Saturday, October 23, 2010

Maine-ly For Fun, Part 5, The Rainy Season


You'll remember, from Part 1, that rain had messed with our plans to get out of the Boston airport in a rental car. We hoped the forecast would be wrong and there would be no rain the rest of the week. But, after our beautiful day in Acadia and Bar Harbor, Wednesday dawned rather dark and dreary. But it turned out to be a wonderful day of total relaxation and watching of the good movies MM and her family had in the cottage.



By noon, the deluge began, and it rained in earnest all afternoon. In the evening we had a dinner date with Midlife Mom and her husband. We met them at the Lucerne Inn, halfway between their house and the cottage.




We had hoped to see the amazing panoramic view, but it was dark and very wet by the time we got there.





But what an amazing meal we had. I ordered the special of the evening, and it was not only delicious, but beautiful - pinwheels of beef stuffed with lobster and asparagus spears.




I must admit, nothing we ate that night was on my "food plan" - I even indulged in rich dessert. It's a good thing we took these pictures of MM and me before we ate rather than after! MM and I have lost, together, a total of 72 pounds since our last visit with each other a year ago.


This one was taken last November when we had breakfast together the beautiful Senator in Augusta.










It was a fabulous evening for the three of us, visiting with our friends. The funniest thing - MM's husband didn't know until that evening that he was getting together with a blog friend. He thought his wife had found a long-lost cousin or something like that.




I usually love sleeping to the sound of rain on the roof. That is, unless I have a big plan for the next day that is going to be spoiled, or at least hampered, by the rain. I didn't sleep very well that night, waking to the rain all night long, wishing and praying it would stop before morning. No such luck.

It rained all day, the day we'd saved for the trip to Baxter State Park, where the leaves were at peak beauty. All day, as we traveled, I imagined the beauty we would be seeing if the sun were shining through the trees. But we made the best of it and had a wonderful day together. We were blessed with free entrance to the park, since Kevin has a Maine driver's license, and the gate keeper was the mother of one of the TC students.
















The steam from the paper mill covered most of the buildings. The smell took me back to International Falls, Minnesota, where I lived for 3 years when I was a kid.





The guys talked me into going on the short hike with them, where we were supposed to find a beautiful waterfall. It was supposed to be 1.2 miles. We walked and walked, and climbed and climbed, and took very careful steps because of the very wet rocks and muddy path. I didn't look up at the trees too much (didn't want to drown!), but looked down and saw these piles of muti-colored leaves.







We never did see the waterfall - don't know how we could have missed it. Maybe it just seemed like twice as far as 1.2 miles, since it was so miserable. But I did catch the rushing water between the trees.








Fortunately, DC had brought a water proof jacket and a poncho with him, and Kev's friend's mom loaned us hers, so we didn't get drenched everywhere - mostly from the knees down - well, DC from the waste down. This picture was taken at the final leg of the Appalachian Trail. We actually have a picture of ourselves at the beginning of the Trail, taken in Georgia a few years ago, but I can't find it anywhere. It was a much nicer day.




It did brighten up a bit as we headed back toward the cottage. I liked this rock, even though Groovy does not.





The GPS got us into a mess, but we saw some beautiful scenery because of it. Just imagine if the sun was shining!












We were very glad to arrive back at our little home away from home, turn on the little electric fireplace, and pop "The Blind Side" into the DVD player.

Stay tuned for Part 6, The Finale.


20 comments:

Glenda said...

Even in the rain, the scenery is beautiful! You are braver than I am! I'm not sure I would have climbed slippery rocks! I like the photo of the two of you in your rain gear!

Sharon Lynne said...

I agree. It looks beautiful in the rain. One can only imagine the beauty if the sun came out. How nice to have "connections" and get a rain coat and free admission!

Susan said...

Glad to see that you didn't let the rain spoil your fun!!!

Sam said...

Hi Dawn! I have to get caught up here! I just read this post, but I'll go back when I have more time to read 1-4. Too bad about the rain! But I'm glad you still got out and enjoyed yourself.

Let's catch up soon. I'm slowly coming back into the land of the living! LOL!

Needled Mom said...

Despite the pouring rain, the pictures are gorgeous. I can imagine how beautiful it would have been in the sunshine.

Both you and MM look fabulous. You have practically lost a whole person between you two.

I am looking forward to the finale.

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Dawn. I so enjoy reading your blog about your trip to Maine and seeing all the beautiful pictures that you have taken. Even with the rain, at least you got to get out and enjoy the scenery. I love to go places I have never been before and just look at all the different things. I was able to do that last year in September when I went out on the road with my hubby when he went to California. I got to go thru towns that I haven't been to in a very long time. Even went to some towns that I have never even been to. Even tho he was on a schedule going out to CA, he made it a very enjoyable trip for me and so that I could take some pictures. I have them in my Photo Albums on FB under My Vacation. If you ever get a chance and want to, you can go look at them sometime. On the way back from CA, we stopped and took more pictures of places I had never seen before. It is a trip that I will never forget and had such a good time. I love the colors of the leaves up there. I still have only got to meet one of my blogging friends and that is Diane@Diane'sPlace. She is the only one that lives really close to me. We have watched The Blind Side and I absolutely love the movie. It's one of those movies that I could watch again. I am looking forward to reading about your Finale. Take care my friend and may GOD continue to BLESS you and yours.

Love and hugs,

Karen H.

Linda said...

In spite of the lack of sunshine it all looks just beautiful Dawn. You're a good sport to have taken the hike!

Midlife Mom said...

How did I miss your last post too???!! Guess we both need a keeper!
Great shots of Bah Harbah, especially the Thunder Hole. The one of you and DC is great and would make a nice Christmas card! I love the one with you and Kev, made me tear up a bit. So glad you had that time together even though the next day was very wet!!!!! Good thing you had the poncho. Great shots of the scenery even though it was raining. I forgot to ask you if you saw a moose while up there????

My mouth is watering looking at your meal at the Lucerne Inn! I would love to have some more of that chocolate bread pudding but it's not on my meal plan either! ha! R offered to go get me some the other night but I was good and said no thank you.......sigh.....

You all look so comfortable at the lake, wish I could go down today but we have about 30 people coming tonight for the last hay ride of the season. This will be the Truth and Training group, they are nine and ten year olds. We bought hot dogs and rolls on the way home from church this morning.

We just got back from a walk all the way out back down to the new road that goes down to the main road. I think he was working on it when you guys were here. It's about a three - four mile walk so I am pooped and am going out on the sun porch and take a nap. Seems good to have you know exactly what and where I am talking about!!

grammy said...

It was beautiful...sorry about the rain. We only had one day of it and we were pretty much done with sight seeing by bthen. Loved your pictures.

Hootin Anni said...

Once again, wonderful. You write your blogs like as if you're sitting next to me telling me all there is to know...I could almost smell the moist forest floor with all the leaves!!!

Yep, I don't care for the new season of NCIS...but have hope it'll take a turn for the better. And soon.

Have a super Sunday afternoon Dawn.

nancygrayce said...

Everyone is right! Even in the rain it is so gorgeous! I've never been to Maine but I'd like to go someday. I love the trail picture!

We hiked a wet trail in North Carolina one year and I was so concerned about Russell's mother falling that instead I fell and slid down part of the hill. That was fun.

Amy said...

The scenery is beautiful! I've really enjoyed this series.

Sounds like you had a wonderful visit

Diane said...

Meeting an old blogging friend is BETTER than finding a long lost cousin!!!!!!

;)

Diane

Sherry said...

How beautiful!! Luke and I talk about visiting the northeast all the time, I'm a little more convinced :).

Gigi said...

Well, you know what it means, don't you? You'll just have to go back again to see it in the sunshine!!

I'm enjoying this so much...I almost don't want you to post part 6 too soon because that will mean the journey is over!

Carole Burant said...

I'm so proud of both you and MM for losing so much weight, you both look wonderful:-) Such a shame that the weather didn't cooperate but as you said, you made the best of it and enjoyed each other's company. I would have loved hiking in the rain...I'm funny that way! lol Loved seeing all of your pictures and can well imagine how gorgeous all that colour would have looked like if the sun had shone. That meal you had at the Lucerne Inn looks scrumptious...no such thing as diet when you're visiting:-) hehe I'm now looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip!! xoxo

Unknown said...

I'm glad you didn't let the rain stop your fun. You captured beautiful pictures! Matt and I stayed at the Lucerne Inn on our wedding night, but I've never eaten there.

Sue Seibert said...

Oh, Dawn, what a fabulous trip. I love Maine but have never been in the fall...hopefully next year when we go to Raf's 51st reunion in NJ we will get up that way! Love you!

Unknown said...

Ok, those photos are gorgeous! And I don't think I would have minded missing the view for that dinner either! Yum!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Yay! What fun and what beautiful colors! I am also a little jealous that you go to meet the diz! She's so lovely and always has a great story to tell.

I bet you all had a wonderful time together. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful pics!