Jackson, Oliver, whales

Remarkable day of whale watching out of Newburyport.  Jackson had never been on a whale watch (I took Oliver several years ago), and we had a lot of great sightings.  A mother and calf put on a show, and at one point the calf swam under the bowsprint where the three of us were standing, as close as I have ever been to a whale. Here are some pictures.

Jackson, 13, and Oliver, 11

Both will be at St. John's Prep next year.

The "bowsprint" hanging out over the water.  We spent the day there, with great views of all the whales.

A sister ship.

The mother ("Pinball") and calf.

Here is the blowhole. 

Great Shearwater

Mt. Washington by Prius

For the first day of our 49th wedding anniversary trip to Waterville Valley, NY, we took the auto road up to the top of Mt. Washington.  It is quite a trip.  Besides no guard rails, you have to be very, very carefull when meeting another car going in the opposite direction, down or up.  (Cars down have the right of way). But we had a chilly, somewhat cloudy day, with incredible views.

Louis Stewart, Block Island, Grandkids

Louis Stewart and I travelled by ferry to Block Island (he had never been) and we had a great tour.  We paid Vin McAloon for an hour's tour of the island, and he gave us more than two.  Tons of tourists, not much up-scale in the shops (disappointing), but a spectacularly beautiful day. 
The trip to Pratt's Farm was on another beautiful, but very hot day. 

The harbor, Point Judith

Typical "traditional" ferry

A ferry Passenger

Block Island from the sea

Lou thinking about Schoenberg, Bernstein, the Three Stooges, Das Lied von der Erde, etc.

Coming into Block Island harbor.

Beautiful lighthouses on the island

The Hyland house.  John and Cynthia Hyland are friends from church

(he sings bass next to me in the choir)

Lou and Vin McAroon

Another beautiful lighthouse

Lovely Victorian B&B

Headed to the trails, Pratt Farm.

Carter, 4, (in red), Alex, 6

It is remarkable how every stone, stick, bug is fascinating!

Osprey and Young

Beautiful nest in Yarmouthport.  I wish I had had my 400 MM, but this is the best I could do with my 16-300 zoom which is pretty fuzzy at 300.
But pretty cute, never the less.