::Warning:::

Picture-Heavy Post Ahead.

We just got back from three exquisite days exploring Campobello Island, New Brunswick and the Downeast region of Maine with some good friends. We really couldn't have asked for a better few days together.

^At about Bangor, Maine, Blake discovered the ash tray. Yum.

We had some great travelers with us--the boys did a wonderful job during the journey.

Along Route 1 in nowheresville, Maine, we came across a section of road construction...and a red light. A looooooong red light.

This was the view from the window of our cottage on Campobello. No, really. It was gorgeous.

Bringing bikes on vacation? Yes, please.

Campobello was made famous by the Roosevelt family--and we toured FDR's summer home. It was really beautiful--with the added bonus of containing his actual furnishings.

There's really nothing more joyful than the look on a child's face while fly a kite.

Annnnnnnnnd.....here's some pictures from the beach...

^We came home with quite an extensive rock collection. Granted, I grew up in Maine and never saw such smooth, weathered stones. Those Canadians sure know how to grow 'em!

^photo by Ian.

Joe found a natural spring....or as Ian called it, "A water fountain outside."

We took an afternoon to head to West Quoddy Head, Maine (the easternmost point in the United States). It was foggy and beautiful.

Blake liked to explore the lighthouse's outhouse... =)

We found a local park on Campobello--with equipment that was circa 1980...but SO much fun for the kids to explore.

On our way home, we visited my "ancestral" home of Milbridge, Maine. We "visited" my great-grandparents, along with many of my grandmother's siblings in the same cemetery.

Topping off our trip, (literally), we headed to Acadia National Park and ate our lunch on top of Cadillac Mountain. Windy, but fantastic.

Below are some of our favorite scenic pictures from our trip. Campobello is one of the most stunning places we've ever been. If you're local (or even if you aren't!), I'd highly recommend a trip north...between the natural beauty and the Canadian hospitality, it was a perfect vacation.

There comes a time in every boy's life when a significant rite of passage must be undertaken:

Getting a library card.

In our town, there is no lower age limit for a library card...the only caveat is that they know how to write their first and last names. Ian's been able to do this for a while now, but I kept forgetting to sign him up. So today we made a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig deal out of the occasion and packed up the kids and the camera and headed out to the library.

1. He needed to sign the application form (he was so excited about this....giddily so).

2. He signed the back of his library card.

3. Mom made him endure a couple dozen photos in front of our [very beautiful and very old] library.

4. ....Whiiiiiiiiiich continued once we got into the car.

Not pictured: The 20+ books he checked out on his own--most of which came from the biography section. He's currently on the couch looking through a book about William Penn.