Up North in May

We spent ten days Up North this past May.  Up North, a place where my heart is at home, and all six of us are happy to be together.  Here we are below on our favorite trail, hours after arriving at our rented cottage Up North.

It rained almost every day, but we didn't let that stop us from exploring.  

 We even lucked out with a few nights that the weather allowed us to enjoy a campfire.  Opal had her first taste of s'mores and loved them.  It wasn't relaxing around the fire with Opal on the move, but it was still fun.  I didn't get to savor the sunset, but I did get to share something I love with my littlest lady.

We discovered a new trail while Up North, which was a huge bonus, considering this was our fifth time here.  What an amazing trail it was too, and funny because the name of this new trail was what we have been calling our favorite trail all of these years!  This new trail is now our second favorite trail, and it has been hard to remember what to call each trail.

Opal was a challenge on the hikes, but we managed with two adults passing her back and forth and lots of snacks.

The spring wildflowers were out in full glory while we were there, which is exactly what I had hoped when I planned this trip.  We are learning the names of the spring wildflowers, but I still feel like there are so many plants out there that I don't know.  Below, in clockwise order from top left, are the spring wildflowers I am becoming comfortable with identifying: trillium, squirrel corn, trout lily, violets, fiddle heads (ferns), Jack in the Pulpit, more violets, and Spring Beauties.

 Will had to go to work for a few days during our week Up North, and so my sister and her boyfriend Isaac came in from the East Coast and drove up in Will's car so that they could stay with us and Will could take his car back home.  On the way up, about halfway between our garage and our rental cottage, Will's car broke down.  Several hours later, Will brought Jane and Isaac back to our cottage and ended up staying an extra night while we waited for the car to be repaired. Isaac is from the UK, and to hear his account of his very first Up North experience was quite entertaining.  Let's just say he was almost as speechless as all of the stuffed taxidermy hanging on the walls and behind glass under the service counter of the auto repair shop.

 I can't tell you how happy I was to have my favorite people all together, if only for one night.  It was an expensive bonus, but a bonus just the same.

After Will left for real this time, the girls and I enjoyed showing Jane and Isaac all of our favorite places.

 We even tried a new sandwich shop that has now been added to our Must Do List the next time we are Up North, and also discovered our first Morel Mushroom.

 We ended our week in a beach town an hour or two south of our first rental where Jane and Isaac dropped us off on their way back home, and Will came and met us after his few days at work.  We spent lots of time at the beach...

 ...coloring inside to get a break from mosquitos, enjoyed a hike to a lighthouse, and a picnic lunch outside.

 We watched a few sunsets where we spent the majority of the time keeping Opal from falling off the 120 foot cliff to the water below, and marveled at her newfound walking ability.

When we first got to the new rental, just after Jane and Isaac left, I felt so homesick, and just wanted to go home.  We had already been Up North for a week, and the final three days at the new rental a few towns south of where we had been felt like it was too much, and a let-down after such a wonderful week in our well-loved happy place with our favorite people.  But, like an omen, as we looked out over the water to take in the view at this new cottage, we spotted a hummingbird flying just inches from our face, heading south and then moments later, saw a bald eagle soaring just feet above our heads going north.  It was breathtaking and left us in awe.  It also gave me peace to know that it was okay to lean into my sadness at missing my sister and Isaac (it will probably be a year until I see them again), and to be open to new experiences at this new cottage.  And, as if on cue, my younger brother text me and asked if he and his girlfriend could come visit us on our last full day at this new cottage.  We had a lovely day with them, and I am so glad that I had these opportunities to make memories with not only my hubby and kids, but my siblings as well.

Until next time, Up North, I carry you in my heart!