End of the Trail and the Golden Road

Thursday

Started out sunny this morning and then some clouds moved in.  Today is move day.  We moved about 100 miles north and are on the Penobscot River near Medway, ME.  Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park is the the Northern End of the Appalachian Trail.  It was a tight fit to get into the pull-through sight and there is a bit of a slope.  But we got in after unhooking and backing up, and we are pretty level.

Big step up into the rig

Lots of friendly bunnies here

Now we are heading up to Millinocket to find the Pellitier Loggers Family Restaurant and maybe see some moose.  A cool night is in store, lows down to 30 are forecast.

We found the restaurant in Millinocket.  But before we ate we went to look for the Pelletiers shop.  We found the Golden Road but turned around at the scales as I thought the shop was on a highway.  So back to eat.

Easy to spot the restaurant the trademark truck

As we were pulling in I spotted Rudy Pelletier in his pickup truck going the other way.  Once inside we were greeted and made to feel right at home.  The family became somewhat famous through the show American Loggers.  Now they have people coming from around the world just to say hello and meet them.  Our waitress Melissa was very friendly and turns out she donated a couple of the bunnies at the campground.  She gave hints on what to see and do next week up at Island Falls.  Lena Pelletier came in for dinner and Melissa called her over and we got to meet and chat with her.  She is the mother of all the boys

The brothers are in the tile picture on the wall

 Time to order and you know what Bonnie had to eat.

Lobster Mac & Cheese 

I decided to change it up a little and had the rack of baby back ribs

Boy they were good

 We both only finished about half our meals and have the rest in the fridge for another meal.  It was really good and we may go back tomorrow.  Then Eldon came in and he said hello as he went by the table.  Once again our waitress went and got him and he came over.  We had a real nice chat and even talked about the logging business.  He said they have 85 employees and maintain over 100 miles of roads.  He said they had 5 road graders.  He also has a motorhome and enjoys traveling.  They get away during the mud season.

Eldon Pelletier

It was like chatting with an old friend

I asked where the shop was and it is on the Golden Road we just did not go far enough.  We might also be able to spot a moose or two on the road so we headed out there after we finished.  Sure enough we found the shop.

The shop on the Golden Road

They were still working at 6:30

Big Foot

 Big Foot is a super sized tractor with a large engine, built to haul an extra large trailer.  The trailer was empty but here is a loaded regular size load.  They pull these loads on the Golden Road

Regular load

We did not sight any moose but we did get a good look at a Fox that crossed the road in front of us and then waited on the side for us to go by.  After a stop at the market, Bonnie needed carrots for the bunnies, we headed back to the coach.  No TV out here so Bonnie read and I updated my iPad and iPhone to IOS 8.  It is cooling off out side and the heat pump is working hard to keep us nice and warm.  Well I am off to bed.


Friday

It did get down into the 30s last night but the front heat pump kept us nice and cozy.  This morning I ran the Aqua Hot and we are nice and toasty now.  Lazy morning today and Bonnie has started a load of wash.  We move to the condo tomorrow and it does not have a washer and dryer.  We will go out for a drive later this afternoon.  My update to IOS 8 went well no problems so I will explore that some today and do back ups.  The sun is out nice and bright so that will help to heat us up also.  Bonnie fed the rabbits some of the carrots she bought and they enjoyed them.

They can eat them pretty fast

Pretty Tame

I changed a battery on one of the cars tire sensors and noticed a low reading on the outside dual so I filled that and kept the compartment doors shut to keep the bunnies out.  They follow you around like a puppy.  After lunch we decided to drive up to Baxter State Park.  We were hoping to get some nice scenic views of the mountain but the trees are to close to the road.  We did catch a couple glimpses.

First sighting

 Once we got in the park the ranger did tell us there was a nice view out back of the ranger station, which is also a bunk house for hikers.  They had gas lights in here and wood heat, just a little solar electric for a radio.

Ranger Station

This was the best view of Mt. Katahdin that we had.  They say it is a 12-13 hour round trip to make it to the summit and back.  The Hunt Trail is part of the Appalachian Trail and none of the trails are easy.

Finally a good view of the mountain

 The lake was very clear and cold.

Mt. Katahdin

These rocks are several inches under the water

 The Ranger said there were no other views from the road in the park so we turned around and headed back.  We drove around some and stopped at an Emporium for Bonnie but it was closed.  We filled up the car with gas again $3.46.  We tried to tour downtown Medway but there is not much in the town.  There were two huge paper mills up here and sadly both are closed many people have had to move to find jobs.

We got back to the campground and noticed that many new rigs had arrived.  There is an annual truck pull this weekend up toward Millinocket and many are here for that.  Plus its the weekend.

Camp office and store

Tomorrow we move up to the condo for a week.  Only about 38 miles and check out is at 1pm so no big hurry.

Saturday

The campground filled up more even after dark last night and one or two after we went to bed.  It was not quite as chilly last night and tonight should be even warmer.  We took our time this morning and slowly got ready to go.  We packed our clothes before we put the back slides in as we would be moving into the Timeshare condo today.  Bonnie went out to feed the bunnies but they have moved on to other campers and none were around.

Finally we were ready and pulled out at 12:30.  We were only moving 39 miles north today so we decided not to which up the car and Bonnie just followed me.  It was an easy drive and we stopped once at what was called a scenic view of Mt. Katahdin.  Well it was very overcast and the mountain was hiding in the clouds.

The Mountain is in the center mostly in the clouds

The lake was scenic

 There are lots of lakes up here any one of which would be a nice place to build a house with a view.

We were at the condo by 1:30 and check in is supposed to be 4:00pm.  But Grace checked and our unit was to be ready in 10 minutes.  So we looked around the club house and asked Grace a lot of questions.  They have a nice indoor pool and hot tub, game room, and computers to use.  She said if we could not park the coach up at our condo we could leave it down in the parking lot.

Well it worked out that we had two parking spaces and so we backed the coach into one and we were even able to plug it in to keep the batteries charged.

Good news we fit

 It sprinkled a little as we carried in our stuff and the food but not bad.  After the very brief shower I think it got warmer.  Lows tonight are to be in the 50s.s  Anyway we are settled in and hooked up to the internet.  Tomorrow we can start to explore this area.  Grace gave us some hints on where to see moose

Our living room view looking NW.

We have a nice wide deck and hopefully will see some nice sunsets.  Well its after midnight so I am headed to bed.

Sunday

We both had a good nights sleep even though we were in a new bed.  I was hoping for a sunny day but it is very overcast.  Bonnie did not want to do anything today just rest up.  It has started to rain so I guess that was a good idea.

I decided to ride into town and check out the Historical Society which was supposed to be open today.  I did not have an address but the town is small and I found the Old Jail where there offices are.

The Jail House

Well sadly they were not open and by the looks of the building may not be open at all.  I will try to call tomorrow.  I drove around the town a bit but not real much to see here.  I made a stop for milk at the local grocery store and then headed back to the resort.  I stopped at the game room and picked out a couple movies.  So while it rains we will watch a couple movies.

I did check on the Bills sorry to see that they lost.  We also were able to make a connection to our Dish Sling and saw the end of the NASCAR race, lots of cautions today.

Well it has stopped raining, we have had a nice relaxed day.  I will get this posted and try to upload the rest of the pictures to my Facebook album.  We have had a great week and enjoyed our travels.

Thanks For Checking In!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 
― Albert Einstein

Bar Harbor

Monday

It was cooler last night as the AquaHot fans ran off and on all night.  This morning I even flipped on the engine preheat about an hour before we planned to leave.  We took our time getting ready and had a lot to put away after being here for 6 nights.  We finally pulled out a little after 11, it was finally up to 50 degrees outside.  The engine preheat had the CAT up to 90 degrees and it started easy.

We only had about 150 miles to go and our first stop was for fuel just after noon.  We took on 70 gallons.  While I fueled Bonnie went in and picked up sandwiches and drinks for lunch.  Then back on I95 to Bangor, then over Route 1A to Ellsworth and Trenton.  We are at Narrows Too CG just before the bridge to Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor.  We are staying here under PassPort America which gives us 50% off the campground fee.  Plan is to be here 3 nights.  No pictures today, I drove the whole way.  They have these crazy rocks here at the entrance to your site and I guess it is to keep you off the grass.  I was talking to the work campers and a lot of people hit them and damage their rigs.  I almost backed into one but thanks to Bonnie she got me stopped in time.

Our site

Our site is nice and level and roomy enough since we do not have a neighbor.  The other nearby rigs are all work campers here.  Once plus is that we are near enough to the free hot spot that my CradlePoint router is connected to it and we can sit in the comfort of the rig to use the internet.  I was able to order our RXs on line and we hope to pick them up at the local WalMart tomorrow after we visit Acadia National Park.  Time for some rest now.

Tuesday

It was raining when I got up this morning so no big hurry to get going.  I did finally wake Bonnie at 10 and we got ready to go.  It was a light rain and so we headed for the Acadia NP visitors center first.

Someone is in a hurry

We watched the movie and were surprised at how busy the visitors center was.  Then I used my Senior Pass to get our entrance pass and we headed for the Loop drive.  The rain was very light but no sun for good pictures.  We drove around the loop the whole twenty some miles.  There are some nice views but most of the time you are looking at trees.  Our first stop was sand beach and there was one man in swimming.  Sandy beaches are rare in Maine.

Contrast beach and rocky coast

 The sea at high tide also occasionally takes down a tree or two.  These would have been so much better to shoot if there was some sun

Claimed by the sea that then cleaned the roots

Another one bites the dust

Hey I made it into a picture

Just a view of the sand beach

 Bonnie spotted these shells and the sand dollar in the middle.  I think they were dropped here.  People forget for a while that you can not take anything but pictures and memories out of a National Park.  This picture is for Bonnie.

Sand Dollar

We got word that our friends that were leaving on a 20 day trip today in their coach, had a diesel leak that they noticed while hooking up the car, good catch.  It turned out to be a one day repair, so happy that they can leave tomorrow.

Next we stopped at Thunder Hole and the tide was out so we got a good look at it but no Thunder.

Thunder Hole

Look who I found

Then we drove the rest of the loop and decided that we were hungry.  Bonnie said more lobster so we headed to:

Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound

Wood fired steamers

A couple of 1 1/2lb New Shells

Happy! Happy!

 The rubber bands on the lobster are proof that they were Wild Caught!

Wild Caught

Last night I went on line and order our RX refills at a local Walmart, plus we need new lights for in the kitchen area.

Bad bulb

 So we headed for Walmart.  Bonnie wanted to stop at Goodwill and look around.  After sitting in the car for an hour, I went in and told her I was going to Walmart, she said good idea.  So I went and picked up the RXs and lights, also some milk.  Then back to get Bonnie, she was still shopping.  So I went in and encouraged her.  Finally we are headed to the coach.  Once quick stop for gas and we are now in for the evening.  Supposed to be Sunny tomorrow.

Wednesday

Nice and sunny this morning.  We are planning to head back to the park and Cadillac Mountain and take a drive over to Bass Harbor, Bonnie wants another lobster.

First Bonnie decided to go down and look for "unique" shells and rocks at the shoreline here in the CG.  I believe we are taking back a good share of the Maine Coastline.  Then shortly after noon we headed out with Cadillac Mountain as our first destination.  It was pretty busy up there today but we did finally find a parking spot and it was in a good location.  We walked around and enjoyed the views.  It was a bit hazy so the picture again are not that great.

Looking out to sea

On watch for ships and whales

A large cruise ship was in Bar Harbor again today

Looks like she is on the edge of a cliff

The entrance to Bar Harbor at low tide

It was now mid afternoon and we decided to drive over to the Quiet Side of the island.  Destination was Thurston's Lobster pound in Bernard, which is on Bass Harbor across from the town of Bass Harbor.  It is very nice and appears to be a busy port lots of lobster boats coming in for the afternoon.

I have a picture of this place from years ago.

This is still a working truck

Pretty harbor views

My crab roll and corn

 The roof material was yellow and cast a yellow hue on everything.  We chose our sandwich or lobster and then added the meal of corn, cole slaw, and blueberry spice cake.

Her 4th lobster this week plus a lobster roll earlier

Cake

The blueberry spice cake reminded me of my Mothers eggless cake, very good.  Well we are done touring here.  In the morning we move about 100 miles north over closer to the mountains and hopefully Moose.  We will be across the road from the Penobscot River.

The forecast is for some more cool weather.

Thanks For Checking In!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 
― Albert Einstein