I must be tripping

Many thought I was nuts with the cost of fuel these days ($3.95 a gallon here yesterday and I'm sure in a few months that will look cheap!) but I drove to both Maine and Vermont in a weeks time. My trip to Maine was an overnight on the campus of the University of New England. Here I spent two days learning the ins and outs of a math program I'll be using called "Everyday Math". The presenter made it fun and interesting seeing that we were stuck inside on two glorious days when I'm sure she too felt the desire to go out exploring or beach combing! Yes, this campus sits right on the water on the coast of Maine. The neat thing is that this is the university from which I am taking my online masters program. I'll graduate from here in May 2009. These are just some photos I took that day.
As I drove onto campus I found this, the student parking lot.

Got out and shot this picture of people fishing. Behind them is the school's dock with a little gazebo, great for sitting and studying on warm days. I can only imagine how chilly it is up here on the water in winter!

A view of the waterfront looking from campus into the town of Biddeford, ME.

Adirondack chairs are in great little gardens everywhere.

This sculpture is in front of one of the main buildings you pass as you drive on campus. This sculpture really caught my attention. I looked at it and immediately came to mind all the 'stones' we all can carry around inside us. It is just a fascinating piece to sit and look at. I left the campus and took the senic route (read that as avoiding the toll roads...thank you Tom Tom GPS). It was nice to arrive home to an intact home and children!

My next trip... Colchester Vermont to visit Saint Michael's with my oldest. Yes, we dragged the younger two along with us. Four hours and 20 mins up to this campus and I'd realized I forgot my camera! Like my own university, St. Mike's is small and quaint. We had our tour with our enthusiastic tour guide, Katelyn, who showed us each and every building and an example of a dorm room. After two hours on campus, we drove into Burlington, got a bite to eat and then hit the road for home...of course with one pit stop to the Ben and Jerry's factory! 4 hours and 20 mins later...we were home and thoroughly exhausted! I sure hope the next college he wants to view is close to home!