When I was a child, we had family friends who took a road trip vacation every summer. The trips were not elaborate, five children and two adults stuffed into a station wagon, but they always had a wonderful time and took loads of pictures. Their greatest joy was sharing those pictures once they returned. We would be invited over for an evening of slides and popcorn. My parents thought the evening was extremely boring, but not me, I loved witnessing the stories that each member of the family would remember as a new image would pop up on the screen.
Although I returned last night, my heart and mind are still in Monhegan....and yes, I took loads of pictures! Sadly, I can't offer you a bowl of popcorn and in this new modern way of sharing "slides," if you are bored, you can just move on to another blog :-) So at the expense of possibly boring you, I will share a few of my pictures and memories of my trip.
I had sunny days and foggy days while I was on Monhegan Island. I can't say which I like best as both offer a different experience.
This sign "greets" you as you come off the boat.
Monhegan Inn faces the harbor and offers one of the most spectacular views.
Lobster traps. Everything on the island seems to have an air of artistry about it, even a pile of lobster traps.
This is the inn where I stayed. It is called Monhegan House and was built before the turn of the century. The man who owns the inn told me that when he and his wife bought the inn in 2000, it still had some of the original plumbing that had been installed in 1903.
My little room. When you are here, you feel as though you are staying in a person's home rather than renting a hotel room.
Up on the fourth floor of the inn is a private little area that looks out over the island, perfect for a little morning writing.
The only church on the island. It was built sometime in the middle of the 1800's.
It now has electricity(not much though), but you can see that there are still gas lamps. To conserve energy, the gas lamps are used during the winter.
A view of the harbor from Monhegan House. You can see Monhegan Inn through the fog.
The island is called "The Artist Island" and it lives up to its name. Sculpture and artwork are everywhere.
Even a lobster buoy tossed up against some rocks takes on the appearance of a piece of sculpture.
I took tons of flower pictures. The light on the island is so incredible and the flowers seem to have an intensity that I have never seen anywhere else.
A bee busy at work in a rose blossom.
Spectacular sun flowers.
A monarch on a Butterfly Bush.
Sunflowers against the side of a house.
Wild blackberries are plentiful on the trails.
Look at how magnificent the sky is against this house.
There are miles and miles of hiking trails on the island. This photo was taken on a trail called Cathedral Woods.
It's a rather magical trail.
As you walk along, you'll find "Fairy Houses." I especially loved this grotto.
Some can be quite elaborate. The folklore is that the fairies build the houses at night ;-)
The trails open up to the most spectacular views of the ocean.
I especially loved this picture. An artist in her element.
Even a piece of driftwood along the trail takes on the appearance of a piece of sculpture.
Looking down from the trail.
I don't know why, but I really like this picture :-) It's as if he posed just for me.
A huge tree had fallen. I thought that the view of the massive root system was so interesting.
What do I look like while on vacation? No makeup and happy!
And finally, a happy face inviting me back.
I had a wonderful time. I'm rested, refreshed and ready to get back to my projects. Thanks for allowing me to share a bit of my vacation with you.
Rhonda
