Summer Vacation

We were privileged to have a 2 week vacation this year at Moosehead Lake in Maine.  We left early Saturday morning on July 21 (3:00 am), stopping only briefly for gas and bathroom breaks.  I had packed some egg salad and snacks so we could have our breakfast and lunch in the car as we drove.  Because of not stopping, we were able to get there in only 10 hours.  It took C & C a couple more hours but they still got there in enough time to enjoy the late afternoon and evening at the lake and to have dinner with us.

It was a beautiful day with the sun shining, fluffy white clouds and a cool breeze blowing.

On Sunday morning, we went to church in Greenville, then enjoyed the rest of the day on the dock at the lake, just relaxing.  Andy did some swimming with the kids and Christian.  They also did some canoeing.  The weather was warm and pleasant, the lake was calm.

Monday was our first hiking day, but we waited till after lunch so Claire could get a good nap.  Christian and Andy, along with Grace & Aiden canoed over to Kineo, while Christy, Naomi, Asher, Claire and I took the shuttle over.  Then we hiked to the top of Mt. Kineo.  In the book we have of Maine hikes, Mt. Kineo is listed as strenuous.  And it is, but it's always such a feeling of accomplishment to make it to the top.  The kids are such troopers, even 4 year old Asher, although I think Claire had the best option this year!

While we were coming down the mountain, we heard thunder and had a sinking feeling.  Would we be stuck on Kineo till the storm passed by?  Deja vu.  Last year, we got soaking wet in just such a situation while we were waiting for the shuttle to take us back across the lake.  But even though it continued to thunder, the storm clouds were to the north of us, so we didn't get rained on.

Tuesday was another hiking day, leaving after lunch again.  Eagle Rock was our destination.  We have to drive back toward Greenville and turn off on a dirt road.  If you're not watching carefully, it's easy to miss the road.  As we were driving back to the trail, we saw a black bear on the road with her 3 cubs.  It made us a little nervous about hiking, but we went anyway, making sure we made a lot of noise to scare away the bears!

The trail at the beginning was very buggy and as we went in further, it got very steep and strenuous.  It's so worth it, because the end is at the top of the mountain with spectacular views and the breeze is so cool and refreshing.  We stayed up there for a while before hiking back down.  It's not as difficult coming down, but it's still hard on the knees and shins.

Andy was in hiking mode that first week and Wednesday was no exception.  Christy and I were ready for a break so when Christy said she wanted Claire to get a good morning nap, I offered to stay with her.  Naomi and I started playing a game, but everyone else went out and hiked a trail called Burnt Jacket Trail.  I was sorry I didn't do it with them because I had never gone on that one.  Well, maybe next year!

 So much for the break - the next day, Thursday, we went to Borestone mountain.  That is a difficult hike, too, but again the rewards are great:  beautiful views at the top, refreshing breeze, and feeling of accomplishment.

On top of the world!

On Friday, we stayed at the house, sat on the dock, read our books and relaxed.  The sun was shining, a cool breeze was blowing gently.  I got some sun burn but it was just some nice color, not uncomfortable.

Another hike was fit into our schedule for Saturday.  We did the Little Moose/Big Moose trail.  We thought we were going to do a simple 1.5 mile hike on Notch Pond Trail but the markings were unclear and we ended up doing the Loop Trail which was 2.5 miles.  It was a very nice trail with pine needles carpeting the path.  It was steep in several spots, strenuous, but mostly a moderate beautiful hike.  Great views from the top again and bugs were bad again.  It took longer than we expected because of the longer hike, so we stopped in town and had pizza for dinner.

Getting a little hike-weary, I think

 Let's put on some fake smiles!

Sunday was declared a day of rest:  no hiking!  We went to church in Greenville, then enjoyed the lake, swimming, canoeing and sitting on the dock watching the kids.  So relaxing!

We got one more hike in on Monday.  After lunch, we borrowed the landlord's canoe and along with C and C's canoe, we all paddled over to Kineo.  Andy and I took Naomi and Aiden in our canoe, and yes, I paddled!  C and C had Claire, Grace and Asher in their canoe, the Flying Frank W!  It must be about a mile and a half across the lake, then we hiked overland about a mile to Pebble Beach.  The kids and men played in the water, while Christy and I sat on the pebbles with Claire.  There was a rope swing there that the kids had fun with.

  
Then of course, we had to hike and canoe back.  I was a little nervous about the canoe ride back because Moosehead Lake is famous for strong winds coming up unexpectedly with people out on the lake struggling against whitecaps.  But the day stayed nice and calm, thankfully, although it was still tiring to go that distance even on a calm lake.

The rest of the week was spent at the house - no more hiking.  The kids played in the water, we sat on the dock and watched them.  Andy did a lot of swimming and playing with the kids.  I worked on a tan.  I spent a little time reading to the kids, but because the weather was so perfect, we spent most of our time outside.

The house we stayed in is so nice, very comfortable.  It has free wi-fi, a washer and dryer and dishwasher - all the conveniences of home!

We were blessed with beautiful weather the whole 2 weeks, with temperatures in the 70's and low 80's, with sunshine and cool breezes.  What a nice break from the heat we were experiencing in NJ before we left.  There was only one day when it rained for about an hour that forced us to stay indoors.


All too soon it was Saturday morning and time to go home.  We left by 3:30 A.M. and were making good time till we got to the NJ turnpike.  Then we hit stop and go traffic with people going to the shore.  It probably took us an extra hour and a half, but it didn't matter.  It was worth it to be able to spend 2 weeks in Maine.

The Beauty of Quiet

I've had an empty nest for 8 years and I think I'm finally becoming accustomed to the quiet.  It's funny how this works, though.  While the children were little, quiet time was so precious because it was rare.  It didn't seem to matter how early I would get up in the morning, a little person somehow sensed that Mommy was up, therefore, let the day begin!  And by the time the kids were in bed at night, I was so exhausted that all I wanted to do was fall into bed myself.  In those days, quiet time seemed like such an unattainable dream, a fantasy.  But as the kids grew older and relationships developed, time spent with them was more enjoyable and conversations were enriching and interesting.  So I got used to having them around, until in just a blip of time on the radar screen, they were gone. 

It's very strange to be all alone in the house, wandering around, wondering what to do with myself.  There are lots of holes in time with nobody to talk to and nothing to do.  But as to everything, there are advantages to the quiet.  I've been noticing lately a lot of Bible verses that speak to this very topic and they have encouraged me to use these quiet years to deepen my relationship with the Lord.

One of my favorites is Zephaniah 3:17:  The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

God often speaks to his children in a still, quiet voice (1 Kings 19:12).  He does not push himself on us but it's his kindness that draws us to repentance (Romans 2:4).  It's difficult to hear God's voice when we're rushing here and there and distracted by the hurry, flurry and blurriness of life.  Jesus commended Mary for the choice she made to sit at Jesus' feet instead of worrying about preparing for company.  He told Martha:  "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." I wish I could remember those words when I am worried and upset about circumstances:  only one thing is needed - to sit at Jesus' feet.  Be still in his presence (Psalm 46:10), quiet myself like a weaned child (Psalm 131:2), rest in his presence, drink of his peace- beautiful pictures of peace that is available through knowing Him. 

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 116:7:  "Be at rest once more, o my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."  Part of being at rest and having a peaceful heart is a result of being content with where I am in life.  My life is blessed and I have all I need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:2)

So now that I'm enjoying the peace and quiet of my life, how about spending 2 weeks of vacation with 5 grandchildren!  Oh yes, bring it on!  I'm ready for some fun and frivolity!

Please Touch & Chick-Fil-A

It seems like most of my blogging is about the grandkids, but other than going to work and working at home, which aren't necessarily interesting topics, what else is there?

This past Tuesday, Dawn and Kira drove with Andy and me over to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, meeting Amy and her 3 kids there.  What fun.  I had never been there.  It's a glorified play area for young children.

There's an area with water, a pretend hospital, a pretend grocery store, with lots of toys and ways to use the imagination.

Let's make music by walking on the piano.

 

 

After 2 hours of play, we ate lunch together.

PopPop making Katy laugh

Carousel rides and posing at the cut-outs.

What fun on our day off, then back to work the rest of the week.  On Friday, Chick-Fil-A was giving away dinners to people who dressed up as cows.  Andy and I were going to do it (after all, it was for a free meal), but we "chickened out."  However, we met Dawn, Tommy and Kira there and had dinner together.  Tommy and Dawn rode their tandem bike there and Kira was dressed in her cow costume.  She got a free dinner and so did Dawn who had taped black spots to her shirt, black ears to her own ears and a cow nose onto her nose.  It was pretty funny.  Unfortunately, she undid all the cow spots before I got my camera out.  But Kira was hamming it up, yelling out "moo" and enjoying the party.

So ends another exciting week in the life of Grammy, Poppop and grandkids.

Summer Time

I don't know how easy the livin' is, but summer brings all kinds of interesting activities.  It is a nice change from the routine of the rest of the year.  The 4th of July, for our family, usually means a picnic with my side of the family in Pennsylvania.  This year was no exception.  So on Wednesday, Andy and I made the 2 hour drive with a salad I had made to join all our kids and grandkids and all my brothers and sisters and their spouses, as well as my mother.  My aunt and one of my cousins also joined us.  We don't see each other very often so what a nice treat to all be together again.

There was lots of good food, scores of little kids, fun time with family members.

 
Three sisters

brothers-in-law

cousins and second cousins

 
daughters, moms, cousins, in-laws

Thanks to my brother, Sam and his wife, Julie for hosting the picnic every year.  And we're all happy to be there because they have a pool, especially when it's so hot as it was this year.  The pool is a big hit with everyone.

 

 Traditionally, we set off fireworks every year that Kerby buys for the enjoyment of all.  They are always a huge hit causing lots of ooh's and ahh's along with the booms and bangs!  I didn't attempt to take pictures of the fireworks show, but it lives on in my memory!

Of course, the fireworks can't be started till after dark, so by the time they were over and we were on our way home, it was quite late.  We didn't get to bed until midnight, then up the next day for work.  Needless to say, I was pretty tired the rest of the week.  But it was worth it.  Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little sleep in order to have a good time and make memories.

I invited Tommy and Dawn to come over for dinner on Friday evening.  They had bought a tandem bike and wanted an excuse to ride it to our house.  So I made barbeque chicken pizza - a favorite of everyone's.  Unfortunately, on their way over, they got a flat tire and Andy had to go pick them and the bike up in his truck.  After dinner, Dawn, Kira and I played outside on the swing set and the neighbors' trampoline while Andy and Tommy fixed the flat tire.

All fixed and ready to bike on home.

It's been soooo hot all week, but the forecast is calling for a break tomorrow.  I have been hibernating inside and will be glad to get out again.  As thankful as I am for air conditioning, I do long for the great outdoors to enjoy the summer, which in my mind is 80's weather with no humidity.  So far, although our grass is burning up, our flowers and bushes are still alive and seemingly thriving.  Andy and I are religiously watering them every day.  We're hoping to get rain soon, and as soon as it does, we'll need to mow the lawn to cut down all the weeds.  Somehow they keep growing even though the grass shrivels up.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever.  Isaiah 40:8  The Word of God is as refreshing to our souls as the rain is to grass.  Let it rain, let it pour!  May we not wither and fall, but be fruitful in our walk with the Lord.