Dublin, Ireland....first landing

While you were sleeping...We have landed in Ireland and do you think I could sleep at all on the plane?   So staying up all night isn't my forte anymore and Kathy did catch any winks either so in about two hours I will be probably catatonic but ready for anything .  DeeAnne at All About Travel is an exceptional travel booker we so we are staying two days in Edinburgh to regroup and site see.  

Getting ready for the big Scotland adventure.

Well, I am just checking out my wireless keyboard getting ready for the big trip to Scotland.  I am heading out with Kathy Lena from Boston on Sunday for 2 weeks.  I am hopeful to keep a blog of our adventures so stay tuned.  There might even be some pictures.  From me that is....we know Kathy will be snapping pictures like crazy.  Her camera bag is the most prized possession going on the trp.  I cannot compete but hopefully will have some fun details.

The route.  As a left handed person I think driving will be an adventure for me and I don't know my left from my right at 56 years old.  I always have to think about it. 

Conference in Philadelphia

Our first stop on Sunday: after a great brunch.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art

This is always my favorite section.
The middle ages, swords, horses, shields and weapons.

This was my first trip to Philadelphia.  I was attending the American School Counseling Conference.  There were over 2000 people there for two and a half days and it was so great.  I went with a friend and we stayed at the  Latham Hotel.

At the conference a surprise guest.  In case you don't know who this is:  Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary (famous folk singers).  He has a great program free for schools called "Don't Laugh at Me".

 Here was some fun seating at restaurant we went to.  The Continental had small plates and yummy food.

As  I was leaving I took this quick photo in the cab.










I did meet a person of some importance at the Conference.  He was looking amazing for his age and had a great deal to say about his home town.

Tracey and Mr. Franklin.  

Sept 2012 Beginning of Freedom part 2 stolen bike update

Trek Women's Hybrid #2

 This is my second bike.  On September 28 my metallic blue hybrid was stolen right from my garage.  It was at night and the next morning I was getting up and going biking in Acadia.  I was stunned to find my bike was missing and called the police right away.  It was the second bike reported stolen that morning. Tearfully and with sadness,  I still went biking and rented a sweet bike from Heidi my niece in law who works at Acadia Bike. She was very helpful and if I hadn't missed my first Trek so much I would have gotten a bike from her.  BUT,  Rose Bike in Orono are my go to guys and were very sympathetic and helpful.  Everyone was outraged and we all looked everywhere to no avail.  But here is my new turquoise bike.  Love it.

June 9th Tour de Cure 50K

June 9:  I entered a bike event this spring that I was really looking forward to.  The Tour de Cure was in Kennebunkport, Me.  There were a variety of lengths but Kathy Lena, Judy Morrell and I did the 50 K.  I have my neon colors and my bike is ready.  The scenery was spectacular and it was a wonderful day riding beside the ocean and small quaint villages getting ready for summer.  The ride took about 4 hours.  We stopped at rest stop mile 19 to fill up tires with air and have a big bathroom break and lots of water.  The power snacks were well received.  I rode with a Team called Sully's Spinners.  Judy Morrell my friend from freshman year at Farmington's family team.  It was a blast to gather and start out together.  Judy was the pep talker.  Kathy Lena join in too and was the team photographer. Somehow she is able to take a picture while riding, avid photographer that she is.

Team Name

Tracey and Judy and a beautiful team follower.

Sully's Spinners

What?  Which way do we go?????

January 1 2013

Tracey, Fiona, Amy

I began the new year with a 2 hour ski in the woods on groomed trails at the University of Maine http://umaine.edu/campusrecreation/files/2010/05/trailmap2011.pdfwith my ski buddy and friend, Kathy Lena. Check out the trails.  I am waiting for my New Jersey "Hyer" friends to take me up on skiing or biking. (BOB???) Kathy  will document the day with photos which will show how glorious it is in Maine when the sun is out, it is cold and snowy.  There might be a few photos of me looking very hipster in the snow scene.  I am learning about hipster's from Fiona and I am not sure why they would think anything 70's was cool.  Anyway,there was a brisk wind around the edges of the woods so that when we skied too close to a field or open area the wind would try whip in and torment us.  We stayed in the woods on groomed trails stopping occasionally for a map check.  There are a lot of skate skiers out on the trails and families too.  My skis are ones I found at the local BOG WALK yard sale.  After buying all the kid equipment and gear I am planning on getting a new pair of boots and skis.  I want to learn to skate ski, too.  S,o even though it was cold in the woods the sun was bright and the energy high.   I was trying to scope out a trail that would enable me to ski to school but I couldn't find it.  One thing I don't want to do is get lost in the woods.  I will rely on professional boyscouts to direct me in the right direction.

University woods

Fiona and Amy our second day of skiing

Freedom with a bike rack

I am ready to go with my new bike rack which I purchased in July.  I went to the local bike shop, Rose Bike, and have had so much fun and great service.  Before my trip on the Sunrise Trail on Aug.1 one of the bike fixers/salesman showed me how to change a bike tire and set me up with supplies just in case.  I purchased a collapsable carrier for the rack on the back and even a change of clothes fit right in.  Once I got the new bike rack, which I can load and unload myself (this is key), I was ready to travel around the state.  My first trip was to Acadia National Park.  I decided to take a page out of my childhood friend Debbie's book and highlight every trail so I could try something new each time and traverse most of the Park as a goal.  I discovered I loved the Eagle Lake spot the best.  So my that was the destination that day. 

Here I am at the trail at Eagle lake.  The loop around is 6 miles.  I tend to go to the left and head over to Jordan Pond but there are inclines on most of the trails that are good for exercise, beauty and fun.  The Bubbles is a beautiful trail towards Jordan Pond.  It is right next to the water on Bubble Pond.

Once I got the bike rack there was no stopping me. I hopped in the car, with my bike on board and drove to Portland, Maine. I biked with my friend Judy to this park in Portland.    This was a 24 mile round trip ride from her house in Scarborough.  It was a beautiful day and this is a wonderful park that I had never been to.  We ate out lunch, hydrated and took in the ocean scenery.  There is a light house and a shop to investigate too.  Portland also has a portion of the green trail that I intend to investigate next summer.

Our second day of biking in Portland was to take the Eastern Green Trail and bike 20 miles round trip to Thornton Academy in Biddeford via the Scarborough Marsh.  Right now we are stopped at the Hannaford.  I discovered carrying water in a camel back keeps me from getting thirsty but what about energy.  Chobani Greek yogurt was a definite pick me up for the trip back. 

This marsh is a wonderful in Scarborough.  If you go to the Portland area this is a great birding spot and good for a hike.