On the road

August 20-September 22, 2008 — Into Maine. Stopped for 94 gallons of diesel @ $4.279/gallon. Happy to see the price of fuel going down just a bit. Thank goodness I had a coupon to save another $2.00, which made the total purchase only $399! Boondocked at Walmart in Biddeford after a bike ride in Kittery.

Parked it at the Hemlock Grove Campground near Kennebunk, ME for a couple of nights. We “visited” George and Barbara Bush’s summer home in Kinnebunkport, ME one evening. They were having a lawn party. We spied on them with our binoculars from a nearby cliff.

Maine: It feels different here. Laid back, slower pace, friendly locals. The angle of the sun makes the colors and shadows take on an ephemeral light that is what inspires great artists. Lush hydrangeas, pines, and aspens too. Sat on a rock on the beach for a picnic dinner not far from George & Barbara’s. The rocks looked like they have a heavy wax job. The ocean was playing gentle waves. All men and most women wear polo shirts and khaki shorts here. EVERY restaurant boasts of having THE best, world famous lobster and clams. Except the Italians. Numerous classic cars and Volvos in New England.

08/25/08 After a two-nighter at the Brunswick, ME Walmart, visiting Orr’s Island & Lands End, we move into the Saltwater Farm Campground on the St. George River in Thomaston, ME. The area is enchanting and quiet. We are enamored with this area’s personality and beauty. Fun fact: Maine is the largest blueberry producer in the world, and we are here for the wild blueberry harvests.

Andrew Wyeth’s “Christina’s World”…the Olsen farm house, was just 4 miles down the road from us. After touring the Olsen house, we walked down to the point; met some young lobster men unloading their catch of the day. Bought a couple of freshly caught lobstah (Lou & Nellie) out of the pot for $4.50 /lb. That is a GREAT value compared to $20/lb. and up at local lobsteries. We hand carried them (no sack) back to the car, which felt very strange. I was carrying Lou. He would surprise me by flipping his tail violently. I could only imagine what we must have looked like: a couple of Okies walking up a rural gravel lane, each with a live lobster in one hand. Luckily we had an empty ice chest for them to ride in on their way home. Stuck them in a kettle and left them in the fridge until boiling time! While in the fridge I’d look in on them from time-to-time and Nellie was blowing bubbles. When you listen to them, they make an interesting sound, sort of a gurgling/clicking. Freaky. Can you tell I was fascinated? I successfully cooked each of them to perfection. A huge improvement over the lobster pounder restaurant!

We visited the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, ME. We devoured with our eyes numerous N. C., Andrew, and James Wyeth’s originals. So breathtaking, so inspiring. Incredible talent running in that Wyeth family! Louise Nevelson is another notable that was exhibited. We finished the day with a sunset picnic (bottle of viño verde, pretzels and hummus) next to the Marshall Point Lighthouse at Port Clyde.

Camden, Maine. More enchantment, more beauty! Overnight at Camden Hills State Park. Perfect spot for big rigs. Had lunch in town at the harbor; lots of big, gorgeous boats. Post card views everywhere you looked. The temperature could not be more agreeable. Warm, with cool breeze during the day, cool, clear evenings. We are so fortunate to be here during a dry spell.

Jim’s 61st birthday week. Stayed at Timberland Acres RV Park south of Ellsworth, ME. Very close proximity to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We hiked, biked and picnicked in Acadia, enjoying a very “pretty” sunset at Pretty Marsh on a mussel covered beach. I found several starfish, including an itsy-bitsy baby one.

For Jim’s birthday this year, we went to the easternmost point of land in the continental U.S. In Quoddy State Park, Lubec, ME, we hiked for 3 1/2 hours over difficult rocky coastal paths and muddy interior paths that led us to a fantasy world; a glacial bog. It harbors unusual plant life, like the pitcher plant, a carnivorous plant. Pretty cool.

Dry camped one night at Walmart in Waterville, ME before settling into Wild Duck Adult RV Park. No, it’s not a nudist park. Nice park, except for the sappy pine trees that left a huge mess to clean off of the bus.

While I was in Tulsa for a week, Jim moved the bus to Bayley’s RV Park in Pine Point, ME, just about a mile and a half from the Wild Duck. It’s 1/2 a mile or so from the beach. They have a fantastic big rig area. After a week of work related isolation we ventured out to Portland for a cold September Saturday evening. Visited Gritty’s, one of Maine’s original brew pubs, for some brown ale and sweet potato fries covered with pulled pork and maple syrup sour cream on the side. QUITE original. Walked several blocks to discover the Brian Boru Public House for outstanding, laid back ambiance, barley tabouli and the best bowl of Mac & Cheese this side of the Rio Grande.

Overall, Maine has a very calm energy, where everyone is happily friendly. Only one complaint: the roads suck. Reminded me of Oklahoma’s bumpity-bumps!

August 8-11, 2008 one night in the Springfield, MA Walmart parking lot and one night at Black Bear Campground in Salisbury, MA. Difficult parking, would not recommend this campground for big rigs. Had to have a couple of disgruntled work-campers trim some branches. Location is great, though. Near the beaches. We were close enough where we were able to take a walk into New Hampshire and back. Met a nice couple parked next to us from FL that had just begun their RVing adventures…they used to be in a large boat. Had a nice campfire and watched the Olympics, Michael Phelps winning his first of 8 gold medals.

Boondocked one night in the Home Depot parking lot in Seabrook Village, NH, then moved into Wakeda Campground, Hampton Falls, NH for the next 9 nights. Wakeda is a well kept and well run campground with paved, pull thrus for the big rigs. A mile off the main road in tall pines and gorgeous grass fields. They even have a grass landing strip if you’d prefer to fly in.

Ahhh, New Hampshire. So much to love about this State. No sales tax, no personal income tax either. And liquor is cheap! The state nickname is “the Granite State” in reference to its geology. What I found surprisingly impressive was the use of granite everywhere, especially for tidy street curbs.

In our area, just outside of Exeter, we were surrounded once again by farms and orchards, ferns and tall pines. So much like the Northwest. We hear the French accent every where. Tons of French-Canadians here. I picked fresh blueberries and gorged on fresh corn, and other local veggies. We “dined” at a Seabrook Beach lobster pounder named “Brown’s”. Bare bones dining area with picnic tables. We chose our 1.25 lb.lobster, said goodbye as they steamed it to near toughness, picked it up at the counter in it’s plastic basket and paid $35.00. At this point I am thinking that the lobster at the Celebrity Club in Tulsa, OK is so much better and at a much better price, until we get to Maine.

July 31-August 2, 2008 Staying at Lake Kandle Campground & Swim Club in Sewell, NJ, we were just 20 miles outside of Philadelphia. The campground is nestled in the middle of a huge farm, with rows of squash, zucchini, peppers, eggplant and apple trees. Spent an afternoon in historic Philadelphia, taking obligatory pictures standing in front of the Liberty Bell.

August 2, 2008 Traversing the tree lined, narrow streets of Glen Ridge to sister Jill’s house gave Jim high blood pressure. But it was well worth it because we had such a good time with Jill and Greg. Glen Ridge is a beautifully charming, quaint town with gas lamp, tree lined streets. The view of Manhattan from the 9/11 Memorial at Eagle Rock is high and wide, a very different perspective than most photographs.

August 3-5 Into the Catskills. Camped at the Saugerties/Woodstock KOA. Turns were too tight and campsite was dirt. Not good for big rigs. But we managed. Had a great afternoon bike ride in the Town of Woodstock, an active artist village whose name became famous after the Woodstock music festival of 1969.

August 5-9 Off to the Races! Staying at the Saratoga RV Park in Gansevort, NY, we spent an afternoon at the horse races in Saratoga Springs. It was a muddy mess as it poured down rain for most of the races. Those creatures are even more gorgeous when they are wet and muddy!