An East Coast Adventure

Yes, I know; it’s been quiet around these parts lately. Don’t worry, my excuse is a good one! I was busy running tree-lined lanes, building castles in the sand and watching sunsets over the water. Hooray for New England!

One plus to having young kids is not having to schedule family vacations around a school year calendar. We took full advantage this year, putting off our summer vacation until after Labor Day. Why? Because when visiting Cape Cod, you miss all the summer crowds while still enjoying one of the country’s most beautiful coast lines.

Although I grew up in Rhode Island, Cape Cod, Massachusetts was only a stone’s throw away. Soul Daddy spent many summers vacationing there and couldn’t wait to return. This National Seashore is a gem indeed.

But first, the girls and I spent a long weekend visiting grandma and grandpa in Maine. Nestled on twenty very wooded acres, Mooselook Lodge provided a nice entry into vacation mode. There were swims in the lake, campfires and tractor rides.

Plus, visits to the Maine Wildlife Park and waaaay too much ice cream from the local farm stand. There was also a race up Mt. Abrams that nearly turned me off from racing again. But that’s a whole other post coming soon. Trust me, you won’t want to miss my reflection on being humbled!

But I digress. On to happier reflections. Like walks on the beach and toes in the sand.

Whale watching and lots and lots of family time.

A day spent shopping and eating penny candy in P-town.

A celebration with extended family for Baby A’s first birthday.

There was even time for few minutes alone with SoulDaddy and a sunset.

Most of all, there was an appreciation for New England that you just don’t have while growing up and living there. It’s amazing how – after being removed from the scenery for 15 years – you see things with a whole new set of eyes. I had a clear, unobstructed lens for the absolute beauty of lush, green forests, sandy coastlines and quaint architecture.

It’s a beautiful and energizing experience to return to one’s roots, one’s home and one’s family. The ocean feeds my soul; it always has. I imagine I will end up living near it again one day. Until then, it also felt comforting to come home to Colorado. Wide open plains and mountain vistas make a pretty nice view too.