Denise Goldberg's blog

Rover's writings

2009-11-09T20:48:00.004-05:00

Remember before we left for Acadia when I said that maybe I should create my own blog?

I always help Denise write when we travel, but sometimes I like to say things in between too. And I'd like my friends to be able to find my writing. I like writing in Denise's blog though...

Oh look! Denise helped me to create my own writing corner inside of her big blog. Now when I write, I can tag my posts Rover's writings, and you can always see just my writing by clicking on that link. Denise added my Rover's writings link in the sidebar of our blog so you can always find my words. Isn't that fun?

Let's see, there was another reason I thought I should write today. Denise is still sorting through the photos from our very quick wander in Acadia. She'll create the photo gallery soon. In the meantime, here's a shot of me on the painted rocks that we found as we walked along the coast yesterday.
--- Rover

Accidental photos

2009-11-08T21:51:00.001-05:00

I started walking this morning wearing a light windbreaker. The temperature edged higher and I tied the jacket around my waist. That worked, mostly. I realized that it was getting looser, so I reached down to retie it. (I know, I know, it would have been smarter to have thrown it into the daypack was adorning my back. But then I wouldn't have this story to tell, would I?)

I was walking with my camera around my neck, left hand threaded through the strap attached to my monopod also providing a bit of support to my camera. I thought nothing about continuing to hold the camera with my left hand at the same time using both hands to reach for my jacket sleeves. All of a sudden I heard a noise from the camera. What!??! Ah, I must have hit the shutter; the camera responded and shot a photo. Mind you, this was as I continued to walk. I was not looking through the camera or controlling it in any way other than having it attached to me in two places, wrist and neck.

Once I saw the first accidental photo, I attempted a deliberate accidental shot. I have the say that I prefer the first (real) accident over the second. I wonder if I will ever be able to create something like this on purpose.

Walking, driving, looking...

2009-11-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful day!

The temperature quickly moved from the high 40s to the low 60s, even along the windy coastline. An interested cloud-painted sky changed over my few hours of walking time to pure blue. I spent several hours walking along the path that hugs Park Loop Road, heading south from Thunder Hole. Walking, stopping to wander over the rocks, walking some more.

A morning in the park, an afternoon drive... It was so beautiful that I decided to follow Route 1 and 3 south to Belfast before heading inland to Augusta to pick up the highway for the rest of the drive home.

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge almost tempted me to stay for a bit. I'd love to get some pictures of that fabulous structure in early morning or late day light; today's passage was too early in the day. While I would have enjoyed staying for several more hours, I suspect getting home late(r) tonight wouldn't have made me happy when tomorrow morning's "wake up for work" alarm rings. Ah, maybe, that's a visit for sometime next year.

This weekend was definitely the quick break that I wanted and needed. Calming...

Warmer...

2009-11-08T07:58:00.015-05:00

What a nice surprise! It's already warmer outside than it was all day yesterday.

We started yesterday in the 30s, ended it there too. And I watched the thermometer in Denise's car drop as we rolled up Cadillac Mountain - from 41 when we pulled out of Bar Harbor, to 33 at the top. By the time we had rolled off of the mountain it was in the high 30s at sea level too.

This morning? I just checked the Bar Harbor temperature on the National Weather Service web site, and it's already up to 48 degrees. Warmer...

Yesterday we bounced up several trails. Today? I told Denise we need to bounce on the rocks by the ocean, from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole and beyond.

Oh! It's time to wander.
--- Rover

An Acadia day

2009-11-07T19:47:00.002-05:00

Beauty surrounds me. Blue above, rolling water, bare branches, occasional bright leaves, evergreens.

Quiet. The sounds of my footsteps, the skittering of red squirrels running, scrambling up trees, birds calling.

It was a day to wander. To stop at Sand Beach, to walk behind the beach, seeing the mountains reflected in quiet water. To hike up Gorham Mountain. To stop at Jordan Pond.

I walked, I took photos, I walked some more.

The sun was scheduled to sink over the horizon at 4:15, early. At 3, I headed to the top of Cadillac Mountain, so see the magic of the late afternoon sunlight on the summit, and then to watch the sun paint the sky.

It was a good day.