Lions and leopards and lizards, oh my!

This morning we headed into town to spend time in Vinalhaven. It was mid-tide, and we needed boots so that we could reach the boat without sinking in mud up to our elbows.

Thankfully there were rocks covered in barnacles and bladderwrack to hop across on our way out to the dinghy! We made it out there without being swallowed up...
and Hope rowed us out to the motor boat.
We hopped aboard...

and Mark ferried us into town...
as we watched the islands disappear into the shroud of fog behind us.
We first landed at the ARC, the local non-profit cafe and arts center that was started by Hope's brother Tristan and his girlfriend Gabe. We ran into Hope's mom there; she was in desperate need of some coffee, and thankfully they had just what she was looking for!

Later we hooked up with Lila and traveled with her in the Gypsy Circus mobile... If you look closely you can see me through the lions and leopards and lizards that Lila has made.

Hope discovered her deep love for dangly beaded veils...
and we went to the naked quarry to swim in the perfect, cool water...

and eat grapes in the sunshine.
Later we saw this awning, and realized that we just HAD to stop for ice cream.We explored more of town,
and caught rose petals as they fell from the heavens.
After practicing our Marilyn Monroe impressions we met Hope's dad at a gallery opening downtown...
where we enjoyed wine and cheese and art (a sculpture of a seal is sunning itself in the background here)...
and then headed back home to Green's for the evening.
We hiked through the fields and mossy forests to the back side of the island to watch the sun set...
and the moon rise...

ending another lovely day full of exploration, presence, and peace.