The 365 Project {2020}: July

July began with the celebration of my son’s seventh birthday on the first of the month and it ended with our annual family beach week.

It was another month that felt like it just flew by in a flash…I mean how could it possibly be August already?

There were plenty of days this month that felt like they were going to last forever, but more days than not we had days and even weeks that went by far too fast. It was a month of adventuring out more, outside the comforts of our own yard and neighborhood.

This month I started to fill my calendar with more work, my oldest participated in summer camps, and we even took two trips traveling to Saluda, North Carolina and Litchfield Beach, South Carolina to spend some quality time visiting with grandparents and family.

Here’s my thirty-one days of July 2020…

More photos from this month…

Maine Family Adventure: Fisherman's Walk Trail

While growing up in Maine, my mom’s side of the family (who all lived in Ohio) would caravan almost yearly to spend Thanksgiving with us. I have some of my most fondest childhood memories during those visits. Those holidays were full of so much food and laughter, site seeing and shopping, and good ole family fun.

It’s probably been close to 20 years since we were all together back in Maine. So when I shared the news that I was moving back for the next year, they started planning a family reunion in Maine.

This past week, my youngest son celebrated his second birthday and my sweet family was here to share it with us! After lots of birthday cake and balloons (per his request), we headed out on our favorite local trail.

The Fisherman’s Walk is a short scenic trail that leads from the Wiggly Bridge and Steedman Woods over to York Harbor Beach and the Cliff Walk Trail (which is our absolute favorite).  The trail leads along the York River with waterside views and it’s a perfect trail for kids, runners or dog walkers.

It was a pretty cold (cold for a someone who has lived in the south and in Jamaica the last 14 years) and windy, so we bundled up and headed out for our family walk.

All the little cousins geared up for the brisk walk to the Wiggly Bridge.  

The view of the York River while on the Fisherman’s Walk.

Unfortunately, the birthday boy was not feeling the walking, so I wasn’t able to snap any photos of the kids crossing the bridge, since he was attached to my hip. However, I was able to get a few of my Aunt leading the kids to the Wiggly Bridge in the distance.

My oldest son loves shaking the bridge. It’s truly a “wiggly” bridge!

There’s two trails once you enter Steedman Woods Nature Reserve, right off the foot bridge. Both trails are short and easy to walk, even for a just turned two year old. The paths make a circle around the woods, most of which have beautiful views of the water.

We’re always straggling behind, in search of sticks for each hand!

My mom (Meh-Maw as my youngest calls her) leading my boys through the woods.

We’re also always looking for “treasures” when we’re out exploring.

Once you reach the end of the trail, you can either continue on circling the woods back to the bridge or head further down through a neighborhood to the John Hancock Wharf and Warehouse. We decided on the latter.

The Hancock Wharf was built in the 1740’s and I’ve read that it’s the only remaining building in York from the Colonial Period.

Across from the Hancock Warehouse, is the wharf filled with buoys. It’s a fun and colorful spot to photograph, especially for kids. I can’t wait to see it once we get snow!!

The kids jumped around to warm up, then we headed back through the woods to the trail home.

As always, it’s sad to say goodbye to my mom and family. I loved having our house filled with guests and playmates for my boys. This past Monday, everyone headed back to their homes. I’m already missing the noise from the kids playing, the adult conversations, the day trips and lunches with my mom, and just catching up with family. Even though it was a short visit, I’m so thankful we were able to make new memories with our own little ones.

Maine Family Adventure: Nubble Light

We arrived safely in Maine on August 1st and I was giddy with excitement to head out and explore the area…unpacking just had to wait another day! As a kid, whenever family or friends were visiting us in the Southern Maine area, we always brought them to this special spot. Nubble Lighthouse is located in York, Maine and is a must-see in the area. I was told as a child, it’s the most photographed lighthouse in the world!!! I’m not sure if that’s true, but thirty-some years later, it’s still one of my most favorite places to see and of course photograph.

It was pretty foggy when we arrived, so we could hardly view Nubble. This small rowboat is anchored to the rocks, which was perfect (and safe), for my boys to explore and for me to capture (double bonus).

I might be biased, but isn’t he SO handsome!

If you’re planning to view Nubble Lighthouse, then you need to eat lunch at Fox’s Lobster House. You can’t beat the view from the picnic tables, which is just a quick walk from the lighthouse’s parking-lot. The New England Clam Chowder is always my go to, you can never go wrong with chowder and a lobster roll…right? After lunch, head to Dunne’s Ice Cream (it was formally Browns Ice Cream when I was growing-up), for some tasty homemade ice cream.