Maine trip wrap up

Hadley and I made it home without incident from Maine after 2 fun-filled weeks! I say this because the trek up there was FILLED with incidents. Thankfully Aron was with us, or TSA definitely would have handcuffed and hauled me away at hour 8 of our 32 hour journey to Maine. Cancelled flights, waits on the tarmac, being made to get off flights, an unexpected hotel stay in Boston for a solid 4 hours of sleep, a missed 6:00 a.m. bus, a caught 10:00 a.m. bus for a 5 hour painful ride to Maine. B-R-U-T-A-L! But my worried parents were there waiting for us with beers and lobster rolls to help us start the recovery process :)

And this is why it's all worth it:

Northeast Harbor

One very exhausted little girl taking in the scenery while waiting for the water taxi to take us to the island.

Hadley debuts her first life jacket

Had's first boat ride!

So it's a little constricting in a seated position apparently

That's more like it. Hadley thoroughly enjoying herself!

She eventually figured it out...don't sit down with that thing on!

32 hours after the start of our journey, we arrive on the island...sleepy, dirty, and praying our luggage would join us soon.

Aside from a couple sweaters that Grandmommy and Granddaddy brought up with them, all of Hadley's clothes were stuck in limbo somewhere for a few days. Thankfully a little boy named Briggs was happy to lend her some items to get her by. It was fun to dress her like a little tom boy for a few days, but it's official: little girl clothes are WAY cuter than little boy clothes!

A foggy morning walk with Daddy

This next section of pictures needs a little introduction. Ashley Bryan is a resident of Little Cranberry island, but has been all over the world making the lives of everyone he meets richer. He's truly the most fascinating and talented person I've ever met. I've known him for 25 years and it was SUCH a treat to be able to introduce him to Hadley! In a nut shell, which will hardly do him justice, he's written 34 children's books, painted hundreds of paintings, made dozens of puppets and 37 sea-glass panels...and his house is made entirely of TOYS!

Ashley putting on a puppet show for Hadley with one of the puppets he made

It's a bit overwhelming the first time!

Ashley collects heart-shaped rocks...and kids and adults from all over started sending them to him to add to his collection.

Just part of his collection

In Ashley's bedroom are 10 of the sea-glass panels he's made. These depict the Apostles Mark, Luke, Matthew and John.

Ashley loves showing off his toys to little visitors

Dessert smiles at the restaurant after dinner

Someone is apparently ready for her own pair of duck boots

Hadley apparently telling Granddaddy something very interesting during their morning couch time together

This was how July 4th started out. Cold and foggy, and still without our luggage, but from the looks of it Dad and Had didn't want for anything else.

Hadley killing time down at the dock while we waited for our luggage to arrive.

In typical Maine fashion, the weather changed on a dime and was sunny just in time for the picnic. Usually the whole island comes out and spreads their blankets out on the field for a huge cookout...but thanks to all the rain they'd gotten, we resorted to tents and tables in the street. Lobster and hot dogs taste good anywhere!

Final sunset with Daddy

Saying goodbye the next morning :(

Hadley and Grandmommy on the beach

The house, by the way

Bedtime stories with Granddaddy

The view from our back porch

Hadley is incredibly unhelpful at jigsaw puzzles, but she gives it her best shot!

Hysterical -- Hadley decided she wasn't quite finished with her linguine, so she thought she'd just take some home in her empty raisin box!

Waiting for the mail boat with Phyl for a fun day at Jordan Pond

"Just listen, Mom. About this life jacket...I'm the only one wearing one and people are staring. Plus with you and 2 grandparents on this boat with me, don't you think I'm protected from anything that could come my way?!"

The little hiker and a great big view

I'd give anything to know what she's thinking about. I'm sure it's something quite deep as she takes in the breathtaking scenery.

Totally wiped out and snuggling with Jan while we wait for the mail boat to come take us home.

Seems Hadley got her way with the life jacket issue

Hads LOVED throwing rocks into the water. It required me standing pretty close since she was a little unsteady after putting everything she had into hurling the rocks into the water.

Hadley's first driving lesson

One last mail boat ride of the summer

At lunch before the drive to the airport Hadley and Granddaddy couldn't hide their affection for each other. They are BOTH totally smitten!

Safe and sound and ON TIME on our way home to DC and Daddy!!