Um, this was never posted... I'm an idiot :o)

After a rousing good time in Maine, we headed out Wednesday morning for Massachusetts.


Here we go!!!

I'm in Massachusetts for the coolest of reasons. 50 years ago, this November 21st, Amelia and Walter Lewantowicz landed in America. They brought with them 5 children, and one soon-to-be baby, who was born two months later, in January. My mother's 2 brothers and 3 of her 4 sisters came over on that crossing from Poland to the USA. The soon to be baby was my mother.

Once in this country, my Dziadek (Walter) soon set up shop as a tailor in Springfield, and my Babci cared for the children, including my infant mother. Babci did go to work, but not (I think) until after the youngest, Ewa was born.

So we are here celebrating the struggles and joys of that voyage that brought this family to America. Wicked.

Yesterday we drove from MD to Belchertown, MA to Danusia and Larry's house for dinner and mild festivities. Jonathan and Michel arrived shortly after us and we had dinner and whatnot. My family and I headed to South Hampton, MA to Zbig & Susan's where we will be staying for the weekend along with Halina and Romek.

Stay tuned for more fun and excitement!

The Mixed-up Files of Ms. Michelle A. LeRoy

Just a couple pictures off of my cell phone from the last few days...
More to follow!! (from an actual camera)

Freezing on the only sandy beach in Acadia National Forest
...and I still managed to get a sunburn. *talent*

My new (large!) friend, MJ!!

Mom, dad and I enjoying a "beah"

The view from Cadillac Mountain

Lobster dinner!

When I bit him...

...He bit back!!!

Alex surveying the land from atop Cadillac Mountain.

When in Maine... Eat lots of lobster!

Do you ever have those days that feel like two days in one? That was today.

We started off with breakfast in the cottage and then headed out to Acadia Island and Cadillac Mountain for some exploring. We drove up to the summit of the mountain first for a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and coastal areas. Through the remnants of morning fog, the scattered islands were mostly visible from the top of the mountain.

We sat atop the peak for a few minutes to watch three hawks circling in search of prey. Watched as they soared upwards with the thermals, steadily rising without a single beat of their wings to aid in the climb. Watched as they floated away to an unseen part of the mountain.

We trooped back to the van and drove steadily downward for a few minutes, stopping several times at lookout points to enjoy the scenery.

The next few hours were spent in and out of the van, walking along trails, taking in the gorgeous Maine coast and getting sunburned. oops.

Aside from the sunburn, everyone had a great time watching the waves crash into Thunder Hole, searching the shoreline for a alleged shipwrecked schooner on the islands only beach. We looked down the sheer facing of a several hundred foot drop at the Precipice, ate a picnic lunch on a moderately flat rock over looking the ocean, saw the southern tip of Nova Scotia through the lingering mist, explored along a stream feeding into the largest freshwater lake in the state (the drinking source of nearby Otter Bay) and moseyed through a wild garden containing most of the vegetation on the island in a single area.

Thoroughly pooped out, we went back the the cottage for a shower and a rest before going to dinner at The Log Cabin. The boys both gave up and had burgers, mom had mussels, dad had *amazing* sea scallops and I? Well, I had a lobster, of course :o)

After dinner, the boys and dad played a round of mini golf and we all had ice cream in downtown Bah Hahbah.

Thus ends another day surrounded by the the rugged beauty of Maine.

Sea this lobster? Mine!

Fog! There's fog everywhere! It's as bad a San Fransisco!

Seriously, the fog here is like its own tourist attraction. Or detraction... Ok, it's not THAT bad, really. When it gets warm enough, the fog burns off and reveals the gorgeous Maine coastline. Much of this state reminds me of the coast of Ireland, with craggy facings, FOG and green, green vegetation. Granted, the vegetation is very different, but still green. We even found the Griswold Family Christmas Tree during our adventures!

We got up early (well, mom did) and after breakfast and went into downtown Bar Harbor (excuse me, Bah Hahbah) to explore the shops and docks. It's a typical New England downtown with cute little wooden buildings, people with dogs everywhere and a mist lingering just offshore.

After exploring the downtown, complete with watching a guy chuck a bunch of dead, stinky baitfish into the bay, we set out in search of a lunch place. We decided on a restaurant called The Blue Claw. Chris and I decided to try the lobster roll and clam chowder lunch special. The chowder was rockin'... the lobster roll was ok. We determined that it was stuffed full of once frozen lobster (sac religious!). I didn't mind it, but Chris wasn't so much a fan so he and dad switched lunches. Dad ordered the fried haddock sandwich, but he happily munched on the lobster roll. Mom got fried whole belly clams and Alex got a cheeseburger.

After lunch, we headed to a local Oceanarium for a tour of their lobster hatchery, touch tank and a talk on lobster fishing. It was a really good time; we saw stage 4 lobster hatchlings that looked like little Supermen flying around the tanks trying to eat each other. We also saw a HUGE mama lobster with a ton of eggs on her tail and a blue lobster.

Pooped, we headed back to the cottage to watch Shrek the Third before heading out to dinner. We decided on a place that steamed their lobsters outside in huge pots on oak fires. Mom, dad and I each got a whole lobster to tangle with, while Chris got chicken fingers and Alex got FRIED WHOLE BELLY CLAMS!!! Yay! I was so proud of him for ordering them! Both of the boyzos like fried clam strips, but I thought whole bellies might be a little daunting for Alex. He did venture to try mom's whole bellies at lunch, which led him to order his own for dinner. After we were throughly stuffed (mom), happy (dad) and dripping in butter (me), we washed up and went back to the cottage to collapse.

Tomorrow is another day (for seafood!!) :o)