maine vacation ~ kayaking

Because our little cottage was right on the water, we were able to take advantage of going down to the shore a lot. (We loved the smell of the ocean, too!) In fact, when we weren't on the road visiting the Acadia National Park, I think we paid a visit to the shore at least once a day (if not more).

We enjoyed exploring the shore line in search of treasures. We found A LOT of mussel shells and some small snail-like shells. Nathan and the kids found many other unique treasures where eventually they made a treasure pole so they could hang their collections for all to admire. (See the treasure pole post for more details.)Owen really wanted to catch a fish with his net just like he does at the river back home, but never had any luck with that. The kids did manage to catch two crabs along the shore - a big crab and a little crab. Apparently, we made the mistake of putting the two together so when we went to release them the next morning, we found out what crabs eat (each other as the big crab ate the little crab)! Oops! Sorry, little crab...you never had a chance!

The cottage also had 2 kayaks there that we could use, and we borrowed a tandem kayak from some friends to bring up with us. Ivy and Owen were excited that they were going to go in the boat. BUT, they couldn't go until the men had a test run first...
Nathan made sure the kids had some paddles of their own.

Then, they were in...

...and off on their boat ride.

Some had to stay behind though because they were too little...


Meanwhile, this huge rain cloud loomed overhead. Joel apparently forgot what one of these clouds looked like when he told Nathan, "That's not a rain cloud." (I guess our friends from Kansas hadn't got any rain for a month or so, and they had been enjoying (or suffering through) 100+ degree heat. Yikes!)

Soon after our kayakers went out into the deep blue sea, the sky opened up cutting their kayaking trip short. BUT, it wasn't long until they back in their kayaks again once the rain passed.

Not only was Owen hoping to catch some fish with his net, some other guys wanted to catch some fish, too. On another day, Nate and Joel planned a special guy-time outing so they could go deep-sea fishing in kayak! They woke early in the morning and set off in the kayak...


(Ivy took over the camera here and got the play-by-play of the men paddling away. I must say she did a pretty good job, too!)
Ivy and Owen loved riding in the kayak so much that they wanted to do it again. In fact, Owen didn't even want to get out of the boat after their first kayak ride. This time, Owen wasn't as excited about another kayak ride.

BUT, he soon warmed up to the idea and started loving his boat ride again.

One little girl was not happy about being left behind...


It wasn't until Letty and I found this fascinating rock full of birds

that she at least stopped her screaming

and tolerated hanging out with her Mama
but in her heart, she wanted to be in here...

We had a great time at the shore. We can't wait to go back!