Bar Harbor

July 27, 2011
Today I thought a great deal about water, in all its various forms and purposes. So far on this trip we have drove through torrential rain, saw flooded areas due to excessive rain, camped by a muddy river in Ohio, sweated through excessive humidity, searched for ice for the cooler, taken chilly showers and wonderful hot showers. This morning we woke across the bay overlooking Cadelac Mountain and Bar Harbor. The campground was for one night only in order to get a good start to get in line at Seawall Campground in Acadia National Park. The morning was foggy with drapes of haze floating across the water. All day the sky changed from sunny to rain squalls in the distance to ominous and then sunny once again. After about a one hour wait in line we were admitted to the park and got a spot. Without reservations we literally had to wait until someone checked out. But there are 200 spots in this campground alone, half of them reservable. We had no reservation.there is a shuttle bus that runs here that will take you for free ( thanks to L.L.Bean) anywhere on the island. We planto make use of that later. Today we put up the tent, and drove to the top of Cadellac Mountain. There we could see 360degrees and the entire island and then some. Next we attended the visitor center to get our bearings. I can't send pictures until tomorrow due to little to spotty Internet service. We spend some time in Bar Harbor looking around. Lots of boat rides to look at whales, watch then trap lobsters, look for Puffins and seals. We didn't sign up for anything yet.beautiful little town but so crowded. Our campground is far away from the more touristy places. We found a very out of the way place for our lobster splurge in a small town on the westside. We were both so tired we went to bed early. It has been three and a half days to get here besides getting up early this morning to get the camping spot. Now we have three full days to relax and sit by the ocean or hike the trails. Wish we brought our bikes. The trails are amazing. President Rossavelt devised a carriage system through some areas of the island for horses only. Today , they serve as walking trails, horse trails, bike paths and carriages. Guess what, no showers at the National campground. There is running water not far from us in the bathroom area. Thank heaven I am close to the facilities. I guess the shower is about 1/2 mile up the road.

The Journey is the Destination

July 26, 2011. The Journey is the Destination

It rained during the night, a steady drizzle dripping off the trees. When my little cellphone alarm went off at 5:40 a.m. It had stopped raining and was just dripping. We packed up with a wet tent once again and headed out. It was a pretty park. Before we returned to the interstate/expressway we traveled through a few small towns with churches with amazing steeples. Also a flock of Guinney hens wander across the road in no big hurry, obviously having no place in particular to be.
One more day of driving and we should arrive close to our destination. We want to be close so that tomorrow morning we will get a campsite as the previous occupants vacate their spot. We rounded New York, went over the Hudson River on an amazing bridge, circled around the outskirts of Boston metro area and headed up interstate 95 North to Maine. We decided to visit the L.L.Bean store in Freeport, Maine on the way back to Boston.

Rain, rain....go away

The camp ground last night was nothing to write home about, therefore I will not dwell on it's inadequacies. However, we were next to the Huron River, however a rather brownish color due to high water. We left again this morning bright and early. I am putting much faith in the Garmin for directions. So far the trip across Pennsylvania on Interstate 80 has ben scenic with many forests and hills. This is the same route if you went to D C with the 8th graders from Lake Mills. Right away this morning we went through a huge rainstorm and passed a car on fire on the otherwise of the interstate. Doesn't do much for casual driving. Frank does an exceptional job. We are now in the flow of it, passing the divide between the Atlantic and the Mississippi. Also passed the town where the groundhog comes out every February. Cannot spell the name of the little critter. I can see how Iowa cornfields would hold quite a novelty apart from this terrain. It is all large hardwood trees for miles. Reminds me of the books "A Light in the Forest"and "The Education of Little Tree".
Camping tonight in a county park in New York State. It rained while we set up camp and while we ate. But we were prepared with rain gear. It is actualy very peaceful with the large trees all around us. And the restroom facilities close at hand. Water dripping from the trees.

Frank in Iowa City

On the road again.....

Had a interesting first night in the campground. It was dark before we had finished eating and therefore had to clean up by lamplight. There were two thunderstorms during the night. During the first one I thought about the Native Americans and their survival in primitive dwellings, possibly not much thicker than what I am sleeping in, keeping the elements out. Thank heavens Frank has camping knowledge with all his Boundary Water experiences. We had a break in the weather and got everything packed up this morning about 5:30 a.m. Rules of the road....if you want to make miles you have to start early. Tonight I will be so tired I will not be thinking about anything.
Straight east across Iowa, the Mississippi River, close to Le Clare where I spent several years of my childhood. Across IL and road construction south of Chicago....across Indianna tollroad and now on the Ohio tollroad.
I recommend the grilled chicken Asian salad at McDonalds. Only a little over 1000 miles to get to our destination.

Ready, set, go.....

It takes an amazing amount of stuff to go camping. It is a constant struggle between what is essential and what is frivolous. The limits are space, weight, and convenience. Should I take the heavy hardbound book my sister gave me to read but I haven't got around to for six months or a paperback with incredibly small print but fits into my purse.
How many sleeveless shirts...will I ever do laundry? How long can a cabbage last without refrigeration? At what temperature does my makeup melt or Pam explode. Things to obsess about.
Anyway, we finally shut the door of the house at 2:00,which was good considering we were going to leave at high noon. The car is running a little sluggish due to the excess weight but we are at least making miles. Destination Iowa City.

Cherry tomatoes

This is a plant I paid one dollar for at the end of the school year. It will soon be bearing small tomatoes. I can't wait.