The return of the paddle boat again, and again....

We have had two afternoons and evenings of severe thunder showers/tornadoes up here. Hearing that the damage was bad in Ashland and Portage, we decided to check out the camp today. As we started down the West Road, Louise spotted a paddle boat that looked like ours near a wharf just beyond the playground. She said to Gary, "I hope that isn't ours." When we reached the camp the water was very high, waves coming in, white caps on the lake, and no paddle boat. Gary and Ryan had used it Sunday.
Gary went down to the camp where we had seen it, and he loaded it on the truck to bring back. Meanwhile, Louise went down to the shore and looked around, spotting the paddle boat two camps down stuck in a little inlet. Gary returned the first one to where he found it, and then dragged the second one up on shore and the two of us got it loaded in the back of the truck and back to the camp. How many times has that paddle boat been rescued? This time it produced a twin! Who would believe two identical paddle boats floating around the same area?

On our way home we took pictures of the storm damage along Route 11 in Ashland. It has been a wild week!

Spring at Last!

We visited Portland last week and spent three days with Jon and Erin. One of the highlights of our trip was a tour of the Victoria Mansion, a really unique place in downtown Portland. We could not take pictures inside, but we have some lovely photos of the exterior to share with you.

Notice the damage to the brownstone on the back of the mansion.

We also enjoyed a visit or two to the waterfront, and relaxing at Jon and Erin's home.

Before we came home, we visited the Farmer's Market in Portland, purchasing a few plants to start another growing season.

 

Jon and Erin added a few to their collection also!

The weather has been so cold and wet since we returned from Florida gardening has been far from our thoughts, but finally yesterday it became warmer and the sun appeared. The tulips responded, as you can see.

We are ready for some sunshine and nice weather. Gary has started the yard work, and our thoughts are turning to gardening. Meanwhile Louise is in the middle of a time-consuming and totally engrossing project researching Washburn history and gathering pictures for a sesquicentennial booklet scheduled to be published this summer. She has become a history detective and is enjoying the job!

Winter returns.....again

We have neglected the blog as we returned from Florida and resumed life in Washburn. It has been a busy time. We spent the first week trying to decide how to sort the trash as the town went to a "pay to throw" plan whole we were gone. We have moved back in and returned to our routines.

Yesterday Mother Nature threw us another surprise as the snow came down all day. This morning it continued to snow. It clearly looks like February outside! We share a few pictures of our latest April snow.

Doesn't this look like mid-April? It is a bit depressing to say the least! The one positive thing we have seen is birds in great abundance. We have used a 25 pound bag of black sunflower seeds in less than a week. We share a few pictures of the birds feasting.

The redpolls come in entire flocks.

We have seen several evening grosbeaks today, including some baby ones.

Here we have a goldfinch that has joined the redpolls. We are waiting for spring again, and hoping that it will start soon!

Goodbye to the Beach

It is time to go. Three months have gone speeding past, and we have spent the day packing for the trip home. Of course there is a snow storm covering the whole northeast to accompany us! It has been a lovely winter. By renting a house we have had room to move around and entertain family members as they have been able to come and visit us. We have felt peace and contentment in the lapping of the waves and the glow of the sunshine. We go home a little tanner, and hope that spring comes soon to Maine. The 80 degree days will become a thing of the past, but the memories will live on. Here we share a few scenes of the house, the seashore, the moon rise.

A Day on the Water

As temperatures hit the 80s again today, the Coles went for a boat ride on the Banana River. A fine time was had viewing the birds, dolphins, and manatees. Here we have a picture of a manatee.

The dolphins were playing in the water right below the house, and more were sighted on our boat ride. The cool breeze on the river was most welcome, and two hours on the water was a treat. Here you see Jon and Erin and Gary and Louise enjoying the ride.

A Busy Day in Cocoa Beach

As the sun rises over Cocoa Beach, Jon and Erin are getting ready for a busy day in Florida.

The surf was wild, the sun was hot, and they had a great time at the beach.

Today we all went to the Brevard Zoo to visit the animals there. Jon and Erin had exciting encounters with the birds.

Here we see them posing at one of the zoo paths.

The seven giraffes at the zoo added a touch of fun to the adventure.

In a visit to Ron Jon's Surf Shop, Gary tries on a new hat that changes his hair do!

We end the day with a trip to the Cocoa Beach pier, and a trip out for ice cream.

Here Erin is photographed on a surf board with her purse! What a day!

Departures

Bridget, Bob, and Gina left for home yesterday. We have had a fun week and have so much enjoyed spending the time with Bridget. She liked Florida. Here you see her on a beach walk with her father.

Here she poses with Grampy in her Ron Jon Surf Shop outfit!

Here you see her at the airport ready to fly home. You can tell from the look on her face that she would have gladly stayed a little longer at the beach!

To add to the excitement yesterday, we watched a launch of an Atlas rocket from the beach at sunset. It went right over our heads, and the exhaust picked up the colors of the sunset.

So ends another day in Florida.