Tuesday, July 22, 2014

I didn't post yesterday, but we left Southwest Harbor and took the long way to Northeast Harbor, through Sommes Sound.  These are pictures I took from there.  The scenery was out of this world. 

A small waterfall:

A slightly bigger waterfall:

Once we got into Northeast, I found a band that was playing at the top of the dock.  Their name is Nite Boat and they play campy, blues-y, folkish stuff.  I was really glad I got the boat captain aka Santa!  in the background. 

The sax player was awesome.  I took this while he was rocking When the Saints Go Marching In. 

This morning when I had to leave for my flight, I took the island Explorer shuttle that travels all around Mt Desert Island.  The service is free, provided by LL Bean (Leon Leonwood Bean... There's some trivia for you), and is remarkably punctual. 

Because of reasons I don't understand this board being digital precludes you from seeing it.  Just know it's cool technology. 

Pics I took from the runway at Bar Harbor:

Now I'm in the DC, waiting for my plane... Already missing Maine.  Hope you enjoyed the last few weeks of pictures.  I sure enjoyed taking them. 

Friday, July 18, 2014

Ok, friends.  Quite a bit happened the last couple days.  And I was without interwebs.  I'm not likely going to remember all of it in this post, but let's see if some pictures can jog the memory. 

This is Barry.  He's eating the most scrumptious strawberry shortcake ever in the whole wide world.  Bill was sweet enough to take us grocery shopping and to Beth's Farm for fresh stuff.  He's quite possibly the best host ever. 

Yesterday, Bill picked us up in his dinghy and we got a harbor tour before lunch at a place called The Waterfront.  These are pictures I took...

Took this one to show you more evidence of the ridiculous tides in these parts. 

Here's our tour guide, Bill. 

Great boat name:

Here's Kathleen.  It was hard to pick a favorite in the harbor, but she was definitely on the list. 

Bilikan, Bill and Annie's boat:

So pretty. 

After our harbor tour, and lunch, Bill took Barry and me up to Mount Battie.  The view was epic. 

Wait, lemme take a selfie. 

Bill and Barry:

After Mount Battie, Bill and Annie had us over for steak and lobster.  Check out the size of that lobster on the end- that one's mine! 

See?  My name is even on the placemat. 

We left Camden this morning around 7.  We're in Southwest Harbor now.  Before we docked for real, we took on fuel.  The boat is riding noticeably heavier now. 

We're still in Maine, so the scenery is still unbelievable.  I have wifi here, so I'll post after I take some more pictures. 

Yesterday was a fun day.  I got coffee- hot for a change, as it was about 68 degrees outside and rainy- then wandered up the street to French and Brawn, a market where there is a great butcher.  I ordered steak and fish and burgers, etc.  to be picked up later this afternoon. 

It was rainy for much of the day, I got a few chores done on the boat, then walked up to town again for happy hour at Cuzzy's, thinking there could be another cribbage opportunity.  I was wrong, but I did beat the bartender, Jimmy, at darts. 

After I got there, a bar regular, Timmy, found a seat just down the bar from me.  He's about 70, a rough looking army vet in a Vietnam ball cap.  He and Jimmy had a couple-minute lively conversation before Jimmy turned to me and said, "Ashley, I'm so sorry, this is Timmy!"  Wondering what about my face had told Jimmy I needed to be included, I leaned across the three seats, offered my hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Timmy!  I'm Ashley."  Thus began many more lively conversations. 

Timmy worked as a boat deliverer for 13 years- Hinckley's mostly. 

He asked me where I was headed after Camden.  When I told him southeast Harbor, then Northwest Harbor, he answered, "No you're not." 

Cue my puzzled expression. 

"You can't afford to breathe the air at Northwest." 

"Aw man, then the beer's gonna be pretty steep too then, huh?" 

Something else I learned from Timmy- human flesh tastes like salt pork.  I thanked him for the trivia, and attempted a change of subject. 

Kaley never showed up.  She was probably afraid she'd lose at cribbage.  Who can blame her? 

Later, we had supper on the boat and watched "Sweet Home Alabama"- Barry's favorite. 

This morning, I went to The Bagel Cafe and had yum-oh breakfast casserole and iced coffee.  Barry met his friend Bill at Camden Deli.  Then we met up and Bill drove us all over Maine.  We went to Beth's Farm for some fruits and veggies.  Barry had some strawberry shortcake that was out of this world.  He let me try a bite and I almost went into sugar shock. 

From there, Bill took us to Hannaford's, the grocery store.  He was a great host.  This is beautiful country up here and he's rightfully proud to show it off.  On our way back to the boat, he pulled up at a "beach" across the harbor from where he lives.  It was a beautiful view.  Apparently, all the boats moored in the harbor maintain their own moorings.  The city sells permits for the right to "install" your mooring, then you keep up with the maintenance yourself.  Barry and I found this strange. 

Now, here we are.  It's raining on and off, very gloomy looking out. 

Later, we have a meat order to pick up.  And perhaps I'll play some cribbage. 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Yesterday was a great day.  I found coffee at The Owl and Turtle, then wandered through some stores downtown- 4 bookstores!  Then I met a Great Dane named Luna walking her retired human.  They were both very nice.  The human, a very nice guy, and I, talked all the way into town. 

Later, I found the post office.  Helpful. 

Then I found a happy hour at a bar called Cuzzy's.  The bartender, Jimmy, told me about his weekend.  Turns out it was full of camping misadventures, and drunk-sliding down mountains.  There were still-bloody shin wounds to prove it. 

Then a girl named Kaylee sat at the bar a couple seats down from me.  She was very cute, looked under 21, but I guess she's a regular there.  Jimmy gave her a vodka and red bull.  She's apparently hard core. 

She and I started talking and I found a board with holes in it in a bucket on the bar next to me.  I had seen people playing with whatever it was while I was in Newburyport last week.  I asked Kaylee and Jimmy what it was.  Kaylee knew it was a cribbage board. 

"I don't know cribbage."  I told them. 

Kaylee learned a couple days ago. 

I asked her to teach me. 

Now I know how to play cribbage. 

I lost by a long shot, but she's a pro so I don't feel so bad. 

I've been up for 2 hours and it's rained for all but 20 minutes of it, so I don't know what today looks like.  I have some more pictures from yesterday, but I think my phone is on strike.  Hopefully I'll get them loaded later today. 

About Me

I'm a certified 6th-12th grade language language arts teacher.  I just recently graduated with a master's degree in teaching this past December.  I have taught 8th grade language arts as well as 10th, 11th and 12th grade intensive reading. 

I'm clumsy.  I see the glass half full.  I choose books by their covers and wines by their labels.  I talk to strangers. 

and I don't want to get to the end of my one and only life and realize I've wasted it.