12.17.2025 A Special Birthday - A Special Day

 Am a firm believer that we should celebrate each and every one of our birthdays. Milestone or not, our birthday is our very own special day. 

This year I took advantage of the mild weather and went to Maine. I visit Maine at least once a year, and since I did not yet make it in 2025, there was no time like the present. So off I went for a bit of a local adventure. 

First and foremost, arrangements must be made for Gunnarr and Shorty. Sydney is our sitter and she has a great sense of humor and a real love for my boys. She did a bit of photoshopping as neither Shorty nor Gunnarr would hold still long enough for a picture with a hat! The pictures are adorable and made my birthday.

And for this picture, we can pretend Gunnarr is singing "Happy Birthday"! He should know all of the words by now as he is 12. So he has heard it many, many times.

There are a few places in the area where I like to walk. It is hard to call these trails hiking trails as they are relatively flat and well groomed. My first stop was at one of my favorite walking beaches, Parsons Cove. There are only parking spaces for about 6 vehicles, so one must always have a backup plan if it is "crowded". I have walked that beach since the late 1980s. It is long and clean and wide. And the water is very cold, even in the summer. I used to swim every summer when I was a bit younger. Now I am not that interested in cold water swimming! 

For as long as I remember that tree has stood watch over the shore. 

Full disclosure, my dogsitter is not the only one who can photoshop. I removed the house by the tree!

There are several family-owned homes along this beach and every time I walk it, I wonder if someone might want to adopt me. I could never afford to buy one here, so that does seem like a good alternative plan for me. So far, no one wants to adopt me!

Nice house. I am certain there is at least one room for me!

As it was approaching sunset - far too early here in the winter months - I headed to my other favorite location - Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. If you have not read "Silent Spring" it is worth reading to understand the obstacles to wildlife conservation. I really like walking here in any season. It was particularly nice as the trail was all hard packed snow. I saw moose tracks and deer tracks and squirrel tracks. It is just a very peaceful place with a little more parking available. 

After a day of fresh air and beautiful walks. I stayed at this old sea captain's home. I had always wanted to stay there, and I was glad that I did. It is a beautiful old mansion.

 

Guess who left the lights on when she went walking?

The Christmas tree in the entry.

Sitting room.

Bedroom with a very high bed. Had to use the steps to get up there!

And yes, I did walk up to the top of the stairs in the cupula. 

Dinner was at Ocean Restaurant. The service was excellent and so was the food. It was a great experience and a wonderful way to spend a birthday.  

    A nice birthday surprise with the candle on the cake!

A stylish cup of espresso was a very nice end to the delicious meal.

I was fascinated at how the knife could stand on edge.

Since the evening was still young and the weather quite mild, I walked into the town. The entire street was lined with beautiful Christmas lights and there was also one large decorated tree in town center. 

Even the Clam Shack, which is closed for the season, was well light. Whenever music played, the lights would dance.

Love these towels in the window.

A perfect ending to a perfect day. The next morning started with an early morning hike along the winding road along the shore. I must have walked this route a thousand times over the years and have always enjoyed the view. I have often wished I lived next to a beach so I could walk without having to drive. It does the soul good.

Me and my shadow.

The 2 hour energizing walk was followed by a good breakfast. As all good things must come to an end, it was time to head back home to my pups. I stopped enroute and hiked at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, a new area I found a couple of years ago. I am glad I found it as there is a 0.6mi walk to a beach. One day I am planning on taking a lunch with me to the beach and just enjoy the scenery.  However, I do remember all of the mosquitoes accompanying me on a walk here one summer. 

First stop, another look at the beach in Kennebunkport before heading home.

 

These pups were enjoying their morning excursion!

  

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve.

 

Another expansive beautiful beach with a few magnificent homes. Private homes and private beaches.

Beautiful and peaceful.

This ended my trip to Maine and my birthday celebration. I was most fortunate to have such beautiful weather and such an enjoyable time. It was perfect. And for that I am grateful.

Hope you will be able to take the time to celebrate a birthday or two along the way. I usually do not have such a luxury, but this was one I did not want to ignore.

Until next time................

And yes, my spirited little Fionnegan is Forever in my Heart. How I miss that little fellow.

01.01.2024. Happy New Year

Happy New Year! 

What a beautiful day. Thought it was a day for an adventure, so I fed my pups and let them run for a while and took off for Maine. Had stopped at the famous Maine Diner and had lunch and then off to my favorite stops in the area. My first stop was at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. She was a famous conservationist and I always enjoy a walk along the trial. It borders on an estuary and not directly the sea, but you can see the sea from the lookout posts.

Love the curved handrails! Was also thinking about how nice it was to be walking without being eaten alive by mosquitoes!

The next stop was to what is now called Parson's Beach - it was Parson's Cove all those many years ago when I first started going there. This is generally a hit or miss opportunity as it has become very popular destination and there are only spaces to park about 10 to 12 cars. But I thought it was worth a try and luck was with me. One car pulled out giving me enough space to follow the rules and park between signs and no tires on the road! One thing has changed - the number of large print signs letting us all know that this is a private beach. In Maine, beaches can be owned by individuals, so I guess we are fortunate we can walk there at all. 

I walked for 2 hours - it was cold but there was no wind, so it was really very comfortable when all bundled up like kid! There were dark clouds with the sun peeping through at times, which then made it feel comfortably warm. Maybe someone living along the beach might consider adopting me. Yes, I joke.

This sign made me chuckle. Does this mean no skipping, jumping or running???? What if someone wanted to dance along the shore?  Frolic in the sea? No to all of those? Guess we all shall just walk.

There were a lot of open shells along the beach and it looks like the seabirds were doing very well feeding.

There were also a few noteworthy birds. Saw a pair of eider ducks.

There was a flock of sanderlings feeding and flying. These are fast moving birds!

And of course, seagulls.

The real treat was watching a common loon crabbing. She was far away but you can see the details of the crab legs in her bill. I could have watched this pair all day.

Then I was off to the Kennebunkport beach. A place where only locals and those with parking sticker can park during the summer months. Yes, it is nice to have good weather to enjoy these places.

Then it was time to head home and check on my boys. No doubt they missed me! This is their 2024 New Year portrait. Shorty wanted to stand in front, and he looks pretty handsome there. All three were wagging their tails - very happy boys.

O, by the way. We have a black squirrel at the feeder. He is a bit shy and twitches at the first click of a camera and runs when the first door is opened. So I had to quickly take these pictures of him through 2 glass doors. 

Nice bushy rail. And a fast climber!

I do hope you all had a nice holiday week - that went by all too quickly - and that you will have a Happy and Healthy New Year. 

Until next time..........