It's Apple Time at North Star Orchards, Madison, ME

Judy in front of the store with the pumpkins and mums

Sisters in the apple orchard

It always seems to rain whenever we go to get apples.

In search of the view - it was too foggy to see much

You can try different varieites.  We all bought Mac's.  Definitely the best apples I've had yet this year.

Raf wanted to drive the tractor

But he ended up pushing it instead.

We got to take this fun tractor ride.

Visit to Good Karma Farm - Belfast, Maine

I have always been a llama lover.

So when the Waterville Area Newcomer's craft group planned a trip to Good Karma Farm I was so excited.

We learned how the yarn was made.

Then got to see the alpacas.  Their legs remind me of a poodle cut.

I loved this little baby.

                                                                    What a sweetie!

Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Canoe Trail

This is one of my favorite places to go kayaking.

The trail is 5.5 miles, and takes a few hours by kayak. Longer by canoe.

You can rent a canoe or kayak here. We like the double kayak.

Feels great to be back on the water.

Here's my brother, Steve.

You need to keep your eyes out for these - alligator crossing ahead.

They are also basking in the sun by the side.

We always see beautiful birds - here's a wood stork.

And a heron.

So much fun!

A visit to the Florida Scrub

I'm taking a course on Florida's native plants at Palm Beach Community College with Dr. George Rogers, the notable plant ID expert. Each week we go on field trips to look at plants in their native habitat.



We started with plants in the Florida Scrub habitat. Much of the scrub has been lost to development, and as you drive along, you see patches between the strip malls and high rises.



Two of the largest areas of remaining scrub are found on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, which runs parallel and in close proximity to the east coast of Florida. We saw Myrtle Oak, Chapman's Oak, Dwarf and Saw Palmetto. (We also saw about 50 other types of plants).

We parked at Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno Beach.

It is a sea turtle hospital.

After class I went across the street to the beach.

This pelican was just hanging out enjoying the warmer weather. Definitely a fun place to visit.

Boca Raton Resort Gardens

The Wellington Garden Club visited the Boca Raton Resort today.

We enjoyed brunch at the beautiful Palm Court restaurant.

The resort was designed by famed Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner.

It opened in 1926 as the Cloister Inn, the most expensive 100-room hotel of its day.


Mizner lived here with his pet monkey.


The original Cloister Inn.We loved this bathroom.

Linda and Bernice don't mind a little rain.

Is it any wonder I love gardens?

A Drive Along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

On our way to Florida we took the 'western route' instead of I95 all the way so we could do some sight seeing. Our first adventure was a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway which is 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina along the Appalachian mountains. Since we only had 1 extra day to spend on our way south we could not drive the whole thing. We poured over the maps and decided to get on in Roanoke, Virgina. (Rte 220 off Rte 81). Everything is described by mile marker, so it was hard to tell the best places to enter and exit the parkway.

We stopped for gas here before getting on.


We couldn't imagine anyplace as beautiful as fall in New England, but we were most impressed.

There were great spots for picnics. Lots of families who lived in the area came for the day.


Farms by the side of the road.

Beautiful views everywhere.

The gristmill at Marbry Mill.
Views of Cahas Mountain, 3571 feet.



We even got to hear some music! I do wish we had a week.

We took rte. 77 back to rte. 81 to continue or adventure further south.

Common Ground Fair Weekend

Judy, Katie, and Raf came to visit for Common Ground Fair weekend.
The food is the best.

There are lots of animals to see.

A team of mules.
Bright and Lion wanted to get 'patted', and kept moving closer and closer.
This llama stood up to have his picture taken.



We enjoyed listening to Nathan's very talented sister, Siiri and her husband, Garrett perform with their band, Tree by Leaf.

And seeing their beautiful children with their faces painted.

Judy gets inspired looking at the yarn.

Felted soap was popular this year.

We ate lots of good things all weekend long - blueberry and raspberry pancakes for breakfast. I picked the berries earlier in the summer and froze them.


Veggie Lasagna with tomatoes, peppers, zuchinni, spinach, basil, and oregano from my garden.

We stopped by the Apple Farm in Fairfield and enjoyed hot cider and donuts, and brought home a great big bag of apples.

Toasting marshmallows for s'mores indoors - a tradition Katie loves. What a great weekend.