Random Photo of the Week

Here's a photo of a typical construction site in Hubli. The wooden scaffolding is another good example of Indian ingenuity and resource utilization.

We're in DC!

It's been a long time since we updated the blog, but that's because we have been busy working, traveling, and playing hard! We're moved from Columbus, OH to Washington, DC in September 2006, and 9 months later, are still settling in. Adam is an economist for the Environmental Protection Agency, and Vidya is a marketing analyst for National Geographic. We're still active outdoorspeople, and try to run, swim, bike, hike, and camp as much as we can. We've uploaded some new photos to godags2005.shutterfly.com, and hope to update the photos more freqently than before. Hope that everybody is doing well!

Ladakh

India Trip

We have just returned from three amazing weeks in India. During the trip, we experienced adventures in Delhi, Jaipur, Agra (home of the Taj Mahal), Bangalore, and Kerala. Pictures from the trip are available at:
http://godags2005.shutterfly.com

The trip also allowed us the chance to get married again, this time experiencing a Hindu ceremony. Many pictures, including the ones showing Adam arriving on a white horse, will also be available on the link above.

Thanks to all who came along with us during this memorable trip. We hope to return again very soon!

Wedding Photos Posted Online

The wedding photos have finally been uploaded and are available for all to see. The website is:
http://godags2005.shutterfly.com/action/
additional photos will be uploaded over time and if anybody has more of them, feel free to upload to this site yourself, or send us a copy. Thanks to everybody that attended. It was an amazing weekend!!!

Wedding Weekend Weather Outlook

We've arrived in Maine, and the weather last weekend was much warmer than anticipated (90 degrees and humid). Things have cooled down here today (60+ degrees and partly cloudy), but you might want to check out the local forecast before finalizing your packing. The weather up here can be unpredictable. Here's a link to weather.com for Rockport, Maine:
Maine Weather

...only a few days left. We look forward to seeing you all!!!

Welcome from Adam and Vidya

Dear Family and Friends:

Welcome to Maine! We are happy that you could join us for this joyous occasion. To ensure that you enjoy your stay in Maine as much as possible, we have put together a packet of information of things to do in the area, as well as other helpful information. Also included is a schedule of events that will take place at the Daigneault’s residence.

In lieu of a traditional rehearsal dinner, we have decided to host a Welcome Party on the eve of the wedding. The party will be a barbeque and lobster bake with a very casual atmosphere. The festivities will start at 5 pm, and comfortable attire is recommended. All family and friends are invited in an endeavor to get to know each other better. We hope that you will have fun with badminton, horseshoes, croquet, and other activities.

The wedding ceremony commences the next day, Sunday, July 3, at 2 pm. The event is intended to be more of an upscale picnic rather than a formal party, so feel free to keep your black tie at home. Hor’doerves will be served immediately following the ceremony. Dinner will be buffet-style and will be served around 4pm, then followed by dancing and merriment.

We are really excited to share this important time with all of you. Many of you will be coming from far away places scattered across the globe, making this a truly international event. We will also be having a traditional Indian ceremony in Bangalore on December 28 and 29, 2005. All of you are invited to join in the festivities there. Thanks again for coming, and welcome to Maine!

Best Wishes,


Adam & Vidya

Letter from the Daigneault's

Dear Guests,

What an exciting time this is for us and we are so happy that you will be coming to share this special time. We are anxious to share our beautiful state and have tried to put together a truly Maine experience for all of you. We will be at the height of our glory, in our “high” season, when things are at their most radiant. This time is why we endure our long winters. Enjoy!

Here is a summary of planned activities for the weekend:

Saturday, July 2, 2005

5 pm-6 pm Welcome Party Social Begins
6 pm-9 pm Lobster Bake / BBQ

Sunday, July 3, 2005

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Guests arrive for wedding ceremony
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Wedding Ceremony
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm Wedding Reception begins with hor d’oeuvres
4 pm - ? Wedding Reception dinner followed by dancing and good times

Please do not hesitate to contact us to answer any questions, make recommendations or clarifications for you. The information in this packet is only able to give a very fleeting idea of all of the activities and resources that are available. We would be happy to try to help you in any way that we can.

We look forward to meeting you and celebrating together.

Best regards,


Carol and Dan

Fun things to do in Midcoast Maine

o A day trip to one of the picturesque islands via ferryboat. Vinalhaven, North Haven, Islesboro, Monhegan, or Matinicus Island
o A windjammer cruise around Penobscot Bay out of Camden, Rockland, or Rockport Harbor
o A trip to Camden State Park and a hike up Mount Battie or Mt. Megunticook
o Visit Merryspring, a local nature and horticultural park in Camden. Both Adam’s mom and grandmother are on the Board there. There are easy trails, and herb and annual garden and the rose garden should be in full bloom.
o Golfing at the Samoset Resort golf course, Rockland Golf Club course, or Goose River Golf Course
o Visit The Farnsworth Museum, now with its new addition, the Wyeth Center, or for automobile enthusiasts The Owls Head Transportation Museum
o Deep sea fishing – call Adam for info.
o Kayaking in Penobscot Bay – Rentals available at Maine Sport
o Visit Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island – one of the best National Parks in the country (approx 2 hour drive). Nearby Bar Harbor offers whale watching trips.
o Shopping in Freeport, home of LL Bean (open 24 hours a day). Outlets and some unique, Maine stores

A few of the Daigneault’s favorite restaurants

Camden
The Waterfront – Bayview Street: 236-3747. Sit out on the deck beside the harbor and enjoy great, fresh seafood, good salads & sandwiches. Open for lunch and dinner
Peter Ott’s – 16 Bayview Street: 236-4032. Our best steakhouse with a great salad bar. Open for dinner only.
Atlantica – 1 Bayview Landing: 236-6011. A little more upscale but really delicious food. Ask to be seated on their harborside deck. Open for lunch and dinner.

Rockland
Park Street Grill – 279 Main St.: 594-4944. Wonderful Mexican food plus other inventive dishes. Open for dinner only.
Samoset Resort’s Breakwater Grill --594-2511. Good, simple menu served in a spectacular setting. Their outdoor dining area overlooks the golf course and Penobscot Bay. Open for lunch and dinner.

Getting out of town
Chez Michel: Lincolnville Beach. 789-5600. Our all out favorite. The food is just too good and there are always at least 3 things on the menu we want. Yes, Michel is from France. Dinner only except for Sundays.
Sarah’s: Just over the bridge in Wiscasset. All homecooked food with a funky and fun menu. Good place to stop if you have to drive down to Portland and have time to eat. Serves lunch and dinner.

Seafood
For real Maine lobster or seafood on the shore -- the ultimate tourist experience:
The Lobster Pound Take Out: Lincolnville Beach. 789-5205. Sit right at the Beach and munch fried shrimp while you watch the ferry come over. Pure Maine!
Waterman’s Beach Take Out: South Thomaston. 596-7819.
Miller’s Lobster Company: Spruce Point. 594-7406.

Directions to Rockport, Maine

Getting to Camden/Rockport from points south (Portland, Boston, etc.)
1. I-95 North to I-295 North via Exit 44 (Ignore if already in Portland)
2. I-295 North to Exit 28 (Brunswick-Bath, Coastal Route 1)
3. Stay on Rt. 1 for approx. 44 miles (You will be getting down to two lane highways)
4. Go left onto Rt. 90, stay on this road for approx. 11 miles. (There should be a large
sign indicating this turn.)
5. After a 15 minute drive, Rt. 90 intersects again with Rt. 1
- Turn Left (Rt. 1 North) to go to Camden (approx. 3 miles)
- Go Straight to go to downtown Rockport (approx. 1 mile)
- Turn Right (Rt. 1 South) to go towards Rockland and the Daigneault’s house (approx. 5 miles)

Getting to the Daigneault’s House
From the North -- Downtown Camden/Rockport:
· Proceed South on Rt. 1 to a stop light by Penobscot Bay Medical Center
· Go through this light and before the next light (which is within sight) Old County Road veers off to the right
· Take Old County Road less than ¼ mile until you the “Speed Limit 40” sign
· After that sign turn right up Wellington Drive, marked by two stone pillars
· Going up the hill, Bristol Drive is the second road on the left
· We are the first house on the right. It is gray and set back from the road. You won’t be able to miss the tent!

From Downtown Rockland:
· Take Route 1 North past the Glen Cove Rest Area where you can see a great view of the ocean.
· Right after the Rest Area is a stop light. The Strawberry Hill Motel is in that area. Turn left at this light onto Old County Road.
· Take Old County Road less than ¼ mile until you the “Speed Limit 40” sign
· After that sign turn right up Wellington Drive, marked by two stone pillars
· Going up the hill, Bristol Drive is the second road on the left
· We are the first house on the right. It is gray and set back from the road. You won’t be able to miss the tent!

From the South without going through Rockland
· Take Rt. 1 North through Thomaston
· Go down a small hill and past Rt. 131. You will see a large historic building, Montpelier, just ahead.
· At the next road, Old County, make a left. If you see a large industrial building on your right, Dragon Cement Plant, you have missed the turn.
· Take Old County to a stop light. Proceed through the light.
· Less than 2 miles down on your left is a road, Wellington, marked by two stone pillars indicating “Bay Ridge”. Turn left up this road.
· Going up the hill, Bristol Drive is the second road on the left
· We are the first house on the right. It is gray and set back from the road. You won’t be able to miss the tent!

Adam and Vidya in Maine

Boston Marathon 2005

Adam and Vidya before the Boston Marathon


Here are a couple of pictures from Adam's race in the Boston Marathon. Despite temperatures in the 70s and a hilly and difficult course, he managed to finish 1,438 out of 21,000 runners and cover the 26.2 miles in 3 hours 11 minutes. Thanks to his dad's encouraging words on Heartbreak Hill and seeing Vidya and his mom hanging out of the second story window of the hotel at the finish line, he managed to finish with arms raised and a big smile on his face.

Adam crossing the finish line (he's on the left side with the white shirt and arms raised in the air)

Registry Info

Due to some requests, we've made up a gift registry for our wedding. The following links should take you to the proper spot where you can just type in one of our names and view the registry:

Ikea Furniture (Ikea does not have a registry, but we are requesting gift cards)

IKEA Gift Cards are available for purchase at all of our US stores or by calling IKEA Direct at 1-800-434-IKEA (4532). IKEA Gift Cards purchased in the US are redeemable at all of our US stores and IKEA Direct.

West Elm Furniture (West Elm also does not have an official registry, but we are requesting gift cards)

Pottery Barn

I Do Foundation registry - This website has a number of stores that have offered to donate a portion of their sales from the registry to a charity of our choice. The charity that we have chosen is the Tsunami Relief Fund. The stores included in this registry are:
Amazon.com
REI (Recreation Equipment Inc.)
Target

Wedding Day Alter

We will be married outdoors, under an arbor overlooking the ocean. Our intention is to invite everyone to participate in the ceremony by joining us in decorating an altar for our wedding. You are invited to place an item on the altar when you arrive for the ceremony. A photo, rock, shell, candle or other small object that represents your good wishes for our coming years together would be a wonderful contribution.

Lodging Options from Adam's mom

The first option has to do with economy.
The Country Inn is on Route One at the Camden/Rockport line behind Northern Kingdom Music. It is a motel but a little nicer one. All of the rooms are suites. You can 1 or 2 bed rooms and all have a side room with a pull out couch, micro, frig & coffee pot. There is an indoor pool and continental breakfast. You have to drive to get to everything, although not that far. This is a decent place for people that have kids. There's a big yard outside, a play room & the pool. I'm thinking of this for the frat brothers, splitting one room 3 or 6 ways if they want to sleep together and really economize. $179-$209 a night. We can book a block of rooms (10 min) and get a 10% discount on the rate if you think enough people would want this option. They had plenty of rooms available when I checked.
www.countryinnmaine.com

Lord Camden Inn
www.lordcamdeninn.com
Intown Camden, right in the heart of it all. Most rooms newly remodeled, Evan helped with the remodeling last summer. Rates include a full, hot breakfast. Rooms have frig, micro, new flat screen tvs, coffee pot, new mattresses. Rooms vary, some have fireplaces, others pull out couches. Rates go from $179-$269 depending on water view, etc. Two night minimum stay that weekend. can book a block of 10 rooms but would get no discount. Only 15 rooms still available. They usually sell out early this weekend.

Samoset Resort
www.samoset.com
For the people who are used to traveling in style. Full service resort where we had Adam's dinner. Rooms sell out on this weekend. Need to drive everywhere. Have hotel rooms, time share condos by the night ($300), and luxury condos by the week. Will book a block of rooms but need to sign a contract, etc.

Bed and Breakfasts:

Camden -- www.camdeninns.com
The following are in-town and easy walking distance to downtown:
Camden Maine Stay Inn
Hawthorn Inn
Windward Inn
Blackberry Inn
Blue Harbor House
Capt. Swift Inn
The Elms
Hartstone Inn

The premier inn in the area is Norumbega. It is very elegant, a 20 minute, not that easy walk to town, and there may be construction in that part of town at that time of year. They're redoing Rt. 1 in that corridor.

Rockland -- www.historicinnsofrockland.com

I've been in a lot of these inns for house tours and only really recommend the following 2:

Berry Manor Inn
www.berrymanorinn.com
This one is beautiful, decorated in a sophisticated Victorian feel. All rooms have private baths. The best one asthetically. A short walk to downtown Rockland, the Farnsworth, restaurants, etc.

Limerock Inn
www.limerockinn.com
Also close to town. Haven't been in this one for a while but know the woman who recently sold it and she put a ton of work into it.

There are tons of motels in the area as well. If you want more options on those than the Country Inn, visit the Chamber of Commerce webpages:

For Camden: www.camdenme.org
For Rockland: www.therealmaine.com

The last option is:
This is from a company called Camden Accommodations and they are all in-town Camden homes which are rented out by the week.
www.camdenac.com just click on village to get the listings available. You can scroll through the photos to see if any appeal to you. They are typically about a 7-10 minute walk to downtown Camden where the harbor, boats, shops, library, small grocery store, cinema, restaurants, etc. are.

Airports in Maine

The cities of Camden and Rockland are very close to where Adam's family lives, which is Rockport, Maine.

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Airports to fly into are:

Portland, Maine (~ 2 hrs away)
Bangor, Maine (~ 1.5 hrs away)
Rockland, Maine (4 minutes away from Adam's place)
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Welcome!

Hi Everybody,

Welcome to our blog! We hope to populate it with all the information and details for our upcoming wedding.

In the meantime, feel free to post any ideas, thoughts or information you would like to share with us.

Adam and Vidya