Every two years, my dad’s side of the family goes on an epic family reunion. I say epic because it’s always fun and a little crazy having all 25 cousins, 5 uncles, 5 aunts, 1 great-aunt, and 1 grandma all together again! This year we headed off to Bar Harbor, Maine for family time… and lobster!
In fact, the second we arrived we set down our bags and headed down the street to a local lobster pound. And in case you’re like my family and were wondering, the restaurant didn’t spell “pond” wrong! A lobster pound is a local term describing an eatery with a big tank of fresh lobsters.
Imagine my surprise when I found out that you had to reach in and choose your own!
My mom and I both had a lot of fun choosing our perfect “dinner!”
We picked good ones :)
After a fabulous meal, we finally got to explore where we were staying. I was in the main house with most of my cousins, and we had the most amazing view of the harbor.
My parents and several of my aunts and uncles stayed at the Clark Point Inn, which was right down the street.
It was an adorably quaint inn, and I would definitely recommend staying there.
Especially after I saw what they serve for breakfast!
Pistou eggs on crostini with pine nuts, fresh parmesan and basil pesto:
Raspberry lemon pudding souffle:
Cinnamon sugar donut muffin:
Belgian waffles with chilled oranges, toasted pecans, fresh whipped cream and bourbon-infused Maine maple syrup:
Kiwi and strawberries creme anglais and toasted coconut:
And bruleed vanilla grapefruit to name a few!
Not bad at all!
Once all of my family arrived, we decided to start the trip off with something “Maine-y.” What could be more Maine than a whale watch?!
I didn’t bring a coat on the trip, so my dad lent me his massive bright orange coat (after teasing me for my terrible packing first!).
It’s a pretty great look, huh?
I was glad I had it though, because it was freezing over the water. Lesson learned: even if you go to Maine in July, bring a coat!
While on the trip we saw humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales, an ocean sun fish, and harbor and grey seals!
Yes, I know, I should work for National Geographic…
…ish.
The boat narrator (who let the microphone go to his head and wouldn’t stop talking) also passed around part of a whale’s mouth for us to touch. Here’s Michaela modeling it:
She’s so Maine!
Our family vacations are fun/funny because every day we have planned group activities. This is why my cousin Colin jokingly refers to it as summer camp with alcohol! One of my favorite activities involved playing a game of softball. I didn’t love it because of the game, but because of the costuming!
Jealous of our t-shirts?
Of course, the game wouldn’t be complete without a jumping picture!
The yellow (ahem losing) team:
AND THE BLUE WINNING TEAM:
Because my cousin Sarah was getting married at the end of the week, another activity involved breaking into teams and designing wedding dresses. They were beautifully modeled by my dad and uncles:
If you’re thinking the one on the left looks particularly beautiful, that’s because my team designed it!
We also played endless games of spoons.
Had a fiesta with a pinata.
And went to a local Maine bar that was half bar and half… wait for it…
LAUNDROMAT!!!
Oh Maine…
But one of my favorite activities of all was the night we went outside and lit sparklers.
And released beautiful paper lanterns into the sky.
Such a beautiful night.
Stay tuned for Maine part 2!
~A
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