Maine Q&A

Oh. Hello. So, you've probably been wondering where in blue blazes we've been. Well, we've been in Maine. And we've been darn busy. Doing what? you may be asking? Well, here's the problem. We've been doing a lot. And when you get as behind as I am now, you don't really know where to start. So, instead, I'm gonna fall to an old favorite, the ol' Q&A! These are one or two questions people have actually asked and ton of others that you haven't, but that you should have.

All of us at the top of Mt. Battie

Q: Why are you guys in Maine again?
A: We're here visiting my family.

Q: For how long?
A: We'll be here for 5 weeks total. We were also with Zach's family for 5 weeks.

Q: Okay. Why are you doing that?

This was the boy's first trip in the canoe. They aren't big fans of boats, it seems.

A: Because it's actually cheaper to travel all over the country than to live in our apartment in California for three months. Which is crazy. Also, Zach has an absurd number of books that he needs to read, so he's reading a lot.

Uncle Chris and the cousins getting the fire started out by the cove

Ben and Sam playing on the wooden train at Smiling Hill Farm. Try the vanilla milk. You will not regret it.

Q: Weren't you in Washington a little while ago?
A: Yes, that was with Zach's family. We drove out to Maine in five days.

Q: I see. Are you guys crazy?
A: Oh, my, yes.

Q: So, what have you been doing up there in Maine?
A: All kinds of things. Maine is a cornucopia of fun stuff to do. And my parents live right on a body of water, so there are all kinds of maritime things to do.

The Cousins attacking Uncle Jonathan in the hammock

Q: Well, that sounds fun, but be more specific, what exactly have you been doing?
A: Okay, we've been canoeing in the cove and kayaking out to islands out in the oceans. We've been hiking along wooden trails. There's been tons of swimming. We've gone shopping in little harbor towns. Oh, and spending tons of time family.

Q: Was all your family there?
A: Yes! Which is the first time we've all been together in four years, so it's pretty amazing. We had a little family reunion. It was oodles of fun.

Q: How are Ben and Sam doing with all these cousins?
A: They love them! All except two are home, now, but they are still having a blast. They keep talking about their "family". It's adorable.

The 3 Amigos!
These are the 3 Threes as we called them. The three-year-olds acting crazing at the kid table

Q: So what's it like up in Maine?
A: It's pretty awesome. The average temperature up here is about 76 degrees and it hasn't gotten too far away from that. We've got some rain. And occasionally the humidity gets to you. So then we go and jump in the cove.

Q: Are there really a lot of lobsters up there?
A: Yes. Almost every body of sea water is dotted with lobster buoys. And there are people selling them basically everywhere. And I hear it's quite delicious. And then, of course all the stores are full of lobster-esque things. It's a big thing up here. Same thing with moose and blueberries.

Q: There are people selling moose in stalls?
A: No, there are just a lot of moose in Maine, more inland though. In the woodsier part.

Ben running around outside without shoes or pants. Typical.

Q: Hey, I thought you didn't like seafood?
A: I don't. It's vile.

Q: Not even lobster?
A: Lobster looks like a great, big, red insect, sprawled across your plate which you then have to crack open and suck the meat out of, often wearing a plastic bib. Also it smells like a nasty low tied. It's an assault on the senses. So, no. Not even lobster.

Q: But Zach likes it, right?
A: Zach gobbles it up by the exoskeleton full. Can't get enough. Loves it.

Q: So what do you eat when they are eating lobster? And have you guys made lobster?
A: Something else. And yes, we have made lobster! My Dad picked them up down the road and brought them round the house, boiled up some sea water from the cove and dropped 'em in. It's really a very simple process. Besides having live lobsters in your house for a while.

Q: How are the boys doing with all this traveling?
A: Pretty well actually. They do well in the car and they don't seem to mind at all sleeping in new places. Oh, and we've only set up that stupid tent we got for them once. I feel stupid to have even brought it. There are a lot of thing like that.

Q: So, when do you head home?
A: A little less than two weeks.

Q: Are you gonna be glad to go home.
A: Yes. It's been so great to see all the family, but traveling does take it's toll. It's always nice to be back home after a journey. Always.

Any more questions?

Can't Talk...

...busy.