Photography is not only a hobby, but my passion. Photos help, along with stories to share wonderful times and places with family and friends.
On Friday, June 5th, 2009, my Grand daughter Anna and I spent the morning hiking at Moose Point State Park in Searsport, Maine. It was a glorious day, and with a little chill in the air, it was perfect. Anna and I wore our wind breakers, and arrived at the park by 9:15AM. We pulled up to the toll house at the park entrance and the Ranger asked if we were Maine residents, yes, I said. She then asked if Anna (who just turned ten) was under the age of five. Oh boy, that was not cool! I told the ranger that Anna was very proud to have just celebrated her "10th" birthday. The charge was two dollars for me, and one for Anna.
Three dollars, a bargain as far as I was concerned. To have a day walking through the woods, along the Maine coast with my Grand daughter was heaven to me. Anna was totally insulted that she would have been mistaken for someone under the age of five! After all, she was closer to being a teenager than a "kid" under five years old. "Did she look like a five year old" she asked? I explained that they asked all children their age ........She didn't buy it. It seemed to be on her mind for the rest of the day.
After loading my backpack with water, camera lens, and snacks, we headed down the path to the point. It's not a very long walk, but a truly beautiful one. The park is meticulously kept by my good friend, Julie, who works endlessly to keep the park looking pristine. Wild flowers are everywhere, including Lady Slippers, one of my favorites. Anna spied the flowers first and asked what they were. The flowers were shielded by a wire cage and Anna asked why? I explained it was to protect the flowers from being trampled or picked. She bent down to examine them closely and quietly as if the flowers could hear, proclaimed "they were the most beautiful". I wanted to take a photo and carefully lifted the chicken wire over the flowers. I snapped a few pictures and carefully replaced the wire and Anna told me she would replace the sticks that were securing the cage to the ground. She was so gentle.....I could tell the memory of that flower would remain with her for a long time.
Next to the Lady Slippers were some tiny yellow flowers, they almost looked as if they belonged to the orchid family. I'll have to look them up.
We walked on, Anna kept peeking through the trees at the water below, just itching to get down to the waters edge. We walked past the largest tree in the park, listed as over one hundred years old, Anna stopped to admire it. I truly believe Anna is an "Old Soul", appreciating with her entire being, the truly beautiful things in life.
As we walked past two trees that were close together, Anna stopped and said, "Look Gram, this tree is hugging the other, it's holding it up." I filled up with tears.......
We came to the point, there's a huge granite outcropping that cascades down to the waters edge. Anna exclaimed, "I love this place, look at all the rocks!"
As we climbed down the rocky ledge, Anna asked what the pink flower was that was growing out of the face of the rocks. I told her it was a beach rose and that we would be seeing a lot more of them as we walked back along the rocky coast.
So many things to see, like the lobster boat that was chugging by. I told Anna to wave to the folks and they returned two handed waves, much to Anna's delight.
The water was so calm and Anna's eyes were darting everywhere. She found a tidal pool and schooched (I know it's not in the dictionary) down to see what she could find. Snails, seaweed, a few small dead crabs and small chunks of granite that glistened in the water, Anna picked them up to show me.
She was so excited about finding "pretty rocks"and filled her pockets until her pants started to fall down. She asked if she could put them in my backpack and I knew what this would entail. (Anyone who knows me, knows that everywhere I go, I bring back, bags and bags of rocks. I must have at least a ton stored at different locations.) At least Anna was choosing marble sized rocks, they wouldn't be so heavy. She also asked if she could bring her Mom a prize, a small smooth piece of driftwood the size of a twelve inch ruler. Yes, she's a collector. It is in our family DNA. My Mom, both sisters, one of three brothers and I, collect rocks, driftwood, shells, salted sea glass, etc. Anna was hooked and I can proudly say, I didn't pick up even "one" rock! I was having so much fun watching and photographing Anna that it truly never crossed my mind.
As we walked back along the water, the rocks became more jagged and stepping from rock to rock was more precarious. Anna and I were a little concerned about slipping and falling, especially with Anna's broken arm. We glanced up at the cliff side and decided that climbing up the rock face would not be prudent, and carefully made our way around the next bend. The tide was going out, at least we didn't have to worry about that. The rock formations were amazing, we took our time and talked about each design, and how amazing Mother Nature is.
As we came around the bend, Anna got all excited and said "Look at all the driftwood", I started to laugh. We sat and had a snack and some water and talked about how lucky we were to be able to enjoy our surroundings. Anna loves being outside and wonders why some people stay in the house all the time. I agreed, there's just too much to see!
Anna spied designs someone had meticulously carved into one of the driftwood trees. I asked if she'd like to put her name on it also. I gave her my car keys and she sat and worked for quite a while. The smile on her face when she was done was priceless! Some people may not approve of me letting her carve her initials, but it's driftwood, and the next high tide will roll the log around and the carving will slowly disappear. We would never think of carving anything into a live tree, so not to worry.
After sitting for a while, we decided it was time to head back home. We hiked up over a few huge rocks and made it back to the trail. After a short walk, we made it to the car. Anna unpacked her peanut butter and jelly sandwich and shared it with me, it's been a while since I've had peanut butter and jelly. I have to say it tasted pretty darn good! A stop at Dairy Queen on the way home topped off a wonderful day, out in the sunshine with my precious Grand daughter, enjoying all life has to offer and making precious memories that will last a lifetime.
