Saturday, November 21, 2009

More Traveling and More MIRL - Part II


After Kev finished his choir practice, we got a tour of the house, meeting all of the guys and visiting with them for awhile. These are handsome, capable young men who have taken a turn in their lives that has affected them and everyone who loves them in very negative ways. They are all working on recovery and deliverance from drug addiction. They all have so much potential. I wish so much that I could have a chance to just sit and talk with all of them together - they have so much in common and it would be helpful to me to pick their brains.

But they all clean up very well! We met Kev at the beautiful old mansion where the banquet was held. It was a lovely evening in a beautiful setting.









The choir sang.




Several of the guys were asked to give their testimonies. Kev had told us that he would not be one of those guys. But he was surprised when he was called from the choir to share his story. I was pleased and touched to hear him speak. It was so dark that the picture is really poor, but I'm showing it anyway.




After the dinner we headed back to our hotel room. Kev was so excited to discover that the Denver Nuggets were playing that night - he got to watch the entire game, and they obliterated the Los Angeles Lakers, which apparently made it even better. Out there on the East Coast, everything starts two hours later than around here - so this game started at 10:30 - and he watched it until 1:00 a.m. - while Mom and Dad slept - sort of! But it was fun to see his enjoyment of such a simple pleasure.

Saturday morning we headed out for our tour of Maine from Augusta to Bar Harbor (Bah Hahbah, as the Mainers say), into Acadia National Park. It was a foggy day, so the views weren't as striking as they could have been in the sunshine, but we enjoyed every minute and every mile together.






I loved the view of these little "islands" as we flew into Maine on Thursday.











The fall foliage was gone - I kept imagining how gorgeous it must have been two weeks earlier. But it was still beautiful.













We stopped in Ellsworth and found these photogenic buildings.







On the side of this building, in a row, there were probably 8 of these little clusters of grapes - I would love to know what they signify.




I love the beautiful white frame churches with tall steeples.










Kevin was absolutely in awe of the power of the ocean here at Thunder Hole. This is the spot where several people were washed into the ocean during Hurricane Bill. Amazingly, most of them survived.








We hit an L.L. Bean outlet to help Kev get ready for a cold winter of fund raising in the outdoors. It's probably a good idea if he doesn't go into a bank!






One of his buddies told us to check out Cappy's Chowder House in Camden. We were disappointed that they didn't have whole lobsters at this time of year, but we had delicious mulled cider, outstanding clam chowder, the guys had lobster mac and cheese, and I had lobster roll. We had the best waitress ever.








Sunday morning we went to this little church in Augusta, and had a wonderful service. Kev was so happy to have a chance to sit and soak up some spiritual nourishment - most Sundays he and the choir are serving.





Kev had to return to Winthrop and his residence by 6:00 Sunday evening.




We had dinner with Groovy and her family, had another good night's sleep, and left early for breakfast with Midlife Mom and her very fun sister back in Augusta. We had a delicious breakfast and such a delightful time once again. Louise gave me a gift card for the Christian book store her family owns. When I get what I ordered, I'll show you a picture. I can hardly wait.







We had to say good-bye to Maine and all the wonderful people we'd met and head for home. It was a long day, but again uneventful, getting home around 7:30 - landing a half hour early, if you can believe it. What wonderful memories we created. Thank you to all who helped make that happen!


16 comments:

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Love the pics of you, Dwight and Kev together. Kev looks good, and you're absolutely beaming, for some reason. ;o)

As beautiful as those pics are now, I'll bet in Summer and with the Autumn leaves Maine is positively gorgeous.

I hope you get Monday off grandkid duty. As much as we love them, we still need time off for ourselves.

xoxox

Diane

Hootin Anni said...

Wonderful, wonderful Dawn!!!! I loved every minute with you today...your words made me feel as if I was right in the photos/time spent with you all!!! A glorious time you had...it almost gives us all an inner peace and the feeling of tranquility!!!

[and I LOVE FOG!! ---it's my favorite weather phenomenon....so those photos were perfect for me. LOL]

Glad to have you home safe and sound, but it was a worth-while and very memorable trip for you...and for US that you shared!!!!

[what did you order? Oh my...you're gonna make us wait? Figures. roflmao]

Oh, and I can't sing very well anymore...a smoker's voice now. But at 16 I was quite good at it...or so I was told. I still remember the lyrics tho.]

Needled Mom said...

So glad that you took us along, Dawn. It really does look and sound as though the trip was perfect in every way.

Kev looks great and I am sure the trip meant the world to him. It will be a long and cold winter for him. Glad he is well dressed for the situation.

It was fun to see you and MLM enjoying your time together as well. I know she enjoyed the visit.

Have a great week.

Sharon Lynne said...

Glad you had a good trip.

Those are 'cool' islands.

Kevin must have enjoyed showing you his world. How proud you must have been when he gave his testimony!

I will continue to pray for him.

nancygrayce said...

Seeing God's answer to prayers makes me so humble and thankful! I'm so glad Kevin is doing so well and you three all look so relaxed and happy!
Your pictures are so beautiful....I love all those places, just through seeing them through your eyes, I've never been there....

So, so thankful for you!

groovyoldlady said...

Ya know...I almost bought my mom one of those LLBean face masks. Mulletman talked me out of it, but I think it would be a riot to see her traipsing into JoAnne's wearing one. ;-)

SentimentsbyDenise said...

Kevin looks so good in these photos!It's been a priviledge to pray for him and I will continue to do so. What an amazing God we serve!

Robin in New Jersey said...

Oh Dawn, It looks like you had a wonderful trip. I love that part of Maine. Haven't been there in 16 years. I hope to go back someday. Your son is doing well?

Gigi said...

What beautiful, smiling faces!!! Thank you for sharing your whirlwind weekend of joy with us! The pictures tell it all...

Unknown said...

You were so close to my home when you were at the Penobscot Narrows bridge! We go to church in Ellsworth.

I'm glad you had such a nice time here in Maine. We'll have to meet up again the next time you are here. :-)

Carole Burant said...

Good morning dear Dawn:-)

You were first on my list to visit this morning...I was just making up my post for my giveaway winner when I received your message! lol

I absolutely love that picture of you, DC and Kev. Kev's face is all lit up and he looks so happy! This place is obviously working for him and I hope with all my heart that once he leaves there, he will be able to go on with his life drug free. I can well imagine how you felt seeing all these young men who are trying to get over their drug addictions, it has to be heartbreaking. At least they have found their way there and have seeked help so they have a chance. I would have loved to have heard the choir sing:-)

I'm so glad he was able to go with you to tour parts of Maine...look at the smile on his face in that one picture of him taking a picture of himself:-) Precious. Such beautiful buildings around there as well, I just love that church!!

And then you got to meet Louise!!! Love the picture of you and her, just beautiful. I so want to meet both of you one day, just wish there wasn't so many miles apart and that I wasn't terrified of flying. lol

You really did have a wonderful trip and I'm so glad you shared it with us. xoxo

Linds said...

Wow - Kev looks great, Dawn, and what a wonderful time you have had! It is really good to hear you met all those blogging buddies too!

Linda said...

I am so late getting here Dawn. I apologize.
The trip looks wonderful. I'm so glad you had this time with Kev. He looks as though he is doing very well.
I have always loved the beautiful churches in New England and Upstate NY. We attended a little tiny white one when we lived in NY, but it had a steeple!! It was just beautiful and graceful.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving dear friend.

grammy said...

What an amazing time you had. Great visit with Kev. So glad he is doing well. The mask is pretty funny. So cool that you got to visit with all those blogger friends. Have a Great Thanksgiving. The weather is going to be nice... I think (o:

Hootin Anni said...

Hello again dear Dawn!
I do hope your Thanksgiving was filled with peace and love....and good food!!!

It's downright cold here again this morning and I'm actually thinking of turning on the furnace. LOL [it's 42! outside]

Have a great day today...and if you're even thinking of shopping somewhere ---be careful. LOL

nannykim said...

Sounds like a very rich time!