Italy
Well unless I told you how would you know where? But it was a mother daughter trip. Jules had spent a fairly miserable time in London. She had done a volunteer work in an exchange program. The problem was in acclimatizing. She was young and isolated. She did not know her way around. My phone bill was fairly steep with the consoling phone calls going back and forth. The upshot was that Lisa flew to Europe and they spent a few weeks in Italy. My kid grew up and she looks happy again. It was an experience she never spoke to me about. But the pain of it was palpable as it was happening. That was enough.
Belfast
No, it’s Maine. I haven’t been to Ireland yet. The town is charming and currently is competing with Portland for charm without the crowd. There is an interesting dining scene. Stores are nice to browse. And then there was an art exhibit. People made sitting space on corners to invite tourists to sit and stay a while. A couple examples were the tree and the drum set. Can I say more than it was inviting and we did sit on a few.
Wabi Sabi
I went to Maine to see some trees before heading back to the dessert. After a while trees are nice to see. And then I was hoping to appreciate some fall color. By and large it was a hit and miss. The week we arrived it was green and in another week it was past peak for a lot of trees. Green and color simultaneously did not leave many opportunities for those stunning colorful vistas of changing leaves I had envisioned. So you make do. We stayed in a B&B named Wabi Sabi. The internet states the term represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.
We found the place to be delightful. The innkeeper was gracious and breakfast was a treat. Best of all I had a tree that cooperated and gave me some of the fall color I craved.
Dunton’s Doghouse
There are classic hot dog stands in Maine. Bob Draper and Kevin Frary introduced me to Wasse’s in Rockland. They have a couple more stores now. And the market carries hot dogs in a brilliant unnaturally red casing that you know is bad for you. Here is a lesser know institution in Boothbay. The name is self-evident. It looks like a one-man operation. Lots of folks come around. Even on this cold chill September day, there were folks braving a cool breeze and threatening rain. Business is enough to support a souvenir shop next door. Or is it the souvenir shop that brings people by? There is a menu with lots of other stuff. But why would you not order a dog?
Somesville Bridge
This is a classic shot. It is all in the reflection. The whole point of this bridge is for the picture. They should charge a dollar for admission. I can’t say how many people find this spot or know that it exists. It is not a well-traveled road. Or maybe? I have been here in all seasons, even winter. This time around I met a guy with consulate license plates at the entrance to Acadia, Mount Desert Island and told him to come here. I doubt he did. I’ve been here often. Why keep coming back? It’s far away. Just like the other times, each time you come it is a little different. And that quintessential shot just might be there this time. You know the one you imagine.
Schoodic Point
I have been to this spot several times. The first was on a bike trip with Lisa. She shot this picture. We had started off in sunny weather. As we rode into the point, the fog and weather were impressively picturesque. Lisa shot this as I am the subject in yellow. Misty, foggy, windy, and chilly all come to mind. It was a classic mood shot. More recently Colleen and I were there. It was a crisp chill clear autumn day. Same spot different day, you could never imagine how it changed. Things are like that. When you travel, you never know what you will come across. And you are not there long enough to wait for changes to be favorable. The sunset you see is where you are. I’d like to be just camped in a spot waiting for a picture. But that is simply not I. So I will take what there is when I am there. And there will always be a different good shot somewhere.
Cape Neddick
Well it was September well after Labor Day. The evenings are chilly. The days are not so warm either. The ocean is surely chilly or more to cold. The beach is right along the main road. You park your car, if there’s a lucky spot you find, and then step out the car door to put your feet right onto the beach. It’s not a wide beach and it’s definitely not picturesque. But it draws a crowd. I love this shot. The compression of the telephoto lens make this beach claustrophobic.
More In Your Yard
This is an English telephone booth. It is not operational and was randomly sitting by a driveway somewhere near Damarascotta, Maine. Well, imagine that. Unusual to say the least. Except I saw another one in a parking lot in Portsmouth, New Hampshire a few days later. But the juxtaposition makes you pause.
In Your Yard
Flamingos, pink flamingos, were at one time popular yard ornaments. When I sold encyclopedias we were told to always knock on the door to a house with pink flamingos. The folks at home would buy. When I traveled Maine recently there were several places I saw plastic flamingos. I don’t sell encyclopedias any longer.
Jump
Among many memorable shots taken with my new camera, this is a standout. And I didn’t shoot the image.
This is a shot I have staged before. The kids taught it to me. Julia did it first in Africa and then lately David did it at Waba Crater in Saudi. David’s refinement is to make it look as though you have nothing beneath you but a sheer drop. I admit I am lazy and don’t want to do much post processing. And then there is the photographer. My travel buddy is not fond of heights. So Colleen was not a candidate to jump. She was nervous (eyes closed, hands shaking) about me close to the edge. But someone had to jump and someone had to press the shutter. The other thing I learned from the kids is to bend your knees. Then, even an old man looks like he can jump.
