itself in the early morning hours too. The only problem, that I can see, about the feeling of Fall is.....not long after Fall, comes the Winter. And with the Winter I am sure I will be pining for the Arizona heat and my Arizona Friends!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Fall Is Just Around The Corner
On Tuesday night (August 30th), I went to see my granddaughter, Mackenzie, perform with the South Portland High School Marching Band. The performance was a final rehearsal before the start of school on Wednesday, August 31st. The band director invited the band member's parents, relatives and friends to come and observe. An annual tradition sponsored by the Band Booster Club. You see, this is not just any old marching band. This band is an award winning marching band and is known far and wide for its performances http://www.wmtw.com/news/17866146/detail.html. Mackenize,
my 15 year old granddaughter, just joined the band this summer after transferring high schools from Topsham (Mount Arait High School) to South Portland. Now you need to know a little something about Mack (as I affectionately call her) She is an over achiever. She is a 4.0 honor roll student and she eats and breaths music. She is an accomplished clarinettist's and taught herself to play a mean piano. And she loves to bake! Anyhow, as I waited for my son, Rob, to pick me up to go the performance, I suddenly realized......Fall is in the air!! After suffering in the August heat in Arizona for the past 20 years I had forgotten what the Fall feeling felt like! (Now that is a mouthful!). The calendar says August, but the air says Fall! (At least the beginnings of Fall). And this same Fall feeling manifests itself in the early morning hours too. The only problem, that I can see, about the feeling of Fall is.....not long after Fall, comes the Winter. And with the Winter I am sure I will be pining for the Arizona heat and my Arizona Friends!
my 15 year old granddaughter, just joined the band this summer after transferring high schools from Topsham (Mount Arait High School) to South Portland. Now you need to know a little something about Mack (as I affectionately call her) She is an over achiever. She is a 4.0 honor roll student and she eats and breaths music. She is an accomplished clarinettist's and taught herself to play a mean piano. And she loves to bake! Anyhow, as I waited for my son, Rob, to pick me up to go the performance, I suddenly realized......Fall is in the air!! After suffering in the August heat in Arizona for the past 20 years I had forgotten what the Fall feeling felt like! (Now that is a mouthful!). The calendar says August, but the air says Fall! (At least the beginnings of Fall). And this same Fall feeling manifests itself in the early morning hours too. The only problem, that I can see, about the feeling of Fall is.....not long after Fall, comes the Winter. And with the Winter I am sure I will be pining for the Arizona heat and my Arizona Friends!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Trip to Moose Country
Linda and I wanted to see some Moose, so on Friday, August 12th, we packed up the jeep and headed North on I95. Moosehead Lake and Baxter State Park are supposed to be the prime areas for seeing these huge creatures so I made reservations in Millinocket, Maine, the gateway to Baxter State Park and the "Golden Road". Millinocket is a former mill town in Penobscot County, Maine. The Golden Road is part of a 3,000-mile network of private roads built and operated by the Great Northern Paper Co. The crown jewel of that network is the Golden Road, a 97-mile wilderness highway that runs from the giant mill at Millinocket west to St. Zacharie, Quebec, at the Canadian border.
We arrived in Millinocket early in the afternoon, too early to check in at the Motel, so we got some lunch at Ruthie's steakhouse. After lunch, we got our room at the motel and then decided to checkout the Golden Road.
The sign indicates that, "This part of the Golden Road closed to the public for your safety". I was hesitant to enter the road but I saw a highway worker and asked him about the sign. He said the paper company put the sign there because of liability issues and it was understood that we could travel on the road "at our own risk".
So off we went.
The Golden Road.
Our proof that we were indeed on the Golden Road.
We drove down old logging roads...no moose. We looked in ponds...no moose.
We traveled the road and side roads looking for these elusive creatures, but alas, we failed in our mission. It started getting dark, so we headed back to town to get some dinner and turn-in for the night.
We met some of the locals in the restaurant and we asked them for their best advice on seeing a moose. Of course they told us we were in the right area and we should be able to spot one as the sun was going down or early in the morning about sunrise. So, based on this information, and in our desperation to see a moose, we got up at 4 a.m. Saturday morning and started down the Golden Road again.
We drove and drove, and looked and looked, but did not see ANY moose.
At about the 30 mile mark the asphalt, such as it was, ended and the dirt and gravel began. At about the 45 mile mark we came to the turn off to Greenville, which is the gateway to Moosehead Lake. The sign said it was 43 miles to Greenville, through the mountains and on another forest road maintained by the paper companies.
I have to tell you that before I decided to travel the Golden Road, I did a little research and was quite concerned. I even posted on the local jeep club bulletin board to find out about this road. There were plenty of horror stories but as I quickly found out, driving this road was a piece of cake compared to some of the roads Al, John and I have been on in Arizona and Colorado!
This road was pretty much the same as the Golden Road, not bad at all.
As you can see, the scenery was about the same on the Plum Road (actually named Silas Hill on the map) as on the Golden Road.
Since we got up so early, we did not eat breakfast so we thought we would stop and eat when we got to Kokadjo but it was just a spot in the road and no restaurant that I could see.
So we drove on into Greenville and had a nice big breakfast at a restaurant on Moosehead Lake.
A picture of Moosehead Lake from the restaurant window.
We decided since we were in Greenville, supposedly another prime spot for spotting moose, we would drive some of the back roads to see if we could indeed spot a moose.
A private camp on public land? Are you kidding me??
Needless to say, we did not see any moose in this area either. We had about decided to give up and start the 200 mile drive back to South Portland, but I found another logging company road which would take us East over the mountain to the town of Brownville Junction. We would begin our journey home from there.
After traveling up this road for about ten miles, I came to this sign and building. Since the road is owned by the paper company, we had to stop and pay a fee and sign a waiver to continue on the road. The fee, $10.00 per person, was well worth it even though the scenery was just like what we had been experiencing the last day and a half. Damn it! We wanted to see some moose and if it meant paying $20.00 to do that then it would be worth it.
See, the roads all look the same. Gravel and lots of trees!
And streams.
And lakes.
These are a few of the trees that have been harvested, waiting to be stripped and hauled to the mill.
But the kicker was when we got to the end of the paper company road.
This is what remains of The Katahdin Iron Works. The iron works was in full operation in the late 1800's and all that remains now is a portion of the blast furnace and a coke oven. See this site for a little more information about the iron works. http://catalog.themainehighlands.com/cart/product/8202/Katahdin_Iron_Works/. As Linda said as we were leaving the area, "Al would love this place and we would still be here hours from now discussing and looking at every detail of these artifacts"! And I, of course, had to agree because Al thrives on this history stuff!
Unfortunately, we started the long trip back to South Portland, disappointed and tired. Not a moose to be seen. Bah! Humbug!
Now, here is the kicker. When I got home and rested up a little, I Googled, "Best time to see a moose in Maine" Anybody want to guess when are the best months??? I can definitely tell you IT IS NOT AUGUST!!!
We arrived in Millinocket early in the afternoon, too early to check in at the Motel, so we got some lunch at Ruthie's steakhouse. After lunch, we got our room at the motel and then decided to checkout the Golden Road.
So off we went.
We traveled the road and side roads looking for these elusive creatures, but alas, we failed in our mission. It started getting dark, so we headed back to town to get some dinner and turn-in for the night.
We met some of the locals in the restaurant and we asked them for their best advice on seeing a moose. Of course they told us we were in the right area and we should be able to spot one as the sun was going down or early in the morning about sunrise. So, based on this information, and in our desperation to see a moose, we got up at 4 a.m. Saturday morning and started down the Golden Road again.
At about the 30 mile mark the asphalt, such as it was, ended and the dirt and gravel began. At about the 45 mile mark we came to the turn off to Greenville, which is the gateway to Moosehead Lake. The sign said it was 43 miles to Greenville, through the mountains and on another forest road maintained by the paper companies.
I have to tell you that before I decided to travel the Golden Road, I did a little research and was quite concerned. I even posted on the local jeep club bulletin board to find out about this road. There were plenty of horror stories but as I quickly found out, driving this road was a piece of cake compared to some of the roads Al, John and I have been on in Arizona and Colorado!
This road was pretty much the same as the Golden Road, not bad at all.
As you can see, the scenery was about the same on the Plum Road (actually named Silas Hill on the map) as on the Golden Road.
Since we got up so early, we did not eat breakfast so we thought we would stop and eat when we got to Kokadjo but it was just a spot in the road and no restaurant that I could see.
So we drove on into Greenville and had a nice big breakfast at a restaurant on Moosehead Lake.
A picture of Moosehead Lake from the restaurant window.
We decided since we were in Greenville, supposedly another prime spot for spotting moose, we would drive some of the back roads to see if we could indeed spot a moose.
Needless to say, we did not see any moose in this area either. We had about decided to give up and start the 200 mile drive back to South Portland, but I found another logging company road which would take us East over the mountain to the town of Brownville Junction. We would begin our journey home from there.
See, the roads all look the same. Gravel and lots of trees!
These are a few of the trees that have been harvested, waiting to be stripped and hauled to the mill.
But the kicker was when we got to the end of the paper company road.
Unfortunately, we started the long trip back to South Portland, disappointed and tired. Not a moose to be seen. Bah! Humbug!
Now, here is the kicker. When I got home and rested up a little, I Googled, "Best time to see a moose in Maine" Anybody want to guess when are the best months??? I can definitely tell you IT IS NOT AUGUST!!!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Part III
Well, our vacation is winding down. We leave on Monday, July 6th, for Phoenix. We will be very, very sad to go even though we have seen more than our share of rain. Portland had over 8 1/2 inches of rain during the month of June.....here it is July and it is STILL raining! Help me!
I am so water-logged I do not believe I will ever dry out!
Rob, Brandie, Riley and Mackenzie have been excellent hosts. They have graciously put up with us old folks hanging around. And, I have to add, A special thank you to Riley and Mackenzie for giving up their bed for us. The beds sure were comfy!
Despite the rain, we did continue to visit and do things.
Rob, Riley, Mackenzie, Linda and I drove over to Burlington, Vermont (Rob had a business appointment in Burlington). Of course, we made the traditional stop at Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury. We took the tour and ate the sample of the new flavor (mint something or other...I gave mine to Rob because I do not like mint because I am just so picky like that.) It was Father's Day and they were giving free ice cream to all father's but the line was so long we passed on it. We did visit the "flavor graveyard", though.
Here are the pictures of that trip. (Also includes pictures of our trip up to Camden, Maine to see Cidney at camp).
On Wednesday June 24th, we vacated our cottage in South Portland and headed over to Peaks Island (a 15 minute ferry ride from Portland) to spend a week with Rob, Brandie, Riley and Mackenzie. The first couple of days were great! Lots of sunshine. But then on Saturday, it started raining again, and it didn't stop for most likely a month straight. We got to ride the bike around the island only once. Rob and Brandie couldn't stand it and went around a few more times.
The rest of the time some of us read (I read 4 books, not to brag) and others put puzzles together. There was no T.V. or Internet. (We had to go down to the Library to use the Internet).
Al and Judy came over from New Hampshire and stayed in the cottage in South Portland. They visited us on the island on Sunday and on Monday, Linda and I, took the ferry over to Portland to meet them and we hung out for the day...went to L.L. Bean and took them out to Harspwell to see Rob and Brandie's place.
I think we all had cabin fever because on Wednesday, check out day, we all woke up and started packing and cleaning. We were definitely ready to make a break for more homey conditions.
As we were being gestured onto the ferry, Brandie called on the cell phone to say their car wouldn't start!
We were already on board the ferry so we could not get off. Fortunately Brandie used her womanly charm and got three guys to give the battery a jump with their truck). All is well now. (at least for the time being).
Anyhow, it is Friday morning....and it isn't raining. (Yippee!) Back to sunny Arizona on Monday, sadly. It is so sad to depart family once reunited.
Here are pictures from Peaks Island.
Enjoy!
Today is the the 4th! And it is raining! And I am sick...had to go to the Emergency Room to get some fluids and anti-nausea medicine. Bummer! Feeling better now!!
Thank you Riley for editing my blog post to make it SO, SO, SO much better. I have to say I do use too many dot , dot, dots and parentheses and exclamation points and capitals and lack of description and ands, and interesting use of words......
Well, our vacation is winding down. We leave on Monday, July 6th, for Phoenix. We will be very, very sad to go even though we have seen more than our share of rain. Portland had over 8 1/2 inches of rain during the month of June.....here it is July and it is STILL raining! Help me!
I am so water-logged I do not believe I will ever dry out!
Rob, Brandie, Riley and Mackenzie have been excellent hosts. They have graciously put up with us old folks hanging around. And, I have to add, A special thank you to Riley and Mackenzie for giving up their bed for us. The beds sure were comfy!
Despite the rain, we did continue to visit and do things.
Rob, Riley, Mackenzie, Linda and I drove over to Burlington, Vermont (Rob had a business appointment in Burlington). Of course, we made the traditional stop at Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury. We took the tour and ate the sample of the new flavor (mint something or other...I gave mine to Rob because I do not like mint because I am just so picky like that.) It was Father's Day and they were giving free ice cream to all father's but the line was so long we passed on it. We did visit the "flavor graveyard", though.
Here are the pictures of that trip. (Also includes pictures of our trip up to Camden, Maine to see Cidney at camp).
On Wednesday June 24th, we vacated our cottage in South Portland and headed over to Peaks Island (a 15 minute ferry ride from Portland) to spend a week with Rob, Brandie, Riley and Mackenzie. The first couple of days were great! Lots of sunshine. But then on Saturday, it started raining again, and it didn't stop for most likely a month straight. We got to ride the bike around the island only once. Rob and Brandie couldn't stand it and went around a few more times.
The rest of the time some of us read (I read 4 books, not to brag) and others put puzzles together. There was no T.V. or Internet. (We had to go down to the Library to use the Internet).
Al and Judy came over from New Hampshire and stayed in the cottage in South Portland. They visited us on the island on Sunday and on Monday, Linda and I, took the ferry over to Portland to meet them and we hung out for the day...went to L.L. Bean and took them out to Harspwell to see Rob and Brandie's place.
I think we all had cabin fever because on Wednesday, check out day, we all woke up and started packing and cleaning. We were definitely ready to make a break for more homey conditions.
As we were being gestured onto the ferry, Brandie called on the cell phone to say their car wouldn't start!
We were already on board the ferry so we could not get off. Fortunately Brandie used her womanly charm and got three guys to give the battery a jump with their truck). All is well now. (at least for the time being).
Anyhow, it is Friday morning....and it isn't raining. (Yippee!) Back to sunny Arizona on Monday, sadly. It is so sad to depart family once reunited.
Here are pictures from Peaks Island.
Enjoy!
Today is the the 4th! And it is raining! And I am sick...had to go to the Emergency Room to get some fluids and anti-nausea medicine. Bummer! Feeling better now!!
Thank you Riley for editing my blog post to make it SO, SO, SO much better. I have to say I do use too many dot , dot, dots and parentheses and exclamation points and capitals and lack of description and ands, and interesting use of words......
Saturday, June 20, 2009
PART II
Linda, Riley and I went up the Maine coast toward Canada these past several days. We had a great time. But, here, read Riley's post about it. She does a much better job at it than I ever could:
Linda, Riley and I went up the Maine coast toward Canada these past several days. We had a great time. But, here, read Riley's post about it. She does a much better job at it than I ever could:
Trip to St. John, Canada
I just returned from a quite enjoyable trip to St. John, Canada, with my grandparents. (Mama and Papa) It was a very nice road trip for all of us. The first place we went to was the United State's tallest observation tower. Me, Papa, and Mama all took a elevator trip to the top. It was amazing! It was definitely worth the stomach jitters. Mama bravely took the lift down--which i thought was going to break down it was so slow. Not to mention Papa accidentally opened the emergency exit door!! It set off a stunningly loud, scary siren alarm. It made me nearly faint with shock when i heard it. The person who was supervising was terribly mad. After that me and Papa (the brave ones) went to a historic fort. (we had to buy a flashlight as instructed) AND IT WAS THE MOST SPECTACULAR FORT I EVER PUT FOOT IN!!
Next we went to Campobello Island and visited Franklin D. Roosevelt's summer cottage. Luckily, i am a HUGE Roosevelt fan. Yep, it was probably the most awesome thing i ever did go to in my entire life. We got to see original furniture, for Pete's sake! In "The museum room" they had his hat he always wore,which was in pretty good shape.
Then we stayed in a very enjoyable hotel "Holiday Express" where a very nice lady assigned us to the Jungle room because she liked kids. The Jungle room had a very nice system. The lamps were pineapples, i had a bunk bed and my own room, and there were leaves and animals all over--even in the master bedroom--and i slept fine. Except when Mama scared the heck out of me! I was having a stirred stomach in the middle of the night that woke me up, so i was constantly in and out of the bathroom, and Mama caught me going back in to my room, and told me i couldn't get up anymore and i NEEDED TO GO TO SLEEP or i'd get it. Anyway, me and Mama swam in the public pool (we had it to ourselves) and had great fun. Well, it was all very fun. And i'm glad i was able to go!
Updated::Photos (all by Riley, I think)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
VACATION IN MAINE
PART I
Finally!! We are in Maine!!
Out of the insufferable heat, the miserable traffic, the polluted air. Here, it is cool (and yes sometimes rainy...but that is okay), light traffic (relatively speaking), and the air is CLEAN!!!
We left Phoenix on Wednesday night (May 26th) around midnight and arrived in Portland at approximately noon on Thursday (May 27th). JETBLUE is an impressive little airline...clean and comfortable...and the employees very friendly. Even the 2 hour layover in JFK was pretty cool.
Al and Judy, our good buddies, were kind enough to drop us at Sky Harbor....after a great dinner at Rigatonni's. We had an early celebration of their 43rd anniversary of wedded bliss! Al and Judy headed for Upstate New York on the 28th....Now they are in New Hampshire with the grand kids.
The first three nights we stayed in a motel in Brunswick. Then, on Saturday, we checked out of the motel to stay with Rob and Brandie, and their girls: Cidney 17, MacKenzie 13, and Riley 9, on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, June 1st, we moved into a cute little bungalow in South Portland. It is two bedroom and one bath, plenty big enough for the two of us....and just a short two blocks to Willard Beach. The only drawback is we are about 40 miles from Rob and Brandie....soooo, when we go out there (which is almost everyday) we quite naturally stay longer than we should. Willard Beach photos.
Last year when we came to Maine, Rob and family, were moving from Cape Elizabeth to Topsham. This year they just moved from Topsham to Harpswell....about 10 miles from Topsham. We could not find a place to rent in the Harpswell/Brunswick area or we would have rented up there. We have an appointment in the Brunswick area in the morning (Thursday) for next year. The only drawback is the owner is looking for someone to rent from 1 June through September 30, 2010. We just don't know yet if we want to stay that long......! (I liked the house, Linda not so much. We are just not ready to commit for next year quite yet)
Rob and Brandie could not have picked a more idyllic setting to live. The house sits on a huge wooded lot on an inlet with their back yard ending right at water's edge. Riley loves going to the shore line when the tide goes out. She finds all manner of seashells, sea glass, and other creatures. There are mussels by the millions (Rob insists they are edible). Of course, Riley likes for me to accompany her to the shoreline, which I do sometimes. Linda even ventured down the steps once, with Riley and me helping her of course, because the steps are so steep.
More pictures of the Mayes household in Harpswell.
One of the reasons we came to Maine this year was to attend the wedding of our eldest granddaughter, Jessica. She and Taber have known each other for I think over 5 years and finally decided to take the plunge. The wedding itself took place out of doors, at a park by the Royal River in Yarmouth, Maine, right up the road from Portland. The sun was out but the weather was cold and windy. Thankfully, the ceremony was short! Jessica, accompanied by her father, Marty, was a beautiful bride, and Taber a handsome groom.
It was good to see family, and old friends. My eldest daughter, Angie, came in from Chicago with her daughters, Amanda and Katie. Tonya, my second oldest daughter, came in from Florida. Of course, Rob and Brandie and their family live here. Ryan, my youngest son who lives in Mesa was unable to attend because of his work schedule. Marty, Jessica's dad, and his family, flew in from Columbus, Ohio.
The reception was held in a restaurant in Yarmouth by the bay. The food was excellent, the view wonderful, and the band was the best I have seen or heard in a long time. All in all, it was a very pleasant, intimate, experience. Here is a great picture of Linda, Cidney, Mackenzie, Riley and Tonya.
Brandie, an accomplished photographer who should really have her own photo shop/business, was the official photographer. (Here she is giving Rob some last minute instructions. Rob furnished the music, playing on his guitar). Brandie, of course, is busily editing the official photos. Unfortunately, the photos you are having to look at came from my lousy camera work!
Here are more wedding pictures.
The weather here so far has been rainy with a few days of sunshine. But that has not stopped us from doing the usual sight-seeing stuff.
The first Sunday here we all jumped in the mini-van to drive up the coast to Darmariscotta to see the annual return of the alewise fish to their spawning ground. (The alewise, like salmon, spawn in fresh water, but live in the sea, only to return to their spawning ground to produce more offspring).
On one sunny day, Linda and I took a trip to the Newry/Bethel area to see one of the "most photographed/painted" bridges in Maine. It is about a two and a hour trip up there from the Portland area. Most of the trip was very scenic, passing several huge lakes, and some rivers. Near the bridge was this old school house. More bridge photos.
Linda, Tonya, Brandie, Riley and I also took a ride up the coast to Booth Bay Harbor. (Another sunny day)! Booth Bay is very scenic and quaint. Before we sold our house in Fountain Hills, a few years ago, (and even before Rob and Brandie moved here) we had made reservations to stay in a Bed and Breakfast in Booth Bay. On the way back from Booth Bay we stopped at one of my favorite spots in Brunswick, the swinging bridge.
Here is a sign that explains the origins of the bridge.
Brandie and Tonya celebrated their birthdays on June 9th. They were born on the same day, however, 10 years apart. So Cidney, MacKenize, Riley and Rob baked a cake for them. A very yummy chocolate cake. They used some rose petals to be silly and goofy. And Cid and Mac performed a song (the swine flu song! Very creative and very funny).
Yesterday, we all took Cidney up the coast to Tanglewood 4H camp where she is going to be a camp counselor for the summer. We are all excited for her and we know she will do a good job. She had to get out of school a week early in order to accept the job. She will stay there until July 3rd; be home for a week and then go back for another 3 weeks.
Tomorrow (Monday), Linda, Riley and I are headed up the coast to do some more sight-seeing.
We hope to go into New Brunswick, Canada, and go to Nova Scotia, to the city of Halifax. I have to check with the car rental agency to see if we can take the car into Canada. We will be gone for a day or two. I plan to post more after that trip.
very nice. Love, riley (thank you, Riley. I am happy you approve. Love, PaPa). :-).
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