Another great sunset to cap off a perfect day.

There were butterflies everywhere. I counted at least 8 different species. This is my first photograph of one in the wild which is far more satisfying than shooting them in a butterfly garden.

All the fresh air and sand made for one tired baby.

Aliza and Win frolicking in the water.

The horses were scared to cross the water in the foreground. Mark offered to help by tempting them with a sugar cube. Here they receive their reward.

You never know what you are going to see on a private beach.

Marie is not like the rest of us. She was the only adult to brave the icy water and taught the kids a thing or two about body surfing. I believe Irish people have a different kind of blood that makes them impervious to emersion in bone chilling liquid.

“I can do this all by my self.”

In she goes, happy as a clam in mud.

Sophia under the supervision of her papa and the protection of her sun hat had her first exposure to the ocean. 

Cold water or not, the waves were just too tempting to resist.

A more pristine and isolated beach I have never before seen.

Naturally, the water was freezing but this was of little consequence to the kids and Marie.

Today we enjoyed a rare opportunity. Our good friend Aliza and son Win, invited us to join them on thier private beach. Most of the Maine coastline is rocky so this massive sand beach is quite an exception. The slope of the beach is so shallow that the waterline shifts by several hundred yards between low and high tide.

Brother and sister with their daughters.

Rachel and Maya were inseparable.

Although we did not get much time alone, both Jeanine and I thoroughly enjoyed this vacation.

After the lobster bake, the kids all participated in round dancing.

It is clear to me already that Nicolai is going to be great fathers one day.

Marie enjoys her very first lobster this evening.

A penny for her thoughts.

Each one of us found something to enjoy at Sebasco Harbor either in groups or by ourselves.

Before dinner, one of the naturalists shares items she has collected during the day. Shown here is a moon worm, one very slimy creature.

Mario discovered these creatures while tide pooling. We have no idea what they are.

A genuinely happy child.

Marie and Sophia hanging out before th lobster bake.

Maya never misses an opportunity to make friends.

The frustration of a a near miss after several attempts is captured nicely in this photo.

Catching the very heavy ring on the rebound is risky business and I am please to report that no teeth were dislodged during the course of this game.

Maya and Rachel spend a lot of time playing a game whose object is to get a suspended ring onto a post on the pole. Easier said, than done.

Alissa finds a moment to relax in the sun.