Summer Trip Tik Day #6

It's 6 am on Thursday and we are finally in Maine. I am sitting at the iron table in the rocky garden in the front of the boat shaped house we rented. Across the pebbly lane, I am watching the sunrise over the private beach while Cheyenne sits on my lap. The property is charming yet unusual at the same time. When we arrived last evening, we descended the sloping path to the water and wondered why this house wasn't built on the water's edge like the abutting neighbors. It didn't take but a minute for North, the 130 pound bear (a Bernese Mountain dog), to test the water up to his knees - which, by the by, are almost the same distance off the ground as mine. The boat house is a mini camp-like studio, with bed, kitchenette, some books and a tv, about 10 steps from the water. We joked that each person would have to sleep alone in the boat house during our stay to see who would last the longest without being spooked. We decided it would be Gene because he would fall asleep in the first 5 minutes.

Inside, the cottage is very New England. Lots of bead board, white paint, rocks, shells and sea items. You know how I like details, and the built in compartments, ship lantern light fixtures, real port holes, and even the lobster butter warmers have occupied my interest. The owner must share my love of symmetry, as there are lots of things lined up, like rocks, shells, dishes, and stacks of magazines. A surprise detail, the bedrooms have no doors like loft living.

This morning, our first item of business is to ride bikes to the Owl's Head General Store for breakfast with owners and Maine natives, Tom and Martha, and their 3 children. According to Tom when we stopped by, it's the best in Owl's Head (the only, arrrh arrrh). Anne Marie heard they have awesome pumpkin whoopie pies, which Taryn keeps confusing with whoopie cushions. Of course, this may be fitting considering our last name.

We each stated our wishes for this vacation over dinner at a diner on Main Street in Rockland last night. There were some common desires to sleep in (which I have failed at thus far), read, ride bikes, kayak, and go to art galleries, museums and state parks. We'll see where the tide takes us.

P.S. I promise to catch up on Days 3 - 5 soon.