Birthday, Bar Harbor and Puerto Rico

During the month of June I’ll spend more days away from home than days in Berkeley.

First, we spent a week marrying friends (The Hubby is a popular officiant amongst our friends) in Bar Harbor, Maine. The party was the bride, the groom, their immediate families, and me and The Boy. Our long-time friends were tremendously generous hosts and we spent the week at a gorgeous estate on Somes Sound with trips to Acadia National Park for hiking, climbing, and kayaking.

One of our first days we hiked the Beehive trail. This trail was one of the best bang for the buck hikes I’ve done. It’s basically climbing a ladder up to the top of a mini mountain (520 feet gain in less than a mile) with incredible views. It’s very exposed, but very beautiful.

 

We went for a second hike on my birthday- this one was longer (7 miles) and steep without climbing. The views were beautiful and while I can’t remember the name of the trail, I’m always thankful for an opportunity to be outside.

We also went climbing at the Otter Cliffs. I like climbing, particularly bouldering, but needing to start from the top and rappel down a 60 foot cliff totally messed with my mind. At least the views were awesome (are you noticing a theme?).

We also went sea kayaking and saw tons of wildlife (including osprey and seals) but my camera didn’t come out because 40 mph winds led to quite a bit of spray. They say that sea kayaks bring out what exists in a relationship- fighters fight and lovers love. Based on this picture at the end of our trip, I think me and The Boy are doing alright.

After Bar Harbor I flew straight to San Juan, Puerto Rico where I gave two talks on marijuana policy, one at a media forum. It was a great networking opportunity, I was so happy to see lots of old friends, make new friends, and spend time in a gorgeous place. I enjoyed some time on the beach, and an incredible dinner at Verde Mesa. If I wouldn’t have been coming off of a weeklong adventure wedding I might have sought out all that PR had to offer (friends went to rain forests and did sea kayaking in bioluminescent waters), but I was content laying low.

I love to travel, adventure, share my science with others, and as corny as it sounds, my favorite thing is coming home. Since getting back, we have fresh peaches on the tree, newly bloomed hydrangeas, and have celebrated Tyke’s 10th birthday. Yes, I made him peanut butter banana “pupcakes” 🙂 It’s a good life.