Some Beach
🀁 Heading South
I was gardening this morning and like most of you out there, getting dirty and listening to music is relaxing to me. But I listen mostly to true crime podcasts. I'm all caught up with Mr. Ballen and I know that I will never be caught up with Dateline so I browsed around a little and was going to listen to Crime Junkie then the lady's voice reminded me that I did not enjoy that podcast as much but she was advertising Dark Downeast so I'm like.. why not? I.am.hooked! Not only because the stories are centered in New England and that Kylie's from Maine, but there's a lot of care, emotion and thought on how Kylie tells the story. I listened to the first five podcasts and can't wait to hear more.
But anyway... while listening to the podcast and moving dirt, I was also thinking of my current living situation. How living in Maine is not too bad at all. I went to Maine DOT for a conference hosted by PMI Maine and the panelist are all home grown. When i was in Boise, at least one person that you meet is from another state. In Maine, you will meet people that are successful in life that were born, raised and growing old in Maine. I love that about Maine. But totally unrelated to this week's blog.
Here we go... Last year I headed south, to Ipswich, MA to visit a client onsite. As a project manager by trade, I interact with clients but never an onsite visit so for me, this is exciting. Not only that I get to have a face to face and report the current status of the project to the client, I get to drive to Boston! It was exiting and terrifying at the same time! LOL
First stop was the Red Sox game. Who would go to Boston during baseball season and not watch the Red Sox play?
When I bought the ticket, I was thinking more of a section where I haven't sat before and not super expensive. What section is that you asked? The away section! Yes, the section where the visiting team's fans seat. LOL.. Here I am.. wearing my Red Sox jersey and hat amongst the Chicago Cubs fans.
The Red Sox lost to the Cubs big time but it's always a wonderful experience watching a game especially baseball or softball. My dad and mom were both national softball players. They met at a national meet in Bicol, a province in the Philippines where my mom was born and raised. I guess my dad brought home the trophy that season 😍
The next day, I head out to Ipswich, MA. There were few hours to spare before my afternoon meeting with the client so I explored Ipswich a little. First and only stop was the Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. This place is a must when you're in Ipswich, or MA in general. It has a super cool kitchen and a "nice" garden.
And there's a trail to go down to the beach. And the beach in Ipswich is not bad either. No crowd at all which always nice.
Oh yeah.. the client's visit went well 😊
⛯ Eastbound
It was a nice day for a 2.75 hour drive to Lubec, Maine.
It was so nice that the decision was made for an impromptu hike... wearing a dress... why the hell not? Thank goodness for running shoes. Never go on an overnight road trip without your running shoes! My new motto for 2025... better to bring it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
MCHT Eastern Knubble Trail was a hidden gem. Parking is confusing and it could use a little more signs but it was a peaceful hike so maybe not.
Lubec, Maine is the easternmost municipality in the US and the home of the iconic West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. Made it there just in time to
watch the sun set.
But wait! There's more! And probably the most important part of the trip. Why? I'm glad you asked!
On the way home, there was a sign for St. Croix Island. I'm like, Croix is a fun word, let's check it out!
A - It turns out, it's an International Historic Site! What made me so happy and made this trip very memorable is that it's a National Park! I can explain. My life's goal title is "63 at 63", to visit all 63 "National Parks" on or before my 63rd birthday, if I even get there. It was "62 at 62" until 2020 when the government declared New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia a "national park." But yeah, I cannot cross this place off my list but this is a unique international historic site managed by the National Park Service in the US and in consultation with Parks Canada. I'll take it!
B - This is where Where is Puu concept was born. Here's why...
I had so much fun posing him with all the statues that I've decided that he neeeeds to go with me wherever I go to add personality to my pictures. I don't take selfies a lot but as you can see, I like sharing my pictures to the public so I figured this will be the best way to put a personal touch to my pictures.
Where to next, Puu?
We are going back to London!
In the meantime, check out my store to see more images like this! Or maybe follow my Instagram page. Or maybe get some free stock photos. Thank you internet!
- Alice Walker
