Note to self: Go take some pictures...

I need to get out there now that the weather is warming up. I have tons, about 10,000 photos I've taken over the past 18 years. I should spend a rainy weekend going through them and upload some of my favorites.. Oh wait.. this weekends forecast is for rain... yippy.. NOT.

Southern Maine - Part 2

OK, so before I forget where I left off, here are the rest of the pictures from my day trip to Southern Maine.

Note to self. I should have posted this entry first. They are out of order. Read the first post below.

TheCape Neddick Lighthouse, also known as the Nubble Lighthouse. You can read about its history by clicking on the link.

One of the resorts close to the Cape Neddick Lighthouse.

More rocky shore lines. These surround the tiny piece of land that juts out to the light house.

There were about 20 people getting ready to go scuba diving.

I have never seen rose hips this large before. All the beach roses had hundreds of them.

York Beach, Maine. Another beautiful little seaside town along the coast of Southern Maine. You go through this town to get to the Cape Neddick Lighthouse.

Rows of beach houses along Route 1A south of York Beach, Maine. This is a beautfil mile long beach.

Southern Maine Coast Day Trip (Saturday 9/26)

I started my day trip at 7 AM on Saturday, September 26th. It was 42 F when I left. The sun had just come up, but it wasn't warming up at all. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. I traveled up Route 93 to Route 95 north until I got to 2nd exit in Maine. I decided to drive up Route 1 to Wells and then start taking back roads down along the coast to York. It was an unenventful drive as anyone who has driving route 95 from Massachusetts to Southern Maine.

Just south of Ogunquit on Route 1 I spotted this stone wall. The picture doesn't do it justice. The sun was so bright that morning.

And just up the street was this old cottage. It looked abandoned.

And just down the street from the abandoned cottage was this beautiful barn. I think it has been converted in to a home. It is right on Route 1.

This is a picture of homes along a coastal road between Wells and Ogunquit.

Several pictures of Ogunquit, ME. The center of town is very quaint but very crowded with people and cars during the summer and fall.

Here are a few pictures of Ogunquit beach, one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.

This seagull kept hopping off the rock in to the water and then back up on the rock. The tide was going out, maybe he was looking for a snack.

Stone Crop art gallery on Shore Road, on the way to Perkins Cove, in Ogunquit.

View from Perkins Cove looking north. The Marginal Way walk goes from here up to the center of Ogunquit.

St. Peters Episcopal Church in York Maine, on Shore road just south of Ogunquit. What a pretty church, up on a hill surrounded by large trees and a small cemetary. Again the sun was behind the church and it was difficult to get a good shot.

Nice summer home on Shore Road between Ogunquit and York Maine.

Some of the many rocky shores between Ogunquit and York Maine

I'll continue with a second post of the Cape Neddick lighthouse and York Maine.

Sunday Drive to Rockport, MA

The clouds finally parted and the sun came out around 11 AM. I decided to take a drive up to Rockport, MA. Traffic wasn't too bad, about the same amount of cars going north as there were south. I drove up route 128 to route 127. I took 127 around the coast of Cape Ann and stopped in Rockport to take a walk.

A view of Bearskin Neck from the harbor side.

One of the most painted and photographed buildings in Rockport.

Houses along Rockport Harbor.

Rockport Harbor

Bearskin Neck. It certainly has changed since the last time I was here, about 20 years ago. Where does the time go.

The only establishment that I remember from way back when, Helmut's Strudel. There were a lot of nice shops here, a few seafood restaurants and several artist galleries.

Views from the end of Bearskin Neck.

Pictures along the southeast coastline of Rockport, heading toward Gloucester. There is no place to pull over, signs all over the place "No Stopping/Standing Anytime". I pulled in to the Elks Lodge parking lot to take these two pictures. I had never been down this section of route 127A. What a beautiful drive. I passed Wingaersheek Beach a few minutes after taking these pictures.

Not a cloud in the sky up in Rockport.. but as I got closer to home, big billowy clouds appeared.

Labor Day Weekend

I spent the Labor Day weekend with my Mom on Long Island. I take the Cross Sound Ferry from New London, CT to Orient Point, NY. It is a very relaxing trip.

I left my apartment at 6 AM and on the way, heading west, the moon was in all its glory. I pulled off of Route 2 in Arlington to take this picture.

These are homes on the outer edge of New London, CT's harbor. Every time I pass these on the ferry I pick out the ones I wouldn't mind owning.. or more realistically, spending a two week vacation in.

This is one of the lighthouses in New London, CT

Two sailboats out on Long Island Sound half way between New London, CT and Orient Point, NY. There were about 20 sailboats with all different color sails. Just before I took this picture I saw a harbor seal swim by.. I wasn't sure what it was at first, thought it was just a large piece of drift wood, and then it moved.. I didn't have time to take his/her picture.. but am so glad I saw it.

Orient Point, NY lighthouse. It isn't the prettiest lighthouse I've ever seen but a welcome reminder that it is almost time to go down to the car and get ready to exit the ferry.

Sunrise in New Suffolk, NY. What an amazing small town. There are a few restaurants and a gift shop.

Seagulls waiting for.. who knows.. it was about 7 AM. The picture was taken at the boat launch just down the street from my Mom's house. The tide was just starting to come in.

I took over 120 photographs this past weekend. I will publish more over the next few days.

Mandavilla

Goofing around with Corel Painter Photo Essentials this morning before getting ready for work.

Arlington Farmers Market

Every Wednesday as I am driving to work I take the back roads. I pass through the town of Arlington, MA. I lived in Arlington about 20 years ago. Anyway... early in the morning, around 6 AM they are roping off a section of one of the towns parking lots. In the afternoon on my way home I pass the Farmers Market. I keep telling myself to stop. I don't have to buy anything, just look. So.. today I remembered my camera and I stopped. I would have bought some fresh vegetables, a loaf of bread, some goat chees and some fresh flounder.. but I am going away for Labor Day weekend and didn't want to have to eat it all before then.

This is a view fom the parking lot. Had to make sure the camera batteries were still charged.

All of the images below were taken at waist level. This is why everyone's butt seems to be at eye level. I was nervous about people thinking I was taking their picture. It was quite crowded. There are several produce vendors, two bakery vendors and one seafood vendor. I was in heaven. Prices seemed a bit high, but for local produce I think it is worth it. The most abundant crop seemed to be tomatoes, peaches, cucumbers and peppers.

Being as I had my camera when I got home I snapped a few more shots of the Mandavilla. There are over 50 blossoms on it now with about as many buds that will open over the next week. It was slow to grow and slow to set buds this summer, but boy oh boy.. what a beautiful display now.