After the pretty but oh so short Fisherman’s Walk path, we knew there had to be more to see so we continued onto the beach.
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Reaching the curve….
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We found another path.
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Knowing it wasn’t a continuation of our first walk but eager to explore new ground… we kept going.
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Past some fragrant wild beach roses.
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And up some large stone steps.
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Through some root bound trees.
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Where we caught glimpses of the ocean. Some of the walking was treacherous, but I’d figured out that we were on another of my bucket list trails – the York Cliff Walk – so we sucked it up and hiked.
It’s Japanese Iris season at Casa River and I couldn’t be happier.
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While I’ve never been a fan of the fleshy full size irises that always hump their monstrous rhizome roots out of the ground… I adore their smaller less arrogant cousins.
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Daintier, more delicate and frankly less look at me darling, aren’t I gawgous!… they’re a lovely pop of perennial purple.
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Number two rhododendron is now in full bloom though not nearly as full as it’s neighbor. Why this should be is a question that stumps gardeners everywhere. Same soil, same sun exposure yet one is always bigger and better. Personally I think Mother Nature just likes to keep us guessing.
And if you’re wondering what the woodchucks have been chewing this week ?
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The toothy little buggers are eating marigolds!.
Marigolds!
The plant so disgusting no one will eat them. I don’t even like the silly things but have been putting them in my pots on the barn porch simply for the woodchuck gag factor. I thought they’d be safe.
Still working my way down theThere are so many wonderful places to see in Maine I fear I won’t live long enough bucket list… we headed south to York.
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Fisherman’s Walk is beautiful… but let me tell you it’s not easy to find. Punching the address in GPS brought us to someone’s private driveway. Backing up, we turned around multiple times, then turned around some more…. searching in vain for signage. How bad was it? The husband was so frustrated he stopped and asked a stranger.
Trust me, that’s bad!
The local man pointed us down a hill but said we couldn’t park there. Of course not, that would have been too easy. Turning around again, we found parking, but it was permitted for residents only. By this time my husband had lost all enthusiasm for the experience, but I do not admit defeat easily. Circling around again scored us a free spot… and vindication for me. Though we still had to hike back up a hill and down another hill to find what we’d come to see.
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A scenic coastal walking path.
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Make that a poop free scenic coastal walking path. My very favorite kind.
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Lobster boats were plentiful.
And look…
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Now that we were actually on the path?
A sign for the path.
Never let it be said the state of Maine doesn’t have a sense of humor.
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I didn’t know what to expect, so the chances of being disappointed were slim.
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But it was a gloriously cool sunny day, so off we went.
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Past private piers…
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And hilltop homes.
And then? Nothing.
It ended.
We had driven an hour and a half for a 3 minute walk and I was getting some serious stink eye from my spouse.
Refusing to believe it, I kept walking. Past a high fence. Across a road. By a marina. Across another road. Past some tennis courts. Through a parking lot. Until I found…
My husband has a bad habit of leaving the little barn/shed doors open in the summer. He thinks he’s airing it out and cooling it off but in actuality all he’s doing is this:
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Giving momma and baby chucks another area to explore.
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And chew.
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They seem to enjoy it.
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Though if they start chewing tractor wires my husband may have to rethink this habit.
And this is what I saw in a restaurant parking lot the other day.
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How nice.
Without getting political, let me just say two things. I dislike Donald Trump. Vehemently and absolutely, but you will never see a F*ck Trump sticker on my car or a F*ck Trump sign in my yard.
I believe in a two party system and am mature enough to embrace free spirited debate and opposing views. I can agree to disagree.
But the current climate of outright hatred and vulgarity that’s taken over our political discourse disgusts me. There’s no need of this. Children do not need to learn disrespect from the rear window of a passing car.
And speaking of vulgarity?
I received a comment on a video I posted on YouTube last week.
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I have no idea who Dick is, but I’m guessing the name fits him perfectly.
Maybe I’m getting old, but common courtesy and decency seem to be in short supply these days.
Next up on my things to do in Maine before the husband goes back to work bucket list was Old Fort Western. It’s one of those landmarks we drive by often but never take the time to explore.
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Old Fort Western in Augusta is the oldest surviving wooden fort in the United States. It started life as a trading post, then a manned station during the French and Indian war, and then a store supplying early settlers.
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In 1775 Benedict Arnold started his expedition to capture Quebec from this fort. Arnold’s party, which included future Vice President Aaron Burr, stayed at the fort before marching north.
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For a time it was a private home and now, a historic site.
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The day we visited there were a few reenactment soldiers in period dress on loan from Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts.
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You know my husband enjoyed this part.
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Though they wouldn’t let him fire it for safety reasons.
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I love history and totally geeked out during the guided tour.
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Strategically placed on the highest navigable point on the Kennebec River…
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It guarded the colonists well and was never attacked.
River's world..... 