POOL REMODEL...

 After 1 1/2 summers of having no water in the pool, we were so excited to be able to use it again these last few weeks of summer!  Last summer we had a problem with our pool equipment and ended up draining it.  We signed a contract in March of this year to have it remodeled which was only going to take 2-3 weeks of work once started.  I'm not sure if the company said June or if that was all in my head, but I really thought we'd have water in it and get to use it in June of this year.  Well you know the story with Covid and shortages...it ended up getting finished in August!  Grrr...

But it's so nice now, and we look forward to using it as long as we continue to live here.  Nothing, I mean nothing, had been done to it in 20 years, except for us removing the broken diving board (16 years old's bday party gone bad).  We changed it to suit our needs now.  The shape remained the same, but the depth changed.  We filled in the deep end and made it into a sport pool, about 5 1/2 feet in most of it.  The steps became a pool shelf with umbrella pole, which we love.  We also got the burgundy brick surround replaced with new travertine, new tile and new plaster.  Here some of the ever popular before and after pictures:

Before:  Deep end and burgundy brick surround

Brick replaced with travertine stone, tile removed

Pool getting filled in and the shelf being made

Testing out how the pool shelf will be soon!

After:  Party time with the family!  You can see how we are all on the pool shelf!

With the umbrella on the pool shelf, just relaxing in my crazy orange dress.

Now it's much easier to play volley ball!

THE MAINE THING...

 Couldn't help it!  So many fun puns for the state of Maine!  We got to visit recently and spend some time in Acadia National Park and the resort town of Bar Harbor with friends.  After that, The Hubs and I wanted to get away from the crowds and we went to the easternmost point of the United States - Lubec, Maine!  Here's some of the highlights:

In Bangor - the Stephen King house

Bucksport - Storybook walk

Penobscot bridge and observation tower

The only bridge in the US with an observation tower!

Fort Knox - not the one where they keep the gold

We saw this everywhere and found out it is Rosehips!

Rosehips blooms too!

Lots of places decorated with buoys from boats

In Acadia this Thunder Hole is popular because it makes a loud boom when the water rushes in.

Hiking one of many trails in Acadia

It's a big deal to see the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia.  

Unfortunately it was super foggy the day we went!

Trail pic

Walking across to Bar Island - when the tide is low, you can literally walk across!

Best ice cream in town!

Our friend B got to hold a 4.5 lb. lobster at dinner!

Needhams are a candy made in Maine from potatoes, coconut, and chocolate and are delicious!

We saw Bass headlight - the only one on the island.

Lots of gorgeous flowers!

Fun at the ice cream shop

We biked the Carriage roads in Acadia - pictured is one of many rock bridges 

provided by John Rockefeller.

The Hubs and I got up early to avoid the crowds and hiked the Beehive trail - a little scary!

Lubec is a tiny town but it's claim to fame is that it is the most eastern town in the USA!

We had the best view from our room at Water St. Inn!  

If you walk out onto the seawall you will see this international boundary marker. So close to Canada!  But we couldn't go across due to Covid restrictions.  

Next time hopefully - to visit Campobello Island the FDR home. 

 

I enjoyed walking out on the sea wall and just sitting on the rocks.

Quoddy Head lighthouse is about 10 minutes away and it is the only candy-striped lighthouse 

and also the easternmost.  

We hiked early two mornings and saw so many beautiful mushrooms!

Drove over to Eastport Maine and saw this guy.

Wanted to visit the mustard mill but it was being renovated - so we just stopped at their shop to buy some different flavored mustards.

Back in Lubec - so cute!

Last evening there - absolutely breathtaking sunset!

Last morning hike - found some blueberries!

We wore our mosquito nets on that hike.

Hiked out to Morton's rock!

Looking over to Canada!

I loved our time and my favorite place was definitely the little town of Lubec.  I'm just not into the crowds.  The most unique thing we did while in Lubec was to go to a church singing.  They had a sign out that advertised it and it also said "all are welcome."  So we went and had a great time, singing some old favorites! We talked to several locals as a result of that.  They were so friendly.  We also loved Monica's chocolates, which I have no pictures of - but she is famous for her products in Maine and we can vouch for her delicious hot chocolate!