An Award

I received this award from Michele at My Blessings From Above ages ago and am just now getting around to posting about it.

It blesses me greatly to think that someone enjoys my blog enough to want to pass on an award. Thanks so much, Michele. You know I love your blog!

The rules for this award are short and sweet.
1. Link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Include the award on your blog.
3. Pass it on to 7 worthy bloggers with links to their blogs on yours.
4. Notify your recipients.

I read a lot of blogs, some for informational purposes, but usually because I enjoy reading about folk's everyday lives. There are some I really look forward to reading every day.

I would like to pass this award onto:
Jodi at Learning All the Time
Kristine at Jewels of My Own
Ginger at Just Horsin' Around
Stacy at With Great Joy
Lisa at Lisa's Homeschool Circus
Ruthie at Nature Knitter
Lisa at The Berry Batch

Thanks again, Michele!

9/30/08 - Troop of Monkeys at the Playground

On our way back to the campground from Ocean Point, we stopped at a great playground we had visited a few years ago. This is a large playground, with lots of equipment for big and small.

Nothing like some help from big sister down the long slide.

After a short rest back at the campground, we met the "B" family at a local pizza place. We had sweet fellowship and great pizza. We went for a nice walk. We were all trying to fit in as much time together as possible before the goodbyes.

This trip was a short, last minute, hurry up, lets go, marginal weather camping trip, but it turned out to be fantastic. We were able to fit so much in, visit with friends, see the ocean and soak in the beauty and the majesty of the northern coast, relax and enjoy each other. God is so good and gave us a wonderful time away despite the fact that we had a lot of apprehensions about how it would all turn out.

9/30/08 - Ocean Point

Our last full day in Maine. The sun was once again shining brightly and the day promised to be a beautiful one.

A vote was taken and we headed out to Ocean Point. The kids wanted to play in the water and search for shells and beach glass and Brian and I just love watching the sea.

Bessie, Gabe and Dan decided to brave the frigid water again. The tide was heading out which made for some great waves.

I love this picture of Bess. I'm not sure why it is so appealing to me, but it seems to capture her loveliness and her adventurous spirit back dropped against the sea, rugged rocks and trees.

Gabe has so much fun and is fun to watch as he experiences life so fully. He sat on this rock as wave after wave crashed on him.

Hannah and Rachel choose to stay a dry land. Rachel especially gets terribly cold very easily. They searched for beach glass and special shells. Don't you just love Hannah's hat? That hat just says, "Hannah".

Of course, Gracie would not be left on shore. She quickly made her way to the waves. Brian kept the leash on as we were afraid she might swim out too far and get caught in the heavy current.

After a change of clothes for the water babies, we had lunch on the rocks.

Every time we go camping or hiking or exploring, I daydream about being able to sketch some of the scenes or creatures we see. Taking pictures is great, but there is something about drawing what you see.

This year I was determined to give it a try. I got a few books from the library on keeping nature journals, bought a blank sketch book and did not allow my perfectionist tendencies to get in the way. I actually did some sketching. I am not ready to share them with the world, but each one was a bit better. I am hopeful to continue at home and improve my drawing skills, but whether they improve much or not, I am pleased to be finally keeping a nature journal.


A couple came by and offered to take a family photo for us. Wasn't that nice of them? We had a nice chat. They were from Arkansas. We meet the nicest people on our travels.

A Campfire and S'Mores

Bessie and I walked up to the store and bought a bundle of firewood. Many states do not allow firewood to be brought in from other states, so we no longer carry our own firewood.

The fire was soon going and the S'more fixins' brought out. Nothing better to end an already great day than marshmallows and S'mores.

Brian assembling the treats
We sat and enjoyed the glow and the warmth of the fire until our supply of wood was gone.

9/29/08 - Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

The weather finally broke and the sun came out. There were still some clouds, but the sky was mostly clear.

We all have our favorite places to visit when we go to Maine and one that everyone agrees upon is Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. It is a perfect example of the rocky Maine coast. There are tidal pools, great rocks to climb on and a glorious view of the open ocean. I could spend my whole vacation at Pemaquid and not tire of watching the waves come in and out.

Lobster boats making the rounds of their traps

It seems to be a common theme of our trips...picnicking. What a great setting for this meal.

Rachel explores a pool

Sea Urchin

Hermit Crab

Star Fish

Gracie loves the water and always wants to take a dip no matter how cold the water. Of course, some of the kids are the same way. As you can see, Gabe is already quite wet.

Look at that sky and sea. They seem to mirror each other.

Gabe wanted to venture out further and further towards the surf, but the waves were very wild, so we made him stay behind the first line of rocks.

No matter how many pictures I took, I couldn't capture the wildness of the sea this day. The storm off the coast was causing the sea to churn and crash.

Me and my now trademark red hat

Pemaquid Lighthouse

It was a fantastic day. I felt refreshed and recharged.

9/28/08 - Boothbay Harbor

After the furious rain overnight, the skies were still gray and threatening rain. It was decided to venture into Boothbay Harbor and hit a few of the shops we enjoy. There is a great bookstore downtown that sells great toys, gifts and of course, books. Bessie also has a favorite clothing boutique. Being so late in the season, the boutique had everything hugely discounted. Bessie found a great skirt of $10.

Between rain showers, we took a walk out on the boardwalk the crosses Boothbay Harbor. We chatted with the local Methodist minister who was out walking her dog.


We stopped for take out on the way back to the camper and had a nice evening reading and playing games. This is one of the things I enjoy most about camping, the slower pace and family togetherness.

Stormy Weather

As I mentioned before, the weather predicted for our camping trip was not good and was complicated further by the approach of hurricane Kyle. The rain Saturday night into Sunday morning was tremendous, a downpour that lasted for hours.

There are many reasons I love our camping trailer, but none more than staying warm and dry during rotten weather.

Below you can see the river that developed flowing under the trailer. We were a bit concerned for erosion, but it seemed secure enough.

The water poured off of our awning. We made sure it was slanted heavily to one side to keep the water from pooling on top.

This was the result the next morning. We weren't really sure how we were going to get out of our site with this very large washout. It ended up not being difficult as Brian drove over onto the lawn.


These little adventures always add to our trips and make for some of the most interesting memories.