August 8-15             Southwest Harbor, Maine

Kennedy was scheduled to depart on Tuesday, August 8 at 3:05 PM.  Joe, Stephanie and Winn would arrive at 5:20 PM.  Morning on the boat was hectic as Kennedy awakened early and baked a blueberry pie (still in her pj’s) to welcome the guests before finishing packing, etc.  I was stripping beds, vacuuming and cleaning heads for the new guests.  A construction delay on the road necessitated a change in luncheon plans.  We ordered ahead to Shinbashi and ate our spring rolls on the go in order to reach the airport in time for security, etc. 

Joe, Stephanie and Winn arrived on time and the fun began again. We made a stop at Blueberry Hill Ice Cream in Ellsworth for the most delicious treat ever.  Winn’s favorite was Moose Tracks and I loved the toasted coconut.  Throughout the summer, we have seen lines forming outside their windows and now we understand why.  The ice cream was exceptionally rich and flavorful.

 Joe was in a boot following complicated ankle surgery in June and walking was limited.  He was the designated Winn-sitter and did a great job throughout their visit.  As an adored grandson and great-grandson, Winn never lacks for attention and praise. Joe and Stephanie are exceptionally patient and understanding with Winn and keep him entertained with multiple games and diversions.  He quickly learned to negotiate the stairs on the boat and wore his life jacket as required.   Stephanie loves the local library and took Winn there on several afternoons to read books, view videos and play with Legos.  Both were avid fans of the ice cream shop.

On Wednesday, we took the boat into Somes Sound for a delightful cruise past palatial “summer cottages” and moored sailboats.  We returned to the marina for a Maine lobster dinner with freshly baked blueberry pie.  On subsequent days, we visited Bass Harbor, the great shops and restaurants of Southwest Harbor and Jordan Pond Restaurant on Cadillac Mountain. 

We were pleased Linda and Phil came for a visit and met our guests.  Linda showed Winn her South Africa photos of animals and he declared, “I know a lot about animals.”  He does, too, from his year at the Zoo School in Fort Worth.  Phil, one of David’s Baylor friends, was the first in Waco to come to see Stephanie after we brought her home as a newborn.  Sixty-one years later, they re-unite in Southwest Harbor, Maine!

On a gorgeous Monday evening, Miller came to pilot the dinghy for Stephanie and me on a sunset cruise (David, Joe and Winn declined to join us).  We went again to Somes Sound and then across to Northeast Harbor for a great view of the many beautiful homes and boats.  The sun went below the mountains as we returned to the boat for a traditional Maine dinner of steamed lobsters and freshly baked blueberry pie.  With Pillsbury pie crusts and my new and very simple recipe, I have mastered this great dessert.  Of course, the real secret is fresh wild Maine blueberries, smaller and sweeter than the others.  Five cups of these luscious berries make a dense pie that is exceptionally delicious.

Their week-long visit ended much too soon and we made another trip to the Bangor airport.  On the way, we stopped at Shinbashi for an Asian lunch.  David can never get enough of their pineapple fried rice!  The boat was very quiet with the absence of our family but we had many wonderful memories of their visit to Maine.