Our night at the Walmart in Mexico was an interesting one. It appears it is a common destination for the truckers in the area. Not to mention, the only place to park put us close to the traffic that was on Route 2. Bottom line, not the quietest night nor was the parking lot the most level one we’ve stayed at but it was OK for just a night. I seem to sleep through just about anything but Barbara on the other hand had a restless night.
We were on the road early with only about 3 hours to our new home for the next two weeks. Route 2 was a different road than we are used to. It took us through a number of small towns where the speed limit dropped to 25 mph, it took us through several construction zones, and there were sections where you would have thought you were on a roller coaster. Not a really bad ride, but far different from the interstates that we usually travel.
In due time, we saw the sign for our new home for the next two weeks, Meadowcrest
Campground. This is a very small park, about 20 sites in total, only 2 for transients and the rest are all seasonal. We snagged what has to be the sweetest spot of the two that were open. Here we are backed in, set up, and as the sign says Home is
Where We Park It so this is home until July 6th. It is a hard packed gravel site, perfectly level, with plenty of shade from midday on. The only downside, if you can call it that, there is absolutely no TV channels. Oh well, time to dig out all our movies. Here is a picture of the park in total with us off to the right.
Time to go back now to the end of our time in Maine. We wanted to get the last stamp in this area that we knew we could get for Barbara’s National Passport Book (that would give us 12 of the 14 available). Regarding Barbara’s National Passport Book, the only other stamp that we knew we could get was at the Saint Croix International Historic Site
which was south of Calais, Maine along Route 1. We went to the visitor’s center
to get the stamp. Then we started out along the path to lookout point
where you can actually see St Croix Island. Though a visit to the island is not prohibited, it is discouraged. In addition, you would need your own boat to get there.
Regarding the settlement at St Croix, this is what we learned.
In 1604, Pierre Dugua, sailed from Havre-de-Grace, France bound for North
America. Samuel Champlain, map maker sailed with him in order to chronicle the expedition. In June of that year, Dugua and his company sailed into Passamaquoddy Bay, and chose the small island of St Croix for their settlement. Along the path to lookout
point there are displays and bronze sculptures that depict their arrival, the founding of the settlement, the hardships of the first winter and lessons learned. It begins with Strangers Off Shore.
Next is settling on the island.
Next, building the community.
Next, the harsh reality of the first winter. Believing that the winter climate would be a mild one the settlers were not worried. However, they were not aware of the arctic air flow from the north. Soon the river froze, up heaving cakes of ice too treacherous to cross. The settlers were trapped with dwindling supplies and no way to replenish them. By spring nearly half of the men on the island had died.
Finally, an enduring legacy and lessons learned.
Our visit to the historical site finished, we started for home. Along the way we discovered that we were in a manner of speaking half way to the North Pole
On the way home, we decided we would also stop at Reversing Falls Park which is a municipal park in Pembroke, Maine. It is located at Mahar Point, the northern point of a narrows separating Dennys Bay from Cobscook Bay in far eastern Maine. To get there
we had to sort of go off roading for a bit. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the park the tide was slack so we did not get to witness the fury of the falls. But we did see testament
to just how treacherous these waters can be. Above is a memorial erected by a mother who lost her son, Joseph Jones and his crew, in these waters. We learned later, after a bit of sleuthing, that in October 2009, the fishing vessel Bottom Basher sank with three men on board — boat owner Joseph Jones, 29, of Trescott, Daryl Cline, 41, of Machiasport and Norman Johnson, 57, of Cutler. Searchers found the body of Cline the day after the sinking and recovered the remains of Johnson in December 2009. Jones’ body has not been recovered, nor has his boat, the Bottom Basher.
So that brings our day to an end. We’ve had a blast traveling along, singing our song, side by side. We have a fantastic new home. The camp owners are simply wonderful. Our neighbors are great as well. What more could one ask for. Once again God has blessed us beyond measure and we are so grateful. We have a number of places to visit and explore while we are here to include a tour of Ben and Jerry’s as well as the Cabot Cheese Factory. We hope your day was just as great. In closing, a thought for all of us 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
"On The Road of Retirement" 
Looks like a beautiful part of God’s country. Thanks for another history lesson and keep’em coming.
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