4th of July: Part 2

The real reason I went to Maine for the 4th of July was to see a FREE Matt Nathanson concert at L.L. Bean. I headed to Freeport in the early afternoon, convinced that I'd be able to find a good seat. Well, apparently people put out chairs at 12:01 am for summer concerts. 

After tossing my blanket on an empty area of wood chips, I took on the task of wandering around Freeport by myself for 7 hours. It was super hot and humid so I spent an hour or so in Starbucks enjoying their air conditioning and wi-fi.

Eventually, I grabbed some dinner and headed back to my blanket. I quickly learned that a blanket on the ground in a sea of lawn chairs is a terrible way to see a concert. 

I ended up walking around a bit an eventually found an empty corner of grass where I was able to see much better.

The concert was amazing. I almost didn't go because I had to drive to Maine, then drive to Freeport, then spend the entire day alone just to see a concert alone. But I'm glad that I went because I got to see Matt Nathanson for free!

After the concert ended, I headed to the baseball field behind L.L. Bean to see the fireworks. I stayed very close to the edge of the field and it felt like the fireworks were falling right on top of me. 

After the fireworks ended, it took 45 minutes just to get out of the parking lot. Lesson learned, next time I'll park farther away on the main street! I had spent the entire day in the heat and was so sticky. By the time I got back to the house in Maine it was after midnight. I bypassed the house and drove straight down to the lake and took a midnight dip to cool off.

4th of July...A Bit Late!

When I was growing up, I spent every 4th of July at camp. In recent years, I've attended my towns local 4th of July Eve festivities on the 3rd of July. And for many, many years in a row it has rained, poured, and thunderstormed.

But this year it was sunny and a tad humid. We watched majorettes dance, listened to patriotic tunes, and wrangled toddlers.

It looked like the weather was going to turn but it held out for the rest of the night.

The next morning I got up super early, stopped at Dunks for a patriotic breakfast:

And drove to Maine to celebrate 4th of July festivities in the pine tree state.

The (very) small town parade was disappointing compared to the craziness that my hometown puts on. The DPW was in charge of blocking off the road...no cops needed.

The parade marshall led the parade in style...a riding mower and a pomeranian! Just kidding...but this guy did drive down the road right before the parade began.

There were a few army trucks and one firetruck with an awesome mural on the side.

The parade was super short but there was the obligatory parade candy thrown by a giant strawberry.

Part two to come!

The Ultimate Sunday Night Blues

Well, the time has come...summer is officially over. At 8 am tomorrow morning, I will officially be back at work.

I don't know where the time went. Granted, I tutored for 6 weeks, so I really only had 3 weeks of free time but I made the most of it.

This summer:

I climbed mountains.

I visited lighthouses.

I ate lots of ice cream.

I laid on the beach.

I laughed with friends.

I read books with almost three year olds.

I made s'mores.

I cuddled with the puppy.

I started books and never finished them.

I drove ATVs.

I took tons of pictures.

I swam in oceans and lakes and ponds.

I listened to lots of music.

I raced for a cause.

I drove all over Maine.

So tonight, instead of lamenting that summer is coming to and end, I am eating chinese food and watching the MTV VMA's (even though I'm at least 10 years too old to do that) and hoping that the rumors about NSYNC's reunion are true.  ← Don't judge me.

As much as going back to school means having less 'do what I want time' it also means fall is here...which means apples and pumpkins and leaves and scarves and hot chocolate and crisp, sunny days...basically everything that is wonderful.


   

Ode to June

In June

School will end paving the way for summer to begin. 

The days will get longer then start to get shorter. 

I will sleep in late and stay up later. 

There will be sunshine and laughter. 

I will write and read and walk and swim. 

I will eat a lot of popsicles.