For several reasons (an empty nest, extra money for some renovations and just to experience lake living all summer), Greg and I decided to rent our home on Echo Lake and live full time at our camp on Donnell Pond. When I arrived home from Utah on June 30th (see previous post) I headed straight to camp!
After a wonderful week in Utah with Brad, Tanja and Will, I was a little sad and lost transitioning back to the quiet camp life. The first couple of days were spent in getting organized into a smaller space than we are used to living in. The deck was obviously a favorite spot for reading and relaxing and I especially enjoyed the bird visitors I had all summer long.
The fourth of July was divided between two wonderful places. We headed for MDI in the morning to check on our house and do some work. It looked great!! I miss it and hadn't been home for over a week but camp is wonderful too! The Barretts met me at the house and we went to the dock for a dock pizza lunch and a sail. We had a fun visit from the snapping turtle who lives under our dock. The kids enjoyed feeding him some of the pizza.
Back to camp for our festivities with the Barrett's and Updikes. We enjoyed a wonderful meal of pulled chicken and burgers. Some play time on the beach and the Donnell Pond fireworks show from our boat.
One minor fireworks incident but everyone was OK!
Monday after a great 4th weekend we had a fun day planned that included some shopping stops, sweet froggy yogurt for the kids and the movies to see Inside Out. .... Again! Stephen and Anna met us there too.
On Saturday July 11th Greg and I went out to Islesford for a neighborhood block party at the Thorman's. Greg and I met Paul Thorman at the NEH dock to catch a ride out to the island. Beautiful day for an ocean cruise. The party was fun. They had hired a band to play. Jack Sasner was playing with the band too so it was fun to visit with him on the way out and back. When we first got there we enjoyed visiting with Paul on his new screened porch. So nice really big and breezy! After Paul went out to get set up for the party Greg took a little nap on the porch! Too comfortable! We enjoyed visiting with friends we hadn't seen in a while. 
The Barrett's spent the week of July 13th at one of the Rand's rental camps on Beech Hill Pond. Greg joined us for a cookout after work, Craig Rand also came over for dinner and a sunset cruise out to "Big Rock" for a diving outing. 
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| Our House on 33 Woodside Dr. Cumberland. |
On July 18th we went down to Portland for the weekend.
First stop in Portland was a visit with Jim and Terri, then over to Terena's house where we are staying on Woodside drive in Cumberland. Yes, that's the street where we lived for two years 87-89 Also, where my father died 28 years ago on the 19th of July. Had a fun time talking with Bruce and Terena back at the house tonight. We also took a walk past our old house down the street. It's changed a lot-it use to be blue.
Saturday evening we met the Morgan family for dinner in Freeport. Wonderful to see all of Hannah's family. Her daughter Olivia looks exactly like her! The boys are all so sweet too!
On Sunday before heading back to MDI Greg and I went to the John Calvin Stevens art show at the gallery on the old Westbrook College Campus now the University of New England.
I had 3 of my painting in the show. A wonderful experience!
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| John Calvin Stevens painting on a Sunday afternoon. |
The week of July 20th brought the Conti-Brown family to Donnell Pond! Nikki, Peter and their two boys Gabriel and Caleb rented the camp diagonally across from us. We enjoyed swimming, boating, tubing, fireside songs, pizza, cookouts and just relaxing on the beach with this wonderful family! Extra visits from Julia, Janice and Galen too!
Some waterskiing pictures from Galen Lowe- excellent photographer!
July 27
I drove to the island and with Julia, we took the Elders and Sisters hiking to the Beehive they all had a great time except the ones who were really out of shape. They needed some extra rest on the way up but we had a lot of fun. I enjoyed being on Pday. That's 'preparation day" in Mormon lingo.
After the hike, I met up with Greg for a tennis match with the Gallager's then we spotted a softball game over on the field so we stopped by and sure enough it was Stephen's team where we found Stephen and Anna!
JULY 28th
April Gallager came out this morning Stella the dog too. We took the boat over to the beach and hiked Schoodic Mt. Gorgeous day!,
August 2nd
John Odland had his mission farewell at church today then a party at his house. John will be serving in the Independence Missouri Mission.
August 4th Greg and I went back to MDI to attend the Lobster's On the Sound fundraiser for the Harbor House. A beautiful night and some great food!!
August 6th Greg and I went up to the Pioneer Trek to help with the games. Here are some of our Pioneer friends!
August 7-8
The Watkin's family came out for a Redmond Beach overnight camping trip. Woke up in the tents the next morning to the sounds of the little Watkins. Great breakfast then a family hike up the beautiful trail behind the beach.
On the evening of the 8th we went to the wedding reception for James and Julia Baird. They were married earlier in the day on the water out in Brooklyn and had a fun reception in Blue Hill that evening!
Summer afternoon picnic on the Barrett's new sailboat
August 13th
VanDuzer visit to camp always a lot of fun!!
The Lacy family is in town from Indiana!! Beehive hike on a beautiful day!
Bernie, Julie, Jake, Anna & Stephen
August 22 The Dalton Family Arrives
Two trips to the Bangor Airport in one day. First to pick up Logan in the afternoon then Brad, Tanja and Will in the evening. This was also our first day back in our house after spending the summer on Donnell. Oh we'll be back out there soon enough!
A stop on the way home from church at the Somesville Bridge.
Church can be tiring so naps on the porch are needed.
Any we're always hungry after church.
A visit to the neighborhood dock to see the fish.
Boat battles
Back on the porch again...
some backyard games
Our week was filled with activities we love to do together but most of all we just loved being together! Yes, Andrew we missed you too!
After a family tennis match we headed out to Donnell for a beautiful afternoon. This turned out to be one of the most beautiful days of the summer out at Schoodic Beach. Julia and kids came out too we had the whole beach to ourselves. I love watching Will enjoy the sand and water this year!
OOPS!
Ready for a family tube ride!
Back to the Island...
Everyone's favorite Pizza! Rosalie's!!!
The guys out for a round of golf at Causeway
Will discovered Marbleworks and the grown up boys had some fun too!
Getting to be an annual tradition... the family bike ride around the carriage roads. This time we went from Eagle lake to Bubble Pond to Jordan Pond and back. Beautiful sunset ride!
Back to camp for a couple more days of fun!
Pirate wars with the Barrett kids! They always win!
Last night at camp... always sad to say good-bye but grateful for the time spent together!
Summer in Maine!
