Giossi Vacation Take 2

...Well let's just say after two days of camping on the river, and I do mean camping, no RV's or Pop-up campers here, we were all looking forward to a soft bed, hot shower, and a toilet that flushed. We headed to one of our favorite places in Maine.....Kennebunkport. This is a quaint coastal town that in my opinion, embodies all New England has to offer.

We enjoyed some very fresh seafood on the Arundel Wharf....here you can watch the boats stroll down the river and sit out on the sundeck.

Two of the greatest kids I know

The next day it was time to split the girls and boys up - because sometimes you just have to do it. The girls were off for some sailing on the Schooner Eleanor. The Boys were off to another beautiful town called Ogunquit for some deep sea fishing.

My lovie as I like to call her - the sweetest girl ever


View from the wharf in Ogunquit

Zach's catch of the day - supposedly the mate had the fish off the hook and in a bag before Dad could even get a picture.

The boat "The Bunny Clark"





Love these signs all over the town.



The town at night

Much fun was to be had in Kennebunkport; but as sad as we were to leave we were all looking forward to a little home sweet home. But of course not without a little fun on the ride home.

Giossi Family High Adventure! Part I

What do you get when you combine the beautiful state of Maine, tent camping, a raging river and the Giossi Family? You got it - a High Adventure vacation. We had so much fun in Maine last year, that  it was a unanimous vote that we vacation there again. We just may make Maine the annual Giossi Family Summer Vacation.

We arrived in The Forks Maine on the afternoon of Monday August 20,2012.  The GPS claimed it was a 5 hour trip - but of course GPS's do not take into consideration the need for a 13 year old boy to empty his bladder every 1/2 hour. 

Once again we were in campsight #1 which is on the sparkling Kennebec River. The afternoon consisted of setting up camp, a short hike to Moxie Falls, dinner in the "Crabapple lodge", and of course a campfire later in the evening complete with S'Mores.

The grown-ups tent complete with tent poles (last year we forgot the tent poles and it was Dan VS Wild with rigging up the tent with rope and tree branches)

Zach and Bobby's (Bobby is Zach's friend that he got to invite on the trip this year) two-man tent.

Boys fishing in the river

We took a hike to Moxie Falls which is a 90 foot waterfall. We laughed and took lots of pictures.

We blew our air-mattresses up with a bicycle pump; which was a team effort and took a ridiculous amount of time. We needed rest for our big day on the river the next day.

After my first nights sleep in a tent, I was reminded why I limit my nights camping to 2. But no worries because we are so excited for our day on the river. We meet in the lodge for 8:30am are fitted for life jackets, watch numerous videos of rafts flipping over, and get quick safety instructions and lessons on how to paddle - after all it is a team effort.

We take a quick bus ride up the river and the excitement builds along the way. We can already tell we have a very cool river guide by the name of "Chip" 

The river is running at 4800 cubic feet per second. The sun is shining and this is going to be a good good day.

Yup - that's us getting swallowed up by the Kennebec River!

We rafted some big Class III - IV rapids and at the bottom of the river were able to do some swimming in the river. We rafted with Crabapple and highly recommend this family owned and operated company!

That evening we had more campfire and tent sleeping! I am now looking forward to a hotel room and a hot shower. Stay tuned for part 2 of the Giossi Family Vacation.

Swim Like a Fish or Sink Like a Rock

"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." - Henry David Thoreau



Above is beautiful Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. The American writer, Henry David Thoreau lived here in the mid 1800's for 2 years, 2 months, and 2 days in a tiny little cabin in solitude. Many of his writings were inspired by this lovely landscape.

This past Friday I had the opportunity to visit Walden Pond with my children, my dear friend Jen and her two beautiful "sweetpeas" (The cutest 3 year old twin girls you could every lay your eyes on) Jen's two sisters joined us as well.

The purpose of our visit was to once again enjoy another summer day in beautiful New England - and for me a chance to practice some "open-water" swimming with Jen( who also doubles as my "swim coach" twice per week) as The Cranberry Triathlon is soon approaching.

I somehow manage to squeeze into my wetsuit with some welcome assistance from Victoria (also known as #1girl and firstborn) We pry it up and on to the best of our ability; we are laughing and I am sweating all at the same time. I feel like the Michelin Man; it seems hard to breathe but hey these things are supposed to fit snug right?

The plan is to swim the .5 mile across the pond; take a brief rest and swim back. If for some reason I don't think I can swim back I will walk the wooded trail back to the beach.

Off we go Jen, Melissa (both former competitive swimmers mind you) and me the "mud turtle". Let me just say I don't mind being slow but it is imperative that one breathe while swimming. My breath feels constricted and the range of motion in my stroke limited. I am thinking, I should not be having this much difficulty - I have been swimming consistently and building my endurance. Somehow I manage to make it almost to the other side - Apparently I swam well over the 1/2 mile due to my zig-zag pattern across the lake - wonderful.

I am anxious and troubled and all I want to do is rip the wetsuit off! So off it comes. My bosom bursts free and I feel like a free woman and can once again breathe! My idea is to simply walk the wooded trail back to the beach, wetsuit in hand. But I also really want to know if I have the ability to swim the .5 mile back.

And in that moment my friend Jen takes this sorry, wet, heavy suit and ties it around her waist and says "Let's go"  I try to protest, but I should know by now not to argue with this woman when her mind is set.

Once again - Off we go. And I swim and swim and swim the freestyle stroke all the way back. I can breathe and I can sight and I am happy.

When we reach the shore - Jen is my "Superhero" I try to apologize - she tells me to "Shush" and just say "Thank you" So I thank her for the 100th time.

“Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find.” 
― William Shakespeare

Life Change!

The words above ring so true to my heart lately. It has been a year since my last post and so much has come to pass. It would be impossible to to try and capture it all in one post. But let it suffice to say I have made a very big "life change" I have been a working woman, wife, and mom for the past 25 years. I worked for the same Human Service Agency for 19 of those years. After much thought, prayer, planning, and care I resigned from my position on June 30, 2012. I am so looking forward to this new chapter in my life with No Regret!

Having said that this summer will surely go down in the books as one of the best. To have unlimited time with my family and friends has been priceless. I have soaked up the lazy summer days and have taken advantage of all a New England summer has to offer. Beach days, Pool days, Vineyard weekends, a day on Nantucket and even a few mornings of sleeping in (for me that's 7:30 a.m.). Seasons change, this I know, but for now I will just bask in the glory of it!



Trip to the Vineyard with my #1 girl - we had the time of our lives



Onset Beach with some of the best friends a woman could ask for.



 A day on Nantucket with my Mom and Tori



A Sunset sail across the Cove with the hubbie and little man



And of course a good old New England Lobster Bake right in my own backyard