Acadia National Park, Spring 2016

Waterfront View

This view, from Thunder Hole, shows the cliffs and sand beaches typical of Maine:

Day 1: May 13

We’ve decided on a short Spring trip Downeast to Acadia National Park (NP) in Maine. It was an uneventful drive though we did notice the “Ron Paul 2012” election poster is still in the bush near Kingston, ON!

We drove to Magog, PQ (thank you again bridge that avoids Montreal), a new route for us, and arrived in Littleton, NH in the rain. We found a Walmart, got stocked up and joined Rally Racers for a night in the parking lot.

Here’s the view from my chair:

Day 2: May 14

It was a gorgeous and sunny morning. Our drive through the White Mountains smelled delicious and showed that there is still snow up there:

We stopped at the Camping World in Conway, NH, hoping for some toys, but got nothing. We voted against the cross-country route through Maine and took I95 and arrived at Acadia around 3:00. We picked up our annual NP Park (and I got more stamps for my NP Passport!). The Ranger didn’t tell us about the 10’4” bridge on her recommended route, so we had to backtrack. Note to other RVers, the Park Loop road is NOT a circle for you nor can you reach Blackwoods Campground via the Loop: Devil Bridge! Take Route 3.

We did get to Blackwoods, the only campground open this early in the season, and settled in for five nights ($30, no services). We chatted with the neighbours, also in a View, who were about to pick up a five-week-old Lab puppy to join their five-year-old Lab (they just lost another Lab and like two dogs). Did I say they were driving back to Montana with these two? They love the breeder here in Maine!

Here’s the view from my chair:

Day 3: May 15

We drove to the Acadia NP Nature Center hoping to see birds (touted as the best place on Mount Desert Island). We hiked for 1.5 miles and saw just a few birds, including this evasive American Redstart:

After lunch back at the campground, we took the adjacent trail to the ocean and our first good look at the Atlantic:

Then we decided to take a short drive to Seal Cove and a beach walk:

…which yielded some nice beach glass:

Then a quick stop at Northeast Harbor where the largest boat was a Sea Mission Boat that travels to out islands and preaches and brings medical help:

Nice day. Here’s a different view from my chair; the sites are large with plenty of bush between:

Day 4: May 16

It was a chilly start to the day, so we headed in to Bar Harbor to check out potential Nature Boat Tours.

The town is still empty, and we chatted with one of the tour vendors who said that the weekend after next is when the Summer frenzy begins. AND that September and October bring a second wave of tourists from Cruise Lines (she said 5,000 or more a day!). We prefer the quiet.

We continued on the Park Loop and hoped to hit Sandy Beach (but no Trucks, RV’s, etc. allowed in the parking lot; we learned later we COULD have parked in the right lane of the two-lane, one-way road). Jeesh.

We did find a place to park, walked to Thunder Hole (just as the tourist trolley arrived). We saw a Bald Eagle and these Common Eiders:

The damned Park Loop and bridge stymied us once more, and we had to retrace our route yet again. Aargh.

But we got back and enjoyed our campsite birds:

And this view from my chair (oh, Fiddle-dee-dee):

Day 5: May 17

After a chilly day yesterday, today was sunny and much warmer. We headed to the Seawall Picnic area (across from the newly-built but not yet open for the season Seawall Campground). The beach is rocky, but beautiful. And it has some nice beach glass:

We drove to see the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, but hit another “No RV” road, so hiked the Ship Cove trail:

Back to Seawall, we had lunch, and I walked some more and finally got a great shot of the Northern Parula (Life Bird):

We returned and stopped at Seal Cove for more beach walking and glass:

Then, we saw a Bald Eagle up close and regal:

It was a good day. Here’s a Cat’s Eye View:

Day 6: May 18

It was a beautiful, sunny start to the day, and I sat outside reading. A 20-something young woman from Sydney, Australia stopped for a chat. She’s taking buses and trains around the US (and was in Toronto). Her name is Joyce, which explains why I liked her immediately!

We headed back to the Nature Center for another bird walk and got another Life Bird, a Magnolia Warbler:

And an interesting, contemporary, birchbark structure and a bell-like fungus:

Back to Bar Harbor and tickets for the 1:00 Nature Cruise. By the time we finished lunch, the cruise had been cancelled (the port engine failed during the morning cruise) and we were disappointed. So we headed to Sandy Beach:

…then returned to the campground where we met an interesting Vietnam Vet from Ohio who lives most of the year in Italy, He’s here now trailering a motorcycle and driving and riding around the US. Two interesting people today.

Day 7: May 19

A beautiful, blue sky day! We decided on the cross-country drive along Highway 2 through the mountains. One detour we were forced to take because of an accident (hope everyone was fine) led us past a great election sign:

“Everyone Sucks 2016: The U.S. is Doomed”

Oh, and another cute sign: “I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around”.

We pulled into the Walmart in Gorham, NH, did final shopping, got the usual roasted chicken, and enjoyed this mountain View from my Chair:

Day 8: May 20

Funniest thing today: someone was camped in a TENT on the decorative mulch beside a tree in the Walmart parking lot.

Again, we took the slower, more picturesque route and saw these things:

• “JFK put men on the moon; O puts them in women’s bathrooms”. Jeesh.
• Northern Pass, Kiss My Ass (protesting Hydro-Quebec and other power companies who want to build a power line down the length of New Hampshire)
• Several Trump signs
• First Bernie sign (just as we entered Vermont)
• Border Patrol
• Amish farms

We decided to stop early and stay at a favourite NY State Park, Robert Moses, on the St. Lawrence. We sat in the sun, drank up the leftover wine and beer, watched the birds around our site (221, $36.75 E-expensive!), and enjoyed the shenanigans of campers arriving for the Canadian long weekend (the park is very close to Cornwall and Quebec).

Here’s the view from my chair and a lovely sunset view from the adjoining beach:

Day 9: May 21
We were up and out early and enjoyed the drive along the river to Ogdensburg and another Walmart, complete with reserved Horse and Buggy parking:

It was an easy border crossing and 401 drive with a stop at 1000 Islands RV to check out possible slightly smaller RVs. We got home to lots of dandelions and lots of birds! Nice little trip.

SW16: The Trace, Some Friends and Home

Bird's Eye View

This beautiful Red-headed Woodpecker welcomed us to the Meriwether Lewis Campground on The Natchez Trace:

Day 40: March 16

It was time to head a bit further north. Past Fuquay Street (eeks) in Baton Rouge! We made a quick Civil War stop at Port Hudson. There was a trail through the scene of a 40+ day siege and battle here in 1863. It was hot and humid and we were in shorts and t-shirts. It is hard to imagine being engaged in battle here from May to July, dressed in wool:

We continued further north to the Oakley Plantation where John James Audubon spent three months teaching and painting 32 pictures of birds. Once again, we noted that a “plantation” does not necessarily mean “Tara”:

But there were some interesting items, including a Poker Table staged with “pieces of eight”:

...oh, and some domestic birds:

By the way, a note on ageing: I love being carded when trying to buy wine in the US. I love saying I'm 62 (I'm now 61) to get free entry into a site. But the guy at Oakley charged me for two Seniors without asking. And I was miffed. That's me in a nutshell!

We drove to Natchez, got some supplies, did NOT get BBQ (bad directions on my part) and stayed at the Natchez Traces State Park ($13.90-SENIOR-E/W).

Here's the view of David in his chair. Later, that view of the hollow was filled with sparkling Fireflies!

Day 41: March 17

We had a quiet drive to the Jeff Busby Campground (free, no services) on The Trace with a few stops:

I took a short hike to one of the highest spots in Mississippi before it started to storm. So, no Fireflies tonight:

Day 42: March 18

I am sad today. I read that my young friend, Courtney Druce, the inspiration for all my Pink in the Rink photos, is in hospice care. She's only 27. And she's amazing.

Our lunch stop brought two things: another Life Bird (that's 18 this trip), a Carolina Wren:

...and the realization that the switch that opens and closes our propane (for the generator, etc.) was not working. So, we got to the Meriwether Lewis campground (free, no services) and David spent time MacGyvering a solution (he was successful). So we had a beer and enjoyed the view of the Red-headed Woodpeckers all through our backyard hollow:

Day 43: March 19

Okay, it was starting to get cold. Our intention was to drive to Northwestern Kentucky for a stop on the BBQ Trail and the John James Audubon State Park (a theme). We drove to Henderson, KY, could NOT find two BBQ places (David says we must chance upon them, not look for them), found that the Audubon Park wasn't open for the season yet, so just continued north.

But not before we saw this sign:

Take a closer look. Not just the Trump “endorsement” (which we thought the Armed Forces were not allowed to make), but the name of the street, the number of seconds on the “Don't Walk” signal and the “Heaven's Gates and Hell's Fires” signs behind (it's an Easter movie being advertised at all the churches in Henderson). Interesting tableau, right?

We got to the Lynnville, Indiana County Park ($18 E/W) just as rain and hail started. Here's the view from my chair:

This was Mandy's 23^rd state-one more, so far, than Cassie. She was impressed:

Day 44: March 20

This morning was only the second time in our entire trip when weather (cold and pouring rain) “dampened” our spirits. Especially since we had to RE-winterize today. But we completed the task and headed north east.

Within 15 minutes, the skies cleared and we had a sunny drive to Perrysburg, Ohio, The most interesting thing today? Ohio Police drive Chargers AND Mustangs. Wow.

We got to Linda and Denny's house for wine, pizza and a great catch up with our friends. That was the icing on the cake! Here's a view from my chair:

Day 45: March 21

We slept in, then were treated to breakfast (yummy Cinnamon Bread!) and headed HOME.

The drive was okay. In Detroit, we had our first ever encounter with US Customs and Border Protection. We were questioned by one guy in black and asked to pull over. Next, three guys dressed in black asked us to exit the vehicle. They boarded and checked things (I think they were more worried about Mandy than anything else) and we had to stand outside and keep our hands out of our pockets. Really, they were all funny and nice, but the wardrobe is intimidating.

There was no snow on the ground during the drive though there were intermittent snow squall. We got home around 5:00.

This was another wonderful trip. The jury is out on Arizona. We're interested in exploring New Mexico further, and we still love Texas and Louisiana. Can't wait until the next trip.