Acadia!

The next stop on our trip was Acadia National Park on the coast of Maine. We got there in the evening and were greeted by the sight of a dazzling moon over the southern coast of the island. Gorgeous!

 We camped on the southern coast and it was blissfully wonderful....even though we woke up with water dripping in after a rainstorm started during the middle of the night :P

 Since it was a little too wet to hike and spending the day in a watery tent didn't seem like fun, Rosie and I decided to drive into the little town of Bar Harbor on the island. The morning rain was pretty heavy, so we spent our time under the umbrella wandering around to different shops and out on the piers.

 The rain and clouds made the mood misty and mysterious. Quite lovely :)

 We even met up with this big guy. Cute little humpback!

 When the rain tapered down a little, we got in the car and drove around the scenic routes circumnavigating the island. We got out at all the scenic points and saw lots of amazing sights. This stop was Sand Beach. That water was some of the coldest I've stepped into, but after while my feet went numb and it was fine :)

 I love standing on the shore and staring out at the ocean. Even though I couldn't see very far because of the fog, it was soothing just to close my eyes and sway to the sound of the waves.

 Happiness is a forest running into the sea :)

 We kept up our journeys around the island and saw many other beautiful sights. The rain added to the loveliness of the plants and flowers.

 And since I love lighthouses, of course we had to hike out onto the slippery rocks in order to see it better! What a job that would be- manning a lighthouse.

 Up a little closer to the light.

 Fun adventures touring the island with Rosie!

 Later that evening we went back into town for dinner. Rosie wanted to try lobster. This is her cracking it open. Absolutely disgusting. It's like someone took a cockroach out the water, steamed it, then added butter. I don't believe in eating anything that ever existed in an exoskeleton. But to each his own. I had a burger. Cow is much better in my opinion.

The next day was sunny in the morning, so we hiked up Cadillac mountain. It's the highest mountain literally on the eastern seaboard. Pretty steep but the views were completely worth it. So gorgeous!!! Couldn't ask to end my Acadia experience on a better note! The rain clouds started rolling in again that afternoon, and they chased us all the way to Canada. More on that with the next post!

The Beginning of the Journey-Boston!!

My northeast coast road trip, and incidentally the last one my old little car would make, began with a drive to Boston! I went with my friend Rosie and we were lucky enough to stay a few days with a couple that she knew. Love having connections :) 

 Our first day in Boston, we toured downtown. Rosie had never done the Freedom Trail and it'd been a few years since I've done it, so off we went. Other than the fact that is was crazy hot, it was a great day!

 We saw lots of fun historic sites, learned new facts-like the angels by the organ were stolen by privateers and given to the church in the 1700's-and enjoyed the winding, history filled streets :)

 At one point we came to these little water fountains, and it was so hot that a nice dip felt really good :)

 We even managed to find the restaurant Naomi and I had gone to when we were in Boston years before. Still just as good as before! We made it all along the trail from Boston Commons to Charleston and Bunker Hill. Long day, but so amazing!

 The next day was Sunday and after attending church near Harvard (I feel so smart just saying that!) we journeyed literally across the street to the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It had, even before Henry's time, been a temporary headquarters of General George Washington, and that presence could definitely still be found in the house :) 

 It was awesome seeing the surroundings of the man who penned so many familiar verses. I hadn't realized until this trip what a bastion of education and knowledge was found in the area, as it was home to such names as Thoreau, Emerson, Longfellow, Hawthorne, and others. How awesome would it have been to live here in that time!

 That afternoon we jumped back into Revolutionary history by visiting first Lexington and then Concord. 

 It was inspiring to be standing in the places where the "shot heard round the world" sounded so many years ago.

 The minuteman statue on the Lexington Green helped me imagine it even better....plus he's really cute :)

 This man stands at the head of the North Bridge in Concord where the colonials first began to drive the British soldiers back to Boston that fateful night/day in April 1775. So the Revolution began, though I don't really think they knew what their actions there that day would cause in the generations to come.

 Standing on the north bridge, it was interesting to imagine pursuing the British across the fields and away from town. Love history!!

 We left Revolutionary history then, but didn't leave Concord. We went up the road and found the cemetery where many notable poets were buried. We found Emerson, Thoreau, Louise M Alcott, Hawthorne, and others.

 On the way back that evening, we spied the Boston temple from the freeway, so we decided to drive in and walk around. Very beautiful!

 On our last day before leaving the Boston area, Rosie and I headed back to Concord to have a literary filled day. We started with a tour of Louisa M Alcott's house, on which the book "Little Women" is based. It was amazing to feel how real it felt to me just because I was familiar with the story. She truly wrote her story.

 A picture of me outside their house.

 Rosie and I on the bench where Mr Alcott (Louisa's father) would talk with passing guests, like Emerson and Thoreau. These were Louisa's tutors. No wonder she wrote so well!

Our last stop was Walden Pond. I doubt Thoreau imagined that in years to come his private place of solitude would be turned into a lake used for swimming and hiking :P Still, we enjoyed a few of his nature inspired quotes while laying on the beach and wading in the water and I suppose that's what really counts :) 

Stay tuned for the post about our next stop in Maine!

New Car

Well it was a sad day in Jennie land when my car at last gave into age and went into death throes. Not wanting to start is a little bit of a problem, and I decided instead of sinking more money into her, though she was wonderful to me, I would get a new car. So goodbye faithful Cavalier and hello.....

 To my new Rav4! I decided to go a little bigger for all my camping, hiking, mountain venturing side. Here's to another 15 years at least of togetherness :)

Krista's Engagement Party

An Engagement Party weekend wouldn't be complete without a trip kayaking before the actual preparations began :)

 So kayak we did down in St. Mary's county near where Krista lives. Isn't it a pretty little place?? This is near to where Krista will actually be married, so it related...mostly :)

 The intrepid kayakers :)

 As fun as kayaking was, we did end up also throwing the party the next day for Krista and Ryan. We spent the morning gathering fresh foods from the Amish market and then cutting up a feast!

 The happy couple. I made it my job to man the kitchen so they could socialize. Win win for all :)

The coworkers who made the long drive to Krista's and partied with us. It was a fun group! I even won a round of post party beer pong...could have been cuz I was the only sober one at the time, but the victory still stands! Thanks Krista for being a great friend and I can't wait for your actually marriage!

Next Stop...Chicago!!

My next summer trip took me out to Chicagoland to visit Naomi, Kevin, Brooklyn, and Lily!! I was pretty bad about taking pictures (like always) but I handed the camera to Naomi for Kevin's triathlon and she did much better :) Although, I never did manage to get her in a photo this time around...

 Kevin before the start of the race. He did awesome and it inspired me to start running more again....eventually :P

 During the race I spent my time with Naomi watching the girls and cheering for Kevin. The wind and humidity made my hair do such wonderful things that day.

 Love the faces of my cute girls....

 Even when they're not looking so photogenic.

 And this...yup. Gotta love em :)

Loved getting to spend several days with my 3 girls, and Kevin too :) I wish I could have stayed longer. We had so much fun and I can't wait til I can come back again!

And So The Summer Trips Begin...

With a trip to Utah for Jenny's graduation! The whole family, minus Phil who was still at officer training, was there and it was so fun spending some time with them!

 So proud of Jenny for finishing her degree!

 I got to spend a few days with my AZ dwelling fam. I wasn't the best at taking pics, but I managed to get a few with the boys. Love my Greg!

 Spencer also got his mission call that week to Salem Oregon, Spanish speaking. Going to miss him!

 And here's a random one of Shelly and Ben. They're fun :)

 I also got to see a few friends while I was there. I didn't remember to take pics with everyone (my bad) but I enjoyed time with each of you. And I'm so happy that Kara's coming closer to me soon :)

 Managed to catch the MPSF finals wherein BYU scored a sweet victory. Being in the fieldhouse was like coming home. Ahh, men's volleyball. Need I say more?

 Dawsha was fortuitously in town for her friend's wedding. We had a sweet excursion to Tucanos. Soooo yummy!!

Shelly and Ben were also nice enough to make the drive with me to Meadow, Utah and some natural hot springs. It was more crowded then usual, but I love that place and find such peace just soaking in the warm water and watching the stars come out. All in all, a great trip. Big shout out to Uncle Glenn and Aunt Connie for letting me crash at their house so much. Loved being back home!!