The Coles Travel South

The trip to Florida seemed ill fated when we started. First the blizzard delayed us a day, and the snow blower broke down trying to make a path through the drifts to leave. We finally got out, traveled down icy roads and slow traffic to spend the night with Jon and Erin. A misplaced debit card caused us to drive back to Bangor the next day, then on to Bob's. Meanwhile Gary had come down with a nasty cold. We exchanged gifts, visited a bit with Bridget, and set out Thursday morning for the trip south.

We have pictures here of today's journey - a view of the scene on I-81, trucks and more trucks. Also a glimpse of the mountains in the Shenandoah Valley in the morning haze. Finally there was snow in Virginia and North Carolina, lots of it. However, it got warmer. Louise unzipped and removed the fleece lining of her coat in Virginia, and took the coat off in North Carolina. It reached a balmy 68 in South Carolina, and we came to rest for the night in Florence.

Here you can see pictures of the change in climate here. So it is a happy new year's eve, with dinner out planned with friends who happen to the traveling the same way tonight.

Blizzard Hits!

The fury of winter hit us today with blowing wind and at least a foot of snow. We share with you some photos of the day.

 Two cardinals spent much of the day outside the windows.

This is the scene as we opened the door to go outside.

 Gary snowblowed during a lull in the storm.

The snow was deep and blowing off the trees all day.

The birds filled the feeders all day.
We hope the storm will end before morning and we will make it out to start our trip south. Seeing these pictures, can you imagine how wonderful Florida sounds??

Christmas

 The gifts are piled under the tree, waiting for the opening.

 Andrew and Jonathan have a video chat on Christmas morning.

 Ryan protects his father from  the camera.

 Jessica waits for her gifts.

 Meghan has new mittens!

 Lots of food makes the day.

This year is coming to an end very quickly. The Cole's had a great Christmas that isn't over yet. We will show you the activity at our house yesterday. First of all, Gary received an iPad early for Christmas, and he is joining the computer literate group, enjoying this new toy.
The grandchildren and their parents came, gifts were exchanged, food was prepared and eaten, and everyone had a great time.
As soon as the blizzard passes by, we are off to share Christmas with Jon and Bob, then drive to Florida for a little sunshine and warm weather, we hope!

Thanksgiving

The Coles were thankful for the family that came to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday. We ate, we visited, we talked, and we celebrated the holiday. A very large turkey was mostly eaten with all the fixings. Bridget provided one of the highlights of the holiday as she entertained us all. Here we have some pictures of the family gathering.

The Season Changes Again

It has come. We all knew it would eventually. In fact, it is a little later than usual this year. That's right - SNOW. Twice in the past three days the plows have begun their work, and the brownness of late fall has turned white. Here we have a picture of Main Street this afternoon.

We have been busy getting ready for Thanksgiving and family guests today. The beds are made and the cooking has been started. The kitchen smells wonderful as breads and sauces cook.
Here we have two pictures that show the mixture of fall and winter - the changing of the seasons.

The holidays await us.

Knitter's Weekend at Millinocket

Louise and her friend, Jackie, ventured down the road to a weekend of knitting outside Baxter State Park at the New England Outdoor Center. Seventeen women attended this event, and hats were part of the agenda. A local yarn store provided yarn and patterns, while the women in attendance provided the chat and talent. They stayed in new "green" cabins, and went home this morning to white trees and roads.

Beautiful scenery at the NEOC

Here we see Mt. Katahdin in the distance.

More scenery at the Outdoor Center

The knitters wearing their hats on a snowy morning.

Back to the Roots

The Coles are just returning from two days in mid-coast Maine where we attended a funeral for Louise's brother Fred's long time friend and companion. It was a sad occasion, but it allowed us to get together with family we have not seen for some time. Yesterday we visited the old homestead and took a few pictures. It was a lovely fall day and we share some of those pictures with you.

This is a photo of Warren village, along the bridge where the old mill once stood.

This photo is the road coming into Warren.

Here we have the farm looking down toward the brook.

This old piece of farm machinery sits in the lane along a stone wall.

Here is Louise with the old house in the background, as she walked around the fields of her younger years.

The old house, built in the 1700s, still stands.

Louise's brother Fred, and niece Melissa pose for a rare photograph.
There were so many other pictures that should have been taken, as we went back in time to old places and people we haven't seen for a while. Today the weather was terrible, so pictures of the coast were impossible to take. We crossed the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge in rain and fog so dense you couldn't see a thing. It was a lovely still in southern Maine and the colors are still vibrant.

A Family Weekend

Bob and Gina brought Bridget to Maine last weekend, and we have a few photos to share. We had all of the grandchildren under one roof, and a good time was had by all. Good food, good company, good times.

Here you see Ryan enjoying rocking the baby.

Gary telling Bridget stories and having her full attention.

Here we have part of the gathering of ten for dinner. Interesting hand actions.

Who would believe that Jess is two years older than Meghan?

Jessica with the baby.

Bridget with her grandmother.

Here we have a tired father and a yawning Bridget. We hope she liked her first trip to Maine to visit with  the Cole clan.