A Visit to the Coast of Maine

We have been planning all summer to get away for a couple of days, and this week we finally did it. We went to Rockland and Warren visiting relatives, and then on to Bar Harbor for a day at Acadia. The weather was wonderful. The only problem encountered was Louise coming down with a cold and not feeling like a lot of activity today.

 On Sunday we started our journey with a trip to the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland where an exhibit of many Wyeth works was on display.

We traveled on to Bucksport where we crossed the new Penobscot Narrows bridge.

The weather today was perfect to enjoy the scenery at Acadia.

Here we see Louise on top of Cadillac Mountain.

Here we have a gull that posed for us. The cruise ship, Jewel of the Seas, made the park and the town of Bar Harbor as busy as it would have been in mid-July.

Beautiful panoramas like this appeared at every turn.

This was the scene in Bar Harbor late this afternoon. Tomorrow we head back to the county.

Wharf Woes

After a very busy weekend, Gary and Louise went up to Portage late this afternoon and discovered that the wharf has moved itself next door. In the high water it has floated away and lodged itself on top of the neighbor's wharf. That will be a major undertaking this week. Matt's boat is probably the only on left on the lake and the back of it is in the water. The water is as high as we have ever seen it. Here are some photos of Portage Lake this afternoon.

This is the large piece of the wharf sitting out in the water on the next lot down from us.

Debris has gathered on the sections.

No beach anymore!

The lonely boat looks strange sitting out in the water by itself.

August Festival and Family

It has been a very busy week in Washburn and at the Cole house. The whole family was home for the festival. With Louise selling and signing books and Gary designing and making the historical society float, everyone was busy. Bob, Gina, Bridget, Meghan and Jessica were riding on the float in 19th century costumes.

Here is Ralph Cole posing with his truck and the float.

The crew on the float: Meghan Cole, Drew Cameron, Hailey Cameron, Jessica Cameron, Mackenzie St. John, Gina, Bridget, and Bob Cole.

Both Ryan and Meghan gave tours of the museum during the August Festival. Here is Ryan in the barn,
We also spent some family time at Portage. Here we have three photos of Bridget at the camp.

Isn't this smile priceless? Bridget also seemed to enjoy the water.

Today we went to the St. John Valley with Jon and Erin. First of all we encountered a tree across the road on the way to St. Agatha.

Finally we have a photo of the view from the Lakeview Restaurant where we had lunch.

The Book has come!

Monday the book arrived. This book is the sesquicentennial production for Washburn that has taken several months of work. Louise and Londa Brown worked for over two months putting this together. There was a lot of excitement about the town office as the truck from Office Max arrived!

There were two pallets of books unloaded.

Here are Londa andLouise getting ready to take a look at it.

And here it is!

Baxter State Park Anniversary

Today the Coles celebrated 45 years of marriage by spending the day in the woods. Driving down through the woods to Patten with a picnic lunch aboard, they entered Baxter State Park at the Mattagamon Gate. Here is a picture taken near there:

We spent three hours driving through the woods, stopping to picnic at the Ledges. Louise finished knitting a sock on the trip. With music from the 60s playing on CDs, it was a lovely day to drive through one of the loveliest spots in Maine. Here we have a collection of pictures taken today for you to enjoy.

The Height of Summer

The rain has returned today to northern Maine. One effect of all this rain is lush flower gardens. Here we share a few pictures of the gardens Gary has worked so hard to cultivate.

And last but not least is another picture of Bridget from last week. She is enjoying the outdoors with Grampy.

A Day in Massachusetts

We came down to Massachusetts two days ago. Louise is free again - the book is done! We are visiting with Bridget, Gina, and Bob. Look at this cute picture of little Bridget. She is a firecracker for sure! She loves books and looks at them a lot.

 Today we visited the Wayside Inn and mill near it, and then went to the Garden in  the Woods. Sponsored by the New England wildflower society, this is quite a place. We actually hiked for about two hours in a wonderful setting with flowers, brooks, fences, and nature. There were a few mosquitoes, but this spot was worth it. Nice trails and such a peaceful, relaxing place.

 The chapel at the Wayside Inn.

 The Wayside Inn in Sudbury. Mass

 Louise at the replica of the old gristmill at the Wayside Inn.

 The entrance to the Garden in the Woods in Framingham.

A lily pond with flowers, water lilies, turtles.

A chipmunk having a lunch.

A butterfly on the cone flowers.

 Gary on one of the garden paths.