Maine Again

This year to save money we once again drove up to Maine. This time we did stop at a hotel on the way up there and back. Rachel refused to drive straight through again. We made it all the way to Scranton, PA to stop which allowed us to arrive in Maine at about 3. We stopped by the farm first to see dad since we had not seen him since Christmas. He joked that morning that they would see who loves who the most, by where we stopped first. So we found him on the farm and told him that he won the competition. Then we came to the house and mom decided to run one more errand before we got there, so she would not have to do it while we were there so we unpacked and waited for her to come home. We took it easy that day. We ran some errands and hung out at the house. Our dear friend Bri came over after work.

Saturday we did some shopping and then we relaxed until our little party. We invited the cousins and friends over to celebrate Rachel's birthday and my graduation. Our cousin Eric, his wife Elizabeth, and son Zach came, Holly and her husband Rick, Bri, our cousin Sam and Sara also came. Little Zach entertained us for the most part.

He loves asking what's that even if he knows the answer
The JOhnson look of determination
Eric and Zach
Bri and Rachel
Holly and Howie, I pulled out my stuffed penguin for Zach

Rick and Holly hiding Howie from Zach
Elizabeth who we found out is about 6 months pregnant.

Sam is always playing around.
Yes that is Sam's eye on his phone. If you can't make it out.

Trying to be my dad
Our trip to the Marginal Way. I am not sure we could come to Maine and not walk the Marginal Way.

Surfahs catching the waves.

Gorgeous beach rose

I called this a Capote flower and Rachel thought that was really what it was. It looks all shot up from bugs eating at it, as if a tommy gun were taken to it.
I love this little tree
I hobbled along in my boot
Oh so inviting.

Sister shots


And all of us.
Love this little mermaid

Little finch
That night we went out to dinner with our dear cousin Darren at the Old Ferry Landing. I had my fried clams, YUMMY! Then we went to get ice cream with Sara and Darren. Rachel got the tornado.
I don't remember what Bri got.
Sara had a raspberry concoction.
Darren's was called explosion and it really did.

We had napkins on our cones and his was the only one drenched in ice cream. We opened it up and it had made a cool tie dye design on it.
I had a coffee ice cream with heath bar in it. It was YUMMY
The next day we made our annual summer trek to North Conway to shop the outlets tax free and then take a dip in the Kancamagus (well it is the Swift River on the Kancamagus Highway.

The water was ery cold.

The next day we went on the Mailrun to the Casco Bay islands. Mom had received a coupon for two free tickets so we all three went. It was a pretty hazy day but it was still fun. We saw a porpoise and a harbor seal.
Gorgeous ship

Buoy


Yep that is right Stinky Beach

The next day was the perfect day to go to the Beach and that is just what we did. It was high tide when we arrived so we were up against the street.
We played with seaweed until the tide went out some. Bob Marley on one leg and a glob on the other leg.
When the tide did go out the water was cool but not even as cold as the Swift river was. I got all the way in and the waves were big for Maine so I enjoyed floating on the waves.
Bri's huge cats that we had to go feed. Bear
And Polar, named that not because he is white but rather because he is bipolar.

For the 4th we went up to Naples to our uncle and cousin's lake house. The newlyweds Maggie and Rick.
Rachel
Uncle Merle making mudslide shakes with ice cream and all.
Maggie and Kim catch up on the gossip.
Matt (Kim's nephew) and I tubing. I knew I could safely ride with my foot in this condition if I rode with the kids.

Ella and I
Ella and I
Aunt Janice and Anna
Anna who has grown up so much
Our cousin Michael throwing Anna, Ella and Anna are he and Kim's daughters

Ella playing with bubbles


At night we took the pontoon boat out to watch the fireworks over the water.
Michael let Matthew help drive

Mom and Dad
Ahh the sunset
And fireworks.
The next day we packed up and headed back home. Always so sad to leave Maine again. We drove to Bristol, TN and stayed overnight and then got home about 8 on Sunday.