Bangor, ME

There is much to be said for traveling the country, the romance of the open road, meeting new friends and generally being footloose and fancy free. But, there is something soul satisfying about coming home...and not just for the lobster chowder!

Being in Maine has been a whirlwind of catching up with old friends, spending time with Josh, climbing 3/4 of a mountain, bearing witness to Adrienne's completion of the AT, watching the amazing "changing of the leaves", and feeling the comfort of familiar surroundings and good memories.

Funny how sometimes one is too busy to take advantage and enjoy what is in the backyard. We biked on the Carriage Roads in Acadia--something we never did when we lived here, and we snacked on popovers at the Jordan Pond House. Al was all too happy to deliver a food drop (including Whoopie Pies) for Adrienne in the North Maine Woods where he worked and hunted for many years.

Adrienne and Will summited Mt. Katahdin with their friends. And so ends Adrienne's incredible 2,055 mile AT journey. We are so proud of her and her accomplishment...and feel SOMEHOW this must be a result of exemplary parenting!! :) :) Al and I climbed the mountain as well...beyond treeline, over boulders, straight up boulders, until we reached the ladder rungs where the wind was blowing 90 knots and the trail "spoke" to me and said, "STOP." Although I assured him I could get myself down the mountain, Al did the noble thing and accompanied me... even though he really wanted to be at the top with Adrienne. I believe it is a new definition of true love. :)

Bangor, Maine is the legendary birthplace of Paul Bunyan and home of Stephen King (although rumor has it he spends his time in Florida now).

We've had the best time!! Leaving is bittersweet. That said, frost is on the pumpkin, and there are people to see, places to go and things to do--like biking on Cape Cod where it is a bit warmer!