Sea kayaking

On a brilliantly gorgeous day, we headed to the ocean for a guided kayak tour.    Altho we have kayaked before, we've only enjoyed it in placid rivers or broad lakes.   There was a stiff breeze with some white caps on the bay and we set out with 6 others and a guide.    The young couple who own this enterprise are enthusiastic and helpful and we wish them well in their 15 year old business......try Machias Bay Kayak Tours if you're in the area.    

After battling the wind and sea spray for longer than my arms wanted, about 70 min or so (time has no meaning when the wind and waves seem endless).....we came to a beach on Hog Island.      I had hoped to 

take pictures as we skimmed along the bay but my camera stayed safely dry in a bag and we got pretty soaked....we did have the kayak skirts on and that helped to keep us dry on the lower half.   In this picture below, you can see the distant hills....this is where we started.  In this bay, the US Navy began with the first naval battle of the Revolution.   This area is rich with Revolutionary History....from houses, to taverns, to ships to trails.  

These rust colored areas look like painted rocks......on closer examination are these petroglyphs.  

This one is a man with an antler head dress of sorts.   Various experts have examined them but there is no definitive on who or when.....sometime after the Ice Age they say which is a pretty broad time frame.    There were others scattered about as well.

After a nice break and a snack, we got ready to depart when an eagle dropped out of the sky onto a nearby pine.    It was quite stunning.

I didn't get a good shot of it flying off but the wing span was impressive.  

Along the route, we skirted rock islands with seals lounging in the sun....not having a camera, I have no proof of that......until this one popped up his head near the shore while we relaxed.  

 It was a fun trip and a highlight of our time on the coast.....today we are feeling fine with no residual aches in case you were wondering.   But next time, I might check the wind and the whitecaps before I head out into it.   And yes, the return trip was much smoother, MUCH faster and much drier.      And more lobster awaited us at the end of the day.....

Today, we load up the wagon and  reluctantly leave this scenic area and head farther northeast into Canada.  

Scenes from our day......

We had a good plan.......loaf in the morning and then take the 1 pm boat from Winter Harbor to Bar Harbor......stroll around  and then take the boat back.     We had sweaters to ward off the water chill, sunglasses for the bright sunny day and enthusiasm.    We arrived 10 min before the published time ( in a glossy brochure about the ferry).....and found that the boat had left 20 min earlier....for some unexplained reason, that one trip was changed....and no one around to ask and the next one not until 90 min later...........so, we drove to Bar Harbor since we had no back-up plan.

   Once there, we walked the lovely shore path.   It meanders along the coast for about a mile. 

 It passes lovely inns.......

 offers views of the harbor.....

 offered a good vantage point to see the lobster boats returning....

 And fronted the lovely large vintage homes.    Much of Bar Harbor burned  in 1947 and the large estates were lost.....few were rebuilt and the rich and famous found other places to spend their leisurely summers.

We strolled the picturesque streets again and then picked a waterfront seafood place for an early dinner outside along the harbor.   You could pick your own lobster from several tanks.......a young man offered to pick one up for a close-up portrait.....I noticed that it had a definite blue color....he said about 1 in a million are blue....this one was almost 3 pounds.

 We ordered Cobb salads........from the bottom to the top,  black olives, egg white, bacon, lobster, tomatoes, gorgonzola, and egg yokes all placed on a bed of greens.   It was delicious and filling, even if I don't like avocado.

 We got back in time for a viewing of the sunset from the swing.   Weather had cooled off and a sweatshirt felt really good.

Baa Haa Baa......

....or as the tourists say, Bar Harbor, a quintessential Downeast coastal town.    It is a picturesque stroll down the main streets, 

with attractive shops and flowers gracing every door step.   I especially liked this nasturtium hanging basket.    It was a long drive over, 90 min or so on windy roads.   We could have taken the ferry across from a point about 45 minutes from here but it stops at 6 pm and we wanted later options.      We found the Island Discovery buses.....a FREE bus system, supported by LL Bean that travels thru the town, from commercial interests, the airport and the highlights of nearby Acadia National Park.    You hop on and off and it is a choice deal for getting around.   It does not have a narrative along the way but the drivers can answer most questions I suspect.    And there is room for your bike.   

After a seafood  dinner overlooking the Village Green, we stayed to enjoy

the Norman Rockwell setting for an evening concert by the Bar Harbor Band, an institution since 1898.   An attentive crowd and rousing renditions of all American favorites made for a perfect ending of the day.

Some views around Acadia...........

Lobster pots are as common as palm trees in Florida......

We considered a tee time at the Grindstone Neck Golf Course, established in 1891...... it looks a bit rugged on the fairways but the views were splendid.    We might have to try it.......

  I spent some time on 'the bench' this morning watching the clammers and the tide come in and my knitting grow........

And we just came in from the campfire and sunset  after another lobster dinner......tonight it was soft shell, $3 a pound cheaper and much tastier than the hard shell.   And again, delivered hot and steaming to our table by the CG owner......Life is Good.

PS:    In case you hadn't noticed, I have iPhoto back and my computer and my pictures.....it took a few calls to Apple support and endless hours of downloading things that wouldn't download but it appears that all is well and back to where it was and what I understand....and all credit goes to the on-board tech.

Ahhh.....Maine

We arrived here on Friday late in the day, just in time for some freshly steamed lobster, delivered to our campsite by the owner.....came complete with cracking tools as these were the very hard shell variety.


We made a stop in Bangor to fix the signal problem. I followed behind as I didn't even have brake lights when connected. The part that was ordered to fix the problem didn't......several hours later the issue was resolved and we were able to finally relax and head to this place.


We are in a remote area, 90 miles by car from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park or a short ferry ride. We sit on an inlet with tidal influence and a rocky shore. The weather is perfect.





The clam diggers were out at low tide.



My coffee cup and I spent some time contemplating the views at low tide.











Paths wander along the shore and in the meadow.



The owners winter in Florida so maybe they picked up some hitchhikers on their trips north.....or just a bit of humor..............

Reminder that all pics are clickable. Computer iPhoto still in diagnosis state..

Location:On the rocky coast of Downeast.....

It's always something.......

We are heading North tomorrow. While, this particular CG doesn't quite match their rave reviews online, it has been OK and the owners are friendly and concerned about their guests. It's always a test of faith when relying on reviews.....there are several guides that are independent and award *stars* based on several objective items...but still, we never know til we are 'camped' if it's a * or a *****.
I'm still having issues with the computer and specifically iPhoto ...so I'm writing this on the iPad....it works OK with a keyboard but I don't know how to make the pictures bigger, nor edit them. But you can enlarge by clicking on them.
On Tuesday, we headed out to run some errands.....we really don't know where we are or how far we are from where we might want to go but we like to wander. We discovered that we were just a short drive from the Maine coast, York Beach to be exact.








This is about the only "beach" around so it was wall-to-wall. Out in the surf, the brave had wet suits but a few along the shallow parts waded in bathing suits in the 64 degree water.
As we wandered, sans direction, we followed the road along the beach and ended up at this delightfully picturesque lighthouse. It is on a small island and this weekend, you can enter to swim around it .....2.5 miles for a fundraiser to maintain it.








The wild roses were abundant.....their fragrance brought back memories of spending time on the Cape and riding along the bike paths thru the roses.




One of my missions was to find a yarn shop for help with a new pattern. Just a minor question but it was giving me fits. We stopped at a popular, well-stocked shop on Rt 1 called the Yarn Seller. (I can't link on the iPad ). They were nicely helpful and we went on our way.......fast forward. We were having lunch outside at a sandwich/bagel shop when a lady approached P and asked if he'd been in the yarn shop a bit ago (actually, I was inside a nearby shop)......he said yes, and she said that I'd left my pattern at the shop !!! She wasn't driving around looking for us, just stopped by for lunch as well !!! Later we drove to the shop and shared a good laugh and amazement at how that had all come together. I probably wouldn't have missed the pattern for a few days. Weird world sometimes.......
Paul has been hobbled for the last day or so.....sometimes he does things that are not conducive to a foot with a lot of pins and metal in it and it bites back. We gave up our idea of going up to the White Mtns and played lazy for a day....And then had more fresh lobster and corn with Dean and Diane....but we had to eat quickly....a large nasty storm was bearing down on us....it was noisy and wet but not as intense as when it went thru Boston and delayed fireworks a few hours later. We did lose power for a bit but still kept all the comforts of home with the help of many onboard batteries and later,the generator.
Having a brand new shiny anything means that it hasn't been put thru it's paces and who knows what little demons will poke their heads up to give us fits along the way......we've had a few issues but all manageable by the on-board mechanic. But, leaving Mass last week, we discovered we had no signal lights....fortunately , there are brake lights. So, we were not able to be connected for the two hour drive up here. Andy and Mason had planned to watch "The Pirates of the Caribbean " for the gazillionth time.....so, relegated to a car with no video (it was the only accessory we didn't order in that car...in hindsite ....maybe we'd reconsider)... Anyhow, I had to listen to 120 min of "are we there yet ??"... P spent time on the phone with a tech once we were settled and possibly figured out the offending part and it is being shipped to Bangor where we will stop tomorrow and have it installed.....and I will follow along behind, mumbling to myself, "Are we there YET "

Location:New Hampshire

Befuddled in cyberland......

Despite repeated attempts to update you on the exciting adventures of the Millers.....all was not going well until my resident techy took over and now I have everything I need to continue our story.......

When last we spoke, we were in Massachusetts enjoying a well appointed campground.    Spring forward a few days  to our present abode.   We are at Saddleback Campground in Northwood, NH.    The first impressions were a bit suspect with a few structures / cars of questionable worthiness hanging around.    On site however, there is  a large pond as the centerpiece with campsites ringing the perimeter.   It is a small place by most standards and priced minimally.    The boys initially missed their heated pool 

 but when they found they could ride their bikes with abandon around the pond and swim at a sandy beach, they perked right up.    But the highlight of the days, for Mason at least, was the inhabitants of the pond.    Management (AKA, Nancy) has frog nets positioned near the edges and as long as it is catch and release, they encourage the activity.  

The residents are large and vocal, especially their night serenading.   And if caught in the net, are strong and determined to leap out on those gourmet frog legs.  

 Mason managed to catch the smaller, less rambunctious ones.   Andy had done a report on frogs and couldn't deal with capturing them for even a moment.    Plus, he was the frog  advocate for making sure they were released pronto.

 But he did love the pond.....not sure I could have put my feet onto the mossy, weedy bottom with small creatures swimming about but they were not deterred.

On Saturday, the CG scheduled fireworks over the pond.   As we waited for the sun to set, we heard the all too familiar sounds of the ice cream truck.    We are out in the sticks here so it was not something that we expected.    Anyhow, Grandpa Paul handed them $5 and they ran off, only to return quickly for more money.   Mumbling something inaudible, he gave them another $5.    They returned with 2 ice creams and a few coins !!    I checked the prices just too make sure and the bars were $4.95 each.    And he had a TIP jar !!

Evening came about  and despite a liberal dousing with bug spray, we scratched and slapped as the display brightened up the area.   It was quite well done for such a small place.    It was a nice touch.   

      We met Dean and Diane here...... they last visited us in TV and are now wandering about the country and decided to join up with us for awhile.    It's nice to have company.     I would link to their travel blog but THEY DON'T HAVE A BLOG !!     They just keep hoping I'll put them on ours from time to time.   

 The boys returned to their rightful owners on Sunday.      I hope they remember these days with the old people......I know we will....and we hope to do it again.  

And with peace and quiet settling in, we joined Diane and Dean for a very perfect lobster dinner.......you can buy the fresh ones and they even steam them for you !!.....   AT WALMART !!   Add some corn and a cold beer and this is what camping is all about................

Ignore the various tools ..... we brought no lobster utensils so had to improvise.    Since we are heading to the Maine coast later in the week, we'll need to stock up.

Ships of all kinds..........

We are happily settled in Normandy Farms Family Campground with Andy and Mason.   It is located about 30 min from Boston and close by Gillette Stadium which the Patriots call  home.    When we begin searching for a place to take the boys, I felt we needed a swimming pool , a place to ride their bikes safely and a clean wholesome campground.    This is waaaay beyond my expectations.     It is huge but easily walkable to all activities.   It has 4 pools including a heated indoor one with a sauna and two hot tubs in the same area.    There is a very large lodge for assorted activities including dances, ping pong, crafts and recreation for all ages.    There is a disc golf course, a bike riding area with jumps and bumps and a dog park.    The sites are large and clean.    And it is crawling with kids of all ages.    Motorhomes of our size are the minority and mostly it is family trailers and tents.    The activity schedule for each day goes from 9 am to evening with something every hour and for  every age.      Plus, it is very well landscaped with blooming plants and well tended shrubs and trees.     Neighbors say that it is packed on the weekends and holidays need to be booked 2 years in advance.   

 And, if I don't feel like cooking, there is the Kampers Kitchen for take out meals all day long....... Mason likes their French toast.

Today, we drove over to the waterfront in Boston to see the USS Constitution.   The boys have a thing for ships of all kinds....and have built models of Navy battleships and Lego pirateships.  

 I took the big camera with me but trying to shepherd 2 kids and view the scenes with an artistic eye proved to be beyond my capabilities.  

 There is a new interactive center designed to give kids of all ages a taste of living on "Old Ironsides" ..... Mason succeeded in bringing a goat on board.

 We took advantage of the water taxi to transport us over to another portion of the waterfront......and to walk the Freedom Trail for a bit.   They began to lose interest once we passed lunch so our mission became to find a place acceptable to them.....of course, McDonalds won.  

 Here they are waiting for the ferry to arrive for the trip back to the car....it is sitting on Mason's head.  

The harbor was busy and the weather cooperated.    It was mid 70's with a breeze and the rain held off.
The old people came home, built a nice fire, uncorked the wine and relaxed......but only until the GK's needed to head to the pool for another swim.  .....   there's a reason that only the young have young......