Maine

We returned yesterday from an enchanting vacation exploring the coast of Maine. I have really wanted to go to Maine for a few years now; ever since I read Rachel Carson's biography, I have dreamed of Maine's foggy, rocky shoreline, its tide pools and coniferous forests.

We spent a few days in Southern Maine at the beach. The hotel we stayed at was family run and had toys and books for the kids, laundry, fresh-baked cookies and a kitchen. It felt like a home away from home. We had beautiful, sunny days and so much fun at the beach: building, body surfing, chasing Miranda, making friends and relaxing.

We went hiking to a nearby place my friend Sara recommended. We saw a lot of wildlife: a harbor seal (he's hiding in that picture above), a downy woodpecker and lots of other birds and bugs. We explored the tide pools.

The town near where we stayed had a historic pier with a small amusement park right on the beach. Miranda went on her first rides and was a champ. We also explored Old Port and the Children's Museum in Portland and I kept hoping to see Soulemama on the street, one of my favorite bloggers.

We camped for four days in Acadia National Park which is located farther up the Maine coast. The park is breathtaking and we will definitely go back. The town of Bar Harbor and a few smaller towns share Mt. Desert Island with the National Park. We hiked, went to the beach in the park, admired the view from the top of Cadillac Mountain, tide pooled and went to some programs given by the Park Rangers.

Jove worked on his Junior Ranger Badge and got it the last day we were there. He is very proud. We found wild blueberries all over and would stop to pick them. I tried lobster for the first time.

The whales, puffins and moose will have to wait until we come back.

Back home, happily, after a lot of adventures. A few weeks left of summer to relax, swim and enjoy each other before we are all back to school

I am going to take a little break from blogging until the school year starts so that I can prepare.