Eagle Creek and McConnell

7.1 miles

1 hours 35 minutes

1,655 elevation

Toodling around at McConnell. Banjo mostly got on the board so I would throw the ball

Sleepy puppy

Hanging at Camp

I woke up early again and got a picture of the lake at sunrise. 

Then I got some sissy time in with Courtney and went on a run that ended up being just over two miles long. Finally felt like I was at sea level. Yay lungs!

Today felt like a really good day to just hang out at the cabin and sort of process the vacation. I got caught up on some of my book reviews, read a little, started blogging the vacation, and went out for awhile on the lake with the girls. They both tried paddleboarding but I think kayaking is going to be a first love since that is what they chose when we did a little lake toodle. Yes, we wore our life vests. These aren't my children! I am very careful with them. The wind kicked up so it was a little shorter than I would have liked but still a lovely day.

Cabbage Island -- Booth Harbor, ME

Obligatory morning shot from my bed.

I was sleepy from having gotten to bed late last night after hanging out and talking with Sierra and Christine. When Courtney came out to smoke, I pulled the blankets back over my head. But 30 minutes later, I hadn't gotten any sleep so I yelled out the door, "Paddle?" and she said, "How much time do we have?" I said 20 minutes and we were out. The lake was glass smooth and we made it almost all the way out to the privately held island and back. Then it was time to wake everyone up so we could be to Christine's by 8:30. We made it by the skin of our teeth and then... off to Booth Bay Harbor for our clam (lobster) bake trip.

You can just barely see the Bennie Alice on the right.

The ramp to get on the boat was very tippy. An Adventure!

Yellowstone is EVERYWHERE!!!!

Though I spent most of the trip in the back with Dan (most everyone sat on the long benches on the top deck), I did get to the front of the boat with Sierra as well

Arianna and I hit the nearby trail before anyone else and made it to the tip of the point... almost.

It is wicked hot by the lobster grills. Last year (during COVID), even operating at half-capacity, they put out 20k lobsters. In 2019, it was 38k

The clam chowder was a little thin for me but excellent!

The line to get lobsters was long but moved incredibly quickly. You can tell they've been doing this for 33 years... :)

Our food options were amazing! I forgot to get a picture of the bowl of steamers that were included but there were also 2 lobsters, a hard boiled egg, a baked potato, and a corn on the cob. 

I'm so happy

Courtney only wore the bib for a moment but I captured it for posterity

We stopped to get ice cream afterwards

Another Yellowstone connection in the ice cream store

We also hit up a candy store and the local bookshop where Sierra and I wandered for quite awhile. Courtney and The Teens found what they wanted quickly and then hit the restrooms before we headed back to Leeds. After a fun day in the sun, it was a long, tiring trip back.

It was nice to hang out by the lake and watch the sun go down

 

Saco

Waking up to Breakfast mimosas in front of a tidal pool is a thing I can repeat often. Granted, it was after a run so... health first!

We hung out for awhile but then got an Uno tournament going on the new porch. We did have to move indoors but I am proud to say that I won a few games. 

Courtney and Sierra arrived around ten and were kind enough to run back to the gas station. THEY DID HAVE THE LOBSTER ROLLS. And they are still amazing.

The tide was close to being all the way out so Courtney, Sierra, The Teens, and I headed out toward the island.

Even the lighthouse island was accessible

Right around 3, we headed back to Leeds. I had time to hop on the paddleboard for about 20 minutes before we headed back to Christine's. Dan had made us tacos with option of either turkey (which was perfectly spiced) or moose. I tried both and was satisfied by them all. 

Courtney had burned her legs pretty good so she went to sleep early while Sierra and I hung out with Christine.

 

Maine

Porch picture at about 4:30

Courtney's first time kayaking -- she rocked it. We went out to the right for about 15 minutes then came back in

When we got back, I hopped on the paddleboard for about 20 minutes

By the time I returned, C&S were on the beach, soaking up the rays

But then Mama Steph, Papa J, The Teens, and I were off to Dan's sisters' cabin in Saco. It sits between a tide pool and the ocean. It is quite small but awfully wonderful.

We arrived in time to walk out to the little island

Then it was time for some serious Uno playing as well as a mile-long walk around the neighborhood. It is all second homes and houses that have been in people's family's for decades (if not longer). 

We had leftover fish and scallops for dinner. It was excellent.

Christine and I hung out drinking G&Ts and then going for a walk around the neighborhood

A late night but highly enjoyable.

 

Maine

Woke up briefly around 4:30 to an amazing sunrise. Went back to sleep

Lots of deer in the area; we had a running joke about zombie deer

Thursday morning all the gals went over to get pedicures. I got a french tips with black instead of white. Then we had lunch at Portland Pies in Hallowell and grabbed seafood for the festivus.

And by festivus, I mean that Dan had prepared a grand meal for us. It. Was. Amazing.

Anytime bibs are involved, the food is going to be good

I forgot a picture of the haddock/sole course

Scallops are amazing

Homemade potato salad from Donna

Yes, there was a lot of tomfoolery

Always celebrate butter

Steamer course

Lobster pot

Not done et

Perfection

An amazing crew

Still eating

Dessert course -- Donna's raspberry bars were beyond amazing