Climbing Gorham Mountain

Yesterday was perfect. The high didn't reach 70 deegrees; the sun was out early. A few clouds were scattered across the sky. After a perfect mailboat ride to NEH, we grabbed a quick breakfast at the Mainsail and headed into the park. We were lucky enough to find a parking place in the Gorham lot and we headed up  the mountain. As usual, the views changed from good to great to magnificent as we ascended. If I had been worried about whether I would be able to climb easily this year, that worry disappeared with this climb. In fact, it seemed easier and shorter than we both remembered. Before we knew it, we were at the top, having a light lunch and a glass of wine. Mountain climbing is always easier with wine. We were the envy of all the families at the top, since we had no dogs, no kids and WINE.
After more than an hour at the top, including thirty minutes or so picking huckleberries so I can make a pie tonight, we climbed back down and headed to the Hanneford's in Bar Harbor to pick up a few groceries. We made the mail boat with time to spare and arrived home to skies that had clouded over.
We walked up to Ann's around 6:15 to have dinner with the whole crowd--Ann's meatloaf, Michael's fried squash, steamed kale from Ann's garden, and baked sweet and white potatoes. And wine, of course, for everyone but me.
After dessert--Ann's hard gingerbread with fresh whipped cream--we moved into the other room for music. Phin played guitar and Tony played banjo and the rest of us sang, mostly old folk songs: O Mary Don't You Weep, Keep on the Sunny Side, By the Waters of Babylon, and others. We sang until a little after 10 and then finally dispersed. Phin and Tony went back  to the boat house to get ready for the kids who came today. Michael and I walked home in the dark.
I was ready for bed, but Michael wasn't, so we started watching Moonstruck. Less than halfway through I decided that I was going to bed, so I left him sleeping on the couch. He came to bed eventually, and even though both of us awoke earlier, we stayed in bed until  10, when I got up and started breakfast. It had been pouring rain all morning, but by the time we wanted to head to Ann's to wash our clothes, the rain had stopped. Ann had a fire going when we arrived, and we've been sitting and chatting with whoever shows up ever since. Michael's gone back to the cottage to get the berries so I can make the pie for dinner. Jim will be making India food, and I'll provide dessert. It's not a pretty day, but it's a good one, as most days are on Islesford.