Maine Motorcycle Adventure Day 2

Our plan for day two was to drive through the White Mountains and spend the night in Bangor, Maine.   Since we had already experienced the fun of driving in the rain we stopped and got a rain suit for Owen and also rain pants for Mitch.   Not part of our original plan -- but hey -- you have to be flexable!  So then everyone was outfitted with rain gear...which unfortunately, we would need again before the end of our trip.

We started out the day with a breakfast in North Conway.   The morning was amazingly beautiful and we had a wonderful pancakes at a sidewalk cafe in the sunshine of the day.    After breakfast we headed out on our journey into Northern Maine.  

We were on the road most of the day....and it got pretty cold going through the mountains......Mitch looked like he just might stop and rob a bank with his handkerchief tied around his face.   Here is a photo of when we got to the Maine border.  (notice Mitch)

We drove through small towns and stopped periodically along the way to determine directions.  It was always it or miss if our phones could pick up a data signal to determine where we actually were!   I must have 100 shots of the "guys" gathered around a map trying to determine where to go next!

I felt fine knowing that if cellular service did not work we could just use a pay phone.....I think this might be the last payphone in Maine.....but just for the record IT DID NOT WORK.   So between bad cellular service and out of order pay phones....(and does that look like the Bates Motel in the background).   Well -- just pray you don't break down.

We got to our hotel in Bangor by about 5pm and found out we were right next to a casino.   So how is that for planning.   We were there on a Monday night so there really was no one there but we did take advantage of the buffet and enjoyed dinner there.    Owen won about $100 and Mitch his money....we could have probably short cut the process but what is the fun in that!

And this is the end of Day two!

Maine Motorcycle Adventure Day 1

Several years ago Joe and I started riding motorcycles....then our boys started riding and now we have more motorcycles in our garage than most motorcycle gangs.   Well our boys suggested that we do a "real bike trip" this summer for vacation.    So we started planning an adventure.    I started looking at routes that would be full of scenery and not alot of highway driving....and ended up with a trip with a destination of Acadia National Park....one of the most beautiful parks.   So in order to make the adventure fun I started looking for things that we could do along the way and planned out a pretty fun trip for the four of us that went.   Nephi and Anne Marie just bought a house and with a five year old we excused them from the adventure!


So our itinerary was as follows....

1.   Breakfast at Pollys Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill, NH  - We had fabulous Corn and coconut pancakes....delicious.   I would like friends to visit so we have an excuse to go up there again!  While we were there a crazy hail storm hit!   We were extremely grateful to be inside since the between the rain and the hail we would have been totally soaked (we got soaked later.....but I'll fill you in on that in a minute)

The building which houses "Polly's Pancake Parlor" was built about 1830. It was originally used as a carriage shed and was later used for storage of firewood. During the depression of the thirties Polly and Wilfred (Sugar Bill) Dexter converted the building to a small, quaint tea room (capacity - 24 people). When they started serving in 1938 they offered pancakes, waffles and French toast - "All you can eat for 50¢." The idea was to stimulate sales of their maple products.   

 View of the White Mountains from the driveway of Pollys.....

 View looking tword Polly's....such a cute place.

Owen, Mitch and Joe......look at that storm in the background......it was crazy!

2.   After brunch we headed to Lincoln, NH with a goal of heading to Clarks Trading Post to see a bear show.    Unfortunately, we caught up with the dark clouds in the back ground above and ended up pulling off into the woods to try to avoid some of the rain and hail and thunder and lightning.  AFTER getting totally soaked we dug out dry clothes and a couple of us stripped down at the side of the road and changed.   The more modest of our group drove on with wet pants......but at least Owen and I were dry!

 Owen borrowed Joe's pants.....which were more than big enough....and my jacket.

 Mitch had a dry rain jacket and very wet jeans......but his new Polly's Pancake hoodie made him warm!

 All of us at Clarks Trading post where we found we missed the last bear show by about 30 minutes......so sad.    But LOOK ---- Mitch is almost dry!

At least we got to see a bear at Clarks trading post!

3.   From Clarks we drove on to our motel in North Conway.    Because we were wet we drove straight through but thankfully the rain broke and we drove on in the sunshine.   Our motel was fairly close to a laundry mat so Owen and I went out an washed and dried all our gear so we were ready to hit the road in the morning.   The motel we stayed at was a small family run place that was pretty fun.   Nothing fancy but the place was clean - not modern, but clean.    We ordered pizza which was delivered and relaxed in 1950's comfort!    In the morning the boys made up for the missed bear show by finding a live bear wandering past our room and about 50 feet to look around at a nearby picnic table.    

This is the end of the adventures of Day 1

Family Photos 2013

Someday my kids will thank me for torturing them and making them sit through family photos each year.   They are so glad that we are not on an every other year schedule so the torture is at least limited. Seriously it seems every time we schedule a family photo shoot someone has a crisis of some sort....we can't find the scout uniform, someone is running late at work and didn't have time to shower or put on clean clothes, or it is raining (not just a little but a downpour like hurricane Irene).

I am grateful that my kids and their spouses still try to make it to these events.   This is an event that I know is ONLY for their mother!    It makes you feel good that they are willing to do come and put on a happy face that we come to appreciate in our family photos!    I am happy that we have a chronicle of our growth as a family through these annual photos.   It makes me smile both inside and out every time I look at these photos because it represents the growth of our family.

Thanks Britta for the great shots!

The Mender Family 2013
Owen, Mitch, Kim, Joe, Adelynne, Anne Marie, and Nephi

Nephi, Mitch, Joe, and Owen

Nephi, Anne Marie, and Adelynne

Birthday's and Memories

Today is my brother's 45th birthday.....a birthday we cannot celebrate with him.    Over 25 years ago my brother took his life at the age of 19.     In the past 25 years I had never been to the graveside.....in my head I had always assumed that going to that place would not impact me.   Well today when I went with my Dad and sister, and then later with my Mom I was amazed at how it felt to be there.   To clear away the grass that had grown over the headstone and to touch the headstone really had a profound impact.   The tears came quickly as I thought about my brother.  

I think about what a shame it is that the despair of temporary problems one feels the only option is to take their own life.    I think we will always feel guilty that we should have known more, been more aware, and been able to help him more.

Our son is named after my brother and I love to think that Mitch will have opportunities that my brother never had.

Happy Birthday Mitch - we really do miss you....even after all these years!

  

Bowling

When coming to Ohio there is one activity that we do without fail....Bowling.   We probably ONLY bowl when we come to Ohio.....and Akron where there are more bowling allies per capita than anywhere else on the planet (well that may not be true but it seems that way).  

My Dad is a good bowler.....with a high game of 298.   As he will tell you "I choked".   Oh well we can't all be perfect.   He used to bowl in a league when I was younger and we spent lots of time in smoke filled bowling allies as kids running around and playing while he bowled.    Today bowling allies are not filled with smoke and a much nicer place to hang out.

We usually go bowling with the whole family but this trip it ended up being just Dad, Mitch and I.   And if I said we were all a bit RUSTY it would be an understatement.   Our first game we barely broke 100.   And in an amazing feat I actually beat my dad in a come from behind 10th frame win by one pin.   So you have to celebrate that little victory!

Mitch - look at that form.   He gets those pins down through brut force!

Dad getting ready for the challenge.

Mitch - well not really sure what this look is about.

Disregard the sunspot....just notice the 10th frame scores.

Whale Watch in Maine

So when you tell people that you are going on Whale Watch everyone warns you that you might not see any whales and then tells you all the stories of when they went and didn't see any whales and it was cold and wet and miserable.    Well that seems to be what we heard anyways.   It started with Mitch who prepped us by making sure we were prepared to not see any whales....

The morning dawned about as glorious a day as anyone could hope for.   The sun was up and the temperatures were moderate even at 7 in the morning when Owen and I ventured out to get muffins and juice for a quick bite before heading out for the morning.   I love having one kid who likes to get up early!  By the time we got back everyone was up and ready to start the day.

This whale watch was the most amazing day.   We saw at least six fin whales, about 4 humpback whales, a blue shark, several seals, and lots of puffins.  The woman narrating the trip was so excited by all the wildlife that we were seeing.   It was a very successful trip!   And one I would love to do again.

Sunrise from the hotel balcony.   

Past an Island lighthouse where we saw puffins

Owen - sleeping on the boat.....a little girl informed him...."you missed SOO MANY Whales"

Mitch asleep.....

And look at those whales....

Here is another whale

And finally a mother and baby calf.   The tail is of the baby.

New Home

Today our oldest son officially moves into his new home.   They closed on the house Tuesday but have been working like crazy over the last week to paint and put new flooring in the house and get it ready for the "official" move.   Our REAL housewarming gift to them was supplies for home improvement -  flooring and paint and a little of our help to get things spiffed up in the new house.   It is a lovely little home in a very nice area but it will take a lot of effort over the coming years to get the yard in order, but HEY, they are young and that is what life is all about right?   It is nice that they can finally begin life in a NON apartment since Adelynne starts school this year and the stability of a home of your own is a part of our dreams.

So as I was thinking about what we could give them as a house warming present I found the following Irish Proverb....."May your Home always be too small to hold all of your friends".    I thought how absolutely perfect!    It made me reflect back on our life and our home realize we have enjoyed this blessing!   We love to have friends - both new and old - over to our home and entertain.  We love to celebrate the little things in life - like a Sunday afternoon dinner with family or the bigger celebrations that we gather together for like baptisms, graduations, and mission farewells.   But whatever the occasion I am grateful for our "little home" and the friends who make it too small!