The last few weeks have been absolutely incredible exploring Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and Maine! I have never been to this part of New England, and I was struck with the beauty and sensibility of east coast ocean vibes. While we intentionally avoided summer crowds, the feeling of summer lingered and everywhere it seemed as if these moments were made more special knowing the leaves would soon be turning.
After my retreat finished in Colorado, I jumped on a flight to Boston where I was met by my husband just near midnight. And since I don’t seriously concern myself with our itinerary unless I am getting a package mailed somewhere, the two-hour drive to Newport Rhode Island was a surprise! The little campsite was twenty minutes from town and we immediately figured out this quaint part of New England has a serious yachting community. Much to our delight, we were even able to go to the International Boat Show Friday where we investigated different makers of the kind of catamaran we were interested in renting this summer. What I realized as we walked through the different kinds of boats was that the conversations people were having with the salespeople were very similar to those we had heard while walking through the RV Show last year in Hershey. How often will you use your boat/RV? Do you plan to have guests? How long will you travel at any one time? And of course, the people we spoke with mostly were considering living aboard their vessel. As I walked and talked I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to live on a boat. What skills I would need to learn? How would this impact my relationships? My work? What have I learned about living in RV that could inform my decisions? As my in-laws and husband lived aboard a boat for 7 years in Malaysia when they first retired, this idea does not seem remotely crazy to this part of my family. I left the show intrigued and excited for the 4-week live-aboard experiment we are launching summer of 2023. The more I stretch the more I realize I am capable of doing and experiencing. Sailing lessons anyone?!
In addition, Newport was the place where we begin feasting on seafood. Steamers, Mussels, and delicious fresh caught lobster. Our appetites still whet for fish, we next to Cape Cod. The campsite was simple and fitted with little Adirondack chairs and a fire pit. Tucked into the woods, as the temperature began to drop, we took recommendations on where to explore and what restaurants to check out from friends who had traveled in this area of the country before. On Saturday we took the Ferry to Martha’s Vinyard and explored Edgartown. We ate more seafood, took the bus to hang out on the beach, and met an amazing woman and her 95-year-old British grandmother (who, incidentally, looked and acted 70) that we chatted to during the entire ride back to the Cape. Sunday was especially wonderful because we intentionally decided to do mostly nothing except read and relax, get groceries, and head to a little beach to watch the sunset.
We split the drive to our next stop, Bar Harbor, Maine into two short days. The campsite was located just near Acadia National Park. While it rained non-stop Tuesday thru Thursday, and Friday the sun came out! Armed with a three-day itinerary my daughter’s boyfriend put together and a guidebook we received as a present, we set out to explore as much of the Park as possible. Friday after breakfast in town we checked out Sandy Beach then headed back to the RV Park to meet my cousin, Scott, who came to visit from Maryland. It was so amazing to share what Jeremy and I have come to call “vacation weekends’ with Scott.
For dinner, we went to an incredible lobster shack where we picked our lobster from a tank, and on Saturday we explored the Park. The sun out in all her glory, we took a long walk around Jordan Pond and savored the incredible views atop Cadillac Mountain. We let the wind whip our hair as we each grabbed a spot on Otter Cliffs to contemplate the beauty and relish the moment. After a day in the park, we headed into town to sample a local must, the Popover. Then, after a short rest back at camp, we made sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. As we sat outside waiting for a table at Hearth and Harbor restaurant for dinner, Scott and I played checkers, and we all marveled at the amazing playlist barely feeling the chill as we talked and talked and talked.
Feeling full of good food and company, Jeremy and I tackled the famed “Precipice” Hike at Acadia on Sunday morning. The Precipice hike was closed for most of the summer while peregrine falcons nest on the cliff so we felt grateful that we were able to experience what is considered the most challenging trail in the Park. As I have been consistently working on releasing the fear in my mind and body as a result of my ski accident, and having been labeled a klutz for most of my childhood, I was not sure I wanted to do this particular hike. After reading reviews of it on the hiking app, I was nervous it might be too hard for me. “Am I afraid of heights?” I asked myself. However, since the river rafting trip in Idaho, I have been experimenting with Energy Healing around this issue. And, in the last week, I became aware that something in my psyche seemed different. And so, feeling confident, comfortable, and even excited, I successfully climbed up the steep 1000-foot ascent up the cliff side. In this 3.2-mile hike, I navigated boulders, granite stairs and slopes, iron rungs, sheer cliffs, and rocky trails. And the views from the top were simply breathtaking! Completing this hike with hubby by my side marks the beginning of a brand new way of seeing myself. I may even try rock climbing next 🙂
Full of seafood, adventure, and all sweatered up, we are now off to Vermont to begin our fall foliage adventure!
PS. I’m still working, working out, cooking, reading, knitting, and keeping up on my very intensive reality tv schedule (haha). I’m so pleased with how we have found a rhythm between what feels like routine and exploring what is new and novel.
