Catching Up!

Friday, September 9, 2016      Roosevelt's Cottage, Harbor Head Light, Java Jam

After finally getting up, we went to Joice's Java hut for a morning brew. We enjoyed a cups while looking out to window overlooking Friar's Bay.

Eventually we made our way to Roosevelt's cottage. The grounds are magnificent, the 18 bedroom cottage exquisite, and the view spectacular! We enjoyed our visit including the Hubbard cottage and the visitor center.

We then picked up a couple lobster rolls from the Family Fisheries Restaurant and had a makeshift picnic on the grounds of the Harbor Head Light. Visibility was much improved over yesterday's visit. I got a good shot of the iconic lighthouse. Alas, the tide had just turned when we arrived, and already the path was covered with 4" of water. The tide can rise five feet in an hour, so we didn't chance the crossing.

After driving a few back roads, we picked some fresh haddock and made a dinner of corn-on-the-cob, slaw, bean salad and buttered lemon pepper haddock. It was delicious!

When the dishes were cleaned, we went back to Joice's Java jam. A band played for and hour and then it was open mike night. We had fun listening and singing along.

Saturday, September 10, 2016     Two Ferry Boats, Deer Island and the New Brunswick Mainland

We left Campobello Island by catching the 1000 Deer Island Ferry. During our boat ride, we saw seals and a Humpback Whale, not to mention flocks is sea birds. The water was glassy calm. The ferry was a bit unusual in that it is a barge with a hydraulic ramp on each end. Locomotion is provided be a narrow beamed boat whose bow is mechanically attached to the barge. The stern is attached by a heavy duty line. This arrangement allows the vessel to pivot around the barge so that it can go forward whether coming or going.

Once off the boat, we headed directly for the mainland ferry at the other end of the island. Our planned stop at the Pilgrim Take Out Stop was foiled because it was 1045 hours and they don't open until 1200. We were disappointed and hungry!

We managed to find a local lunch stop on the mainland after which we finished the drive to Fundy
National Park. We secured a site at the HQ Campground for two nights.

In no time we had the camper opened and set up. We took a short break and promptly fell asleep. Our nap lasted an hour or so, after which we drove into Alma for ice and to reconnoiter our evening options.

That accomplished we returned to the CG. At 1830 hours we walked back into town, dined at the Alma Lobster Shop and attended the Molly Koll kitchen party. Put on by the park service, the party consisted of stories, singing and dancing in the tradition of 1930's Fundy kitchen parties. We learned that Alma native Molly Kool was the first licensed female Captain in North America. The two hour program was fun, educational and entertaining. We enjoyed it very much!

Walked to town and back including a climb up 118 steps, the equilivent of four floors.

Sunday, September 11, 2016      Dickinson Falls

Hiked to Dickinson Falls in Fundy National Park. Pictures to be posted later.

Monday, September 12, 2016     PEI!

We left Fundy National Park and the village of Alma at 1000 this morning. Our route took us past Hopewell Rocks, a place we visited 43 years ago. They've made a few changes since we were last here, but the natural features look pretty much the way we remember them. Among the attractions were ET and Elephant Rocks and the famous Flowerpot Rock. From two hours after high tide until two hours before high tide, you can walk the "ocean floor" around and through the naturally made rock formations. The place had over 100 cars in the parking lot, attesting to its popularity.

We filled up the gas tank to the tune of over $50.00. The rate was 99.5 cents per liter. A similar fill up at home would have been around $35.00.

We crossed from NB to PEI over the Confederation Bridge. It wasn't there 43 years ago! Construction on the main road in PEI National Park foiled our arrival, but we eventually found a  way into the Stanhope CG area and secured a spot for at least three nights.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016     Green Gables and the Dunes and Tunes Ceilidh!

This was a pretty active day. We visited North Rustico and Cavendish. We did some walking at both places. Overall, we did 3.5 miles on the day. In the evening we attended the Dunes and Tunes Ceilidh (Kay-Lee), a party with lots of music.

Campobello International Park

Thursday, September 8, 2016      Campobello International Park

We crossed the boarder into New Brunswick, CA, on highway 189, a little country backroad that brought us through Lubec, the eastern most town in the USA. We crossed the boarder while transiting the FDR Memorial bridge. After a stop at the Campobello Visitor Center and the Mullholand Light and Marine Center (very knowledgable interpreter), we quickly found our way to the Herring Cove Provincial Park. we plan to spend two days exploring the park. 236 miles drive today and only walked 1 1/2 miles.

A Visit to LL Bean!

After a late start (1050 hours), I knew our goal of 270 miles was in jeopardy. Our unplanned stop in Freeport, home of LL Bean, sealed our low mileage day!

We had a good time though. Made a few purchases, and had a delectable Lobster Roll at Derosier's. They claim that their offering is voted "Freeport's best!" We wouldn't argue. The base is a fresh soft roll with a little mayo, a couple lettuce leaves and the meat from a whole lobster. The sandwich is served with a dill pickle and is it ever filling... and delicious!

Today's 180 mile drive took us thru Massachusetts and New Hampshire, finally stopping in Freeport, ME. Most of the drive was in drizzle with patches of steady rain. The temp fluctuated between the high 60s and low 70s. We set up camp in a parking lot at LL Bean! The rain stopped by the time we arrived on Freeport. In fact, as we walked throughout the town, it became partly sunny.

We walked 3 miles today.

2016 Fall Camping - Another Honeymoon... 45 Years Later!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Depart the Crab Shacks at 0950. The Tom Tom GPS took us on the GSP, the NJTP, over the G. Washington Bridge to the Major Degan Pky, the Hutchinson River Pky and the Merritt Pky. Traffic wasn't bad on any of the roads. Occasionally it slowed to the mid 40's, but it picked up to the speed limit quickly.

We stopped for lunch at a Subway right on the highway. We tried three other highway rest stops before this one, but there wasn't any parking for a car with a trailer. There wasn't any at this spot either, but we were able to squeeze into an end space.

Following our lunch repast, we drove for a couple additional hours, stopping at Wells State Park for the night. The campground is on the outskirts of Old Sturbridge Village, MA. All in all, we had an easy drive. Camp was set up by 1550, five hours after we started. On the day, we did 266 miles.

After a brief break, we set off to hike the Carpenter's Rocks Trail. On the way, the terrain was steep. While walking, we changed our target to the Mill Pond Trail. We may try Carpenter's Rocks tomorrow before we leave.

Daytime temp was in the mid 70s and at night it dropped into the low 60s.

We walked a mere 3.6 miles today.