Since I have been a slacker when it comes to taking my turn behind the RV wheel, I volunteered to drive this morning. About a mile down the road, our GPS said "Turn Right". I said "NO! we want to get to Hwy. 2." Jim said "Turn Right!" So, with two against one, I turned right. OMG, we are on a dirt washboard road going through farms...literally! We were on that awful road for 5 miles before we turned onto a paved road. Actually, looking at the map, that short-cut road saved us about 30 miles.
I'm now getting into the groove of driving these winding mountain roads through northern Vermont and New Hampshire, when we come to the state line and crossed into Maine. No question we crossed a line. The Maine roads are narrower, steeper, and more winding, as well as being in rough shape with all the frost heaves. My knuckles are turning white, and my neck muscles are cramping up while driving these steep mountain roads dominated by huge logging trucks which are constantly on my butt. Driving through the Grafton Notch State Park, I saw a pull-out, stopped and gave the reins back to Jim.
We stayed the night at a KOA Campground in Canaan, Maine. A lady walked by and said "Beautiful day! Ah leaves ah just stahtin' ta get some colahh". We agreed, and I'll bet with that accent she must be from Maine.
September 21
Bar Harbor and Lobster
After getting set up at our campsite, which is on a bay of the Atlantic ocean, we drove 10 miles to the tourist town of Baa Habaa. We were on a mission to find some wicked good Maine lobstah. There are so many places to get lobster that it was difficult to choose. Finally, Jim said "I don't care where we stop, I'm ready for some lobster, now!" He ordered a 4 1/2 pounder -- which we shared after devouring a delicious bowl of New England clam chowder. It was wicked good.
 |
| Let's get crackin! |
 |
| Sunset from our campsite. |
September 22
Hiking in Acadia National Park
First a little history about Mount Desert (locals pronounce it DEsert) Island. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and other prominent wealthy families built summer "cottages" (mansions) on this Island in the late 1800's. As the island became a popular resort destination, these same wealthy summer people became concerned that tourism and development would ruin the rustic character and natural beauty of the island. They started buying up land, putting it into a land trust, and in 1919 donated the land for a National Park. Acadia National Park is the first national park east of the Mississippi River, and was created from land donated by private citizens.
Rockefeller also financed over 45 miles of carriage roads that wind through the interior of the park. He hired craftsmen to build 17 stone bridges to connect the single lane roads. All the bridges are individually unique and made from local granite and cobblestones. The carriage roads are enjoyed by hikers, bicyclists, and cross-country skiers in the winter. Carriage rides are available in the summer.
OK, enough with the history lesson. After stopping at the Acadia Park Visitors Center, we decided to hike a carriage road to see one of the bridges. The road follows the natural contour of the land, so it was up and down, and all around. The trees, vegetation, lakes and ponds along the way to the stone bridge were beautiful. I understood the Park Ranger to say the trail was 3 miles; turned out to be over a 5 mile hike. Oops!
 |
| Geez, Connie, I thought you said this hike was 3 miles. |
 |
| Finally, got to the stone bridge. |
 |
| One of the scenic sites along the hike. |
No comments:
Post a Comment