We're back from our trip, and all I can say is that it went by way too fast! We had a really good time. Our cabin was basic, so it still felt like camping, but we had running water, and a kitchen. It was bigger than what we needed with full size bunk beds downstairs and then a loft with 4 twin size beds. The campground was clean, and our cabin was immaculate. The location and the view are the real bragging points though. The campground is 6 1/2 miles down a dirt road, off the main road. It's located right on Moosehead Lake, and all of our sites were right on the water.
We started our trip on Sunday morning. Our plan was to leave at 8am, but we didn't get out of the house until about 9:30. I was trying to not feel rushed since we are on vacation, but I guess that I wasn't as organized as I had hoped. After a stop at the ATM, a gas station, and a really long, expensive trip into Cabelas, we didn't get to the campground until close to 5. Ryans parents, his brother and family, his aunt and uncle, and then another aunt and her family were all there. So we got a quick tour, visited with everyone, and before we knew it, it was time for a late dinner and then bed.
Monday was a beautiful day, but it was insanely windy! So windy, that it made the lake look like the ocean, and put a chill in the air. The lake was so rough and choppy that no one could boat or kayak. Ryan and I decided it was a good opportunity to take a ride and explore. On the ride out of the campground, we got to see a moose. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture. There was a van in front of us, and they had the perfect view. Anyway, we checked out a lot of the really back roads, and went through teeny tiny towns where the population= very few (seriously, that's what the sign said). We had to cut our travels short when we got a flat tire in EBF somewhere. I mean seriously way out on a dirt road! When we got back to camp, we did more "camp" stuff- took walks, sat by the water, made drinks.
Tuesday, the wind died down considerably. After breakfast, we noticed that everyone was awake, so I grabbed my cup of coffee and we went visiting. We started over at my in-laws and made our way around. We all ended up at Ryans aunts site where we all sat out by the water and had coffee and chatted in our pj's. It turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day, so after I finally took a shower and got dressed, I got Griffin into his swim shorts and let him go in the lake. It must have worn him out because for the first time since he was a newborn, I got him to lay down in bed and take a nap with me. If you know Griffin, you know that the kid doesn't sleep anywhere but his crib. In fact, we had to bring the pack & play with us for him to sleep in. It's a good thing that we brought it! The first night that we were there, Ryan tried to get him to sleep in the bed with him, and Griffin just couldn't do it. He went back and forth between the bed and the p&p a couple of times before he finally settled into the p&p and fell asleep.
After our nap, a group of us took a hike to an area called pebble beach. Not a real challenging hike, but it was a little further than I had expected, and some of it was through some really thick woods. I was keeping my eyes open for moose (and bears!). It was a really neat beach area though. The kids had a great time swimming and playing there. When we got back, Ryans aunt Paula cooked dinner for everyone. Since it had been so windy the previous nights, we couldn't have a campfire. Really, what is camping without a fire?? So after dinner, Ryans brother started a campfire. I stayed long enough to make a couple S'mores, but I have to be honest, it was too hot. I tried staying as far as I could away from it, but I was so hot that I was sweating. So I went for a walk with my mother in law. By the time that we got back, Ryan had already gone back to our cabin to get Griffin settled for bed.
This morning, I made us a big camp breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast. When we finished eating, we started packing up and getting ready to leave. I forgot to mention the ducks. From the moment that we got there, Griffin was fascinated by them. Really, I was fascinated by them as well. There were lots of momma ducks with their babies. It was neat because there were babies at all different ages. Some babies were still small and fuzzy, and some were bigger than their mommas. It was cool to see the interaction between them and how the mommas watched out for their babies, etc. Since you're not supposed to feed them people food, we bought bags of duck food at the camp store, and of course, I must have bought about 20 bags. Before we left this morning, we had to feed the ducks one last time.
We left about 10:30 this morning, and didn't get home until 5:30. No shopping trips on the way home, but we made a lot of stops. I'm so glad that we decided to take this trip. It really did go by way too fast though. It was a good way to try out traveling with Griffin, since we weren't sure how he would do for a longer period of time. The reservations for next year have already been booked. So far, Ryans' family has reserved 8 sites and cabins. Next year we are going to stay the whole week . Griffin will be older, and he'll be ready to do the full week. I'm excited.
Ryan grew up going to Maine camping with his parents and grandparents. I think that it is really special that he'll be doing it now with Griffin. I'm looking forward to passing it along to our son.
