Digby NS Day 13 Sept 29

It rained all night and it did not let up all day - and today was Ferry day. Instead of having to travel several hundred miles up the New Brunswick coast and then down into southern into Nova Scotia, the ferry ride is 49 miles across from St John to Digby and takes 3 hours. ( check the blog map) With 20 mph winds I knew that this was going to be fun. We lined up and waited for the Ferry to arrive. Could ALL these vehicles get into this tub. Try 1X18 wheeler, one enormous tour bus, several RV's and dozens of cars . This made Noah look like little league. It seemed he would lose the content as well as the rain contest. It poured. We finally got going. Would you believe that Starbucks made it onto the Acadia Princess. Is their no end to this capitalist - we immediately bought 3 talls , dark roast. ( What is it with this "Tall/Grande/Venti" thing. So bourgeois)They should have put out the "rough roads" sign This time they meant it. Be still my beating heart. What was that noise. Should I tell the captain that we were scraping the bottom. If not we had hit a considerably large object, like a whale. How come they were not handing out life vests. Oh well, the locals seem to be relaxed - still watching the golf. Maybe we were not going to sink after all.We completed the epic voyage and made our way to Jaggers Point, our overnight campsite. I kept my life vest - may need it on the way back.We got an explanation on our beer purchases from Hugh Brown, a genuine Canadian."You can buy beer and liquor at the LCBO and you can only buy beer at the Beer Store, but you can't return your empty wine bottles to the LCBO where you bought them! For that you have to go to the Beer Store" !! Thanks for that Hugh , I think

Cobscook Bay State Park and on to St John NB Canada

Room with a View

Dinner View at Cobscook

Early morning at Cobscook

Colleen & Dirk's Rental RV on left(for P&M)

Outside Cobscook, 24 ft tides...

Much mirth between the girls but wont share?

Canadian Highway

Cobscook State Park Day 11 Sept 27.

Time to hit the road again after a good stay at Bar Harbor. Our destination is Cobscook State Park, about a 100 miles north. This is a "dry" camp site. No WiFi here. We may be lucky to use smoke signals, After all this is northern Maine. Part of the road up here was really rough but no "Rough Road" signs. i guess they feel it could be worse. These are hardy people in this neck of the woods ( is that not a crazy expression - "in this neck of the woods!" Whose neck?We arrived about 1:00 pm No Ranger Bob to meet us -I think tight State Budgets have caused man (and woman) power to be curtailed. ( there is an honor system in place so envelopes are provided to deposit your payment. The daily fee is $19.26.I will easily and conveniently find that 26 cent coin in my pocket)So we set off to find a site. This is really a scenic park with many sites overlooking Whiting bay. This was our choice, a truly beautiful spot. We had dinner watching the moon cast a bead of light across the water . I hope the photograph Dirk has included does justice to this beautiful place.

 

St Johns New Brunswick Canada Day 12 Sept 28.

After the great day and evening at the CobCook site, we were reluctant to leave. This truly is a beautiful park. As we sat around drinking coffee Faye looked admiringly at the Star bucks thermos cup I was using. However we soon discovered that the cup did not come with instructions and was far to technologically advanced for Faye to deal with. You had to lift the spout over, turn the cup 180 degrees and lift. Maybe after a little training ......Well all good things come to an end and we took off for Canada. The Border crossing did not present any problems as we had thought that the mounds of frozen meat and fish we were carrying could be a problem but the border officials could not have been nicer. It could of course have been my charming disposition! We were running short of Charcoal Brickets and singularly the most important provision, Beer . We stopped at a really nice Supermarket. To our surprise, the supermarket did not carry beer or Charcoal They directed us to a store called Canada Tire ! This must be a first. We were going to purchase beer in a tire shop Meanwhile back at the ranch Faye and Colleen could not resist adding to the so far empty basket. On checking out we seemed to have discovered a technical break through. The check out lady directed me to swipe my credit card in an upwards motion rather than the US standard of downward This discovery could reduce the number of swipes you make when using your credit card. On to buying the beer with tires. As for the Charcoal, this is now apparently "out of season". What self respecting male considers 30 F a reason for not cooking out. You cook out in all seasons. I am starting to lose confidence in our northern neighbors .Ok, now what about beer . Well now it appears accents got in the way and we are now directed to a Liquor Store. Another weird thing. To buy beer you have to go into another room that is colder than Antarctica. You have to grab beer, any beer, and exit lest you freeze to death. With all this weirdness, how do they beat us at Hockey..We arrived at our camp site that is more or less like a parking lot - what a transition.Tomorrow the Ferry adventure. Standby for more weirdness. A sail boat possibly with Eskimos ready at the oars?

Bar Harbor Day 10 Sept 26

We woke up to a grey, overcast sky but not enough to deter us. Today was guided tour day and we were going to ride Olly'sTrolly come what may. But first we were going to take a recommendation from Luke and have breakfast at "Cafe This Way" in Bar Harbor. It certainly was worth the early start to the day. Thank you Luke for another good choice.. The tour started with a trip around Bar Harbor and given the history of all the wealthy people who came to the Island and built "cottages", read big houses. The wealthy certainly made a contribution to the development of Bar Harbor and the surrounding area but none more so than a Mr Door who spent most of his fortune and life either buying or cajoling other wealthy people to donate the land that now forms Acadia National Park. We now enjoy this area in no small way due to his efforts. The tour also included a ride to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the tallest in the area but it was more like a VW than than a Cadillac due to the mist. It was a good day and we ended it with a meal from Joe the Lobster Man. We convinced Faye that no effort was spared to bring about a humane end to Larry the lobster so that we may have dinner.

Bar Harbor Day 9 Sept 25th

The Acadia National Park is served by an extensive bus system. We took the bus from our campsite to the Visitor Center, stopping at a few pickups along the way. At the Visitor Center we hopped on a connecting bus. There are several routes you can take, all of which either return to the Visitor Center or to the center of Bar Harbor, called "The Green"(cleverly named as there is green grass in the vicinity). The bus system is "free" Inside the bus their is a notice that reads "To keep it free please consider a donation" So if everyone donated, is this still free. These are waxing questions to ponder. We chose the "Loop" route, which as the name implies, loops around the island After a few stops, we hopped off at "Sandy Beach" and hiked to the next stop. For this time of year there were a good number of visitors, many who were foreign. It was a good day. At the entrance of the KOA office and shop, there was this sign: "Clothes. Take 50% off" Was this an offer or an instruction? Any way, I kept mine on.

Bar Harbor Day 8 Sept 24

Bar Harbor was the next destination and we left it to Marilyn the GPS to get us there. Mistake.!! At the slightest provocation, she will take you where brave men fear to tread. She decided that the route would include every back road between Pemaquid and Bar Harbor. Blondes have a way of their own.We arrived at the Bar Harbor KOA and were immediately met by the KOA Nazi. She had us standing in a straight line, credit cards at the ready and "no talking " . Oh those pesky customers. They can be so difficult. Imagine asking questions. The temerity of it all. We were then handed over to the guide who leads you to your site in a golf cart, normal KOA practice. Except in this case the guide was fortunate to be driving a golf cart because he would surely not be age and / or sight eligible for a auto. Thank goodness for our very own traffic co-ordinator Colleen took over and guided. Crashes into the nearby trees and RV's were averted. As is our habit, we took a walk around the park. We came across Joe the Lobster man. Maine is well known for its Lobster and everywhere you go you can find this delicacy. Joe the Lobster man made the mistake of telling Faye that the Lobsters demise comes via a pot of boiling water. She is now working on creating the Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Lobsters.Tomorrow we will start exploring Acadia National Park, the most popular National Park in the country.
PS, Explanation of RV facilities for South African readers. The RV has holding tanks for fresh water, grey water(shower basins) and black water(use your imagination). There is a control panel that displays the level of the tanks. We were particularly bemused by the fact that the black water tank gauge is graduated in thurds ie 1/3 2/3 3/3.
  

Pemaquid Point Day 7 Sept 23

We set off early thinking that we would have a quiet Sunday drive through Boston but it was not to be. If that is what it is like on a Sunday, we could only imagine a week day. Certainly the "big dig" where millions were spent has not made a "big" difference, We arrived at about 3:30 p.m. and put on our walking shoes for a walk to one of the many lighthouses along the north east coast. What is it with the Captains of the time. Instead of making the poor lighthouse keepers climb up countless stairs in a storm with their candle in hand to light the lamp, why not simply stay away from the rocks. Imagine living in an almost inaccessible place on your own where the job description is "Light the lamp once a day".Saw this sign along the way "Slow Village Ahead." Or was it "Slow. Village Ahead"Go figure!

Boston Rest day

Boston , Day 6 (Sept 22)

Today was a rest day. nothing much to see in the KOA but an opportunity to bring out the lawn chairs.Enjoying an early evening ale, we saw the weirdest vehicle pulling into a nearby campsite. ( see the picture ) It was half luxury Bus and half 18 wheeler Van. One side of the van had rows of windows. These windows were portals for sleeping "pods" ( Colleen thought coffins would be a more accurate description) So during the day the travelers behaved normally by sitting in the forward section and at night retired to the "pod" This is taking the touring industry to a whole new level.Building on this, I thought a Van 18 wheeler could be converted with "pods" only. At the START , of the trip , say in New York ,everyone is given a "Special-Tab" and retires to the "pod", there to fall into a deep Captain Kirk type sleep, waking up refreshed and ready to explore Mars, I mean LA. Its just a thought.Tomorrow on to Pemaquid Point. Beam me up Scotty..

Boston

Boston, Day 5.

A misty start to the day as we set out on a long drive to Boston. We were sorry to leave the beauty of the Adirondack mountains. If the rest of our trip matches this we are going to enjoy wonderful scenery. Luke's future in-laws drove up from Hartford to meet with Faye and I for the first time. Deb and Rob are delightful and we really enjoyed the brief time we shared.With all this beauty you may have thought that I had forgotten my mission. Yesterday as we drove through Amsterdam ( Dirk assured me that it was not an accurate replica) I saw a sign for the "Republican Club" . While this does not guarantee two Conservatives, this is a heartening discovery.

By popular demand I am re-posting a close-up of Colleen in her carguard

traffic directing uniform...

Lewey Lake State Park

Lewey Lake NY Day 4. Another glorious day. Finally, we are past the "getting there" phase and starting to enjoy the scenery . But first we have to deal with a dead battery in Dirk's RV. We discovered that, after running the engine for a while, there was just enough power to start the generator which in turn allowed us to bring in the room expanders. We drove back into Rome ( now fully built ) and purchased a new battery. Resourceful to the end.The leaves are just beginning to change here and even at this early time are really beautiful. We look forward to the next weeks when all the colors will be on display.We are in the Adirondack's of NY and the drive took us past quaint villages and picturesc lakes.. Our overnight stop was "Lewey Lake. This is another "dry" state park. So far, while scenic, the facilities of the NY state parks do not match those of Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin, states we are familiar with.,, Along the way we saw a road sign that read " Rough Road. Next 14 Miles." Ok, We could tell it was rough, so that did not help. Telling us it was 14 miles only made it seem longer, and what alternative did you have, Why not a replacement that reads "Your tax dollars were not enough. Have a nice day"."

Delta Lake State Park

Delta Lake State Park, NY Day 3. We woke up to a glorious morning and prepared to drive the relatively short distance of 120 miles to Delta Lake State Park.(NY) I turned on Marilyn, the name Faye has given to the GPS ( its the voice you know) and took I 90 to the Park About 5 miles from our destination we saw the dreaded sign - "Bridge - 9 Foot Height". Well, this posed a minor problem as our RV's are 12 foot. So much for Marilyn's intelligence. Simple maths, even with todays level of public education told us we were 2 feet short. Trusting Marilyn, now a dubious faith, we took a right turn into no-where and continued. A mile or two down the road, another sign, "Bridge - 10 Foot Height". Well it was getting higher . Another right turn and went for the ride as a now disgraced Marilyn murmured instructions - that finally took us to the Park. Blondes always make in in the end.The Park is very scenic but is "dry". In RV parlance this means that their is no water connection , no electric connection and no sewer connection and, horrors, no cable TV. But the RV has on-board water, special batteries and tanks to take care of these issues.After a great dinner prepared by the cooks Faye and Colleen and ably assisted by Barbeque Specialists Dirk and Henry we discovered that the coach battery of Dirk and Colleen;s RV was almost totally discharged, a slight problem when all the systems like lights, water pump, heating system etc are depend on it. Let's hope the village of ROME, the nearby town has a new battery . Stay tuned as we discover Rome in the morning. I hope it was built in more than a day,

Day 2

Day 2, Now that I am safely away from Dayton, I can reveal that I am on a secret mission . My mission is to find at least two Conservatives in the whole of New England. This could really be important election information. We woke up to grey clouds which soon turned into a deluge. Traveling along I 90, you could hardly see vehicles 200 yards in front. I 90 is a toll road and well before we reached the first pay booth, Colleen, being the most efficient person she is, had calculated the exact toll. As we rolled up to pay our first toll, the "toll specialist" ( I think he deserves this title to compensate for his small office. Some people have a big office and a fancy title, others just the title). informed us that the toll was more because of our height. Not the weight. Now how exactly does height effect road wear. Only the "toll specialist" knows.We arrived at the Rochester NY KOA at about 5.00pm and, dodging the rain went for our usual walk. No miniature goats to be found but we did see a designated frog and turtle crossing. Faye waited to see them.

 

P.S.  As handling an RV in small spaces can be a tricky thing to do, Colleen has always been our director of traffic.  So for the sake of safety, and a bit of fun, Colleen purchased the necessary jacket, (just like the car guards in SA)  Henry's first reaction in seeing her was, " Gee, that WOMAN really looks like Colleen, gee that is Colleen." A good laugh was had by all.

The New-New England Adventure

Well, departure day finally arrived. After all the planning and waiting we were on our way to New England. I guess England was so bad that they had to name it "New". Now that I think of it, who gets to name these places any way. The plan is to travel through the lower part of the Adirondacks, mountains then on to Boston for two days.. From Boston we will visit Pemaquid Point on our way to Bar Harbor. Then on to Cobcooks Bay. After taking our sea sick meds we will take a ferry from St Johns, New ( there is that word again - how about just Brunswick) to Nova Scotia. More seasick meds as we return to St Johns and take scenic Rt 2 through ( here we go again ) "New" Hampshire to White Mountain. Through Vermont to Ontario and then on to New Ohio and home. All this will take 4 weeks and 3,400 miles and globs of gas at 10MPG. If those nasty Oil Companies take more profits we may not make it home.

After picking up the rental RV from Richmond IN for Dirk and Colleen, our always stalwart travel partners, we were on our way,. Our first leg was a long one, 400 miles to Erie PA. Not much to see here but on a walk around the campground we saw the strangest animals in a pen. It was a baby, miniature goat. Now you ask yourself, who would want a miniature goat. Not big enough to eat and too small to cut your grass . Naturally, Faye wanted to take it home