Peak color has arrived in our neck of the woods earlier than usual this year. I spent a couple of hours looking for new locations to photograph and found several near Wachusett Mountain. I drove to the top only to discover the view there was totally disappointing. Fortunately, I found several pleasing scenes on the way there and back. My version of “stopping to smell the roses” is getting outdoors during autumn to enjoy the festival of color that abounds. Our four seasons are one of the things I enjoy most about living in New England, and with each passing year I am more motivated to enjoy each to the fullest.

I let my drone do most of the “hiking” today as my pinky toe is rather sore after my return to the soccer pitch yesterday. We beat a tough Lexington team 2-0. Due to an injury-riddled roster, I was moved from wing halfback to a striker position. I did little to contribute to our offense but forced several turnovers that helped our cause. In retrospect, I should have probably allowed another week for my pinky toe to heal, as it reminded me with every step I took.

I learned today that my Uncle Jimmy passed away at his home in Valencia, Spain. He suffered a stroke and was surrounded by his children when he died. I have very fond memories of him. My cousin Vincent and I used to help him do maintenance on his Ferraris. He shared our interest in fast cars. He also gave me one of my first paid engineering jobs when I was in college. I designed and installed a custom intercom system for his doctor’s office. He is pictured above with his sisters. My mom, the younger on his left, and Maruja, the oldest on his right. She is just about to turn 100 years of age and has survived both of her younger siblings.

Jeanine and I wrapped up our anniversary weekend getaway with a stop at Ogunquit Beach, where I did a little drone photography, and Jeanine took a stroll on the fine sand beach.

We stopped at Lobster in the Rough for sustenance in the form of pulled pork for me and a lobster roll for Jeanine. It can only be described as an eclectic playground for adults.

The Railway Village Museum conserves, displays, and interprets artifacts, authentic period structures, and technologies used in Maine from the Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Centuries. For the past 56 years, it has hosted a Fall Foliage Festival featuring artists and makers, live music, local foods, drinks, and treats. While enjoying the festival this afternoon, I visited the antique car museum, model railroad, and village goats while Jeanine rested her aching hip and listened to Scottish folk music.

The Model Railroad Exhibit is under constant construction, portraying railroading in Maine during the 1950s-1960s. The current HO scale layout has been evolving for 20 years and features a level of detail that must be seen to be believed.

This morning, Jeanine and I were up for the sunrise. She found her way to the tower atop the Christmas Cove Inn, where we spent the night. I was on the deck flying my drone. If you click on the photo and look VERY closely, you can find both of us in the scene.

Meet George. Possibly the gentlest dog we have ever met. He greeted us last night and again this morning. He is totally content to welcome guests and chill out with them in the common spaces of the inn.

Our final destination for the day was Christmas Cove, where we are staying at a lovely bed and breakfast. As soon as we drove up, George, the nicest dog you will ever meet, greeted us. I was so busy making his acquaintance that I did not pause to take a photo of him. I hope to rectify this tomorrow morning.

As luck would have it, we happened upon Pumpkin Fest in the small town of Damariscotta. Apparently, a cash prize is awarded to the grower who produces the largest pumpkin (1,700 pounds was the largest we spotted). Next, the pumpkins are sponsored by businesses, and artists are assigned to create a town-wide work of art. Finally, and I am sad to say we will miss this part, a Pumpkin Regatta is held in which motorized, hollowed-out pumpkins are raced on the Damariscotta River.

Jeanine and I got up before first light and walked to the Pemaquid Lighthouse from our nearby lodging. There, we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise to start our day.

The photo below was taken by Jeanine. I think it is spectacular. She has become an exceptional photographer in her own right. She claims it is from hanging around with me for so long. I think she has simply discovered her inner artist.

To celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary, Jeanine and I are spending three days in Boothbay, Maine. Today we visited the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. It is my first visit and Jeanine’s second. Angry skies gave way to 15 minutes of rain, during which we sheltered inside a gazebo. For the remainder of the day, the weather was ideal.

Born in Odense, Denmark, Thomas Dambo lives and works in Copenhagen.  Building and creating with wood since the age of five, a self-labeled “recycle art activist,” his trolls can be found worldwide, including five within this park.

This evening, Jeanine and I attended a talk given at the Concord Public Library by architect Henry Moss entitled Conantum: From Conception to Maturity. We were joined by a large group of our neighbors who were equally interested in learning about the history of the place where we live. It was created 75 years ago and represented a novel development at the time, both in terms of the architecture and the harmonious integration with the natural surroundings. Pictured above is a map showing the 100+ lots, common land, and the Sudbury River.

I suspect I am the only person in the world who can claim to have received a massive mason jar of peaches as a birthday gift from a soccer teammate. The honor was bestowed upon me by Mike Baltay, back for his first game since rupturing his Achilles tendon, and one of my soccer teammates at Union College.

Last week, I got my first chance to test-drive a BMW iX3. Although my reservation is in the queue, I am toward the tail end of the 100,000-plus orders that have been placed for the car, and my expectation is that it will not arrive until April, 2027. The car lived up to my high expectations, with the exception of the steering wheel buttons and the general lack of useful storage compartments. This notwithstanding, it was a total joy to drive.

Given the rather lengthy wait, however, I have decided to do a little more auto research. Today, I test-drove the highly rated Rivian R2. There is certainly a lot to like about this vehicle as compared to the iX3: off-road capability, thoughtful storage, awesome acceleration, and an unconventional but oddly attractive body design. Despite reviewer claims to the contrary, it still has very truck-like handling, however. The BMW, on the other hand, has superior range and faster charging, lives up to the ultimate driving machine catchphrase, and has an expansive service network.

I decided to reserve a place in the Rivian queue just to keep my options open.

The kids and their partners joined us this evening to celebrate my birthday. My nephew John also attended but arrived after we had already taken photos. Jeanine prepared Enchiladas Suizas for dinner, with corn fritters (one of my favorite foods) as an appetizer, and a decadent chocolate-raspberry layer cake for dessert. Everyone contributed photos for a wonderful slideshow presentation, and I spooled up some old videos of the kids when they were small. All in all, a fantastic birthday treat for me.

Earlier in the day, my soccer team won our toughest match of the year by a score of 2-0. I had to watch from the sidelines because my pinky toe has not sufficiently healed to play. After the game, I took advantage of the fair weather to create the official team portrait for this season.

Easing my disappointment for not having played, one of my teammates presented me with a delicious birthday gift, a huge jar of peaches from his orchard. I can’t wait to sample them.

The good news first. I timed my visit to Franconia Notch perfectly. Fall color was at its peak; the vibrancy this year was off the charts and the sky was clear. The bad news. I was not the only person who figured out that today would be an optimal time to visit. Traffic and congestion were terrible. Click on the photo below for a look at the crowds at the Artist’s Bluff Lookout.

Zoom in on the photo below to appreciate the classic New England fall foliage palette. I think the photograph is pretty good, but it does not do justice to the experience of seeing it in person. If you have never witnessed peak color in the Northeast Kingdom, it is something you should add to your bucket list.