First Visit,  Winter Harbor and Schoodic Peninsula, Loop Road.  This morning it was a bit cooler than yesterday but not bad.  The early morning temperature was around 55 degrees but with the electric heater on in the back it was quite comfortable.

Yesterday, it was GrayBeard that got pampered, today it was Marti’s turn.  He

was getting a bit ragged around the edges so we decided to have him groomed.  If we waited any longer he would have been looking like a sheep dog by the time we would have had a chance to have him taken care of.

Of course, while he was being groomed we had to find a place to eat breakfast.  Once again we asked the locals and this is the place they recommended as one of the best

in town, Chases Restaurant.  Now you just have to know with a sign like this over the

door this is the place to be.  I later discovered this plaque in honor of the original owner

of the restaurant.  This is the menu from which we ordered.  I ordered the #4 and

Barbara ordered the Burrito  .  Both were delicious ,so much so that we cleaned every

last bite from our plates.  On the way out, I also discovered this humorous sign.

Breakfast finished, it was time to visit the big attraction in Winter Harbor which is the well known 5 & 10 Cent Store located on Main Street – actually the only street in town!

The Winter Harbor 5 &10 was founded by Mary and Larry Graffam in 1972.
They retired in 1989, at which time it was purchased by the current owners Pete and Sandy Drinkwater. They claim to have everything from A to Z inside the store and by the looks of things they really do. Don’t take my word for it take a look yourself.   Following are just two pictures of the inside, they are at least another 7 or 8 aisles of everything!

Another packed aisle of just about everything.

Of course, there were all things lobster, like this towel.

And this light that I wish I could figure out a place to put in Graybeard.

Well, once we were finished here it was time to pick up Marti.  He looks a hundred percent better, I can guarantee you.  Now with him on board we visited the local Chamber of Commerce in Winter Harbor.  How about that self service!

Our visit to Winter Harbor over, we started for home, however, we sort of took a detour of sorts.  We had read about the loop road that ran around the Schoodic Peninsula, and

so we decided to see what it was all about.  The loop road is a six-mile one-way road that offers views of lighthouses, seabirds, and forested islands. There were numerous vehicle turnouts that provided opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Located 1.5 miles down the loop road, Frazer Point is a grassy picnic area facing the waters of Winter Harbor.  This is the picnic area which we hope to come back to.

These are some pictures of Winter Harbor taken from the picnic area.

Down the road a bit we spotted this light house off in the distance.  We later learned

that it was the Winter Harbor Lighthouse on Mark Island. The lighthouse, originally established and built in 1856, is constructed of brick and asphalt. The two-story keeper’s house was built later in 1876. The boathouse was built in 1878 followed by the Oil House in 1905. The original optic used was a fifth order Fresnel. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 1, 1988 as Winter Harbor Light Station.  The lighthouse is currently privately owned and not open to the public.  Now how about that, how would you like to have your own lighthouse.  Neat.

This is some of the scenery we saw along the loop road. 

In the background of this picture is Cadillac Mountain.

A little further down the road, we discovered the Schoodic Education and Research Center which is home to the Schoodic Institue, a non-profit partner of Acadia National

Park that supports researchers, classes, and conferences. The campus was formerly a U.S. Navy Base listening station until it was closed in 2002 and the land was returned to the National Pack control.  Unfortunately, we were not able at this time to visit the center but we do intend to return and go inside in the near future.

Finally, we reached Schoodic Point which is at the southern tip of the Schoodic Peninsula  From the parking lot we were able to walk out and explore the massive rock formations created by ancient volcanic activity. To say that it was breathtaking is probably the understatement of the day.

Well, there is more for us to see and we intend to do the loop road yet another day and discover what we missed today.  Once out of the park and on the way home we discovered a place that we just could not pass up.  Come on now, there is always room for ice cream.

Here I am enjoying my cone.

And, of course, Marti also got in on the action.

So that was our day today.  We absolutely enjoyed it 100 % and, of course, the best part, as always, was that we did it together, traveling along hand in hand.  But wait there is more, once home and settled in, supper finished, we figured just for giggles and chuckles let’s see if we can get Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy  (we have become sort of hooked on both) and lo and behold they both came in crystal clear.   Super.

So day is now done and the night has wrapped its darkness around us.  We had a ball today and we’re absolutely thrilled that we took our little detour.  There’s more to be discovered yet in Acadia National Park and we hope to do so in the coming days.  Hey, did you have a good day?  Hope so.  If not then take this thought regarding tomorrow to heart:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Schoodic Woods Campground, Acadia National Park, that’s where we are headed today.  But before we could leave for there, we had an errand to run.  It was time to take Graybeard in for an oil change and lube.  Unfortunately, I was not allowed to do it at Pumpkin Patch, and with my back in the shape it is, I was not up to finding an empty parking lot to do it in.  So off  we went to the Bangor Auto and Truck Center where they took loving care of our home.

We in turn decided since Graybeard was in good hands, we would go get some breakfast at a place that everyone in the campground recommended and that was Dysart’s Store and

Restaurant.  The locals were not wrong it was a good place to go for breakfast and a

a cup of coffee.  We both enjoyed a hearty breakfast and got a kick out of the unusual

decor that we found on the floor and on the wall behind where we sat.   Now with breakfast out of the way, it was back to pick up Graybeard and get on the road.

According to the GPS the trip should take no more than 2 hours, however, we had no idea what amount of traffic we would become entangled in.  Surprise, surprise, there was really no traffic to speak of.  Perhaps it is still too early in the year for tourists to come flocking up here.  No complaints from us, though, it made for a really smooth trip.

This was the first sign we saw that told us we were now getting close to our destination.

Soon enough the next sign we saw was a clear indication that we were almost there.

And finally we found the Ranger Station where we needed to check in for our site, B26.

Schoodic Woods is located in breathtaking Acadia National Park which is located on the Schoodic peninsula. The Schoodic Peninsula contains 2,266 acres or approximately 5% of Acadia National Park. It includes the towns of Goldsboro and Winter Harbor. The peninsula is home to a former US Navy base which has been converted into a National Park Service training center.

A 3,300-acre resort development was proposed for land abutting Schoodic Peninsula’s national park holdings to the north. An anonymous donor eventually bought the entire 3,300 acre tract and built the Schoodic Woods Campground and miles of gravel bike paths before donating all of it to Acadia National Park.

Opening in 2015, Schoodic Woods is the newest campground in Acadia National Park, and the first built in the park since the original campgrounds were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression beginning in 1936.

Within the campground, the majority of the sites are for tents; other sites can accommodate RVs and trailers. All sites have electric, and others have electric and water. Flush toilets, potable running water, and a dump station are provided, as are picnic tables and fire rings in each site. All roads are paved. But, and this is very interesting, currently there are no shower or laundry facilities at the campground.  Want a shower?  Up in Winter Harbor they will be happy to accommodate you for $20 for 3 people to use their facilities.  Me, I purchased a big supply of baby wipes!  And another secret weapon of which I cannot divulge.

Finally, all checked in, we went to our site.  As we say Home is Where We Park It.  Our site is a spacious pull through, hard packed gravel, as close to level as a site can be, and all the utilities are new and exactly where you would want them to be.  Sweet.

Marti is already checking out his new digs, all kinds of new smells and places of interest.  So here is where we will be for two weeks and then – ready for this – we move even further north.  Hopefully, the weather will start warming up soon.  Though, right now, it isn’t bad, usually around 65 during the day, dropping to around 45 at night.  I’ll take it.

So our day is now done and we are settled in and unpacking.  I’ll tell you, for a guy from a populated state and town, it is sort of unusual  here.  Inky black, deathly quiet, and absolutely still.  Give me time and I’ll get used to it.  We hope you had a great day as well.  Never forget each and every day to take time to stop and smell the roses because once the day is done you will never get it back again.  So now in closing I’ll leave you with this thought, when you are confronted with something that’s gone wrong:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

 

 

 

 

 

I hope we all had a chance some time during this day to just stop and pause and think about what this Memorial Day Holiday is really all about. The reason we can have a cookout, or go to the lake, or RV around the country  is because since the very first days of this country men and women have laid down their life for you and me.  Lexington, Concord, North Bridge, Bunker Hill – my visits recently to these historical sites and the sacrifices made by our forefathers at each are still vivid in my mind.  Let’s never forget that some where today there was a mother and a father , a sister and a brother, a wife and a child who remembers someone who put on a uniform one day and never came home. That’s what Memorial Day is all about my friends. Freedom is not free.

Picking up, packing up and getting ready to go.  This is the longest in the last month or two that we’ve been in one place for two weeks.  So it is time to gather things together and get back on the road.  Stow the awning, clean the front of Graybeard one last time, pack the tire covers away, put the outside chairs away, etc.  Barbara gathered the laundry together and went to the wishy washy.  Tonight we’ll pack up the computer room and put other odds and ends in travel mode.

But before we leave we went out for a late afternoon lunch to Tim Hortons which I later 

found out is a Canadian-based multinational fast food restaurant known for its coffee and donuts. It is also Canada’s largest quick service restaurant chain with stores in nine countries.  They had been advertising on TV recently a Chocolate Chip Iced Capp Coffee which I just had to try.  Yes, it is every bit as good as it sounds!  Along with that both Barbara and I had a steak and cheddar cheese panini sandwiches and we shared a portion of homemade potato chips.  Also good to the last bite.

Less I forget, I also discovered the real reason I’ve been having so much trouble recently

getting the patio awning out.  Bob, the tail gunner, from Yankee RV Travels, was gracious enough to show me that it was misaligned and also gave me some tips on how to fix the problem.  I later went on YouTube and found an excellent video that demonstrated exactly what he had told me to do to resolve the issue.  Once we move and get settled I’ll take care of it.

Time now to call it a day.  It’s been another easy one but you’ll not hear me complaining about that.  My back is slowly beginning to mend, another few days and perhaps it will be all behind me.  We once again did our favorite thing, spent the day together, traveling side by side, hand in hand, singing our song.  We hope you had a great day as well.  If not then wake up tomorrow with a new resolve to make the day the best it can be.  You may not be able to control what happens during the day, but you can control what you do with what life throws at you.   Now I leave you with this thought to ponder:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Well, this is the worst it’s been since we started full timing, an aching back.  Sort of minor

when you think about all that could have gone wrong already – but hasn’t.  So I’ll say my thanks to the good Lord and go with the flow.  I’m sure in time this will pass one way or the other.  Come on now what do think our forefathers did when they faced something like this?  Right.  Grin and bear it and sooner or later, all will be well again.

Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to church this morning.  The back is really bad early in the morning and late at night.  Thinking about it, it seems sort of silly that I just didn’t buck up and go.  We really have so much to be thankful for, so many blessings we’re received, some many, many wonderful days already under our belt.  We did, though, have our usual morning devotions.

The park has remained empty throughout this whole Memorial Day holiday.  It’s like we have our own little RV park, a little piece of heaven all to ourselves.  The rigs for

Yankee RV Tour group will start coming in this week since they leave on Sunday, June 3rd.  We’ll be gone before them, though, since we leave this Tuesday for our new home.

So what did we do all day?  I finished an interesting book I had started a week ago.  I can’t remember when I could just sit down and read all day without feeling guilty because something wasn’t getting done.  It was great.  Barbara got to watch a movie she had been wanting to see on the Hallmark Channel.  That was the extent of our day.

So since there is nothing more to report for today I’ll bid you good night.  Let’s all remember that tomorrow is Memorial Day and so at 3 pm lets observe a moment of silence.  Also let us remember that all gave some and some gave all so that we all could enjoy the freedoms we do today.  Don’t forget either, that older person in front of you that is tying up traffic and won’t get out of your way may just be a veteran that served for you and me.  Have a good night and in closing:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before