A Random Weekend

Labor Day arrived and we found ourselves with three precious days of freedom. Our family had just returned from seven weeks of traipsing around the West, where we packed and unpacked 13 different times, so we were reluctant to pull those suitcases back out. Staying close to home, we ended up with a hodgepodge of activities, with each one transforming into a unique memory.  

On Saturday we pulled out the guide books and flipped through the pages. Maine caught our attention and off we went. We arrived in York in the mood for fresh seafood so we tracked down a little lobster pound that we had spotted a couple of years ago. The hostess gave us the prime spot, with our table pushed against the corner of two windows looking out over a little inlet with the lobster boat which dragged in our meal just yards away. It was low tide so wooden fishing vessels tilted in the soggy sand, waiting for the sea to return and lift them up again.

Nubble lighthouse was perched out on rocks jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, warning ships of Maine's ragged coastline. We had visited this spot before but we had to stop for just one more peek.  

We visited Brown's roadside ice cream stand, which instantly became a favorite last time we were in the area. This is the only place I order rum raisin ice cream. Somehow they get it right at Browns.

 

We found Wiggly Bridge that was recommend in the Family Fun Guide book. Most certainly this bridge does wiggle! The kids extracted sea creatures from the waters beneath the bridge and then we wandered into the woods that lie beside the York River. Our impromptu adventure reminds us why we love New England.

After church on Sunday we scoured the MA bike trail book, hooked up the bike rack and headed to Cambridge. The kids and I raced along the Charles River, admiring the collegial boat houses and the Sunday afternoon rowers as Steve followed behind with Ezra and Sophia in the stroller. 

All weekend the kids anticipated our friends, the Kimbles, garage sale. Their jaws dropped as they reached the top of the driveway. Annelise could buy an entire assortment of stuffed animals for just a few dollars! Emilie could take home a video Twister game for only 50 cents and Jonathan could talk Mr. Kimble into a free piece of firewood for the family thrown in with his cheetah stuffed animal! The best find was a miniature horse stable, animals included, for Sophia, who for months has pretended to be Black Beauty. Ezra returned home with the most unique purchase. He affectionately rubs his magnified  stuffed strain of the Ebola virus against his face and twirls its little tail. (Explanation -- Mr. Kimble is in bio tech.) Ironically the kids are more excited about inexpensive second hand toys than all the purchases made at Red Balloon and Learning Express over the years.     

Later in the day we received a call from our two friends from the UK, Simon and Julia, who we met in Thailand. They were in town for a wedding and hoped to stop by. I whipped up a batch of homemade strawberry ice cream and slid some chocolate chip cookies in the oven. They arrived, along with Julia's mother and Godmother. We had a fun visit discussing politics, our unique customs and American pop culture. In the end, they all agreed that we must come for a visit. 

 

 

It was only hours before the 2008 school year would begin, so we felt that we must fit in one more slice of summer. We ordered take out, grabbed the picnic blanket and football and headed to the Wayside Inn for the last moments of sunlight. The girls explored the stream while Jonathan and Steve tossed the football. Summer was fading away with the setting sun and the responsibility of being a parent crept in. We returned home to lunches to be made, backpacks to be filled and the first bedtime in months. So long summer!