Prec-i-pice [pres-uh-pis]

1. A cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical or overhanging face.

Each of the past several years we seem to have an adventure in Maine. Hiking, blueberry picking, rope swings and swimming in random ponds, sea kayaking, etc. Common to each adventure has been Paul and Donna. They live here in Owl's Head. We have known Paul and Donna for about 5 years now, and although we rarely have any contact with them when we're at home, our time with them here is increasingly open and comfortable. They're close friends.

Donna grew up in the Bar Harbor area. That's where she met Paul during their time at College of the Atlantic. After school they bought a house there. They still have family in the area. They know the Mount Desert Island area very well, and they wanted to take us up for a day. The chance to see Acadia and other spots around the area is something that we've always talked about doing, and the chance to spend a day with two people who know and love the area so well was a no-brainer.

They picked us up a seven, a detail that Paul insisted was necessary in order to beat the traffic. The two hour drive along Route 1 can stretch out tremendously on summer days. After a quick stop at McDonalds for coffee and Frappes, we were underway. Once in Bar Harbor, we made a quick stop at their son's house, where Donna wanted to drop off a few things and hug the grandkids. Then we headed to the beltway that runs through Acadia.

Initially Paul's suggested agenda for the day was very loose. He loves to hike (and as we have learned, climb), so walking in the park seemed like an obvious activity. Kim declined the chance to hike on the park trails, preferring to ride with Donna to see some of the beaches and spots like Thunder Hole. So Paul, Nate, Abbie and I got dropped of at a parking lot near a trail head. After exchanging some insider lingo about our route and destination with Donna, Paul led us up the trail as the ladies drove away.

Paul had asked some questions about how each of us felt about heights and steep areas. Assuming that this was similar to other hiking experiences that I've had, I didn't make much of his questions. I know from hiking in the Adirondacks that I feel uncomfortable on high ledges, so I just stay back away from the edge. I also understand that steep trails are tiring. This all seemed like good perspective to have before setting out. Fortunately, I didn't really understand at all.

When we reached the top an hour or so later, a sign posted there drew a subtle but important distinction between this trail and others that I have been on; this was climb, not a hike.

A quick Google search lead me to this information this morning.

This is the most challenging and well known hiking trail in Acadia National Park with an exposed and almost vertical 1,000 foot climbup the east face of Champlain Mountain. The trail is only recommended for physically fit and experienced hikers who have no fear of heights. The Precipice parking area is at the base of the Precipice cliff on the east side of Mount Desert Island about 1 mile north of the Schooner Head entrance fee station on the Park Loop Road. We suggest that you do not hike this trail alone and that you verify weather conditions before the climb.

The hiking trail has many rungs and ladders along the trail's length and is approximately 1.6 mile/2.6 km round trip

Sometimes it's better if we don't understand what we're about to do. Of course, this approach can often lead to disastrous consequences, but in this situation, we were in good hands. Paul is an experienced hiker and he knows this trail very, very well. He proved to be an excellent coach and guardian through the whole event. I'll admit I was quite anxious at times, but oddly, I never experienced any real sense of fear.

One of the amazing gifts of this experience was watching Nate and Abbie. During this hour I came to a much greater understanding that Nate doesn't fear things the way that I do. I guess that should have been obvious after raising him for 15 years, but it wasn't. Not only was he not afraid of the climb, at times, his bravery added to my anxiety. At one point, Paul made it clear to Nate that part of making the event less stressful for me was exercising caution and restraint to minimize my worrying.

When we were nearly at the summit, Paul took a detour, leading Nate off the trail to a 20 foot vertical wall of rock. He asked me if it was okay to have Nate "free climb" it. Although I was aware that a fall from this wall might result in a fairly serious injury, there was no danger of Nate falling to a lower or more dangerous spot than where they were standing. I trust Paul, and he said that he would spot Nate, so I said, "yes." Nate struggled to get started, but within a few minutes was about 8 feet off the ground. At that point Paul discouraged Nate from going any further unless he was comfortable. Nate pressed on, but Abbie and I left that spot to return to the trail. Before we were able to get back to the trail and climb to the ledge above Nathan, I heard his victory cry. When we arrived, he was standing on the ledge beaming.

Within a few minutes our party reached the summit. There was quite a crowd there, most of whom were gathered around the sign post that directs hikers (and climbers) to the trails leading off of the mountain. Paul spent some time acting as an advisor to folks who weren't exactly sure what they should do.

After several minutes there, I told Abbie how impressed I was and asked if she had been nervous during the climb. To my surprise, she told me that she had nearly thrown up. Even now, I'm getting choked up thinking about that. She really amazes me. She never hesitated, complained or whined. She just pressed through it. When I commented on how impressive that was, she told me, "What choice did I have?" Her question seemed free of resentment, but instead, strikingly mature. She seemed to be saying, "This is what had to be done. Whining about it wasn't going to change anything."

I hope to write more later about the rest of our day. For now, it's important to me to have a record of this event. I'm continually grateful for our time in Maine. Our ongoing relationship with this place and the people we meet here has given us countless experiences (and challenges) that we simply would not have anywhere else. As I watched Kim and the kids on the beach several hours later, it was hard not to wish that I could freeze the moment. We're a team here. Everyone was content and having a good time. We're blessed people.

-- Our climb took place on Thursday, August 19, the date on this post. I added most of this text the following morning.

The following conversation took place while Abbie and I played cards at the picnic table on our front porch this morning. It's very foggy here today.

Abbie: Are we in the middle of a cloud, but we just can't tell?

Me: Yes.

Abbie: Huh. It's not as fluffy as I imagined.

Baggage Claim

by Rob

Nate's home. Well, actually, we're not at home, as in our house. But last night he arrived back in the states after 14 days in China. Today, with some help and support from Lynn and Lis, he joined us in Maine. For me, he's with us, and so he's home.

A very cool added bonus of this great place where we vacation each year is the regional airport that's about 5 minutes from the cottage. It cost us $20.00 more to fly him here, rather than to Portland, which is at least an hour drive away.

Is this a small airport? Well, when we parked, we pulled onto a section of lawn. I told Kim that it felt like we were parking at the fairgrounds. But, for me, the feature which best summarizes this airport is the baggage claim. Yes, this is a picture of it. Nate and the other ten passengers disembarked and entered the "terminal building." Then we all walked outside to the baggage claim.

It is so great to have him "home."

Email from Nate and Mrs. Lim

This morning we have received two email messages from China. One is from Nate and the other from Mrs. Lim, his Chinese teacher.

From Nate:

hey guys! so now were in Xi'an. and ill try and recap the whole trip so far.

so, i dont remember what happened when i last emailed you, but ill start from tieniman square.

when we first saw it it just looked like a huge building. but as we got closer, it looked enourmous. and when we went inside, i thought about glutany. there were so many "gates". really, there were just excuses for more buildings. that day was hot. i think it gave elizabeth heat exaustion. but dont worry, shes the only one that was sick.

we saw a chinese actobat show. it was so much better than the one at proctors. but i dont know why.

when we went to see the summer palace, we just really went to go see a huge building. that was nice?

one of my favorite parts of the trip, and i dont know why id tell you this, but the foot massage. and it was really great because the masuse for me zac and joe (so, the 3 masi), didnt, or at least we think didnt, speak a word of chinese. so the whole time, they called me stupid. cute, but stupid. i enjoyed myself.

that was the first thing that made me hate this country. the second was barganing. because, in order to bring moms precious tea set home, i had to get luggage. i didnt want to pay 250 yuan for a bag i thought would be to small, so i TRIED to walk away. this woman grabbed me and dragged me back. 3 times.

i was scared.

pictures dont work, so ill use facebook.

and im tired, so im gonna go. but i love you guys, and miss you a lot! and i promise that when i get home, you"ll still have the same grumpy teenager.

bye guys!

From Mrs. Lim

Dear Parents,

Sorry for not blogging regularly. We have very slow computers and network problems in the hotel. And most days, we came back really late and the kids are tired.

I have problem with the blog too so I will update everyone on what happened the past few days:

The 4 days in Beijing was magical. The kids got to see the tourist spots and of course, many climbed the Great Wall. The heat was unbearable but I got everyone drinking water every few minutes so it was OK. The kids tried all types of Chinese authentic food - I think we have visited a total of 8 restaurants so far. Don't worry - no monkey brains. They were all delicious food and not just simply Sesame Chicken or General Tso's Chicken.

Some of us went for a foot massage. It was so comfortable that the kids felt asleep on the massage bed. I was with them and they had so much fun talking to the locals.

The best part of the trip so far was the shoping at Hong Qiu Shopping district. They get to bargain and some storekeepers gave them really good prices because they speak Chinese. Many kids asked me what they should get for their parents and families. (Aren't they sweet? Thinking about their parents all the time). I hope I have given them good advice. We have a great tour guide which the kids love. In addition, we have 2 other teachers that accompanied us. The hotel was 5 star and everything was very comfortable.

We visited the Hanban on Wednesday and that opened our eyes to many opportunities they offer to American students. One of them was the full scholarship they offered for students to study Chinese in Beijing, all expenses paid. Zach, Kate, Joe are already talking to them on the application procedure. On the whole, we were treated very well by everyone.

At first some students were hesitant to speak Chinese to the locals, worried that they may laugh at them. But now

everyone is talking, even Mally, Isabel and ELizabeht. Oh, I have to tell you about Nate - Chinese just love his ginger hair. He was asked to take photos with many locals. I think he felt like a celebrity.

Halle was our Public Relations officer who made the effort to talk to the kids from other schools. They made a lot of good friends from schools in Buffalo, Montana and Rhode Island.

We arrived Xian last night and everyone was tired because of a 2-hour flight delay. But the school has arranged a welcome dinner for all of us. We went to a really nice restaurant and guess what, they served us dishes after dishes. We counted - there were a total of 18 dishes! I don't know how they expect us to finish all those food. But we appreciate what they have prepared for us.

The Bo-Ai school principal was very nice. He kept asking the students what they want to eat for their meals so that he can change the menu for us. All the staff was very nice to us. Though the dorms are not as grand as the hotel in Beijing but we are thankful for their hosptiality.

All the teachers have a meeting with them this morning and I requested for more sightseeing instead of just swimming because Xian is a very old city with a lot of history. I think the students will enjoy this ancient city.

All the nine kids are in the Intermediate class. You know - I am so proud of them. I may be biased but I think my students have the best manners, they are funny, friendly and have such a strong desire to learn. I just love them!

Ok - talk to you all again.

Everyone is fine and

Diana Lim

Chinese Teacher