The Lion and the Owl’s Head

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So we’re beginning a new series here at the Traveling Pear called Meandering Maine.  It’s basically going to chronicle the discoveries that we find lurking across the state.   Over the last few months the adventure of chance happenings and coincidental meetings seem to be the way life is going so why not keep the ball meandering in that direction?  Who needs planned itineraries anyway?

This past weekend the downpour of rain finally broke and the threat of coastal flooding dissipated, so off we went…in search of the owl’s head on the peninsula of well…Owls Head.  Apparently mariners in the early 1600s and the local Abenaki Indians thought the point of the peninsula resembled that of an owl’s head, so why not name it that?  Makes perfect sense.

After a tour of the lighthouse which was built in 1826 to mark the southern entrance to the Rockland harbor and a green eyed glance over at the lighthouse keeper’s cottage (that’s one lucky Coast Guard couple) we began wondering where’s the head?

**On a side note: The Chef failed to mention that being a lighthouse keeper is an actual job in the USCG and comes with the special privilege of living at the base of a lighthouse!  How romantic! I’m sure he has good reason for neglecting to tell me about this job. Like who really wants to be responsible for keeping the light on in the midst of a*hellacious* Nor’easter when hurricane blizzard winds come whipping through with razor blade sheets of ice and snow (I’m dramatizing, I have no clue what a Nor’easter is like).  However, that would zap the romance out of the whole deal…and back to Texas this pear would go!

After about an hour we finally discovered that the real owl’s head can never be seen, at least not with these eyes.  Maybe in pictures before erosion took away the beak.  What we did notice was this resting lion…maybe he ate the owl’s beak or possibly the entire owl?  Guess they need to rename it to “Lion who Ate the Owl’s Head.”

can you see the lion?

Until more meandering Maine adventures come to pass we’ll be sure to tell the Coast Guard to keep the lighthouse on for ya!

Motoring the Eastern Passage

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The Traveling Pear has arrived…to our new home in Maine.  The journey here was filled with an array of unimaginable sights, whimsical overnight accommodations, meetings with friends from the past and friends we had never met (yeah sounds weird but this friend was made through email, graduate classes and a shared fanaticism of history) and then there were the many random culinary encounters we enjoyed along the way.

New Orleans dinner for 2 rue dauphine

We took home a souvenir glass…of course!

Had to try the beignets from Cafe du Monde, which were nice, but probably won’t go back…too tourist like.

Visiting with my BFF in Alabama…the Champagne who Went

Wintzell’s…the Chef’s fav place to eat oysters…Mobile Alabama

once past Alabama the rest of the eastern half of the US is one red barn after another…which makes me wonder. Why are barns painted red? This was taken at Rockwood Manor–Virginia

Rockwood Manor Virginia

yum!

Our room for the night was a converted calf barn…behind the big red one in this picture.

Gettysburg proved that I know very little about the Civil War…oops

Meeting with my history/email pen-pal Phyllis on her blueberry farm in upstate NY…note another red barn!

The most unanticipated aspect of the road trip…the love our little Veloster received.  At first we thought the extremely obvious stares and complete head turns were because of our TEXAS plates…but then realized it was the Veloster they were looking at and then the plates.  While driving through a small upstate New York town we coincidentally became the tail end of a Memorial Day parade.  It was here we received many waves and one gentleman commented on the look of the car.  Another young woman affectionately yelled “cool car” to which we gave her a friendly wave and thumbs up.    We’re such proud owners!

outside of Montgomery Alabama…

the *Star* of the road trip

Once we made it to Maine the temperature went from luke warm to cool and crisp, no kidding! The stop for the night was Kennebunkport which turned out to be such an adorable coastal village.  No wonder the Bush family make it their compound/retreat for the summer.  I’d make a beeline here too considering the oven temps of a Texas summer.  Our accommodation was so refreshing.

Maine Stay Inn and Cottages

Maine Stay Cottages and the resting Veloster

Naturally our first meal was…LOBSTER and a state brew.

Nunan’s Lobster hut

Hopefully once we’re settled, more Maine infused blogs will follow.  Settled is the key word.  It’s transfer season so we’ll be camping out here in our little Maine apartment for a while until our household goods make the eastern passage from the drought inferno of Bryan, Texas to the crisp cool “Vacationland” of Maine.  Here’s a look at our little coastal village we now call home…if only for a little while.

No, this is not our house…wish it was.  Our apartment is equally cute though…maybe I could get our landlord to plant wisteria. It grows everywhere. Amazing!

the harbor through a glass of wine

Nothing in life is coincidence

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In less than two weeks the Chef and I will be on to our next grand adventure.  A driving expedition of over 2,000 miles to our new home…Maine! Along the way we’re going to live up to our name.  Stopping by NOLA for a little French fix.

photo: madeinneworleans.org

Visiting my friend with the fabulous last name…the Champagne who Went in Alabama.

A meeting with the ghosts of the Civil War in Gettysburg.

Google images

Catching up with a college friend on her blueberry farm in upstate NY.

photo: celinabean.com

However the trip won’t be complete without a drive through the land of the US Chateaux.  Yep, there’s no way this chateaux chasing princess is gonna miss that!

photo: friendsofclermont.org

To my Texas family moving to Maine is like going to extremes.  At least that’s what my brother said on the phone yesterday…”You guys go from one extreme to the next.”  He was referring to Paris (the adventure of summer past) to well…Maine.  I guess that would be extreme.  My reply ” makes life interesting.”

I’m elated beyond belief to think I’m actually going to live where it snows!  The last time I saw snow falling was circa 2004 and it was Christmas.  Mind you this was in South Texas…you can imagine the hysteria! So I’m sure we’ll have to invest in one of these:

photo: Google images

And I’m praying to the good lord above this never happens to our little Veloster:

minnesota.publicradio.org

My fashionable side might have to take a backseat for a while as I have to go from shopping here:

photo: blog.modelmanagement.com

to here:

photo: gosublogger.com

That’s fine..a girl needs a little variety!

Our little coastal village is also a pretty hip place.  I’m really looking forward to meeting the locals. They like playing dress-up too!

superiortelegram.com

While the Chef is away out here:

photo: wn.com

on a boat named for this brave woman:

photo: wikipedia Abbie Burgess http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbie_Burgess

I’ll be daydreaming the day away like this ….

photo: bella..flicker

Just kidding, that would last for all of two minutes because the snow would be calling me out…if just to stand in it.  I can’t wait.

On the weekends I’m sure postive we’ll be on the hunt for these guys:

photo: bytesizebio.net

and I know we’ll find many of these:

photo: trekearth.com

Just to add to the ever evolving world of French history and the path I’ve found myself on while discovering it and being intertwined with it….Guess who’s home is here in Maine???  She never made it here to see it or live in it, but it was built for her….my lovely BFF of a past life, Marie Antoinette!  The Chef won’t know that until he reads this post, fabulous! He’s in for another one of Elissa’s historical “wild goose chases” ie, chasing French history...minus the jet lag!!! Here’s a glance of the home…somewhere in Edgecombe, ME.  Hope my caretaker befriending skills are still good 😉

photo: mcbfa.org

Legend has it, that many of her personal belongings made it to Maine, including 6 cats.  Now, these weren’t just any cats, but Turkish Angora cats.  They naturally were let loose or just flat ran away and bred with normal kitties.  Over time, the descendants of these cats became the beastly Maine Coons, the official state cat of Maine!  It just so happens this is the Chef’s favorite cat.  I’ve heard him rave about the day he will have one…Mr. Kitty would be this cat’s snack! They are ginormous.

photo: mainecooncatinfo.com

And they say nothing in life is coincidence.  Maine, here comes The Traveling Pear…guess we were destined for one another!

Wandering Out West

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I’m still recovering from our whirl wind of a trip out to West Texas.  Yes, we made another trip…800 miles to be exact.  Mom always jumps at the chance to visit her home town of Old Glory, Texas.  There she can catch up with old friends, her brother and sister in-law, and see the ranch.  Mom’s 400+ acre ranch has been in the Pumphrey family since the 1800s.  My uncle has the other 800+ acres for cattle ranching and farming.  It was because of my mother’s ancestors tenacious spirit we can proudly say we hold a piece of Texas history!

This big stone was where my Momma played with her toy cars and probably mixed mud pies as a little girl! Today my Aunt and Uncle use it as a bench…Pumphrey Ranch

the town of Pumphrey…named for one of my mother’s ancestors

Mackenzie Trail…used to transport cavalry/settlers across the West Texas plains to Fort Sumner, NM. My ancestors (Armstrong and Pumphrey) are listed on the bottom left side for their participation in settling West Texas.

Momma’s hometown…

horned toad lizard found along a cow trail through the pasture…and to think I was wearing sandals out there!

giant gourd plant found along the same cow trail

Dad had the opportunity to buy a 500lb welder/generator from my uncle so, here we went (guess he’s getting ready for 12/21/12…just kidding Daddy I know you’ll find a use for it).  Naturally, I was the designated driver/trailer hauler.  I’m getting some excellent trailer towing skills so when the time comes for the *Pear* to move ourselves…I can tow a trailer…just don’t know what I’ll tow it with! That little 4 cylinder Veloster would probably implode.

When we last visited the ranch, the wheat was just putting on heads and were a dark emerald green.  That’s all faded now and the fields have become oceans of swaying gold.  We caught the unexpected…a thunderstorm which crossed the entire state of Texas (thank goodness) because with it came the most glorious cool weather.

there was a massive thunderstorm in the distance…that we had just traveled through.

As I look out the window while writing this post I can see the last of the thunderstorms as they march their way out east.  It’s really sad, but I can bet this will be it and the dreaded heat and drought of last summer will soon return.  Since the Chef and I will be headed out east I’m thankful to see my beautiful and happy Texas one last time before all turns to a dry wasteland.

Speaking of the Chef…here’s a glimpse into his fun way way out west…California that is! Taking in the local cheese, breads, beer and bands! Tonight he’s out at a local brewery called  

Sure wish I was there! We’ve become beer “aficionados” over the last few months and are always eager to seek out a microbrewery.  There’s so many varieties and it’s sooo much cheaper of a hobby than being a wine “connoisseur”.  I can’t wait to show the Chef what beer I picked up for him in Paris.  Who knew the Parisians had their own brew!

the Chef sent this to me in a text message…I was hoping he would drive it home to Texas…one day.

Paris…going beyond the Périphérique

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This trip to France was much different than those before.  No longer was I a tourist aimed at seeing everything set forth on a mile long itinerary.  I was a girl coming back to a city that held treasured memories of adventures, places, friends and good times of a life I experienced there with my Chef.  For Paris had become comfortable (still a little inconvenient at times, but comfortable).  Having left under distress 6 months prior, I couldn’t have said then when I would even return.  For many nights after moving home I longed to go back.  A constant feeling of “what if” loomed over my conscious.  That has all now vanished…for once I set  foot about Paris, I knew the decision we had made to move home was the right one.  Paris is, was and will always have been a “good idea”.

ah yes the metro!

Many know this was my first trip without the other half of the *Pear*  (sniff, sniff…I sure did miss my Chef).  I did however have my cousin LeeAnn with me.  She’s as fanatic about history as I am, so naturally we made quite the *pear.*  I also met up with my Paris mom, Marie Z.  She’s always enthusiastic and eager to follow me on my wild goose chases around Paris.  A private tour of Versailles was of course a must for this trip.  Had to pay a visit to Marie Antoinette.  There’s no way I wouldn’t see Versailles when in France.

On the private tour of the mistresses apartments

the only way to see Versailles…with the man who has the keys!

that’s me searching for the royal stamp or maker of the chair. can’t get anymore nerdy than that.

i much prefer the hamlet in the summer

There were days spent strolling through gardens, fighting off the wind and rain, shopping, eating, drinking, dining, laughing and well…just enjoying life.

rue vavin…once our home street

Pidds…my Paris puppy who now has his own Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/GregoryPiddlespoonsEsq

ridiculous delicious desserts

However, this trip was more than just about Versailles or Paris.  It was about seeking out an obsession and discovery.  On my agenda was the rainy and always cold region of Normandy.  First I had to find the little 18th century chateau that has been a personal obsession for a better part of 8 months.  Those most close to me know exactly what I’m referring to.  From my brother-in-law, the Houston home builder, to my French friends here in the US, they’ve all endured the odd intrigue I have with this certain chateau.  Known as a gentlemen’s follie from the 1760s, its been published many times over in design magazines and books.  In fact, that’s how I found it.  However, as much as I would like to share it, I shall refrain from including photos.  It’s owned by very private individuals.

Then there was the opportunity to witness the cliffs and beaches of the WWII DDay site.  After enduring 4 months of a graduate course on WWII it was only natural for me to pay my respects to those who risked it all.  Another moving experience. Of course we couldn’t pass up the occasional chateau should it be spotted along the way.

Aimed with an iPhone and Google maps we found the little follie and ohhh so much more.  From the quaint yet rustic farm outside of Bayeaux where Calvados is produced (a type of apple brandy distintive to the lower Normandy region) along with cider to Constanze a lovely and witty shepherdess who lives among her flock and the brightly yellow fields of colza.

colza–used to make oil for machinery

meeting Brad the lamb

these aren’t Constanze’s sheep, but others we had to say hello to along the way

Discovering Normandy and its treasures was truly amazing. Until I’m off again on one of my wild goose-chases….here’s a glimpse into a world outside the Paris périphérique (a highway loop around Paris).

Because of this trip there’s a new window of opportunity coming in the months ahead…to be revealed in the future!