Homeward Bound - #34-03

September 19, 2003 (Fri)
Bernard, ME to Windham, ME (178/863 miles)

We started for home today. It was 46 degrees when we woke up but Q's furnace quickly warmed things up, so getting dressed wasn't too uncomfortable. We said good bye to Dick and Ruth after breakfast and headed off the island. We stopped in Ellsworth to replenish our supplies and began to retrace our trip up by turning south on US-1.

A road side stand was selling wild blueberries so we stopped and bought a 5 pound box for $10 - no where near the price we'd paid in Canada last year but a whole lot better than what they are going for in the stores in New Jersey. On the way through Freeport we stopped again at L.L.Bean so that Joy could exchange a pair of jeans she'd bought on the way north.

This campground is unique to say the least. We got here at about 3:30. It looked a little junkie as we pulled in to register and we almost left to go somewhere else. Why we didn't may never be answered. The proprietors were what might be described as the typical elderly Maine couple who've struggled all their lives to make ends meet - probably by collecting and selling junk. They seemed nice enough though - even walked Mark down to the campground to show him the site we'd be assigned. In other campsites we've had mountains, lakes, rivers, or nicely manicured lawns out our living room window. Here we have the rusting hulk of an old junk car. The more obviously occupied sites across the way are mostly travel trailers or small fifth wheels that have "been there a while" so have their occupant's lifestyle necessities scattered around. This is not a place where we're likely to stay again.

Q053940 Highland Lake Camping w/e/s $21.40p D

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September 20, 2003 (Sat)
Windham, ME to Wilmington, VT (205/1041 miles)

In the past we've made an effort to seek out state parks somewhere near our route and use private campgrounds only as last resort. For some reason we've gotten away from that recently. Our experience last night has realigned our priorities. Not only was the ambiance rather less than desirable, we awoke this morning to the sound of gunfire. It was probably duck hunters but it was unnerving. So we decided to find a more appealing place to eat breakfast.

It was a foggy trip down US-1. We wondered if it as well as the rain last night were tailings of Isabel. We stopped at a McDonalds for coffee (1/2 reg & 1/2 decaf) and for gas ($1.59/gal - the lowest we've seen anywhere this trip) and finally found a nice little rest area where we could enjoy some breakfast.

As we passed through Kennebunk we discussed calling George and Barbara and making a swing through Kennebunkport for a visit the Bush's but decided against it. Coming into Wells we began to see folding lawn chairs along the road - few people but many chairs. In town we saw signs advertising the huge 350th anniversary party and parade. We were glad to have missed it.

Some businesses along the way:

YUM MEE - Chinese restaurant

Brenda's Bloomers - a flower shop

Bullshirt - a T-shirt shop (we think)

Glad Wags - Dog grooming

Molly Stark was a prominent revolutionary war heroine who lived and did her good deeds in this area. SR-9 across lower Vermont is called the Molly Stark Trail. This state park is named for her. We camped here - in the overflow area - some years ago but we have a nice wooded site this time. After setting up, we hiked up to the summit of Mt. Olga where there is a fire tower, which we also climbed. The trail was quit wet and muddy in places but it was good to get the exercise. Our climbing muscles are going to be sore for a few days.

Q054145 Molly Stark State Park #16 dry $14.00 B

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September 21, 2003 (Sun)
Wilmington, VT to Home (269/1310 miles)

We love driving through the mountains in the early morning. We awoke as soon as it got light, 6:15 or so, and got off soon after. The sky was clear and sunny with only patches of clouds. But fog lay in the valleys accenting the contours of the landscape. Beautiful! It was cool, 47° when we got up, but the sun warmed things quickly. By the time we found a McDonalds (in Bennington) for our last-day-on-the-road breakfast, the shorts we'd put on were more appropriate attire - barely.

Our route south was US-7 out of Bennington, through Massachusetts, and into Connecticut. Then US-44 west to Poughkeepsie and south on US-9w and the New York State Thruway at Newburg, NY. The traffic on the Thruway was unusually light - too early for people to be headed home, I guess - but the Garden State Parkway was a nightmare. There was far more traffic than usual and much faster. We had our cruise control set at 5 mph over the speed limit and we were still in people's way. There were a lot of cowboys out today too - fast little cars weaving through the heavy traffic as if late for something important. Two accidents and a stalled car interrupted the fast pace but slowing for them was almost fun as we knew that the cowboys were being slowed down as well.

One of the accidents had just happened and looked pretty serious. One car, on an approach ramp, was pretty badly damaged and there seemed to be an injury in the rear seat of another. As we approached, a girl who had been leaning into this second car suddenly straightened up and pealed off her t-shirt - perhaps to use as a bandage? She was wearing nothing under it! Someone apparently convinced her to put it back on because she did. It was well that she did because the distraction might well have caused more accidents.

We got home about 1:30

Q054414 Home

To Bernard, ME - #34-02

September 15, 2003 (Mon)
Hedges Lake to Freeport, ME (251/493 miles)

Gordy, Ruth, Leslie, and Elaine got home from NYC at about 9:00 last night. So we got to spend some time with them then and again this morning before we left. It was good to see Leslie again and to meet Elaine. And it's always great fun to be with Gordy and Ruth. Thanks again for the use of your driveway (and bathroom).

We got off at about 10:00 am and headed for Bennington, VT where we filled up our gas tank. Unfortunately we picked a station where we couldn't get our 5% discount. Stations need to be "pay-at-the-pump" types to get the discount. This one wasn't. Oh well!

Driving East out of Bennington on SR-9 took us over the Green Mountains into New Hampshire. Road construction slowed us down here and there and there was one 1/2 mile stretch of single lane but we made pretty good time for mountain driving. US-202 through NH and into Maine was a frustration though because we ended up following a slow moving truck carrying a carnival ride. We gave up the back roads when we hit I-95.

If we'd known that the Blueberry Pond campground was so far out a washboard dirt road we would have picked a different one. We were quite rattled when we got here. Except for the cost and a slightly unkempt appearance, it's reminiscent of a state park camp ground - winding dirt roads and widely spaced sites. We'd have done better going to the near by State Park but it doesn't have a dump station which we really needed.

Isabel has weakened to a category 3 hurricane and looks to be coming ashore somewhat south of NJ. Tomorrow we need to decide whether to head North or South.

Some of you will recognize the name "Freeport" as being the home of L.L.Bean. We'll be stopping in there tomorrow regardless of which way we go.

Q053597 Blueberry Pond campground #22 w/a $25.68 C+

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September 16, 2003 (Tue)
Freeport, ME to Bernard, ME (165/658 miles)

We both awoke this morning at about 5:00. There was no reason to get up so early so we lounged in bed and listened to the beginnings of rain on the roof. We finally got up at about 6:00, showered, ate breakfast, and were off for L.L.Bean by 8:00. By the time we were out of there and ready to travel again, it was raining hard.

The weather forecast was "showers likely" throughout the day. If what we experienced over the next few hours was showers, we can't imagine what Maine considers heavy rain. It rained hard - interspersed with occasional downpours - all the way to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth there is another L.L.Bean. This one was a "factory store" with some items deeply discounted so, of course, we had to stop there also. Two L.L.Bean stores in one day!

We got to Dick and Ruth's at about 3:30. We'll be here for a couple of days.

Q053762 Dick and Ruth's driveway.
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September 17, 2003 (Wed) Bernard, ME (2) - It got chilly last night - 60 degrees by Q's inside/outside thermometer - but we were comfortable and slept well. We watched the Weather Channel before breakfast to get the latest on Hurricane Isabel. It is a category 2 hurricane now and seems to be following its predicted course toward Cape Hatteras, NC. We're not wishing ill on anyone else but we're glad it'll be coming ashore well south of New Jersey. They'll know at home that a hurricane is near by but damage should be minimal.

After lunch with Dick and Ruth at the West Side Grill - large sandwiches with chips and a pesto macaroni salad - we toured the Wendell Gilley Museum of Bird Carving. Wendell Gilley was a plumber in Southwest Harbor here on Mt Desert Island. He carved birds as a hobby and began to sell them to Abercrombie & Fitch in New York. When his orders became too much handle part time, he sold his plumbing business and carved birds full time. The museum displays many excellent examples of his work.

Jordan Pond House is an upscale restaurant within Acadia National Park that has become known for its popovers. We had a mid afternoon reservation there for tea and popovers. Wonderful eating in a beautiful setting!

Dinner tonight was very light. We didn't need much.
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September 18, 2003 (Thu) Bernard, ME (3) - We "shopped" in an interesting shop in Bass Harbor this morning. It started out years ago as a source for ship models and ship model kits and parts. Now it has a little bit of everything - I guess you'd call it a curiosity shop - with the ship model theme blended in. The proprietor, friendly and talkative, was busy working on a model of a two mast square rigger which Mark found interesting.

After lunch we headed to Bar Harbor with Dick and Ruth. The Abbe Museum, where Dick has volunteered as docent, had an excellent display of Native American made baskets that we all enjoyed seeing. After dinner - Cafe Delight (seafood morsels in white sauce over linguine) at the West Street Cafe, Dick took us on what he calls his nickel tour of Acadia National Park. The highlight of today's tour was Thunder Hole. The surf, enhanced by Hurricane Isabel hundreds of miles to the south, was pounding into the natural rock formation with explosive "thunder" and appropriate bursts of spray and foam. Wonderful!

Back in Bernard we checked in on Isabel. She came ashore as a category 1 hurricane this afternoon just south of Cape Hatteras, NC and quickly lost enough power to be down graded to a tropical storm. Word from Jennifer, our daughter back home, was that they are having a lot of wind and rain but nothing to worry about. So we stopped worrying.

On Hedges Lake - #34-01

September 12, 2003 (Fri)
Home to Hedges Lake (242/242 miles)

Well here we are again looking out on Hedges Lake (in NY near Bennington, VT). Gordy and Ruth have offered the use of their driveway for the weekend even though they are in New York City. Q is parked facing the lake so that we'll be able to watch the sunrise over the lake from bed in the morning. In the mean time we're enjoying the deck and the very pleasant weather.

We got off at about 10:00 this morning - actually 9:55 - and headed for the Garden State Parkway, northbound. 66 degrees, windy, partly cloudy. We think we did quite well - did most of our packing this morning. I guess we're getting used to it. It leaves us with the feeling that we've forgotten something though. We hope it's only Joy's extra pair of reading glasses and a roll of quarters for tolls.

There seem to be a lot of police on the roads. It must be because yesterday was the anniversary (2nd) of the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Spent some travel time listening to Johnny Cash (who died this morning) and remembering. We kind of "grew up" with him. We both had listened to and liked his music even before he became a star.

We're glad we didn't have to buy gas on the way here. Prices were running as high as $1.87/gal for regular in New York State. Vermont should be much better so we'll get some there.

Q053346 Gordy and Ruth's driveway
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September 13, 2003 (Sat) Hedges Lake (2) - The sunrise this morning was spectacular. What luxury it was to lie in bed watching the brilliant red sky slowly fade to pink then to pale yellow just as the sun itself peeked over the hill across the lake. What a treat!

We headed for Bennington (VT) Quiltfest as soon as breakfast and showers were taken care of. On the way, we swung by the cemetery in North Bennington where we buried Mark's mother three weeks ago. The flowers (mostly mums) that Gordy and Ruth put there for the interment service were still blooming brightly, again bringing beauty to a solemn occasion. We gave them a drink of water although we're sure Gordy and Ruth had done it not too long ago.

The quilt show was very nice, somewhat crowded. Joy actually got away without spending any money!!

After a stop at Bennington Potters to shop and the Bennington Cider Mill for lunch, we went to the Bennington Center for the Arts - an interesting place. We particularly enjoyed an exhibition of animal sculpture. This was a collection of bird carvings in wood so well done that it was hard to tell that they weren't real. The native American art collection - painting, sculpture, and modern crafts - was excellent. There is also a Covered Bridge Museum there (the only one in the world) that tells the history of covered bridges and something of their romance and impact on life in simpler times.

Now we are vegging out on the deck, watching the sky and clouds and water. It's very peaceful, a little cool, and mostly quiet.

September 14, 2003 (Sun) Hedges Lake (3) - Not such a great sunrise this morning. In fact it looked a lot like rain - and it has, off and on, all day. Too bad because we had planned today to sit on the deck and relax. Well we did get in some deck sitting to read or just look at the lake but it wasn't what we'd planned what with running for cover every so often and all. We have made good progress in our books though. Joy also napped and worked some crossword puzzles and Mark worked on website maintenance.

In the late afternoon there was a beautiful double rainbow across the lake. Wow!

Tomorrow we're off to Maine. We're watching hurricane Isabel - category 5 by last reports - pretty closely though. If it looks like it might come ashore somewhere near New Jersey, we may decide to cut our trip short and get home. We really don't want to do that!