Summer of 2013

May 23.

We had planned to leave on May 20th, but it seemed like things just kept popping up that had to be taken care of. We finally left at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 23rd---just as it started raining. We headed east to I-84 and north on I-91--in ever increasing rain. By the time we got to the Vermont Welcome Center on I-91 at 4:00, James decided to call it a day. Driving the VIEW, and pulling a trailer with the motorcycle and motor scooter in heavy rain wasn't fun. We had a supper of pork chops, potato fries, green beans, and French bread. Ice cream cones for dessert and went to bed.

May 24.  In the morning after a breakfast of scrambled eggs and English muffins, we headed out at 7:41 AM.  The rain continued, heavy at times, going north into the White Mountains National Forest. All the rain caused a short in the wiring of the light plug for the trailer, so we had to stop at a Dodge dealership for fuse replacement. We stayed at Walmart in Berlin, NH--and the rain continued. We had chicken, mashed potatoes and beans for supper and retired after watching a little TV and a game of cribbage (Joan won).

May 25.  Bagels and coffee for breakfast, and we left Walmart at 8:00 AM.  IN THE RAIN! At 8:20 we passed the Maine state line. We were headed to Vicky and Bill Birden's in the tiny town of Strong, ME. The Birden's used to live in Harwinton, but moved to Maine in 1996. It was Bill's 70th birthday. We arrived around 10:30 and their friends started arriving at noon--in the rain. The party lasted all afternoon in a barn warmed by a wood stove. Bill’s two sisters and brother arrived from Connecticut as a special surprise. The next morning we had pancakes and sausages for breakfast, and a good-bye to Vicky and Bill, we headed out----IN THE RAIN! James thought in biblical terms for the rain-40 days and nights? 

May 26.  We headed to Bangor, stopping at a Maine welcome center, hoping to get information on the Memorial Day celebration in Bangor. Bangor is a large city, with every mall store known to man. We found Planet Fitness to exercise and shower, and then went on to find a place to stop for the night. We made note of a Park and Ride off the I-95 exit and continued on to Walmart. We saw a Park and Ride right next to the Walmart parking lot and pulled in. We had a map of Bangor and marked out where the parade was going to be. After a game of cribbage (James won) we settled down for the night.

May 27.  We were up early, and, the sun was shining, and after breakfast, unloaded the scooter and went to check out the area where the parade route. We walked around the center of town, along the Penobscot River, which was flowing very rapidly from all the rain. We spoke to some people and mingled with the marchers until it was time for the parade to start. This was a true Memorial Day Parade, with a strong military presence-- veterans from all of the wars. There was very good attendance along the route. The only thing we found missing was no mayor or city council participating in the parade. Usually a mayor will lead the parade, but a police car and then a fire truck were in the lead.  One unique feature of the Memorial Day in Bangor is the issuance of “walking sticks” to Maine veteran’s by the Cole Musuem. To date over 7000 have been handed out. James as a veteran thought this was a nice touch by the Cole Museum and the people of Bangor to honor those who have served in the greatest military in the greatest country in the world.-the good USA. 

After the parade, we went to the Cole Transportation Museum where there were ceremonies taking place. The museum has an astounding array of transportation vehicles on display, including a covered wagon, a hand-pumper fire engine, sleds, snow plows, a train, farm tractors and everything in between. It is an amazing collection. Joan even discovered a toy train engine identical to one her brother had as a child, and his daughter, Tammie still has. There are also pictures depicting the history of transportation, including military uniforms and vehicles. Scattered throughout the museum, are manikins dressed appropriately and placed in, or by, the vehicles. Outside, there are statues and war memorials.

                The Cole Land Transportation Museum has everything from clamp-on roller skates (remember those?) to a diesel locomotive. It was the dream of Galen Cole, whose father operated a trucking business. When Galen was in the Army in WWII and survived an attack by a German tank, he vowed that if he survived the war he would “..leave my community and fellow man better than I found them.” He built the museum in 1989 after 50 years if running the trucking company and saving his money to build the museum. Many of the exhibits have been donated by friends and people in the community. The museum is truly worth a visit.

                We have mentioned many of the meals we have prepared in the VIEW this week to illustrate the normalcy of living in an RV while traveling. It is truly a ‘home away from home.’

May 28--Tuesday

We left the 'Park and Ride' in Bangor, ME and headed east toward Calais. Our plans were to enter Canada there, and travel to visit Joan's friend Anne. As it turned out, we headed 'down east' to Acadia National Park.

 

Joan has had a persistent cough. She has already been to the doctor twice and had a chest x-ray, but the cough has continued, and she developed an uncomfortable, irritating rash. We were discussing what to do when we got an email from Anne, and she told us that she wasn't planning to go to Nova Scotia yet. After a few minutes of deliberation, we decided not to enter Canada, but to stay in the US in case she (Joan) needed more medicine.

 

And so, the aborted Canadian trip became an adventure in the Acadia National Park. We stopped that night at a Walmart in Ellsworth, ME.

 

It rained again the next day. It was foggy and damp. We filled up our water and propane tanks in Ellsworth as there are few services in the park campgrounds. We thought to go to a movie, but they were only open on the weekends! Ellsworth, to James, is reminiscent, of Torrington.   It is an urban center offering many of the retailers and services the people in the outlying communities depend on.  The forecast for the next few days was sounding good, so we were happy with the change of plans.

 

We entered Acadia, which is on Mount Desert Island and decided to go to the Seawall campground. A few years ago we had stayed at the other park campground, Blackwoods, and thought to have a different experience.

 

Remember, with a "senior pass" national parks, monuments, and campgrounds are at least half price. Some are free! In the time that we have had the pass, we have saved several hundred dollars to perhaps nearly a $1,000. Well worth the initial $10.00 cost and being a senior citizen!

 

After setting up the VIEW at Seawall, we unloaded the scooter, and went to explore. The island has several small villages and harbors, as well as the National Park. We stopped at an 'Antique' (more like junk) shop and Joan bought some "pretty dishes". With the dishes packed under the seat of the scooter, we continued around the island.

 

Because the island is formed like a hand, with fjords extending up into the body of the island, we could not go on a direct route. It was north, then south, then north again. No easy way to get from one side to the other.

 

We rode the scooter up Cadillac Mountain. Last time we were there, we hiked up the mountain. On the way down, Joan took videos with her cell phone. the best one is posted on 'facebook'. Instead of guardrails on the curves, they use big stones, with space enough for a scooter to slip through! Just a little disconcerting and reason to pay attention to driving!

 

In Bar Harbor, as well as the other villages, there are loads of small shops. Boutiques, pottery studios, art gallery's, sidewalk cafes, all waiting for tourist dollars. There are also shops where you can rent a bike, canoe, kayak, or a guide. The villages must be pretty quiet in the winter!

 

We stopped at one of the cafés for a genuine Maine lobster roll (well, Joan had one) and watched the people strolling by. There was a park across the road, and many people enjoying the fine weather, as well as a young man playing Frisbee with his dog.

The harbors are all beautiful, with white sailboats and small yachts drifting about. But at low tide, there is mud and rocks!

 

On Friday, after calling the doctor for an appointment, we hiked up Flyer Mountain, elevation 284 feet, which doesn't sound very high, but remember, we started out a sea level. The first portion of the trail was several log ladders. It must have taken many hours to construct them. After the ladders, we encountered lots of tree roots and rocks on the trail. How wonderful!

 

We finally reached the summit, which overlooks Somes Sound. We could see across the water to where the boat docks for the homes stretched into the water. It was low tide, and the docks were built so that when the tide was out, the ends of the docks lowered like a ladder to a dock which sat in the water. When the tide came in, the ladder and dock would rise with the water. This way the property owners could always use their boats, high or low tide. Joan has lots of pictures, and some of the docks, and maybe she will get them out this week!

 

The trail down the other side of the mountain was mostly rock steps. Again, lots of man power to create the staircase. Towards the end of the hike, we encountered another couple. They were the only ones we saw on the trail.  We had to turn left, as to the right was "Valley Cove', and straight ahead the trail was roped off because  Peregrine Falcons we nesting in the area and hikers would disturb them.

 

We started back and the trail became a fire road--so the walking was easy here. We must comment here that we did not see any litter along the entire length of the trail. No gum wrappers, cellophane, or Gatorade bottles. The area was clean and pristine. Joan hates to see litter in the forests so this was a welcome change.

James holds to his theory that the nicest people love mother nature; and mother nature loves people because of the gift of such magnificent scenery for all to enjoy.

 

We had packed some sandwiches and drink for lunch, and decided to go back to the picnic area at the campground to eat. It is a very pretty place along the shore. After a quick stop at the VIEW to change out of our hiking boots and leave the remains of lunch, we were off to find the Azalea Gardens which we had heard so much about.

 

The gardens were something of a disappointment. Not much flowering and the arrangement of pathways left much to be desired. There was an interesting Japanese Sand Garden. If you are in Connecticut and reading this, go to Elizabeth Gardens in West Hartford in June--or anytime for that matter. It is beautiful there and beats the Azalea Garden by a mile!

 

Back at the campground, we cooked steaks on the fire and played '500 Rummy' (Joan won, but don't tell James I told. He wasn't happy to lose!)

 

June 1

We left Seawall at 8:30 AM, and headed south back home. We expected a rainy day, but instead it was beautiful! We stopped at a Maine Rest Stop, and there were large statues of a caribou, moose, and three little bears. After a quick lunch, we headed out again, and arrived back in Harwinton.

 

 Joan went to the doctor's on Tuesday and got some more medicine for her cough. The surprise was that the rash was SHINGLES. We both had the shingles shot last fall so this was a real surprise. The doctor said it was a mild case--thanks to the shot. So, if YOU had Chicken Pox as a child, get the Shingles shot now! It will most likely save you a lot of discomfort and outright pain.

 

We will be here taking care of things, and then head out again. Destination unknown until July 13 when we plan to be in Minneapolis to watch Joan's great nephew's Drum Corps International competition.