Vacationland ~ part 1

***Warning - lots of pictures***

There is something about this bridge...always has been every since I can remember.  The saying in our family is that all your troubles go away when you cross this bridge and really, truely they seem like they do at least for the week.  Once you cross this bridge you are entering

and for us, that means a week of family fun, beaches, bonding and relaxation.  I have wonderful memories of summers in Maine as a child and knew I wanted that for my kids & family.  We found a great place and have been going up there each year since Kelsey was a baby and have built such wonderful memories already.

The kids couldn't wait to get on the beach as soon as we got there. The suitcases were not even out of the car before they were looking for their suits to get on the beach.  After settling in, we spent the late afternoon/evening at the beach...the best time of the day to unwind and relax.

JT actually sat and let me take pictures while Kelsey (my usually cooperative photo subject) preferred to play in the sand.

and search for seashells.  In the 10 years we have been coming here I think we have found 1 starfish, a few snail shells and lots or broken clam shells.  This year though Kelsey hit the jackpot bringing home 7 sand dollars, several beautiful full snail shells (minus the snails), and she kept finding whole clams.  The kids had clam spitting contests with them before they released them back into the water...if I only had internet access to figure out how (or if I could) I would have loved to cook those babies up for dinner.

and when the day at the beach is done...it is very important to pack up your pirate treasure searching shovel and back pack.  This particular back pack came down to the beach filled with early evening snacks for everyone courtesy of JT (and a surprise to all of us...he can be so thoughtful sometimes).  I got a nectarine, Bob a string cheese, and Kelsey and JT both got a sandwich roll.

Monday we spent an overcast afternoon in Perkins Cove in Ogunquit and walked the Marginal Way which is a beautiful mile long coastal cliff walk.  Coming around the corner of the walk we bumped into some very dear friends of ours.  Seems like every year we see someone we know.  The Marginal Way had some beautiful scenic spots (and some gorgeous homes...but that is another post).  I was able to get this shot (typical JT):

just before I got this one:

and surprisingly this one:

After enduring the painful photo shoot (he! he!) The kids went exploring on the rocks and found this cool formation that they were convinced was a leprachaun or mermaid door.  It was pretty cool how the rocks just formed like that....it was just big enough for a kiddo to fit in...I bet it looks really neat when the tide starts to come in and the waves are crashing through it.

That is it for now....back with more later,

Tracy