Ordinary Maine

In March of 2006 I traveled to Millinocket for a gathering of friends who are all part of the AsMaineGoes.com community. I knew this would be a great opportunity for me to get out on the Golden Road in the early morning to get some pictures of Mt. Katahdin. On my way up the Golden Road south of Abol Bridge is where I crossed path's with one of the Pelletier trucks overturned on the side of the road.

I really never thought much about sharing the pictures, but given the popularity of the show wanted to share a little of what I knew of the accidents they talk about on the show. From what the gentleman below said the driver of this truck fell asleep and lost control on the soft shoulder. Notice that this part of the Golden Road is paved.

Looking at the pictures of the cab in the above photo it is clear that this driver is lucky to have survived. Notice the log through the window at the drivers seat. From what I understand of the process they run these guys pretty hard this time of year because the spring thaw really softens up the roads. So this time of year they run the trucks as much as possible at night when the temps are cold to prevent tearing up the road.

Maple Sunday has become an institution here in Maine and having grown up in the Greater Portland Area I have never taken part in the event. I seem to remember that some sugar houses were open to the public when I was a young lad, but there was never anything as organized until after I graduated from college. This year Renee and I decided it would be fun to put the kids in the station wagon and head out to take part in the adventure.



As you can see from the picture above there were plenty of cars and people waiting to get into Smith's Farm on the Chute Road in Windham. One attendee fell victim to the soft shoulder he parked his car on and had to call a tow truck to pull him out of the sinkhole created by the weight of his car. I love mud season.


As always, Camden is good for a funny face picture.

Madilyn walked with Mom, Dad and Camden for about a half a mile from where we parked in order to wait 45 minutes to have pancakes and bacon with Smith Farm syrup. Needless to say Renee and I had to take turns holding her. I just love my little cuddle buddy.

After Renee, Cam and Madi ate brunch (Diabetic Dad cannot have tasty pancakes and Bacon with Syrup) we took a walk around the farm. It should be noted that after a 45 minute wait for pancakes, we did not wait for 45 minutes in the sugar shack tour line. Pictured above is a traditional maple tap and bucket. Now as much as I enjoyed my walk about the farm, have I mentioned how much I love mud? Especially when my kids are covered from head to toe in it?

This shot is one that I had to get. I wanted to show everyone a drop of the liquid that is the cause of all this madness. Timing the shot to get this one picture was an interesting feat in the adventures of point and shoot auto focus insanity, but persistence always pays off. When gallons of that magic liquid is boiled down to reduce it's water content the farmer and consumer are left with Maple Syrup. Liquid Gold!

Smith's Farm also had a variety of animal attractions for visitors to see. This picture taken on the back 40 of the property shows but a small sample of the large number of people who, like the Besseys, decided that the road was not to muddy for a little walk.

In this area there were caged pheasants, peacocks and this very social ostrich. I have never been around an ostrich before and I have to admit this bird was very engaging. You have to love an animal that can make a show out of finding and eating a worm.

Our last stop on the farm was to see this momma cow and her two calves. After a few minutes momma decided to get up and walk over toward her admirers and start eating straw. This was a big hit with the kids.

After years of avoidance, it was nice to finally find the time to get out to visit a farm. Next year I think we will head out to North Baldwin to the farm that does a Maple Syrup BBQ. Did I mention how much I love the mud?

Great Maple Sunday in my Ordinary Maine!

Tony

Do you twitter? Twitter.com is an interesting website that can be used to share your thoughts with others. I am interested in the use of this and other web based communication sites to distribute information to the areas I serve as a professional Scouter. Within the last four months I have added to the use of my personal blog by using Facebook and Twitter.

We are currently working with some of our Scouts to develop new ways to communicate to our Scouts, Unit Leaders and District Volunteers during the course of the Scouting year. So far what I have learned about the use of both Facebook and Twitter has been pretty interesting.

If you would like to use these sites their addresses are www.facebook.com and www.twitter.com. If you want to find me on either of these sites you can search my name Tony Bessey. I twitter under tjbessey.

Great Communicating in Ordinary Maine!

Tony

It seems like only yesterday my little buddy was born. I took this picture of him running a head of me seeking his Independence and always looking to beat me to the next curb or driveway. It is only fitting that Camden will be going to school next year. Already five years have come and gone and even though I have many more to share with him I am realizing that he is eventually going to grow up. I think that was the whole point of "Puff the Magic Dragon." At this point it was just neat to realize that he is starting to find his own space in our world and it will be fun helping him do that.


Regular readers will note that this is my first post in some time. As a type 2 Diabetic I began having problems with my blood glucose levels as the new year began. That coupled with a busy work schedule and family life has kept me pretty busy. A few weeks ago I started a new medicine that is showing some real promising results. I am starting to get my energy back and expect that I will continue posting two to three times a week from here on out.

I also wanted to let everyone know that I have become a user of Facebook and Twitter. My work as a professional scouter calls for understanding and using new methods of communication to get information to the masses. In an effort to better understand these methods I have signed up for and started using accounts for each. I can be found on Facebook as Tony Bessey and Twitter as tjbessey. I hope you try these sites out too.

Tony