Sesame Place

A great summer vacation is Sesame Place. If you go, visit during the week to avoid the largest crowds. Our first day was a Thursday and overcast, virtually no lines. Plan for 2 days, it costs $56 per person (over the age of 1) but you get a second day free. We found an inexpensive hotel ($45/night) with breakfast and went back the next day. We left the Cape at 3 am, 5 hour drive, arrive in the parking lot by 9:30. Play all day (open til 10pm). Come back the next day, we left at 2:30, after the parade, and you can get home at a reasonable hour. Pay the extra $3.00 and park in the preferred lot next to the picnic tables. You are just as close as the VIP parking to the front gate and you can come out at lunch time to eat, close to your car. You are allowed a small cooler for snacks but can't bring a big one in for picnicking inside. Buy your tickets on-line to speed up getting inside the park. Be at the gate about 9:45 for the 10 am opening.

There are dry rides. Kids under 36" can ride on all but the roller coaster, either alone or with an adult on others.

Visit Elmo and friends inside the tent in the dry ride area. Other characters appear around the park but the lines are longer and out in the sun.

There are many different play areas scattered all over the park. The first day we tried to get to all of them so Scout would know what was there. The second day we let Scout tell us where she wanted to go.

This little slide area was here favorite spot.

There are 3 different shows, repeated many times throughout the day and evening. We did get in line 30 minutes early to get front row seats.

The water park is great...finally a place that the tiny ones can go on everything (well just 2 slides for the bigger kids). Infants were even riding on some. We wore our bathing suits all day both days. There is one bathroom, near the Counts Castle, that has a changing area.

The parade is at 2 and again at 9. The dots along main street mark the parade route. Put your towel down next to the dots for a front row seat. We sat near the entrance and only needed to get there 15 minutes early. It was a great spot, the parade stopped there and performed.

Bring the stroller. We brought our bike trailer, with its stroller wheel. It held all our towels, snacks and extra clothes with plenty of room for a nap!

Boothbay days 3 and 4

Daddy and Scout played explored together on day 3. They went to the Maine State aquarium and visited a train museum. Somehow, at the aquarium, Scout managed to jump into the touch and feel pool! She water and animals in the same spot....what could be better!!

This is the train museum...she just wanted to play with the goats while.

On our last day we spent the morning with our friend Gabe looking for seals. We paddled in the Damriscotta river out to the mouth. The seals were supposed to be hauled up on some ledges. No seals on the ledges but we had a curious follower for almost an hour!!! It kept popping its head up and looking at us....I think that was better then seeing them up on the ledges!

Scout napping in her kayak cradle.

There was a great park where we put in and spent a little time exploring before heading south.

Boothbay day 2

Day 2 Daddy and Scout went to visit the botanical garden. They had a ball!!! They spent 7 hours there playing in the children's garden. That is easy to do when you let life happen, led by the child. Exploring and discovering and enjoying every moment.

A sand box is always great fun where ever you are.

Each of the different areas were themed after a story written by a Maine children's author.

They had a fabulous day together and rejoined me for dinner.

Boothbay day 1

We were fortunate to have a nice trip to Boothbay ME. I went to an instructor meeting and Murph and Scout came along. We had an extra day on each end to spend together and Daddy and Scout had 2 days to spend alone together.

We left at 2am so Scout could sleep for the drive. She just can't sit still very long and it would be impossible to try to make the trip while she was awake. We made great time and arrives at 5:30. We stopped in a parking lot in town along side the water.

Lots of cool sights

"Hug, hug"

Always take time to smell the flowers

It rained off and on on the morning so we dressed to stay outside.

interesting art ...

and a children's garden....

right next to a used book store. The store was closed but there were books for a quarter on the porch. Scout is putting a quarter in the hole to buy a book for Zach...who was home taking care of Tonto (what an awesome brother!).

Looks like the weather is clearing, time for a paddle.

checking equipment

giving Daddy instructions

after a nice paddle in the harbour they take the boat out.

view from out room at the end of a great day