Our Hallett family reunion (mom’s side) was an action packed week full of family, lots of food, and plenty of beer. I have attended two reunions in Maine before, one as a six month old newborn and another when I was sixteen. My great grandfather and the Vinton’s (who built the cabins we stayed at) became great friends and our families have been returning to these cabins ever since. Odds are, because of dwindling family ties, and generations of separation this could have been the last Hallett reunion in this special place.

The main Vinton house.

The main Vinton house.

Carole looking over the lake from the front yard.

Carole looking over the lake from the front yard.

Sarah and Brett's cabin.

Sarah and Brett’s cabin.

Lifejackets on the side of the main house.

Lifejackets on the side of the main house.

Local lobster!

Local lobster!

Family chillin in the lawn out front (a favorite activity).

Family chillin in the lawn out front (a favorite activity).

Micah and Perry. Pretty sure Micah is winning but I could be wrong.

Micah and Perry. Pretty sure Micah is winning but I could be wrong.

Some fam on the steps out front.

Some fam on the steps out front.

Carole and Kat playing games.

Carole and Kat playing games.

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Terry and Todd rented a boat and ran people around the lake. Go 'merica.

Terry and Todd rented a boat and ran people around the lake. Go ‘merica.

Headed back to shore. Todd at the helm.

Headed back to shore. Todd at the helm.

Perry, Carole, Mom, Carolyn and Dad. Family photo time.

Perry, Carole, Mom, Carolynne and Dad. Family photo time.

Mom enjoying the company of family.

Mom enjoying the company of family.

Micah caught all sorts of cool frogs and toads. This one was particularly cool!

Micah caught all sorts of cool frogs and toads. This one was particularly cool!

Yeah. This was SO GOOD.

Yeah. This was SO GOOD.

Washed it down with some "Lobstah Killah" Imperial Red Ale. Best beer of the trip?

Washed it down with some “Lobstah Killah” Imperial Red Ale. Best beer of the trip?

Chanterelles growing in the trail to the boat house.

Chanterelles growing in the trail to the boat house.

Dinner time!

Dinner time!

NOT dinner time.

NOT dinner time.

Bugs and rain. Bugs and rain.

Bugs and rain. Bugs and rain.

Dad cookin' corn on the cob in the BBQ.

Dad cookin’ corn on the cob in the BBQ.

Family Lobstah Feed!

Family Lobstah Feed!

Robyn and her first ever whole lobstah.

Robyn and her first ever whole lobstah.

Yeah not sure.

Yeah not sure.

Trying beers at the "Best Brew Pub in America".

Trying beers at the “Best Brew Pub in America”.

Two of my favorite ladies enjoying all of our favorite beverage!

Two of my favorite ladies enjoying all of our favorite beverage!

I think at this point my dad is exacting revenge for all the family photos I flipped off the camera in.

I think at this point my dad is exacting revenge for all the family photos I flipped off the camera in.

Tried some super interesting, hard to find and classic beers here. All topped off with a great firework show, during which the organizers told us that if one or more shot our way (which had happened before) to please run for safety sake.

Tried some super interesting, hard to find and classic beers here. All topped off with a great firework show, during which the organizers told us that if one or more shot our way (which had happened before) to please run for safety sake.

You have arrived. This is your cue to drool.

You have arrived. This is your cue to drool.

Me and mom's

Me and mom’s

Rob and I at Ebenezers. Lovell, ME

Rob and I at Ebenezers. Lovell, ME

Our rad cabin on the lake. Aside from HUGE spiders, this place was all you need. A bed, a light bulb and a view of the lake.

Our rad cabin on the lake. Aside from HUGE spiders, this place was all you need. A bed, a light bulb and a view of the lake.

Chris and my mom.

Chris and my mom.

Continuing the tradition of decorating the cars as they leave camp. 40 years running?

Continuing the tradition of decorating the cars as they leave camp. 40 years running?

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After deciding the Arcadia National Park would be to crowded, we made possibly the best on a whim decision ever. Heading to Belfast, ME home of the coolest brew pub ever.

After deciding the Arcadia National Park would be to crowded, we made possibly the best on a whim decision ever. Heading to Belfast, ME home of the coolest brew pub ever.

Yeah. Imagine a huge fire, packed with good beer and vibes, right on the wharf.... SO SICK!!!!!

Yeah. Imagine a huge fire, packed with good beer and vibes, right on the wharf…. SO SICK!!!!!

SAMPLERS! Overall there were two really noteworthy beers that brought this place up from middle of the road. Great times and good snacks too! Only the start of a SUPER fun night out that included a specialty cheese shop, more beer and ice cream cones at a historic creamery. WIN!

SAMPLERS! Overall there were two really noteworthy beers that brought this place up from middle of the road. Great times and good snacks too! Only the start of a SUPER fun night out that included a specialty cheese shop, more beer and ice cream cones at a historic creamery. WIN!

Not half bad. I believe this was the Porter.

Not half bad. I believe this was the Porter.

Marshall Wharf Brewing Company. Rad vibe.

Marshall Wharf Brewing Company. Rad vibe.

Strolling to the docks to watch sailboats float by.

Strolling to the docks to watch sailboats float by.

Jam session. If this place had mountains and lacked the oppressive humidity, I could sign on for on of the ridiculously cheap houses and cool small town vibe.

Jam session. If this place had mountains and lacked the oppressive humidity, I could sign on for on of the ridiculously cheap houses and cool small town vibe.

Beerstache!

Beerstache!

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A cool shot from the flight home.

A cool shot from the flight home.

This was a real treat. I was looking out the window on our flight from Seattle to Boise thinking that I might be able to recognize some of the mountain ranges (Wallowas, Elkhorns etc) after living in the area most of my life. As I was convinced I was in the Baker Valley loandbehold I spotted Anthony Lakes!! I grew up skiing this one lift mountain from ages 12-18. Such a cool sight from the air. Gunsight peak to the left, Anthony Lake at the bottom and you can even spot the old lodge.

This was a real treat. I was looking out the window on our flight from Seattle to Boise thinking that I might be able to recognize some of the mountain ranges (Wallowas, Elkhorns etc) after living in the area most of my life. As I was convinced I was in the Baker Valley loandbehold I spotted Anthony Lakes!! I grew up skiing this one lift mountain from ages 12-18. Such a cool sight from the air. Gunsight peak to the left, Anthony Lake at the bottom and you can even spot the old lodge.

5 thoughts on “Hallett Family Reunion: Maine

  1. Well… That could be. Unless the next generation picks up the mantel… So hard when there are so many special places, eh? The definition of “family” ebbs and flows with time.

  2. Don’t know if you got to see all the pictures (you are FAST!) but they are up now.

  3. What?! What?! Is that Steve running the grill drinking a “CAN” of Sierra Nevada?!!!!

    Beerstache is best! Great post, great people, looks like a great time!

  4. looks like an amazing time, but with family, brews and food how could you go wrong!
    gorgeous photos you two 🙂

  5. Dear Ben, given that the Founders IPA was the only drinkable beer I found in Maine (which is brewed in Minnesota I think) I was desperate. In a pinch it did the trick, but whenever you have a choice “just say no to cans, mans” !!!!

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