So, I spent last week on vacation with my family in Maine.  My parents and my great-aunt (henceforth known as Peg)  own timeshares in Stoneham, and my aunt (my mom's sister) has a permanent campsite (huge RV!) in Naples. 

I left on Friday (Bud's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Bud!  Sorry I woke you up to tell you that!) to go to Culpeper, where Peg lives.  (Bud returned the wake-up favor by waking me up at 1020 to tell me that my dad was, in fact, coming.)   We woke up the next morning (early!  0415!) and drove to Dulles airport to catch our flight.  Stupid, used to RDU, me never imagined such lines at that time of the morning.  Luckily, I had requested a wheelchair for Peg at check-in (you have to reserve these ahead of time!) because  after waiting over and hour to check-in, she was in pain, and we didn't have much time (about 45 minutes) to make it through security before our flight.  Except that if you are in a wheelchair and the skycap is wheeling you around, there's a special security line. 

We arrived in Portland and went to the counter to pick up our rental car.  She asked the person giving us keys, contracts, etc. how one gets to the ME turnpike from the Jetport.   She specifically asked him, "What do I do at the light?"  He said, "You will go straight at the light," and handed us pre-printed directions to the Turnpike.  As we were walking out to our car, Peg said, "Those directions are wrong.  They gave me them last year and I got lost."  We proceeded to the airport access road, as per said instructions.  These instructions then stated, "Turn left at the first four-way intersection."  We came to that intersection and I told Peg to turn left, to which she replied, "He said go straight at the light." 

WG:  There isn't a light.  You have to turn left here to get to the light.
P:  I'm going straight.

We then reached an intersection with a light, but if you went straight, you would be in a neighborhood.  Also, there were signs at the intersection indicating that one should make a left turn for the ME turnpike.  We did, and Peg said, "See, I told you those directions were wrong!"  (Note:  I suspect that if you actually follow those directions, they are right.) 

After more navigational fun (and by fun, I mean the driver (Peg) not trusting the navigator (me)) (Note:  I am an excellent navigator. ) , we met my Aunt in Naples, hung out at the campground for a while and then drove to the timeshare and checked in.  Mom, Dad, Goose, and Rachel (Goose's girlfriend) arrived around 2115.

The next day (to the surprise of everyone who knows my dad) we went shopping!  At outlet stores!  And a Wal-Mart!  Wait- that was in the afternoon.  In the morning, Goose, Rachel, and I hiked up to an abandoned chalet near the timeshares.  On the way down, Goose started telling the story of when Randy demanded a nickname change (actually, he was making fun of him). 

Goose:  "Why can't I have a cool nickname, like Matlock or Iceman?"

Like Matlock?  Wow, these kids today sure have a different definition of cool!   (Note:  I am now using the phrase "Cool like Matlock" to indicate things that are not cool.  At. All.) 

Tuesday, I kayaked with my dad on Kezar Lake in the morning, and then I almost bought a kayak at Saco Bound.  But I decided against it, because, well, I should be studying for this exam I'm taking.   Maybe.  In October.

Wednesday was Super-Active day!  First, we hiked out to Emerald Pool (a pool formed by the Cold River).  You can jump off the rocks above into the pool, and Goose bragged that he was going to do it, but he needs to learn that you stick your bathing suit in your bag and don't tell anyone that you might do it.  That way?  No one knows if you chicken out.  We then went to Kezar Gorge, and decided to follow that up with a hike up Sabbatus Mountain.   It was a rough hike, and I had not been planning on it, so I had not taken my preemptive Advil.  So my ankle?  Hurt.   And then no one could find the rest of the loop, so we had to double-back. 

Thursday we went boating with my Aunt, my cousin, and my cousin's two sons.  We started out on Long Lake, where my Aunt's boat is docked, and traveled through Brandy Pond, the Songo River, and the Songo Lock to Sebago Lake.  Then we swam.  And perhaps some of us got sunburnt a little. 

That night we went to the Bridgton Drive-in and saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and War of the Worlds.  Do not put five fully-grown people into an Explorer and then go to a double feature at the drive-in.  Trust me.

Friday Mom, Goose, Rachel, and I went for a trail ride.  I rode a Shire horse named "Shire".   (Note:   he was probably a cross.  But still big.)  I don't know that they didn't have horses named "Appaloosa", "Morgan", and "Paint".  Anyway, the ride was good, the horses were good, and at no time did I fear for my mother's life.  Yay!

Saturday.  Airport.  More navigational arguing.  (Peg:  "I wasn't arguing.  I was just telling you what I thought.")  Click here for pictures. 

Also?  Guess what was with me the entire trip?  Tire gauge!

Confidential to Angeler:  Cdub and I are planning next year's vacation.  Call us when you get back from your family vacation.