Route 16, Maine and New Hampshire

 A lazy morning packing and closing the house before returning to RI.  We achieved more than planned but less than hoped.  When we left Cumberland last year, everything I was not ready to part with was transported to Maine.  Piles of things accumulated in my bedroom and in all corners of the house.  Now that we have lived on the boat in a much smaller space, the reality of what we truly need is liberating.  I have begun the process of purging even more with piles ready to donate.  Coats, clothes, books, DVDs, pots and pans, glasses, bowls and so many other items.  

We decided to meander home slowly through New Hampshire and Route 16.  Our usual Route 4 through Maine can probably be done blindfolded so we were ready for something different.

Lake Richardson was our first stop.

 Upper Dam.

Wilson Mills.

Magalloway River.

Umbagog Lake.

Androscoggin River and Pontook Dam.

The Nansen Ski Jump.  Built in 1936 and currently being renovated.   Tallest steel jump at the time at 171 feet tall and with Olympic trials held here.  Very cool piece of history!  Not for me though!

The best part of my day involved Fenway.  When we stopped at Richardson Lake and wandered down the public dock and boat launch, Fenway began barking and pulling at his leash.  Following his lead, Paul neared the water's edge.  Unbelievable.  Fenway was trying to annihilate the waves!  Thinking back we could not recall ever taking him to a beach.  He would not stop trying to bite and claw the waves into submission!

Of course this started a trip down memory lane with other dog antics.

This is Gypsy who decided to jump in the tub during a storm in Maine.  We had moved this one outside to the driveway after discovering the floor was cracked and leaking.  Before we could transfer it to the dump, Gypsy decided one last tub was needed!

Here is Gypsy howling at the melting ice on the wood stove.  As it cracked and hissed, Gypsy joined in the music!

Gypsy was a drooler!  Here she kept the drool off the couch by sleeping on the box of tissues!

Gypsy and Fenway used each other as pillows.  Strange bedmates indeed!

Annie when left alone and bored!  She even chewed my Scrabble dictionary!

When Fenway first joined our family he was a glutton for punishment!  Megan thought a doll stroller was an appropriate photo op.

Gypsy never wanted to be left behind.  Here she curled up into our duffle bag to ensure she would travel with us!

Maddie as a step stool.  She has unlimited patience with Brianna.  (Sometimes more than the adult people!)

Cheyenne loved Maine and loved hiking and snowshoeing.  She was infamous for digging frantically and coming up with mice!

How boring life would be without our dogs!