What About That Summer Vacation?

Christmas Cove - July 26

I know, the words "2020" and "summer vacation" don't seem to belong in the same sentence. So many of the options we usually think about can't happen this year. What's the essence of a summer vacation? For me it's leaving behind the normal scenery and cares of every day. You might think that since we're retired, we're on vacation all the time, but it really isn't the same. Getting away is the ticket!

Tenants Harbor - July 28

A couple of weeks ago, we went out on our boat for a 10 day trip. This, to me is a classic summer vacation. New scenery almost every day, so there's no house and lawn work to do. Lack of internet and post office means that bill paying, and keeping up with the news aren't on the agenda. It's not glamorous, more like RV camping than staying in a hotel, but the scenery can't be beat.

Vinalhaven - July 28

Hurricane Isaias cut the trip short, but it was still a great time. We've done this many times, first on our sailboat when our son was a child and more recently on our mid 80s lobsterboat style cruiser. I've almost always taken paints, but not that often used them. This year I was determined to do a painting a day. But which medium to use? I wanted to work on my water color skills, and, there isn't much space on the boat for wet oil paintings, so that settled it. And I think the ease of set up and clean up made it easier.

Vinalhaven - July 29

I wanted to try adding pen and ink to the water color. There are two ways to do that, either before the water color or after, so I tried both along with some classic water color with no ink. I painted in a sketchbook, which is freeing in a way, because the paintings are personal and can't be framed or sold. Experimenting was a lot of fun.

Between Bold and Devil - July 30

On these trips we spend the nights on our boat either on a mooring or at anchor. There are two kinds of places: harbor towns and nature spots/islands. I enjoy the former for the restaurant meals (not many of those this year!) and being able to take a walk, it's hard to get enough exercise on a 35 foot boat. The nature spots are beautiful and we can sometimes go ashore to explore.

Bucks Harbor - August 2

I hope you too have had a chance for a change of scene and to leave everyday cares behind for a while. It definitely clears the mind, and I find after a week or so, I start thinking about what comes next and making plans for life on shore with renewed energy. I wish that for you as well.

our boat anchored down east

These paintings were all done in the late afternoon when the light was good. I'll leave you with a flip through all of them in my sketchbook. I thoroughly enjoyed the painting experience, and it's so nice to have the book to remember the trip!