Monthly Archives: October 2013

Maine Trippin

My daughter and I took a trip to Maine in July of 2013.  I went because of work, but took some extra time so we could explore the state.  We posted tweets on the trip with #mainetrippin, so I thought to follow suite and name this post the same.  The following is a pictorial essay of our visit.

Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound
Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound

A trip to Maine is never complete till you eat a good lobster.  Usually getting a lobster is my first stop once in Maine.  And by good lobster I mean a cooked lobster!  And that is exactly what you get at the Trenton Bridge Lobster pound.  It has been one of my favorite places to visit for years.

Bar Harbor

Danielle in Bar Harbor
Danielle in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is just a beautiful place.  It is a stop for several cruise ships during the summer months.  There are plenty of treats, eats and shopping are within walking distance.  And the pace is just a bit slower – the way I like it.

Lobster
My favorite Maine meal!
Sunset in Bar Harbor
Sunset in Bar Harbor
Downtown Bar Harbor
Downtown Bar Harbor
John and Danielle in Bar Harbor
John and Danielle in Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park

Rugged Maine coast line
Rugged Maine coast line

Acadia National Park is just minutes from downtown Bar Harbor.  It is a beautiful place to drive and take pictures.  Hearing the ocean, feeling the breeze and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation is all this national park is about!  (but that is plenty enough!)

Long Pond in Acadia National Park
Long Pond in Acadia National Park
Maine Coastline
Maine Coastline
Thunder Hole
Thunder Hole
Maine coastline
Maine coastline
View from the top
View from the top

Western Maine

Wire bridge in New Portland, ME
Wire bridge in New Portland, ME

WireBridge

Carrabassett River
Carrabassett River

My work usually takes me to central and western Maine.  There are lots of great rivers and mountains to explore here!  I never get enough time to take all the pictures I would like, but here are a few samples.

Sandy River
Sandy River
Sandy River water falls
Sandy River water falls
Herbert Hotel
Herbert Hotel
Kingfield, Maine Carrabassett river
Kingfield, Maine
Carrabassett river

Downtown Kingfield has a few shops and is the home of the Herbert Grand Hotel.  A really unique hotel that still uses a real key for your room door, and the front door of the hotel (only needed if you want to get back into the hotel after 9:00).

Orange Cat Cafe

Orange Cat Cafe
Orange Cat Cafe

One of my favorite restaurants in the world – Orange Cat Cafe in Kingfield, ME.  Very laid back atmosphere with wholesome food.         And a cat.

Moose pit
Moose pit

Well, you can’t see a moose here – because I did not see any!    But this is the place to find one…  It is called the moose pit because of the water, vegetation, and salt content.  This used to be where the state kept salt for the roads, so moose frequent here.

Further down the coast

Portland Lighthouse
Portland Lighthouse

The Portland lighthouse is one of the more photographed lighthouses on the East coast.

The Lobster Shack
The Lobster Shack

The Lobster Shack is another of my favorite restaurants.  For 2 reasons … the lobster and the view!

Portland Lighthouse
Portland Lighthouse
Nubble Lighthouse
Nubble Lighthouse
Old Orchard beach amusement park
Old Orchard beach amusement park

Good ain’t good enough

Buddy – How are you doing?
Me – Good.  How are you?
Buddy – Good
Me – Good

GoodWho is good and what really is good any more?

The above conversation happens all too often in my life it seems.  And I for one am ready to put an end to it.

Webster’s defines good in several ways:

of high quality;of somewhat high but not excellent quality; correct or proper; of a favorable character or tendency; free from injury or disease; not depreciated; commercially sound

So which is it – how are you really?

And then to hear it is good that I am good.  Well that is just good to hear.

I think.

I propose a new wording for our greetings.  What if we greeted each other with something other than good?  And how about how I am doing is something other than good?

I have tried in the past few weeks to eliminate good from my greeting vocabulary.  It is hard at times because good is just so ingrained in our minds to respond when asked how you are doing.  But I am trying.

Here are some of the responses I have been providing:

  • I am well.
  • I’m just fine.
  • Doing better than I deserve!
  • Really swell.

Does anyone feel the way I do?  Am I on my own on this one?

Will somebody stand with me?

It sure would be good if you did!

Anticipation

Image

My son planned a cookout and bond fire at our home this past Friday night.  He contacted his friends and made food plans with his mom.  Then he and I prepared the yard and fire pit for the evening.

A couple of his buddies came over early to help us finish off the last details of moving cinder blocks and gathering wood.  Each of them were giddy and willing to do just about anything I asked them to do as we prepared.  Why?  Anticipation

They each anticipated who would show up for the event.  What conversations they would have. Maybe a new friendship would develop.  For sure, somebody was going to do something so funny that the whole school would be talking about it Monday morning!  That’s the beauty of anticipation – it is hoping for something great that is unseen and uncompleted.

Their anticipation reminded me of two great anticipations that I have on my mind:

1st – I am anticipating the new acquaintances, friendships and adventures I will have as a result of writing and maturing this blog.  The ability to purposefully share my thoughts and adventures makes me just giddy!  God is giving me wisdom as I journey, and I am so glad to share with anyone who will listen.

2nd – I am also anticipating the glorious meeting I will have in Heaven with my Savior!  I know in Heaven there will be a great reward for the things I do for the glory of God here on earth.  Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  I have never seen Heaven, but I sure do have faith that it will be a wonderful place to be for the rest of eternity!

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My son and his buddies did not know for sure who was coming to the cookout or what kind of fun it would be.  But they anticipated a really good time.

This blog and eventual book journey are certainly uncharted for me, and I know will include many highs and lows.  But I do anticipate how it will change me and my future.

My personal journey toward Heaven will be tough at times, but will also include many mountain top experiences.  Best of all I anticipate the final reward when I meet Jesus face to face!!!

So how about you?  What are you giddy about or greatly anticipating in your life?

In the beginning

In the beginning I wrote a blog.  Why would I do such a thing?

This is the beginning of a journey I have been wanting to take for some time.  I have wanted to write a book about the life lessons I learned while picking blackberries with my grandma.  She died in October of 2008, but I had begun to record my thoughts a few years earlier.  I said when she died I would finish this book.      Ok, better late than never.  I am starting to put it together.

So this blog will be my preparations for the writing of the book.  I hope to journal this journey, learned life lessons, and some adventure.

Thank you to those who will start out with me early on the journey.  I pray you will be able to say it was beneficial to you as well.

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