Maine 2010

My blogging routine has decayed into oblivion, mostly as a consequence of Facebook which is just so easy and yet....well.....crap.  I say this because Facebook does not (as far as I know) allow you to archive your memories in the same way a blog does.  On the other hand I get about 1 comment a year on Blogger whereas Facebook is happenin' baby.

So after Dave and Peter Woods left town we had a week of calm before heading out on a road trip to Maine.  This was all very last minute.  In fact, we didn't know what the plan was when we left the house (I LOVE this kind of traveling) so we packed for multiple outcomes including camping.  In the end we spent one night under canvas in Poe Paddy State Park in PA and then legged it up to Bayside Maine which is where we ended up last year.  I usually prefer to explore new places but Bayside is unique! At this time of year, most of the North East USA is sweltering.  I am sitting here writing this in Pittsburgh with the temps in the 90s and humidity is way up there.  In contrast, Maine is just right....with nice sea breezes on the coast, sunny days and cooler nights.  Bayside itself is a collection of Victorian cottages on the coast (near Belfast) that surround a small sailing club.  There is nothing of commercial interest in the village so nobody bothers going there except the few folks "in the know".  The result is that Bayside is perfect for a family holiday.  Plenty of other kids, somewhere nice to swim and kayak and enough to go and visit so as not to get bored.

During the first week we were joined by some friends from New Hampshire, Vicky, Mike and Sasha.  Mike's last name is "Striech" (pronounced Mike "Strike")....cool eh?

Pretty normal scene at the dock in Bayside.  Adam and Soph spent lots of time just chilling down here

The bikes in Belfast Maine are part of an art installation that you can play on. My kind of art!

Splendid local "Andrews" Pale Ale brewed in Lincolnville

One memorable day trip was out to Fort Knox. This was probably built to keep out the Brits but we did a pretty good job of getting there. They were having a re-enactment of the American Civil War when we were there.  Good stuff.

I managed to aim it at his head :)

Revenge!

Yes Sah!

Mini-Shaz does a quick Travolta routine during the Civil War re-enactment (surreal)

Another memorable day out was spent on the Amity Sloop.  Run by Captain Steve (originally from Oz) and his son. It was a bit calm for good sailing but maybe that was a good thing given how sea-sick I get :-) 

Amity