Category: Scenery

Bass Harbor Lighthouse

img_1734-bass-harbor-lighthouse_shareWe were told that a great place to see sunsets was Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Our campsite was a short distance away, so we went there a few times during our stay. It was a challenge getting there on time, the sun set a few minutes after 7:00 while we were in Maine. We wanted to get there earlier so we could see the sun setting.

We were disappointed the first time there because the lighthouse was behind us and there was only a short sidewalk to watch the sun setting.  The parking lot was crowded and the sidewalk lined with people watching the sun set. We wondered what was so special about the place.

The last time we went there, I was talking to a family who mentioned there was another path on the other side of the light house.  We knew we would miss the sun officially setting, but we ran around and discovered what we missed! There was a path that lead to a bunch of rocks that you could climb out on.  Depending where you stopped, you could get some wonderful pictures!

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Traveling to Maine-Day 2

On Saturday we drove through Pennsylvania and New York. It was a long drive, but we enjoyed  getting treats at the small farmer’s markets at the rest stops and along the road.

Andrea was really excited to see that peaches were in season, so we stopped at a few places hoping to buy some.  Unfortunately, we did not find ripe ones that would travel well until we reached Vermont. We did find some maple cotton candy that was a lot of fun to eat.IMG_0981.First Gas lighthouse_share

We stopped for gas in Portland Harbor, NY. We discovered the first lighthouse in the United States to operate using natural gas used hollow logs as pipes to get the gas where it needed to be. We enjoyed a very quick picnic nearby because the bees were fond of our lunch!

img_1004-koa_shareWe stayed at a  KOA in Herkimer, New York.  It was extremely crowded! Our two tents sat side by side with a trailer on one side and a group of people and a few tents on the other.  The nice thing about the campground was there was a river that the kids could play in.  We could have rented tubes and tubed down the river, which is what most people seemed to enjoy.

Since we had a long travel day, we went out for dinner.  Allan had picked a place that looked good, but was closed early.  So we drove around town looking for another place.  We discovered Crazy Otto’s Empire Diner.  It was fun place to eat and everyone was very friendly.

We went to bed soon after getting back from dinner and were up and ready to start traveling again before most people at the camp ground were getting up for the day.

 

Colorado Trip–Paint Mines

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Near Calhan, Colorado, is a wonderful place we had never visited before.  Aunt Debbie and Uncle Dan invited us to visit the Paint Mines Interpretive Park with them.  The Paint Mines are clay formations in beautiful reds, yellows and white layers.  There are four miles of trails to explore that wind around caprock and hoodoos- a pillar of rock formed with softer rock on the bottom with a harder rock on top.

The mines are beautiful!  We had lots of places to explore and many colors to enjoy since we visited early on an overcast morning.  As the sun replaced the clouds, the colors faded and were not so vivid.  We left soon after.

We often get into Colorado near sunset.  I have already asked Allan that the next time we visit, could we please stop at the mines for our last rest stop.  I would love to explore them at dusk!

Bonneyville in the Rain

MillWe went to Bonneyville yesterday because my niece asked if I could try some engagement pictures for her. It was raining, so we were not able to try everything we hoped, but it was fun.  Later, I will share some of the pictures we took.

Experimenting

Bees on flowerMark and I have been experimenting with catching bees flying around flowers. We tease we need a “trained bee” that is taught to fly to a flower, pretend to collect pollen and then fly off before returning to the same flower.

We have learned a few lessons to make the pictures work.  I sat near this flower for about a half hour while the kids played watching a multitude of insects do their jobs. Observing them taught me a lot!  Hopefully, we can get out again so Mark has the chance to try another picture this year.

Autumn Waterfall

Waterfall

We started a photography class this fall. My Dad bought us a DVD that has many neat ideas that we will work on. Right now, we are traveling to different locations attempting to capture some colorful fall pictures.

The kids realize that each camera has its own strengths, but they all prefer mine.  When I see that someone has found a really neat picture idea, I let them borrow my good camera. I would love to see each child develop their own photographic style and be able to start a portfolio to use to encourage others.