Happy Monday! 

This weekend was a big event here in Auburn and Lewiston.  Several things happened to make it so!

First, after touring all the surrounding towns of Lewiston when deciding where to live, we finally purchased a home right here in Auburn!  The prices are extremely reasonable, and while we have only been here for a full month, we have settled in and are very comfortable here.  The people are really very, very nice. We have found the folks of New England to be down to earth, kind and easy to get along with.  It really is hard to find a reason not to like the area.

On the national front, this weekend was Auburn-Lewiston's 20th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival.  History - Auburn and Lewiston are divided by the Androscoggin River.  To get from one town to the other, you must cross a bridge.  This we do every weekday morning and evening on Blair's drive to work!  Now, for more info on the Festival!

The Great Falls Balloon Festival is the premier summer event of central Maine. It enjoys a national reputation as a first-class event and hosts visitors and balloonists from all over the US and Canada. This much-loved event is a destination for many visitors to the state of Maine.
Established in 1992 by a small group of business people, civic leaders and friends, the festival’s goal is to provide fundraising opportunities to local nonprofit groups while celebrating their community and promoting the Lewiston/Auburn area as a tourist destination.

Based at Simard-Payne Memorial Park (formerly Railroad Park), in Lewiston, on the banks of the Androscoggin River, the festival has become a huge success, attracting crowds of approximately 100,000 visitors annually. The river—with the rocky Great Falls as its backdrop—provides a picturesque setting for the dozens of balloons which visit annually, including some special shape balloons. The cooperative efforts of the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, an army of volunteers and valued local businesses have grown the festival into a truly memorable event.

Live bands and great food were on hand all weekend.  We kept missing the launching at 6:00 a.m., but we were thrilled to realize that our temporary home was down wind all weekend and we were treated with the balloons sailing by all weekend long from our front stoop.  Nice!!