Whitewater Rafting September 3, 2011

Over Labor Day weekend Julie Tracy and I went way up north into Maine and went Whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River. We camped out the night before and it was a lovely night. IT was so clear and the stars were so bright. As we laid out under the stars we watched shooting stars. 

This was my first time Whitewater Rafting and it was an amazing time. I loved it! It was a fantastic time. 

There I am enjoying our ride. 

We had the best guide ever Johnny Mac. He was great and so much fun. He invited Julie and I to stay for the weekend and to join he and some of his friends go rafting on Monday. Julie had to fly out on Sunday morning so I returned to Boston with Julie and returned to Maine Sunday afternoon and had an amazing time on the second run. 

One the private run with Johnny Mac on Monday was more fun than the commercial run. I was in the front seat on my second run. One of my favorite parts was when we would ride the rapid. Johnny knew when to have us paddle into it and lean forward. It was a rush and I could imagine that is what it is line to ride the waves. 

On the private run we also stopped off at a little cove and hiked up the side of the mountain and found a river flowing off the mountain and we jumped in to some pools of water from up on cliffs. I had never cliff jumped before and I am not going to lie I was scared but once I did it I returned and jumped 4 or 5 more times. Awesomeness sums it up!

I had a grin on my face the whole time. 

This is a field of ferns. It was beautiful. I loved the hint of red to the ferns. 

We went hiking through the trees and out to a waterfall. 

I thought these leaves were really pretty. 

There were these little berry things that grew on a stick. It was really interesting. 

Martha, Johnny Mac, Julie

What a beautiful place. Many times out here it reminded me of home and Alaska. Hidden beauties. Johnny has invited me to return whenever I would like to go rafting with him. I can't wait to plan a trip to go up and visit him and take advantage of more rafting business. 

Newport Mansions in Aug 2011 Part 2

The Breakers

Cornelius Vanderbilt II bought the Breakers in 1885 and it burned down in 1892. For his second home,  Mr. Vanderbilt was taking no chances with fire. No wood was used in the construction. The core of the building was stone and brick, with steel beams for structural support. The kitchen was isolated in a ground-floor wing and, as a further precaution, the original heating plant was buried near the caretaker's cottage, several hundred feet from the main house. 

Mom and I

The Rosecliff

The exterior walls of Rosecliff are brick finished with near-white glazed terra-cotta tiles that resemble stone. Rosecliff conveys an impression of light and air and delicate grace. More than the other mansions of Newport, White's creation epitomized the lighter, more romantic side of the Gilded Age. 

Aunt Connie isn't she just lovely

Here is another lovely lady. 

Mom in the garden at the Rosecliff

Mom and Martha 

The Marble House

One of the fun stories I liked about this house is the Lady of the house would have parties and they would take the serving trays and ride them down the main staircase. How fun would that be? If that isn't a party activity I don't know what is.  

Chairs in the dining room are made of brass, and were so heavy that a footman was provided to each diner to help move the diner's chair. And the Dinning room is beautiful. What I could do with the space of a dinning room like this. 

The Chinese Teahouse

Now used as a little diner for people to grab lunch. 

Connie and Julie in the guard house at the entrance of the Marble house. 

International Tennis Hall of Fame

These were fun chairs in the restaurant. 

Chepstow

The Preservation Society house

Chateau-sur-Mer

Julie and Martha

The Mansions were fun and exquisite. It was a fun trip to go and spend a few days touring all of the mansion in RI.