Annual Trip to Mousam Lake, Maine

 Another fantastic weekend was had by all up at one of our favorite places in the world - Mousam Lake, Maine!

But first, we decided to stop by Todd's alma mater, the University of New Hampshire for an unofficial visit. We swung by the Durham House of Pizza and JP's for some lunch before heading out (with a map and an online audio guide) for a little tour of the campus.

It was a warm day in Durham, so the kids were happy to sit down in the air conditioned Hamilton Smith Hall, where Todd took a bunch of classes back in the day.

I think he had a fun time roaming around his old stomping grounds. 

We made the kids sit down in front of historic Thompson Hall just like we did a few years ago.

Remember when these same kiddos sat here in 2020? The best part? Natalie has on the same shirt that Grant does in the picture above this! (P-town is the best!)

We stopped by Dimond Library to show the kids what a university library looks like (just a tad bit bigger than their school libraries!) and I found the VERY best section of all! Meteorology!

Grant found SOME book that was entirely in German and proceeded to attempt to read from it. It went about as you would expect.

Next up, we visited the Paul Creative Arts Center. Grant, you are so busted trying to play the pipe organ!

We went into the Johnson Theater so Natalie could see the big stage they use within the Department of Theater and Dance. 

But it was hot in Durham, and everyone was itching to get up to one of our favorite places - Mousam Lake!

It's really just so peaceful and beautiful.

Helen and Gordie (Todd's sister and brother-in-law) live on a quiet part of the lake, but you can still holler over to the neighbors.

Helen was watching the neighbors little dog, Boo and Natalie got to take her out for a little exercise.

She was so tiny and cute and menacing!  I mean Boo of course, not Natalie!

We arrived in time for dinner, some running around with the dog and a pretty sunset.

Todd tried to get the fire going but it wasn't very successful. It had rained for a couple of days and all of the wood was way too damp.

That's ok!  We got a good night sleep and woke up to a beautiful day and a good cup of coffee!

I think this is Todd's favorite thing to do, even when the lake is about 71 degrees.

Time to pack it in Todd, we need to go out for a ride on the pontoon boat!

My bud always loves being out on the lake.

Awwww. Good old Blueberry Island. Helen says it's been picked clean of blueberries, and on most warm days (errr, um, not today), there are a ton of boats around here.

We boated past the dam, which has been open because of all of the rain. Lake levels are high!

I was able to actually hop in a picture before...

... THIS happened!

Welcome back to the Blue Moose!

Natalie and I sat on the dock after the boat ride but the mostly cloudy skies were just a BIT too bright for us!

And then it was time for some giant Jenga! The Queen of giant Jenga starts us off with a mid tower move.

You know it's always fun when Natalie is talking smack!

And we even get Grant to participate in this family activity!

Maybe you can guess who lost by this picture?

After a yummy dinner, we sat out by the fire pit - but tonight, the wood was much drier so we got a nice fire started.

Gotta have some S'mores with Uncle Gordie!

You would think it was cold by these outfits, but we really just wear them to avoid being bit by mosquitos.

I don't particularly love S'mores but man, they're always better in Maine!

Todd agrees!

There's some intense S'mores faces here.

Can you believe Gordie built this house pretty much all by himself???

This kid crashed hard. 💗

We rotated our weekend in Maine because of some bad weather on Friday, so we were there from Saturday evening until Tuesday morning. So we got to enjoy a nice Monday off!  And you can probably guess where Todd was Monday morning. On a tube on Mousam Lake!

 The weather was a tad cool (well, compared to when we were in Florida) but Monday was a beautiful day for a ride on the lake!

Since the dam has been open with all of the rain that has fallen, the lake levels are really high. High enough that some boats (ours?) couldn't get under the bridge.  Wait... we're gonna attempt to get a pontoon boat under THAT?

It was touch and go - but we made it under the bridge!  The top had to come down, everyone had to crouch down real low, and we had to use our steady hands to guide us under the brick bridge so that the boat didn't crash. Literally. Good times. Once we got to the other side, we stopped briefly so Todd could jump in the water to cool off.  

Dunk! 

We couldn't stay long because it was breezy and that was blowing the boat toward the shoreline, but Grant wanted to jump in too. He was VERY hesitant though because the water was only 71 degrees.

But he did it!

They didn't stay in long - brrrr!

Todd and Grant jumped back into the boat and we cruised along, talking about all of the homes and how the shoreline has changed over the years.

We even saw a family of loons!

AND we spotted the (very blurry) German flag!

Captain Gordie and his first mate, Todd got us safely back to the bridge.

WHICH we had to go under again, with the same results. No problem!

We rode back to the house through the no wake zone by the bridge.

Awww, my little family, in their happy place.

These two even get along better at Mousam Lake.

After another great dinner and a rousing game of Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza, we spent a little time on the porch before heading to bed. Sniff sniff.

In the morning, Natalie drove us out of Maine and into New Hampshire. Not terrifying at all! We lived!

Until next time, Mousam Lake! See ya next summer!