We spent some time with the Maldonado family, like we do every year. It is always fun. Luis improved his boat and now his boat is very powerful. We all tried to water ski, like Jack and Riley do, but while some of us did better than others, none of us came close. As always, it was a great weekend.
On our last day in Maine before leaving, we decided to hike round the Gorham Mountain Trail along the eastern coast of
Mount Desert Island, overlooking the ocean.
We got an early start on Eason's birthday so we could watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. Unfortunately it was so foggy we didn't have much of a view. After breakfast we took a trip around the loop. We stopped to look and listen at Thunder Hole, and to make stone art at Otter Cove. Then we had lunch at Jordan Pond House and hiked around Jordan Pond. Then we finished our trip around the loop stopping back at Cadillac Mountain. This time the view was great. We ended the day with pizza and a movie.
We spent the morning wandering through Thuya Garden, and the afternoon climbing up to Bald Peak and down Parkman Mountain trails. Neither failed to impress. Many times we thought we had made it to the top, only to find that there was another peak farther and further up.
We decided to take a cruise around Blue Hill Bay. We saw beautiful landscapes around the islands there, as well as seals & eagles, and we learned a lot about the fishing villages of Frenchboro. Afterwards we went back to Echo Lake before grabbing dinner.
On our second day at Acadia National Park we headed over to Sand Beach. First we went hiking around Great Head Trail. There were amazing views of the coast. Afterwards we hung out at the beach. The water was so cold you couldn't even feel it.
On our first day in Acadia National Park we stayed close to home base. First we got breakfast in town and then spent the rest of the day at Echo Lake. The water was chilly, but we still had lots of fun there. Afterwards we got dinner from a local lobster pound. The food was good, even though it was a very raw experience.
Our second and last day in Boston involved a lot of walking. First we walked through Boston's Public Garden and walked with the famous Mallards. Then we walked along the Freedom Trail on the Road To Revolution tour. We saw many historical landmarks, including King’s Chapel, the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, the site of the Boston Massacre, and Paul Revere's House, and heard about the events that led to the American Revolution. Afterwards we walked along the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and finally we passed both the tortoise and the hare.
When we arrived in Boston we decided we would start at the top. So we headed to the Skywalk Observatory at the top of the Prudential Tower. There we got a view of all of Boston and a bunch of historical information. Then we took the bus to Harvard University and walked around the campus. For dinner we went to Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse. They give you flip cards, with red on one side and green on the other. Servers bring you assorted meats until you turn your red side up. Eason was in heaven. And that was before they brought him a birthday desert.
We left to the bungalow earlier than usual so we decided to stop on the snake road that runs along the upper Delaware River for some sight seeing. We drive here all the time, but this was the first time I've ever pulled over. As soon as we got to the bungalow it was still sunny and warm so we all decided to hit the lake right away.
Since Eason has been preparing a meal every week as a part of his summer curriculum, Andrea wanted to get in on the action. With Babcia's help she made a roast pork loin with mashed sweet potatoes, a cucumber salad, and cabbage.