We left the North Pole RV Park after 2 nights and headed North on Hwy 9 towards Lake Placid. We were following the Ausable River, and had heard of the Ausable Chasm, but didn't realize we would cross it! It was magnificent, and we were able to find a spot to pull over so we could take photos and see it better. (one drawback to having an RV pulling a car, is you just can't pull over anywhere!)
Along Hwy 9 the horrible devastation of Hurricane Irene was evident everywhere. Piles of ruins, high water marks, etc. Really sad. We headed south on Hwy 118, and not finding a place to stop, we ended up parking in a wide spot along the road where we spent a quiet night in the beautiful forest near Lowell, VT. Al took advantage of the chance to change the oil in the RV since most RV parks do not allow it, and it was nearly 6000 miles since we left and it was time. He took care to put down cardboard and collect the oil into containers to later take to a recycle center. From there, we drove to Jefferson, NH where we parked overnight in a large parking lot at Santa's Village (which was closed). We were suprised to be almost to Maine! The 6 states making up New England could all be put into state of South Dakota with much room to spare! Neither of us remember much of our geography or history of the area, but it is really beautiful country!
We toured Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory (no one was working it that day), and they gave us a mini sample (about 2 T) of the flavor of the day. Sold pints at $4.75, which we passed on. Kinda like our TCCA Cheese Factory... much cheaper to buy at the groc store, and we didn't need it anyway!
Stopped at Farmington, ME Elks for a couple nights and drove into the mountains to search the higher grounds for color and moose. Not much color, and no moose. It was to get down to 20 degrees that night, which should start the color change. Evidently the freeze followed by sun is what does it.
From there, we went to Hermon, Me (Near Bangor...pronounced Bangore, and they are quick to correct you if you call it like Bangor, WA ...Banger'). We stayed at a lovely, friendly RV park named Pumpkin Patch. We took a day trip to Bucksport and just got there when the park called us to say a big wind had come up and we needed to put in our awning. They were kind enough to have us tell them where the key was and they put it in for us. Most parks wouldn't give it much thought, and we were GRATEFUL!!! At Bucksport, we went up in the Penobscot Observatory overlooking the river and town of Bucksport. Quite a view from the 432' tower! Also walked around Fort Knox, since the admission was included in price of going up into the tower ($4 each)
See the top
of the tower? Way up there!
Along Hwy 9 the horrible devastation of Hurricane Irene was evident everywhere. Piles of ruins, high water marks, etc. Really sad. We headed south on Hwy 118, and not finding a place to stop, we ended up parking in a wide spot along the road where we spent a quiet night in the beautiful forest near Lowell, VT. Al took advantage of the chance to change the oil in the RV since most RV parks do not allow it, and it was nearly 6000 miles since we left and it was time. He took care to put down cardboard and collect the oil into containers to later take to a recycle center. From there, we drove to Jefferson, NH where we parked overnight in a large parking lot at Santa's Village (which was closed). We were suprised to be almost to Maine! The 6 states making up New England could all be put into state of South Dakota with much room to spare! Neither of us remember much of our geography or history of the area, but it is really beautiful country!
We toured Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory (no one was working it that day), and they gave us a mini sample (about 2 T) of the flavor of the day. Sold pints at $4.75, which we passed on. Kinda like our TCCA Cheese Factory... much cheaper to buy at the groc store, and we didn't need it anyway!
Stopped at Farmington, ME Elks for a couple nights and drove into the mountains to search the higher grounds for color and moose. Not much color, and no moose. It was to get down to 20 degrees that night, which should start the color change. Evidently the freeze followed by sun is what does it.
From there, we went to Hermon, Me (Near Bangor...pronounced Bangore, and they are quick to correct you if you call it like Bangor, WA ...Banger'). We stayed at a lovely, friendly RV park named Pumpkin Patch. We took a day trip to Bucksport and just got there when the park called us to say a big wind had come up and we needed to put in our awning. They were kind enough to have us tell them where the key was and they put it in for us. Most parks wouldn't give it much thought, and we were GRATEFUL!!! At Bucksport, we went up in the Penobscot Observatory overlooking the river and town of Bucksport. Quite a view from the 432' tower! Also walked around Fort Knox, since the admission was included in price of going up into the tower ($4 each)
See the top
of the tower? Way up there!From Bucksport, we drove to Bar Harbor (Baa Ha Baa as the locals pronouce it!) and walk the historic street of the wealthy people's summer "cottages" , shopped in the shops, then had a
WONDERFUL Maine Lobster dinner overlooking the water.
The day before Bucksport, we had driven to Bar Harbor and taken the road up to the top of Cadilac Mt where we hiked and absorbed some more of the beauty!!!
Next morning, we headed north up Hwy 2A , stayed at Houlton Wal-Mart then to the northernmost peak of Maine, across Hwy 1
and down Hwy 11 where we pulled over into a rest stop hoping they wouldn't make us move. Had a gorgeous view of Eagle Lake and a quiet night. Next morning, yesterday, headed on and the road got quite rough! Changed to Hwy 6 and continued south. Beautiful country, and more color changes here than most. No Moose, yet! Stayed at an old Oil Company (had permission this time) and on to Augusta, Maine. We are parked at their Elks lodge, and have one of the prettiest spots, yet. Over looks the trees and huge green lawn of the lodge. Saw 4 BIG wild turkeys about 100 feet from the RV. Rained REALLY hard yesterday afternoon just after we got settled in. THANKFUL that Al has gotten the leak fixed!!! Then the winds came up! About 35-40 mph, I heard. We are staying for a couple nights here while the storm blows over. Watched an outdoor wedding in the yard here. They were lucky enough to have sun for the ceremony. The ring bearer and flower girl drove up the "aisle" in a kiddy car! Really cute.
Guess the wind kept the ceremony to a minimum, as it didn't last more than 5 minutes!
The day before Bucksport, we had driven to Bar Harbor and taken the road up to the top of Cadilac Mt where we hiked and absorbed some more of the beauty!!!
Next morning, we headed north up Hwy 2A , stayed at Houlton Wal-Mart then to the northernmost peak of Maine, across Hwy 1and down Hwy 11 where we pulled over into a rest stop hoping they wouldn't make us move. Had a gorgeous view of Eagle Lake and a quiet night. Next morning, yesterday, headed on and the road got quite rough! Changed to Hwy 6 and continued south. Beautiful country, and more color changes here than most. No Moose, yet! Stayed at an old Oil Company (had permission this time) and on to Augusta, Maine. We are parked at their Elks lodge, and have one of the prettiest spots, yet. Over looks the trees and huge green lawn of the lodge. Saw 4 BIG wild turkeys about 100 feet from the RV. Rained REALLY hard yesterday afternoon just after we got settled in. THANKFUL that Al has gotten the leak fixed!!! Then the winds came up! About 35-40 mph, I heard. We are staying for a couple nights here while the storm blows over. Watched an outdoor wedding in the yard here. They were lucky enough to have sun for the ceremony. The ring bearer and flower girl drove up the "aisle" in a kiddy car! Really cute.
Guess the wind kept the ceremony to a minimum, as it didn't last more than 5 minutes!
Checked the internet and haven't found much exciting here to do, but went to a meeting this morning, and may again tonight. Watched an old movie last night, "My Boss's Daughter". Cute and silly!
Guess that's about all for now. Oh, a couple things we have observed: In Ohio, there are Buroughs and townships every couple miles, all with different names. Kind of like driving up the coast. We are impressed by how MANY people have the US flag flying outside their homes, many on actual flag poles. And this month, Halloween decorations on the majority of homes, and many are really creative! Wish we could stop and take pics of some, but not possible in the RV. A Beautiful time of year. Weather has warmed up again at night, even if the wind and rains are setting in. We will head south before the snow flies ( we hope). Another thing very evident are all the homes with snow plow blades on their pick-up trucks!!!
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