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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Back.

I've been from The Bridges of Bennington County to the Saltwater Flats of South Portland.  And I've had a wonderful time.  Thank goodness for today - the Buffer Day.

Despite the Gray Condition - a continual blanket of soggy grey clouds that covered most of the Mid-Atlantic states up to the coast of Maine - it was a great vacation; the best I've ever had.  And I have pictures!

I didn't get pictures of the Bridges because I was the navigator and not the photographer, but it was so amazing to see them through new eyes.  Note to anyone visiting Vermont - skip Woodstock.  Blech.  But, as Navigator, it gave me the luxury of schmoozing with the tourists.  I met a lovely couple from north of Oxford, England and another lovely couple from outside of Hamburg, Germany.  I got to practice my Dutch which is similar to German.  And then I got to warm up in front of the fireplace!  There are some very big pluses in standing around in the cold and damp - when you have a nice fire to come home to, with no worries about commuting to work the next day.

Then it was off to South Portland, Maine to visit Sylvie.  It's been a long while since I've taken a road trip by myself.  I forgot how much I loved it.  I forgot how much I loved so many things.  My parents, worried that I would undertake the long trip in Lulabelle, the intrepid Ford (now sporting 205,000 miles!), handed over the keys to their Lincoln.  I was going to have a picture taken of me in front of the car with the caption:  "Does this car make me look old?"  At one point on the trip over, I made a quick pit stop and found myself elbow deep in Lincolns.  I was the youngest driver by about 20 years.

View from Hog Back Mountain, VT with the GC.
Once I hit SoPo (I feel so much like a native), I was immersed in art.  Sylvie and I went to the Winslow Homer exhibit, then to the theater to see "The Sisters Rosenweig".  It was all so completely amazing.  And please forgive the overuse of "amazing".  'Cause it was.  And is.  There was, of course, the things that warm the cockles of my heart - a trip to the SoPo Goodwill, where I got two pairs of great jeans and a beautiful suede jacket for under $20.  Then there was a trip to Reny's, a department store only in Maine - where you can get snowshoes, toothpaste, motor oil, a housecoat, and 'name' brands for deep discounts.

SoPo bay.

Rising Cairn - through window at the Portland Museum of Art.
I should have scaled the fence for a better shot, but I
was on my best behavior.
Then, of course, there was the conversation and laughter, the good food and wine, and my very favorite BFCF, Grayling. 

Three of the four kiddlings - Eli, Ramona and Zuzu


My BFF and my BFCF

That face.  That face.
This little foray out into foreign lands was made possible by another friendship - Rosie - who house/farm sat for me and gave me total peace of mind.  And, when I got home yesterday, she had a pot roast in the oven, with Brussels sprouts (she makes the BEST), and baked potatoes.  I mean, how much better can it get?

So, now, here I am back at the Little Lucky (aptly named).  Bernie forgave me for leaving.  I have to continue waging my war with the Ratz, who are still among us, bloody rodents.  The Pearlies are still disconcerted that I left and now I'm back.  The goaties are disappointed that Rosie is not here to play with them.  Flora is still Flora.  And squeezing amongst the hay bales, I felt a 'pop' in my pocket - a forgotten egg....  All is right in my world.  I'm off to do laundry.

22 comments:

DFW said...

Welcome back! Glad you had an amazing time.

Carolyn said...

Aren't vacations just wonderful!? So glad that you have someone to watch over the homestead, I'm sure you were able to enjoy the time away knowing you weren't having to worry about the critters every fifteen seconds.

Ah. Pocket omelets. I haven't had one of those in years! :)

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

Welcome back and glad to hear you not only had a great time, but all the animals behaved!

Sue said...

SOunds like a very wonderful getaway!
And we turned over our Ford to my son this past month--it had 249,000 miles on it ---and STILL runs like brand new. I miss it already.....
I sure wish I had your housesitter. No food on our return, just a lot of frozen garden to deal with.
:(

Erin said...

sounds like fun! Great photos

Mama Pea said...

So glad you had such a wonderful time. So glad you're home safe and sound. (Well, why not with the tank [oops, I mean the Lincoln] to make the trip in?) We all missed your posts so now you may have to do them double time for a while to catch us all up on your vacation and homestead happenings.

Sandy Livesay said...

Love the pictures, thanks for sharing and welcome back.

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to go to Maine and Vermont and visit the Von Trapp Family Lodge and the small coastal towns. Sigh, maybe in the budget some decade down the road....

Kelly said...

Welcome back! Glad you had a great time! You are very fortunate to have a homestead sitter ☺

Sylvie said...

When you left in that car, I laughed out loud and thought I should have taken a picture of you in it.
They installed a new sculpture in the museum garden on Monday...same artist.
Gray moped around after you left .... "where did that lady go who gave me soooooooo much attention?"

Susan said...

DFW - Thank you! I did SO have an amazing time.

Susan said...

CR - Pocket omelets? I love that! Me neither. My mind must have returned after my physical self.

Susan said...

Jane - Yes - all but those pesky Guineas....

Susan said...

Sue - I hope my car lasts forever (or at least another year or two). I love it. We had a hard freeze when I was gone, so everything is looking pretty sorry. I have 'garden clean up' on my weekend list.

Susan said...

Erin - I learned a lot about photography last week - let's see if any of it rubbed off.

Susan said...

Mama Pea - I tell ya, it was like driving your living room to Maine, only more comfortable! The only thing I missed was the gas mileage...Oh, yes, I have a LOT of catching up to do.

Susan said...

Sandy - Thank you and thank you!

Susan said...

Nancy - It is so beautiful and there is so much I want to see, too. The Von Trapp Family Lodge is on my list, too! I know what you mean about budgets - all I had to pay for was gas and then I forced a lunch on Sylvia...

Susan said...

Kelly - Thanks! I am very, very fortunate to have Rosie. Not only is she a great homestead sitter, but she is a wonderful friend as well.

Susan said...

Sylvie - I should have had you take a picture. I mean, Hot Chick : Lincoln does not compute! Oooh - take a picture of it, would you? Poor Gray, she's so neglected....not.

Anonymous said...

I used to work in downtown Portland! At a little jewelry shop, I have some great memories from living in that area. Glad you had such a nice time. The photos were great!

Candy C. said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time and what a house sitter!! Love the pictures! :)