Category: Adventures

Ralf and Lena

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Dear Friends from Germany

Had the privilege to host our friends from Germany, once again. We have been friends for almost 25 years. It began in Germany during a visit my husband and I had to Kusel, Germany. We met these dear friends, one of which didn’t speak English. The following year they came to the U.S. to experience life in America, as interns. They returned home after a year, and we became great friends, during our visits to Germany, and their subsequent visits here. Normally, they came to visit every four years, but Covid got in the way, and it was six years until we saw them again.

During their visit a few weeks ago, where we fed them, took them hiking and laughed so much, I took portraits. The Fort Hunter Mansion never fails to please! I am hoping that it won’t be another six years before we see them again.

Alternative to Covid Lockdown!

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We decided that every time we saw one of the government signs telling everyone to stay home – we weren’t! We decided to keep doing what we always do when we have the time. That is we were going to go hiking and walking and exploring. But, instead of heading to Ireland, or Portugal, or out west somewhere, we were going to make the best of a bad situation. Well, it was a bad situation when one of our favorite things to do, is to travel and explore new places. We decided to take our exploration to areas 50 miles or less near our home. We found so many lovely and beautiful places where we could be outside and exercise — both things that fight the virus! We truly live in a beautiful part of the United States! I have included a collection of many of the places we visited during the spring and summer of 2020, some of which is along the Applachian Trail.

Heart-Strings

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Do you have a special, “heart-string” place that you visit again and again? I spend a lot of time in Maine these years since I have retired. I have been thinking lately, what makes Maine so special? What is it about your “heart-string” place that keeps you coming again and again?

I have been going to Maine my whole life. This past couple of weeks, I have “lived” in Maine, helping and having fun with my Aunt Theresa. I have had several conversations with people from around the country while I rested from “running” to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, before “running” back to Theresa’s. They were in Maine for the first time, many of them. Listening to their comments, it struck me that sometimes during my life I have taken being in Maine for granted.

What exactly is it that makes Maine speical to me? Is it the smell of the woods…the ocean? The beautiful scenery? My family who live there? Or all of the above?  My heart-string place is very special. Even before my first memories I have been in Maine all through my childhood. When I was in the Jr. High years, I even spent almost entire summers in Maine by myself, staying with aunts and uncles, grandparents, and spending time with cousins. It was the only time that I ever spent much time with any of them, that I was able to remember. Michael and I spent our honeymoon in Maine on Echo lake thanks to friends of my parents, the Sawyers. During our married life, we have made numerous trips to Maine with our children. They have fond memories of Mt. Desert Island – the ocean, the carriage paths, the many trails we hiked during that time. One of our sons now takes regular trips to Maine with his children…they are building the same memories as we did.

Thankfully, we have been able to travel many places in the world, and they also have been beautiful places that we have loved. But, we keep returning to Maine, at least once a year. Besides family, there are “heart-strings” attached to Maine, as it is tied up in remembrance of times past. We all take experiences we have from our childhood on into adulthood with us, as we pass from children to teens to adults to parents, and now grandparents. Where is YOUR heart-string place?

Here are a few images from my most recent time in Maine…September IS the best time to be in Maine.