Literary Tourism - Maine

Recently, I watched a series chronicling one's journey through the 50 states.  Someday I would like to boast that I have done the same, but that day is not today.  It caused me to wonder if I have read books set in each of the fifty states.  I'm fairly sure that I haven't.  I thought it would be fun to blog about the books that I have read however.

My journey through each state is not meant to be a complete bibliography, but more a few interesting finds,  My criteria is limited, but I would like to find books where a) setting is vital (more than just a stereotypical school setting that happens to be in a suburb of Boston), but not overwhelmingly stereotypical of the location (i.e. "Look we're eating lobster because that's what Mainahs do ALL THE TIME.")

We're going to start in Maine for obvious reasons, but I plan to travel in no particular order.


 

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney - This book is in my top five favorite picture books of all time.  It's about a lady who travels around Maine spreading lupine seeds thus making the world a more beautiful place.  Cooney's stunning illustrations truly do make the world a more beautiful place.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary Schmidt - This historical novel is not the most flattering to Maine history.  It tells the story of Malaga Island which was home to an interracial group from about the time of the Civil War until 1911.  Other Mainers drove them away from the island and put both children and adults into a sanitarium in order to develop the land for tourists.  Yeah, not Maine's finest moment.  But the book is well-written with excellent characters.  

As I said this is not comprehensive.  I didn't include a single rural horror novel.  Stay tuned for more to come.

Playing Catch Up - Maine

After New York, Jerry and I went to Maine.  I feel like I completely over-romanticized Maine this trip.  But for early May, the whether was exceptional - sunny every day.  It was not too hot and not too cold. Jerry and I went walking on the coast in various scenic places.

Maine is the state that I love.

This was taken at Two Lights State Park.

Yay for the ocean!

Just before leaving we walked around Mackworth Island.  On such a beautiful day we were lucky that it wasn't too crowded to even be allowed to visit.

We also had lots of time with family.  It was great to see our nieces and nephew who were very fun playmates.

  

Playing Catch Up - New York

Well, it's been about forever since I have posted.  It's been quite busy and maybe I was doing other things.  At the beginning of May, Jerry and I traveled east to see family and friends.  Jerry had never been to New York before so Rich enjoyed showing us around.

We were pretty tired after our overnight flight, but we still wandered around downtown.  WE saw Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty, and the new Freedom Tower.

On our first evening we went to Hobokon, to visit Jerry's friend Jeremy.  It is a lovely little city.

We ate Jerry's favorite food.  The cheese on the pozza was amazing.

Next to the pizza place is the Brooklyn Bridge, which might be my favorite place to see in New York.

We spent our last two days with Jerry's aunt and got to see the Phantom of the Opera.  The music and the special effects were incredible.

Snowshoeing at Aspen Grove

About a month and a half ago, Utah Valley was covered in smog and cold.  It was gray and miserable.  SO We decided to rise above the pollutants and go snowshoeing.  It was quite invigorating.

It did not take us long to reach the end of the trail.

But for the best views you have to go further.

So we did.  And it was totally worth it.

And then we spent some more time goofing around.

Believe it or not the pirate ship really was the beginning/end of the trail.  It was such a relief to be around sun and fresh air.

The Year of the Snake

Jerry decided that we must teach our nieces and nephews here about Chinese New Year.  So, we ordered Chinese food, bought some chopsticks, and filled little red envelopes.

First, Jerry taught the kids how to eat with chopsticks.  We informed them that they must eat at least one bit with the chopsticks.  I anticipated the kids stabbing their sesame chicken, but they picked up the skill surprisingly quickly.  (Apparently this is something I should have learned in my youth.)

After we all washed the grease off our fingers, we taught the kids about the tradition of red envelopes.  They had learned a little about it at school so they knew what was coming.  You will note that the Chinese character on the envelopes actually means Ding.  But we all know it's really what's inside that counts.

Megan was very proud of her dragon mask from school as well.

Book Love

I have always loved Amelia Bedelia.  It takes clever puns and double meanings to a whole new second grade level.  I particularly remember a hilarious scene at the beginning of a story where dear Amelia Bedlia must run to the phone. 

I've searched and searched for this book.  Let's face it.  For me it shouldn't have been that hard to find.  Today, I flipped through Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia and found the picture of Amelia racing to the phone.  (Not as hilarious as I remember it, but precious none the less.)

This Valentine's Day, I have been reunited with a long-lost love.

Vancouver

Jerry and I headed to Vancouver for Christmas.  While it didn't turn out to be the fun, care-free trip that we expected, we still managed to see some of the sights in between meals.  (We ate remarkable amounts of Chinese food.)

On Christmas Eve, we stopped at Gastown.  I'm fuzzy on the details, but apparently it is old and important.

This is a view from the area as well.

On Christmas Day, we visited Stanley Park (named after the same guy as the Stanley Cup.)  THis view gives you a good impression of Vancouver weather.

This is a view of the famous bridge.  Seriously though, I"m having a hard time recalling names or interesting facts.

Stanley Park also had this interesting Totem Pole area.  I was most impressed with this of all the things in the park.

That was just a little taste of Vancouver.  Perhaps we will end up there sometime in the summer and see more stuff.