Category: TRAVEL

A hike through Cathedral Woods – Monhegan, ME…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL6 Comments
Inside Cathedral Woods Monhegan, ME
Inside Cathedral Woods
Monhegan, ME

Have you been to Monhegan, ME? It’s an amazing island off the coast. It’s not large, but it’s special. Oh. So. Very. Special. There are cliffs, trails, a wharf, hiking paths and the woods… not any old woods… not the creepy full of bugs kind of woods, but nice, clean beautiful woods… this is a hike, that from town, can bring you to an amazing location overlooking the cliffs and the ocean. It’s beautiful. Serene. Peaceful. Absolutely magical.

Read a little blip about Cathedral Woods from CamdenMaineVacation.com (click the link to read in its entirety):

Many natural attractions can be found on Monhegan Island. One of them is Cathedral Woods, named because of the way the branches of the trees are arched like that in a cathedral. The place has a very serene and peaceful atmosphere – like one would typically find in a church. Rare flowers and plants are abundant in Cathedral Woods, as well. At the southern part of the island, you can visit Lobster Cove. It is a very good place for picnics and bird watching. Swimming in the water is discouraged here, however, as it is very dangerous and unpredictable because of the large waves and rip currents.

What a wonderful place!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A Colorful Monhegan Shed… Love this place!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL5 Comments

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Another colorful creative photo taken on Monhegan Island, Maine. Those of you who have been there know… your heart will always be there, long after you’re gone…

I know there are some of you who get there and think it’s horrible that there is no television, no phones in the rooms, or hair dryers… Electricity is so expensive on Monhegan… For example, (as of late 2012) the price per Kilowatt-hour on Monhegan was $.70 (seventy cents). Doesn’t sound like much?  To help put it into perspective… The national average (price per kilowatt-hour) is $09. Nine cents. Yep. There is a reason there aren’t hair dryers in the rooms… Monhegan is either a place you love, or you’re ready to hop on the next ferry once you hear there isn’t a mall, golf course or tennis court. There is also no fast food and very little cell coverage (YAY!). Like I said… Heaven!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The Laura B – Monhegan Boat Line – Port Clyde, ME

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL7 Comments

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This is a photo I took of the Laura B. back in 2008… Isn’t she one classy boat? She underwent a transformation this past winter. If you like Monhegan Boat Line on Facebook you can then see images of the Laura B Project. Tough work! The Laura B. is owned by Monhegan Boat Line in Port Clyde, ME. Here is a blip about Monhegan Boat Line from their website:

. . . transporting you through the waters of beautiful Muscongus Bay to enchanting Monhegan Island. You’ll embark in the charming village of Port Clyde, at the tip of the St. George peninsula. Once passengers and freight are loaded on board, we steam out of the harbor past Marshall Point lighthouse. As we follow our protected route among pine-clad islands, we see birds of many varieties. Sometimes, porpoises and small whales rise from the water just beyond our bow. Our course usually takes us by lobstermen hauling their traps, schooners gliding before the wind, and pleasure craft of every description. On the return trip, we pass close to Seal Rock, where we often spot entire families of seals frolicking in the water and basking in the sun.

Sounds like Heaven, doesn’t it? It. Is.  And also from their website, about the Laura B.

The world-famous Laura B makes the early-morning trip to Monhegan every day during the summer season, and delivers all the freight to the island year ’round. She has both indoor and outdoor seating. She is also available for private charters and for hauling freight to any of the islands.

Built in 1943, the 65-foot Laura B is rigged as a heavy-duty work boat. Originally designated a U.S. Army T-57, she spent World War II in the Pacific, where she served as a patrol boat and carried troops and supplies. She came under fire during those days, and carried two 50-caliber machine guns on deck. This rugged vessel was brought to Maine in 1946, and spent the next few years transporting lobsters from Vinalhaven to Boston and New York City.

For the past half century, the beloved Laura B has been ferrying passengers, freight, and mail between Port Clyde and Monhegan Island. A prominent marine surveyor has described her as the best-maintained wooden vessel on the Eastern Seaboard.

What a great place to visit! If you’re headed to Monhegan, check out Monhegan Boat Line, you’ll be glad you did!  Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: The Beach at Botany Bay…

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment

Botany Bay Beach

Have you been to Botany Bay (near Edisto, SC)? I could not believe that we just made it there a few weeks ago, and I’ve lived here over twenty years! We will be going back!

The beach is so dramatic… you park your car and walk out on a boardwalk to the beach. You cannot take the shells ($470 fine) and you don’t want to take the shells. The unspoiled beach is just too pretty to change a single thing!

So if you’re looking for a road trip… hightail it to Botany Bay!

Back to regular posting tomorrow!

It’s the little things in life…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL2 Comments

Butterfly on Monhegan

Monhegan Island, Maine is an island rich in history. There are so many beautiful sites to see, the ocean, cliffs, artists painting, birds, flowers, and of course… the butterflies… they seem to be everywhere!

Have a wonderful weekend, get out and enjoy the beauty all around you… notice the little things that make you smile. Be grateful for them… Life on earth is a short blip on the radar screen… savor it…

Prayers of peace go out to our Monhegan friend, Scott and to his family…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Hiking the Appalachian Trail… do you know what a JUJU is?

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL4 Comments

Jessie An Extraordinary Hike

An image from Jessie Campbell’s blog “AN EXTRAORDINARY HIKE“

Jessie Campbell, this former Monhegan one-room school house teacher is currently hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT). WHAT??!! I know! Holy Cow!

We ran across Jessie’s blog and have been addicted to it ever since. Jessie is a gutsy girl who has done lots of research to determine exactly what to pack, how much weight to carry, etc. Her story is fascinating. Her blog has lots of photos and videos, she talks about the different people that she meets along the way. And let me tell you…. this has restored my faith in humanity. People ARE good. You wouldn’t believe it! I highly encourage you to check it out, I think you will quickly become as addicted to this blog as I am! This is a serious exercise in patience, strength and faith for sure! This is a six month adventure. Can you imagine??

Jessie frozen hair

Another photo from Jessie’s blog… these aren’t easy conditions that she’s hiking in… I mean LOOK AT HER HAIR… IT’S FROZEN! She has run into some cool people that are so wonderful! Check it out!

Hey, before Jessie left, she asked if people would send a JUJU… (this is so neat, JUJU is a gypsie or jungle word for LUCK or MAGIC) – If you could write Jessie an email (islandteach@gmail.com) filled with words of encouragement, support, jokes or a simple YOU CAN DO IT. She says to feel free to include photos, song files or anything that would lift her spirits in case of bad weather, blisters or whatever else may come up in this six month period. In the SUBJECT line of your email put AT JUJU (Appalachian Trail Juju).

Then simply type your words of encouragement and/or attach anything that you think may help. She’ll save these AT JUJU email’s for when she really needs them. Talk about words of encouragement! This is so cool and only takes you a minute. Also, if you include your address she’ll send you a postcard and let you know how she’s doing! (Read Jessie’s post about JUJU HERE)

Here’s a short blip about Jessie from her blog:

I am a former one-room school house teacher who spent the last five years living ona kick ass island off the coast to Maine. I love my life, my family, my friends… and most of all… my dog. I have been planning this AT hike for the last six years so this adventure will literally be a dream come true and I plan on making the most of it.

Personally, I’m looking forward to the book as well ;) Catch you back here tomorrow!

Yesterday the preview… today the GOLOGIC 1,000 sq ft awesome floor plan, photos included…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, Maine, THOUGHTS10 Comments
GOLOGIC.US house plan, one story house plan, porch with front door on left side, three windows together in the center, cedar look siding, trees

Are you looking for a gorgeous, well built home that has a passive home design? This is a home that has the ability to make your heating bills = zero. Net zero. Can you imagine? Exciting information below with links to more info!

Continue reading “Yesterday the preview… today the GOLOGIC 1,000 sq ft awesome floor plan, photos included…” →

Head on down to the Ferry Building!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL4 Comments

Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

I took this photo years ago at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, CA. Have you been there? If you’re in San Fran, I highly suggest it. It’s a feast for your eyes! I’m not kidding, so many wonderful things, fresh food, drink, you name it! Here is a list of VENDORS. I’m not sure if the flower place is still there or not, it was magical! I could picture us living there, going to the Ferry Building each weekend for fresh flowers and produce… well, except for the $$PRICE$$ of living in San Francisco… oh well, I’m happy with my life here in Charleston, and the fact that Trader Joe’s, EarthFare and Whole Foods are close by!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Cheers in San Francisco at The Grove Fillmore!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL6 Comments

Barbara@FilmoreStreet

Me at a cafe on Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA – 2005!

Yes, for those of you who think I just don’t age… this photo is from 2005, ha ha… that’s my no aging secret, use old photos, works better than Botox! We had such a good time at this place. This was at a cool place called THE GROVE FILLMORE in San Francisco. I remember they had huge cups of coffee (as you can see), they had wonderful pies… ooooh, fabulous organic fruit fillings that made it worth the trip each time! They also had a macaroni and cheese that was to die for! Look at their MENU!

grove-fillmore sanfranciscodays.com

Image via…

I was telling this older couple we had met along the way, about this place, and she told me “Honey, we used to live to eat, now we eat to live”. How sad I thought at the time. But we do the same thing with occasional splurges. I mean you are what you eat, right? That’s why I eat lots of shrimp. Hee.

Have a great weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Bless the lobstermen and women! Hard work for sure!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL2 Comments

Ships Wheel, Camden, ME

I love snapping photos of everyday things… this photo was taken in Camden, Maine. One of the workers left his gloves on the wheel. It struck me how these men and women are such hard workers. Lobstering is hard work. I’m not expert, but I’ve watched Lobster Wars (ha ha, loved that show!) so I see what it takes. I’ve read stories, and I’ve heard from people who do this for a living, who’s families have done it for generation after generation.

Hard. Work.

When you realize what it takes to bring the lobsters back to land so that we can enjoy them it makes you never want to eek out a peep about the price. Ever. It’s worth every penny! Oh, those scrambled eggs with cheese and lobster at the Island Inn on Monhegan are sounding pretty tasty about now!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Ocean House Hotel, Port Clyde, Maine… beautiful light!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL4 Comments

Look at that beautiful light! The colors and textures in this photo are reminiscent (to me) of an Andrew Wyeth painting… the light is magnificent. This photo was taken from the top floor of the Ocean House Hotel, the back screen door… on our way to a fabulous breakfast! If you’re ever in Port Clyde and need a place to rest your head, the Ocean House Hotel is a neat place with a wonderful breakfast!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

And… I’m baaaayaaaack!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL2 Comments

Well, I’ve been in Michigan visiting “my people”… trying to catch up after not seeing them for SEVEN MONTHS, ahhhh, it’s hard living far away from everyone! I’m writing this post ahead of time, and I am assuming that I’m way up high in the sky on my way home now… hope y’all missed me ;)

I’ve got lots of good stuff planned, so stay tuned…

Catch you back here tomorrow!