Tag Archives: Fort Williams

Somebody VERY SPECIAL Turned 18 Today. Wow! I No Longer Have Any Kids.

by Anura Guruge
on March 22, 2024

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THIS is ALL I can post. SMILE. She is a very private person. I am NOT allowed to post pictures NOT explicitly approved by her. And, of course, I honor her wishes. That is what I do. SMILE.

Now that she has her own car, she went shopping for a cake ON HER OWN. First time she could do that. So, she picked this. It is over 5 lbs! She doesn’t plan to have anyone come around. She, as I said, tends to be very private. So basically this is for the 3 of us — & I try not to eat too much cake.

We are off to Ft. Williams (Maine) shortly — in her car, her driving &, of course, with HER DOG, ‘Rowen‘ (though Rowen thinks she is ‘my girl’). She has driven to Ft. Williams before (since getting her car last September), but this will be her first time driving there on HER BIRTHDAY. We have been going to Ft. Williams on her birthday since 2021 — when we first got Rowen. Dogs are allowed at the Park & that is why we go there. My 2nd time to Ft. Williams this year. It will be her third.

Photos of Ft. Williams LATER — of course. SMILE.

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It Was “Rowen’s” 3rd Birthday & She Got A Birthday Cake, “McDonald’s” Cheeseburgers & New Squeaky Toys.

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by Anura Guruge
on November 30, 2023

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She didn’t, this year, get to go to her favorite place, outside of here, i.e., ‘Fort Williams‘. We had some important commitments that could not be moved around.

Instead she got a special Doggie Birthday Cake, from Boston, plus the traditional burgers. This year she got 2.5. Also a few new squeaky toys.

Oh, she also got to go in her NEWEST car to McDonald’s to get the burgers. She loves her rides and looking around the McDonald’s parking lot.

So, she had a good time & good day. Braxton lucked out too. So a good day for the dogs.

Last year. Her 2nd birthday.

A ‘Labor Outing’, To A Fort, For ‘Rowen’ — But NOT Her Favorite ‘Fort Williams’ In Maine.

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by Anura Guruge
on September 4, 2023

She expects to go to the ocean on holidays, birthdays & special occasions. She has been going to ‘Fort Williams‘, in ‘Portland‘, Maine, since she was a baby. She likes it there. She knows the paths & the routine. BUT, she is getting driven around by a STUDENT DRIVER & she can’t drive out of State! So, she can’t be driven to Maine. We have to stay in New Hampshire. So, of late, we go to ‘Fort Stark‘ — which is NOT a bad compromise. Not as expansive & grand as Fort Williams, but still on the ocean & NICE. So, here she is. All set for her trip.

Having To Walk 4-Miles In The Rain To Meet My Self-Imposed Step Goals.

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by Anura Guruge
on December 3, 2022

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Letting it DRY given that it has rained all day.

From ‘Garmin Connect’. 4.17 miles in the rain.

I have to get in my steps (~17,000/day, 500,000+/month) RAIN or SHINE — provided it is 5F (-15C) or above. Hate the RAIN. Snow is better as long as it is not blowing in your face too much. RAIN is just miserable to walk in — when you have to be out in it for at least 80 minutes.

Today was WARM! A heat wave. Near 50F. WOW. So, didn’t need too many layers. But, needed two layers of rain gear plus a vinyl cap.

Second time in 4 days that I had to walk in the rain. The other time was Wednesday when we went to ‘Fort Williams‘ in the rain for “Rowen’s” birthday.

The only concession I made today was that I didn’t wear my 7 lbs of weights. Those weights, though not that much, slows me down. As I get older I definitely can feel those weights. Gone are the days I wore TWICE as much.

Well, I need to get about 2,500 steps tonight to make sure I am on track for the 500,000 steps/month goal. Last month I just squeaked through with 501,xxx. Well, it still counts. More than a 1,000 OVER 500,000. I typically like to come in at least around 512,xxx.

Well, I think tomorrow is supposed to be DRY. What a relief.

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It Was “Rowen’s” 2nd Birthday & She Got To Go To ‘Fort Williams’ (Maine), Have “McDonald’s” Double Cheeseburgers & Got 4 New Squeaky Toys.

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by Anura Guruge
on November 30, 2022

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She is a bit spoilt. Not much. Par for the course for this household.

She actually really like ‘Fort Williams‘. She has been going there since she was a baby. It a dog friendly park, by the ocean & on most days there are lots of dogs for her to socialize with. Plus, other than today when it was raining & there was hardly anyone there, she always gets people stopping to admire her — & talk to her. She loves that. So, we took her to Fort Williams despite the rain. Three of us got wet but had a good time. It was WARM. Upper 40s — not bad at all, at all, for the last day of November.

On the way we stopped at a McDonald’s & got her (& Braxton) cheeseburgers. She gets a double because she is a big girl.

She got 2 of her toys (wrapped (of course)) before she left & the other two when we came back. What can I say. I organized the trip & went & got the burgers. The rest was done by her OWNER (which is not I).

A Walking, Talking Billboard For The ‘Bold Coast’, Maine.

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by Anura Guruge
on September 7, 2022

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You can’t see it that well, but the image appears on the cap too.

Any resemblance to a book cover has to be coincidental. But, I should be OK. I know the author of that book & he is sure to give me a waiver.

I used VistaPrint as is my wont when it comes to most of my ‘print’ needs — other than books. They are OK. It is NOT the final product I want to end up with. Over the winter, when I have more time, I will look at other options. But, this is what I got from VistaPrint. I haven’t worn the sweatshirt yet. Will wear it next week when I am up in Maine for a few days.

These pictures were taken at ‘Fort Williams‘ last Sunday, September 4, 2022.

‘Bold Coast’ books (now available). Click on images for details.

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Mini-‘Lego’ Model Of The ‘Portland Head Light’ At ‘Fort Williams’ — One Of Our Favorite Places.

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by Anura Guruge
on June 22, 2022

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The actual lighthouse from our visit on Sunday.

It is NOT ‘Lego‘ & it is mini-blocks (though in reality they are more like micro-blocks & they come with a tweezer to help you pick them up).

Not a very good likeness — I have to say; but it is, nonetheless, rather cute.

Why they just couldn’t make a smooth, rounded tower defeats me. But, it is the thought that counts — I guess.

They were selling the kits, at $13 (plus Maine tax), at the Gift Store.

During ALL the visits we have made to Fort Williams in the last 3 years this was — due to COVID — the first time the Gift Shop was open. Teischan went in, looked and told me about the kits. She, as ever, was impeccable. She did not ask for one (though she also has a stash of cash). I bought TWO! One for her, one for me.

She built hers today. Took her two days. That is hers. I appropriated hers & gave her my, unopened, kit. She is going to build that too. She likes Lego.

Well, I wanted to share this with you. Enjoy. SMILE.

‘Rowen’ (Our Newfie) Does Southern Maine Lighthouses (South Portland & Nubble).

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by Anura Guruge
on June 19, 2022

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‘Fort Williams’, South Portland — her favorite place in Maine.

What do you need me to say? {SMILE} She is the epitome of photogenic. She was a HIT wherever we went today. People just drool over her & she adores people.

She has been going to ‘Fort Williams‘ since she was a baby last year. This was her second visit this year. Probably her 4th or 5th in total. She loves it there.

It was her first visit to the other two.

Man’s Inconsideration For Man Bespoiling Lovely ‘Fort Williams’, Portland, Maine.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 22, 2022

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Before anyone gets on their high horse about the title being sexist, please brush up on your ‘Robert Burns‘. Plus, given that there are also diapers I am sure that this is an equal opportunities crime by no means gender specific. SMILE.

This was today at the ever lovely Fort Williams on what was a beautiful (but very chilly & gusty) day. It was my second visit this year.

This scene by the only available ‘amenities’ is UNACCEPTABLE! How inconsiderate. What are people thinking. Yes, it is bad enough that people have become rude & think it is OK, but this is taking things to a whole different level.

I think Fort Williams, year round, quite rightly, is a ‘carry in, carry out‘ facility. We are off-season right now & they are not charging their nominal parking fees. So, they have also cut back on the upkeep & facilities. [I did NOT use the porta potties, but when the doors were open they looked ‘clean’ from where I was standing (at a safe distance). Being a man, & a daily, year round hiker to boot, I know how to get by without having to negotiate porta potties. SMILE.]

I am NOT sure how we can fix this problem. I thought about contacting the good people who lovingly maintain this wonderful park & offering to pay SOME towards renting a dumpster. But, that might not be the right fix. Plus, I understand, that some will, quite rightly feel that we gave into the problem.

One of Fort Williams’ many claims to fame is that it is dog friendly. It even has an off-leash dog area. That is why my daughter (whose 16th birthday it was today) loves this place. She can take her 104 pound puppy (though she will NOT let it off its leash).

I am saddened. It is the same as with manners. Why can’t we be more considerate. Being polite & considerate costs nothing. And it, trust me, is real easy to do. SMILE.

Anura’s Picture Of The Day + 6 Others, June 20, 2021 — ‘Fort Williams’, Maine For The 3rd Time This Year.

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by Anura Guruge
on June 20, 2021

| All taken with my (Jan. 2021) Google Pixel 5. | Post processing limited, at most to just adjusting brightness, if & when required. | Attribution will be strictly ENFORCED. |

Anu’s Picture of the Day: