Taken at Fort Williams, in Cape Elizabeth, not more than 50 yards, more or less from the crashing Atlantic Ocean.

I was there after the funeral and celebration of life of an employee who passed away after a five year battle with cancel. I was never even sure where I wanted to be then, that afternoon. Lost in limbo.

But, I had my camera, and know where waves will be.

This photo is a nice compliment to one I snagged five years and about two weeks ago in Columbus, Ohio. One of those shots and times that will always be here.

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing

WC137

• Anne MacFarlane - One Word at a Time
• Teagan Oliver - With a Little Luck
• Gemma Bruce - Brava Authors Blog

Now, back to the book!

Here is a pix taken with my iPhone by Susan's son Stefan...I'm already to chomp down on my lobster;

And finely a photo of me at Sleepytown, a visit down memory lane.  I found it so interesting that I felt HUGE in a smaller place than I remember.  I mean really, its a fairly good size resort...but I remember the walk around being so much longer and seeming so far...the grounds bigger and the parking lot larger.  Goes to show the perception of a child vs adult.  It was great to go back and share memories with Susan and the owner of Sleepytown.  Kind of like closing a chapter in my life.  Colors weren't peak on the tree's quite yet...but they were starting, and memories of wonderful falls/autumns from the past were wonderful.  I found it quite something most of the tree's I remember where still there...just a few missing.

Oh yeah! We also went to an Orchard apple picking, ooooooooh yum can you say crisp and fresh from the tree apples! Not to mention the killer apple pie Susan made for desert that night.

Ok, now I need to get back to torching and posting new items on Etsy and our website.  Not sure about eBay...its just so slow right now, seems that the cost of doing biz there would be a waste of money.  But hey! I did post some new things this morning on Etsy...some Biagi style pairs of Dan~O Beads.

Nader's Message Brings Maine Voters To Their Feet

The presidential candidate blasts the powers in Washington for the recent financial crisis.

by Kelley Bouchard

PORTLAND, Maine - Ralph Nader brought a Portland audience to its feet Monday night with his signature call to fight Wall Street greed, corporate crime and the military industrial complex.

Ralph Nader speaks to about 250 people gathered at First Parish Church of Portland on Monday night. He is on the ballot as an independent candidate for president. (Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer)"If you're not indignant, you're not a citizen," Nader said to about 250 people gathered at First Parish Church in Portland.

Nader, who's on the Nov. 4 ballot as an independent presidential candidate, skewered last week's $700 billion Wall Street bailout.

He said Congress approved the unprecedented taxpayer-backed rescue even though many Americans believe it will benefit executives who caused the mortgage-related financial crisis without holding them accountable.

"That means your representatives in Congress shut you down," Nader said. "Wall Street stuffed Washington into a barrel and rolled it."

Nader said he's running for president again because the United States is drowning in debt and Americans have surrendered control of their lives to corporations that are running the country.

Regarding corporate influence in government, Nader said the biggest difference between Republicans and Democrats is "the speed at which their knees hit the floor" when corporations knock on the door.

He said he wants to reform the tax system, in part because the government has reverted to the days of taxation without representation that led to the Revolution. "We're back to 1775," he said.

Nader noted that about half of the nation's annual operating budget is spent on defense and corporations that make up the so-called military industrial complex.

He said the true sign of courage in leadership is having the ability to wage peace and diplomacy.

Nader said he wants to improve workplace health and safety, continue fighting for consumer rights and provide universal health care for Americans.

Nader criticized the energy policies of the presidential candidates representing the major political parties, Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain and Democratic U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.

He said both support a banquet of fuel options, including oil, coal and nuclear power, that aren't good for consumers or the environment.

Nader supports clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and wants to put a stop to oil, nuclear, electric and coal subsidies.

"Some forms of energy are better than others," said Nader.

Nader, who's on the ballot in 45 states and the District of Columbia, also complained that third-party candidates are excluded from the presidential debates.

"I looked at that stage the other night," Nader said. "It really had a lot of space, didn't it?"

The audience at the Congress Street church included people of all ages and political persuasion.

Nader is "a Connecticut Yankee with a very high order of intellect," said Tom Little, an independent voter from Connecticut who is working as an apple picker at a local orchard. "I don't agree with him on everything, but he represents a legal, law-enforcement response to a criminal government."

"I've voted for Ralph every time he's been on the ballot," said Claudine Grange, a Democrat who is a nurse practitioner and lives in Portland.

Grange disputed the notion that she's throwing away her vote in what is basically a two-way race.

"I vote my conscience," she said. "Whether he wins or not isn't important. He's educating the public and he's telling the truth and that's what matters."

© 2003- 2008 Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.

And see McCain tolerate a crowd member calling Obama a terrorist here:

This is John McCain's Republican Party.

And Sarah Palin's Republican Party.

Icky.

Casino Developers Eyeing Maine Sites

Olympia Gaming Web Site

[Note: No more still photos available from this trip. My camera was unable to access the memory card, either to view or write new photos. I do have some movies that will be available , as I was also carrying my Flipvideo Ultra video camera . I will now always carry and extra SD card, just in case.]
Quite a decent full day out here. I was out first again, waking up at 6:30 and out by 7:15.
The path continues to be slippery, and I have saved my body several times today by quick use of my hiking poles to arrest my falls. Walking steadily, although I was wearing my rain jacket, with another woolen layer over my t-shirt, and my gloves, even in the middle of the day. I did see my shadow for the first time in a while this morning.
Here is a brief video of a wet section of the Trail this morning.

Making good time through here, arriving at Wood Rat spring by 10:45 AM, with 7 miles down. A lot of water still present in the Trail. I even took the 0.2 mile high water white blazed by-pass of a section of Nahmakanta Stream in an effort of get some relief from the deep water around this area.
I stopped at the Wadleigh Stream lean-to and had lunch , three more miles north of here.
Absolutely no need to carry any water on this trip. My practice is now to walk with an empty water bottle, and when I get thirsty, bend down, and fill it up at a spring or a stream, and either hit it with the Steripen or not, based on whether I am at a clean spring to the side of the trail or a flowing stream running through the countryside. I then drink a half to a full liter, dump the rest and keep walking. Thanks to General Lee for showing me this technique.
Just passed a southbounder named Forge. He has flip flopped and is walking south from Katahdin to Mt. Greylock in MA. I wished him good luck. He is going to need it.
There is absolutely no one out here other than thru-hikers and me. Not to imply that thru-hikers like what they are doing. Most are in the 20 mile per every day range, and really blunt about how much they are sick of backpacking. I didn't feel that way when I came through last year, and
don't feel that way now. The weather is not that bad out here. It has not rained much today. Where is the backpacking community in Maine these last few days?
    Nesuntabunt Mountain continued to pose a challenge to me, as I remember it did in my first trip though the 100 Mile Wilderness way back in 1993. This time, it was raining. The footpath was slippery and mucky, and I even lost the trail for a while. It was really dark on the ascent, and the wind increased and the temperature dropped as wove my way through the giant fortress like boulders that characterize the summit approach. Nearing the top, it started to sleet. At this point I had been wearing just my woolen t-shirt, but I began to get very cold on my biceps, of all places, and decided that I didn’t need to chance any hypothermia, so I put on my rain jacket , again.
What helped me through the afternoon was the unexpected appearance of Stumpknock, who caught up to me just after the water events on the top wind funnel of Nesuntabunt Mountain ( 1520’). We hiked and talked for some 6 miles, all the way to my destination of Rainbow Stream Shelter.  
It saved my butt that Stumpknock was content to walk along at what I felt was about a 2.5 mph pace. Normally, anyone off the street who tries to hike with a thru- hiker , who is at this point of their walk is steaming along, is doomed to be left in the dust . It is like trying to run along as fast as you can, and failing to jump on a roaring freight train.
Below is Stumpknock on the side of Rainbow Stream just before the Lean-to.

Stumpknock is familiar to me. I met him at the Gentian Pond shelter in Maine last year when he was accompanied by Mrs. Gorp. I also ran into him on the AT when I was backpacking with Auntie Mame and V8 in Virginia this past May. He has basically given his life over to being outdoors, having hiked the AT multiple times ( I think this might be his 6th.) He started Jan. 1 this year, fitting in 2 months off to bicycle across the US with Mrs. Gorp, as well as hitching a ride up to the Canadian border to complete the whole Vermont Long Trail .
   I ended up pending the night with the same folks as last night. I just learned that Pull-up is going to be a junior in high school. Incredible. Pull-up was reluctant to sleep on the lumpy floor here. He doesn’t have a pad.
     It is cold. Hands freezing as I type.
   I felt just about done in as I reached the ancient shelter with the baseball bat floor.   Pull-up did fine sleeping in this shelter. In the morning, he showed me how he did it, sleeping on a trash bag stuffed with leaves. Successful hikers are resourceful on a daily basis.

Her name is Louise Dickinson Rich. I was introduced to We Took to the Woods a year or two ago, and was instantly smitten with her writing style.  The book was an autobiographical work of her life in the Maine Woods with her husband and son, written while she lived there and before she left.  It's not just for Mainers; I think anyone would enjoy it!

I also finished this book this morning...

(isn't that cover wonderful? minus the coffee stains, of course!)  I picked it up at Goodwill for 4 dollars (Four Dollars! At Goodwill!  I about croaked! But was willing to buy it because of the author).  It was a SUPER decision.  She writes about the history of the Maine coast, then takes you on a tour from the southern tip to the northernmost coast.  One paragraph sums up my feeling of Maine, like it does for so many others (on speaking of the bridge that connects New Hampshire and Maine):

"About midway along it on one of the uprights is a plaque marking the state line, and I for one always begin to feel wonderful the minute I've passed that marker.  The air starts smelling better, and the trees across the river on Maine soil look greener.  When I come off the end of the bridge, I always think, "There! Now at last I'm in Maine!" and everything is suddenly brighter, even on a foggy day.  Maine has that effect on her partisans."

I am in love with so many states, but I feel just the way Louise does.  It makes my heart sing to drive into my adopted home.

Funny thing; the book is a revised edition and was published in 1954.  On her tour, she mentions Freeport, but claims that its main industry is crabmeat packing.  I laughed out load, because today Freeport is a mecca of outlet shopping and is the site of the LL Bean Flagship store. It's one hoppin' place!

Oh, I could go on and on, but Mainer or not, I think you might just fall in love with this author.

]]> http://hilarynangle.wordpress.com/?p=424 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:41:14 +0000 Hilary Nangle http://hilarynangle.pl.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/coastal-city-horror-show/ Even by daylight, Portland's Victoria Mansion is spooky, perhaps even a bit creepy, given its lived-in appearance without life. Cue the spooky music. On Oct. 18, the mansion opens its creaky doors for Tales of Terror.

Brave visitors begin with a mansion tour. Not just any tour, mind you. For this one, the mansion is dimming its gas chandeliers and lights, insuring eerie shadows on the walls and spooky darkness in the nooks and crannies.

Once the skin is prickly, settle in for a hair-raising experience as Portland storyteller Lynne Cullen reads two masterpieces of horror: Edgar Allan Poe's The Telltale Hart and J. Sheridan Le Fanu's Green Tea. Egad!

Two 1.5-hour programs are scheduled, the first beginning at 6 p.m., the second at 8 p.m. Advance reservations are required. If you dare. Bwaahahahaha.

On Sunday morning I raced to get out of my house by 9:00 and failed. No one should have to race around on a Sunday morning. But you see, I had planned an adventure for the day, and I needed to get to Coreyander's house in order to start it.

I left Chez Chris2fer at 9:15 and tore over to Cander's house. Little did I know that there was a race going on, and I had to cross the race route to get there. Watch out, healthy people! The man at the corner told me I couldn't proceed down Coreyopolis' street, but I told him I could. We glared at each other for a while and then he waved me through. And... I win. Take that, the man!

After trying to decide where we could drive safely without taking out crazy running healthophiles, we ended up at Brea Lu Cafe for breakfast. (This is not a full review, so no links from PortlandFoodMap. Ah, well.) Um... It was good. Food good. The waitress saw us all atwitter and rushed our order. Thanks, Waitress!

We were rushing because we were meeting Coreypoo's sister Lin-Lin and her two children, and Lin-Lin has a thing about being tardy. Which we were. Woopsy.

But I was not going to rush - I love road trips. We hopped into my car and drove to Doles Orchard in Limington. Along the way we listened to our favorite music and sang along at the top of our lungs. It was awesome. Plus, it was crisp and the sun was out and the leaves were turning and it smelled of wood stoves and dirt and the first day of school and walks in the forest and apple pie.

You wanna hear some of the music we listened to? I thought you'd never ask...

Autumnal Bliss Mixtape

We met up with Lin-Lin just a few minutes late, and grabbed a large yellow iron cart that someone (me) pulled around a not-quite-at-all-level field of trees, laden down with usually one but sometimes two children. And Coreyitis and Lin-Lin picked apples. Little child # 1 ate three bites of his apple, and then threw it away, and then asked for another one. And I said no because I am a meany, but his Aunt gave him another. Push over. And little child # 2 tried to mess up all of my pictures. But HA! child # 2, I am taller and more patient than you! See?

If you go to my Flickr site and choose this picture in a large size it makes a pretty great desktop wallpaper. If I say so myself. And I do.

Pumpkins!

This is inside the little store. It reminds me of a medieval cottage.

A chicken was hiding under the apple trees. Wierd.

The Apple Trees were so close to the ground they were practically bushes.

So, after we picked apples and took a hay ride and sent Child # 1 & 2 into the Hay maze (BYE!) and walked through the little store and bought Peach Melba Jam and a CHEDDAR APPLE PIE for later (So very good) Coreylicious and I waved goodbye to Lin-Lin and Child 1 &2 and hauled off for more adventures.

We ended up in "quaint" Cornish. Which is a nice way of saying that it is tiny and a little run down. But it's not at the Cornish Inn, where we had lunch. The Cornish Inn restaurant is rustic and homey and classic and really worth the trip. We both had soup, while I had a sandwich (BLT on homemade focaccia bread) and Coreyandra had a Caesar Salad with Lobster on it. Our waitgal was relentlessly cheerful. I highly recommend.

After an excellent meal we hopped back into the car and drove back to the big city. We did stop on the way at a little gifty-crafty store to look at Halloween stuff. I bought a giant spider for 5 bucks. It's wicked creepy. Then, we went to Target (glee!) and back home.

It was a perfect Autumn day filled with perfect Autumnal things. I totally needed it. Thanks, Coreyandrix!

Yeah, Guy (that’s his name) has a great brain. His resume includes past destinations like: "Industrial Light and Magic" and "Star Wars." Somewhere around 2000 (you’ll have to check his website for the exact number), he and his artist wife Rebekah packed all their belongs and escaped California for rural Maine. I’m highlighting them because we urban folks tend to dismiss everyone who lives in the sticks as “potentially dangerous ignorant hicks.”

But regardless if you want a home in the country or not, you still need to have a look at Guy’s website. He’s got everything on there from thermal window insulation solutions and solar differential temperature controllers, to wireless surveillance equipment, and robotic equipment.

Arttec.net is intentionally folksy and down-to-earth.  One trip to the site and I guarantee you’ll … feel smarter. It’s like a mini Smithsonian for geeks, homesteaders, and art lovers. You quickly discover there are no high or low-tech problems that can’t be solved. Some solutions are expensive and others … relatively cheap. (After all, he was one of the Visual Effects engineers for Star Trek…)

Guy and his wife Becky are wonderful examples of "Back-to-the-Landers." I doubt if they’d classify themselves as such, but this team of art and science lowered their overhead, escaped the rat-race, and now live healthy and extremely creative lives. They have time and space to create far more than they would had they remained in an urban space where problems like … well … everyone knows the problems.

Oh yeah, any woman curious about fashion, click on the Chicago Native's link to her  textile art … and while there, explore her latest photos that came out of a recent MFA program. These are folks. Smart folks … but folks… aware … GOOD folks. People who enrich the “neighborhood” they move into—if allowed. They do their homework before picking a spot in paradise, and then they become “neighbors.” Neighbors are important in the less alienated rural countryside. You have to be. One wet spring morning you might need one to pull your car out of a ditch. Isn’t that part of the allure?

Becky continues to travel the U.S. and Asia to market her textile art and Guy builds canoes.

Visit the hip Quaker at: http://www.arttec.net/

Becky’s newest art site: http://www.rebekahyounger.com/default4.asp

Her older mainstay website is: “Younger Knits”: http://www.youngerknits.com

Head back over to the coast for Maine’s plush foliage scene. Peak time is mid-October. The rugged coastline makes for different scenery from the rest of the northeast, and the richly forested areas just scream for attention with their bold reds, oranges, and yellows. Check out Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park and Bradbury Mountains State Park (keep your eyes peeled for hawks), both north of Portland. (Make sure you stop at the L.L. Bean Flagship Shore Freeport—open 24 hours a day!) Go inland a bit to find the Sebago Lake region—climb Douglas Mountain to see the ocean in one direction and the White Mountains in the other. Southern Maine offers boat excursions from Bath, some to Casco Bay and some to Kennebec River. A ferry service also runs to the islands in Casco Bay. Camden is a perfect place to stop, for dinner or for lodging, and also offers gorgeous ocean and mountain views, all surrounded by to-die-for foliage. Don’t forget Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island, in addition to the quaint and historic town of Bar Harbor.

Oh, and one more thing: whenever you’re in Vermont, make sure you stop by the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury. It truly is the greatest place on earth.

Happy Fall!

• New York City Fall Foliage on a Tank of Gas
• Boston Fall Foliage on a Tank of Gas
• 10 Great Places for Fall Foliage
• Kids are in School, Airfare is Down - Fly to US for Fall Foliage
• Fall Foliage Staycations

Bath:  The group in Bath, the Middle School, Historical Society and Patten Free Library are focusing on the downtown area of Bath.  Groups of four students will study one building and look into all aspects of its history: architecture, business, events & people.  What’s really great about this MCHP team is that the teachers, historical society and library staff have designed a program that focuses on teaching students how to work with historical collections, to develop research skills and how to interpret the information they find.  And from that, each student learns about their town history and creates exhibits that share their work.

Farmington:  having recently completed a walking tour of the town, the Farmington group is drawing upon the framework of the tour to determine their topics.  Mt. Blue Middle School, Farmington Public Library and the Historical Society, along with aspiring teachers from UMF, a primary school class and the Center for Community GIS, has identified a number of interesting research topics:  corn canning, 19th century musician Supply Belcher, inventors and early settlement among others.  It’s been a rather exciting start in Farmington because some of the group is seeing the Historical Society collections for the first time – and there are some very fine documents and artifacts there.

Hampden:  A really strong community team has sprung up in Hampden.  Reed’s Brook Middle School, the Edythe Dyer Memorial Library and the Hampden Historical Society are planning a project that takes them into Hampden history through architecture.  Starting with a house, researcher will trace the history outward and tie it into the larger themes that affect the community: shipping, War of 1812 and so on.  Even more importantly, this is a true collaboration with everyone pitching in on every task – no one topic or exhibit falls to one person or organization.  Furthermore, when the Library and School determined that they already had most of the equipment that they needed to work on the MCHP, they decided to make sure that the Historical Society got up-to-date equipment.  They contend that a strong Historical Society would make their team – and their community – stronger.

Islesboro:  Aren’t you all jealous that we get to visit Islesboro once a month?  For a small community, there is a vibrant and active group of people out there involved in education, the museum and other cultural organizations.  The MCHP team there includes the Historical Society, Library and school.  I never really thought about how isolation and transportation issues might come to impact an island’s history but those are consistent themes we’ve heard in some of the brainstorm sessions.  The meetings there began with an open public session that drew 25 people.  From that, we heard all kinds of stories and learned about just who has all the local knowledge.  From that session, the Local Community Team is working on developing topics for exhibits.

Lubec:  Another small town with a lot of talented people working to preserve its cultural heritage.  Lubec Landmarks, the Library, the Lubec Consolidated School, Lubec Historical Society and others have joined forces to study the maritime history of Lubec – what you’d expect, maybe, but there are some really interesting things to study there.  First of all: smuggling.  With the proximity to international waters and to Canada, Lubec has an interesting history related to smuggling.  That topic alone promises some great stories.  I also got the chance to tour the McCurdy Smokehouse in Lubec.  It’s now a museum and operated by Lubec Landmarks.  The exhibit of smokehouse technology is fascinating but the best (and I’m serious here) part of the experience is the smell.  When does olfactory sense ever enter into a museum experience?  Must?  Mildew?  This is the rich smell of smoked fish that hits you immediately upon going into the museum.  It expands the visit into a whole new dimension.  Well worth the visit – plus there’s a lot to do in Lubec & the surrounding area – and I heartily encourage you to go.

New Portland:  This group is off to a running start.  MSAD #74, New Portland Historical Society and NP Community Library are a small but really active team.  They have identified eight topics for exhibits, including ice cutting, the New Portland Fair and the Wire Bridge.  With a long agricultural history, they’re also investigating a number of related topics.  One very interesting thing they’ve done is to use the New Portland Fair this past September as a way to promote the project and to generate involvement.  Because this may (rumor has it) be the last year for that fair, it was especially poignant.  The group decided to create a brochure about their MCHP project and to feature old photos of the fair.  Hundreds were distributed because every carload of people entering the fairgrounds got one.  The rest will go to the post office and other local stops.

Presque Isle:  Aroostook truly is the garden of Maine and so lovely in late summer.  Plus, we were there for part of the balloon festival in August and, of course, got our 10 pound bags of potatoes.  The MCHP team in Presque Isle is fostering some really unique and interesting collaborations.  The group is the Historical Society, the Turner Library, the Middle School and UMPI, with some High School involvement, as well.  The Historical Society has been very active for some time in creating public presentations on local themes so they are building on those.  And a really exciting partnership between Middle School and a history class from UMPI has developed.  The college students are studying historical methods and will mentor the younger students as they do their projects.  In addition, the students will work with the Library and Historical Society to digitize materials and put them on the MMN.

Thomaston:  The Thomaston group has developed a project plan that includes oral histories about the Great Depression, exhibits on Henry Knox, Shipbuilding and the Civil War.  What’s great about that list is it builds on some of the strong foundations of Thomaston history and things many of us are familiar with – Knox and shipbuilding – and then it also brings in aspects of Thomaston history most of us know little about, as well.  The team there is the High School, the Library, the Historical Society and the General Henry Knox Museum.

--Stephanie

Turns out, ALOT of advertising is ILLEGAL.

Illegal Ad on the flat iron building. I love this building. Imagine coming to NY as a tourist and seeing this landmark architecture. Yeah that would be a nice picture. photo: Municipal Art Society

Wanna go to the park to escape the city for a few or maybe a picnic with the girl? photo: IllegalBillboards.org

Some of this advertising is more than a visual problem. Here's scafolding, with the weight of an illegal Helio ad, crushing a few cars.  Luckily noone was injured. photos: Gothamist.com

Many of these posters that you see on construction sites are illegal.

Rockstar Games sticker ("IV") going over the homie  "Rate"'s tag. photo: Corporate Vandals blog

While these corporate vandals are doing whatever they want, we have assholes like media whore Al Sharpton painting over LEGAL graffiti. photos: NY Daily News

"Consume, dont think about expressing yourself." ...Something is definately wrong here.

A few interesting facts..

- New York City arrested 3,786 graffiti writers last year. They arrested 0 illegal advertisers.

- Buenos Aires, Argentina recently removed 40 thousand billboards (60% of their billboards) to fight "visual pollution". 

- Sao Paolo, Brazil BANNED all commercial advertising in 2007. They have also LEGALIZED Graffiti.

The kids are back in school.  (Did I hear applause?)  With their exodus from Acadia National Park’s trails and carriage roads, a hush blankets the island.  While the sun is still golden warm, crimson hues appear on the mountains.  Exclamations and giggles yield to quiet whisperings between couples.  It’s a great time to be grown up and visiting Mount Desert Island.

Hiking, biking, and kayaking are still at the top of our list of favorite things to do during Acadia’s autumn.  The clear, crisp Maine air makes it a perfect time for these outdoor activities.  But there are many other pastimes for honeymooners and couples celebrating a special anniversary.  We both enjoyed the assiduous research we did for you to yield these recommendations!

“His” Top Picks

• Rent a house with a fireplace –There are many rentals that are particularly cozy in the fall. Recently the Davis Agency Web site featured a log cabin nestled in the woods, a rustic cottage from which to enjoy sunsets over Blue Hill Bay, and a waterfront home with a large granite fireplace on the deck! 
• Enjoy a sunset at Bartlett’s Landing – A map will help you locate this serene harbor on the western side of Mount Desert Island.  Bring a bottle of wine and a fleece blanket, and don’t forget your camera.
• Go for a walk to Ship Harbor and collect shells – This easy walk on a figure-eight trail through the pines brings you along the harbor and finally to a great picnic spot facing the ocean.  If it’s a sunny October day, you may not even need your fleece.
• Leave enough time for an afternoon “nap”  - There’s so much to do in Acadia so be careful not to over-schedule.  Take time just to relax. 

“Her” Top Picks

• Charter a sailboat – Viewing the fall foliage from the ocean is a special privilege.  And through mid-October you can do this on a beautiful and historic Friendship Sloop.  Downeast Friendship Sloop offers private charters for $120/hour.  Your captain will bring the brie and baguette, as well as soft drinks.  But why not stop at Sawyer’s Specialties (353 Main Street, Southwest Harbor, 244-3317) for a bottle of Pinot Noir?
• Relax with a “couples” massage – My tension melts away just sitting in the wicker-filled waiting area of the spa at the Bar Harbor Inn.  Couples massages are given in larger treatment rooms that accommodate the two massage tables and two technicians.  Each of you can select the massage type – hot stone, sports, deep tissue – you prefer.  There’s no extra charge for the couples room.
• Get a corner table at Red Sky – Although there are many great restaurants on Mount Desert Island, Red Sky in Southwest Harbor gets votes from both of us as the most romantic.  Start with one of Elizabeth’s martinis at the bar and then move to dinner in the dining room where a central fireplace enhances the glow.  Duck with a port wine demi-glace and dried fruit compote is my fall favorite, but you might opt for a special, such as squash-filled ravioli with a touch of savory crème fraiche.  Don’t depart without sharing an individual apple pie and a glass of Calvados. 

Acadia is wonderful in autumn, but it requires a bit more planning.  Some restaurants close after Labor Day and others may be totally booked if you don’t reserve in advance.  If you’re planning to go, check out the 16 tips for fall trips here – so nothing will ruin the mood.  And fall in love again this fall in Maine

]]> http://santitafarella.wordpress.com/?p=2976 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:14:46 +0000 santitafarella http://santitafarella.pl.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/mccain-wants-to-turn-the-page-of-our-attention-away-from-the-financial-crisis-really-we-cant-afford-another-president-this-out-of-touch-says-a-new-obama-ad/

Sam and I went to Maine in the beginning of July and it's long overdue that I mention it in our joint blog. Yeah-it's a little late, being October and all, but it's been a very busy summer.

Our wedding was on August 16th and I wanted Sam to meet my parents and see where I spent some of my golden days of youth before our ceremony.  First, we went to Searsport, Maine on the ocean where my parents live and then we went on to Bar Harbor which is on Mount Desert Island.  There you can find the beautiful Acadia National Park, the only national park in the Northeast. It's a very colorful place filled with pine trees and a pink granite coastline.

In Acadia National Park, we drove around the world famous Park Loop Road which cuts through the mountains and ocean scenery.  We tried to stop at Sand Beach, but as usual it was way too crowded so we opted to stop at Thunder Hole just down the road. 

After the more touristy visits, I took Sam and my parents to a part of the island where most people haven't been or even know about:  Wonderland.  When I lived on this island after high school, I would escape to Wonderland's rocky shelves and shoals to get away from the buzz of the busier, more popular parts of the island.  In Wonderland I always felt like I was at the edge of the world, surrounded by what seemed like an endless ocean and stunning and wide views the island's whole mountain range.

Unfortunately we were only there for three days.  I hope we can spend more lazy summer days there in the future.

View more images from our trip here.