Today we’ll take a Maine trivia quiz and learn some fascinating facts about the State.  So today, again, started out slow, if you haven’t noticed a pattern here already, we usually never rush into any given day.  I mean, why?  We’re on the road of retirement so unless we need to be somewhere early morning, we just start out in slo mo and stay that way throughout the day.

First things first, today was housekeeping day.  Meaning the floor got vacuumed.

The sinks were scrubbed until they shined nice and white and bright.

And all the cabinets top and bottom were wiped down until they too began to shine.

Other things were also attended to so that now our home is all nice and spiffy again.  Momma always said cleanliness is next to Godliness.  Yea momma!

After this we also brought our books up to date, added up our cost for campgrounds and fuel to date and were quite pleased.  Sure amounts to a lot less than what we were paying each month for our mortgage and taxes in total.  This is sure the way to go.  Besides which, the full-time RV life is tons of fun!

Now, let’s test everyone’s knowledge regarding the great state of Maine.

• Maine has 3,478 miles of coastline – more than California and only Florida and Louisiana (mostly bayou) have more miles of coastline.
• Maine is the only American state with a one-syllable name.
• In case you had to be told, it is against the law in Maine to step out from a plane while it is in flight.
• Don’t get too tinsel happy. You can be charged a fine in Maine for leaving your Christmas decorations up after January 14.
• Maine has its own desert, which spans 40 acres outside the town of Freeport. The desert originally developed as a result of over-farming in the area.
• Almost 90 percent of the country’s lobster supply is caught off the coast of Maine by the 4,600 licensed lobstermen – that’s nearly 40 million pounds.

• Like any food that’s available in great abundance, lobster once was shunned as a poor man’s food. In Colonial days, only paupers and slaves lowered themselves to eating the plentiful crustacean that piled on the shoreline in heaps. The rest of the unwanted lobsters were tossed to the pigs.
• Maine is the single largest producer of blueberries in the country, responsible for 99 percent of the crops in the United States. The town of Cherryfield is known for being the blueberry capital of the world.
• Maine is the third biggest producer of pure maple syrup in the country, Vermont being the first and falling just marginally behind New York State
• Maine produces 90% of the country’s toothpick supply.

• Acadia National Park is one of the most visited U.S. National Parks, with over 2 million annual visitors. The Park was first established and opened  in 1916.

• John D Rockefeller Jr. funded the majority of Acadia National Park.s carriage roads and trail systems between 1915-1933.
• In the movie “Forrest Gump,” Forrest makes Marshall Point Lighthouse a stop along his cross-country on-foot voyage

So there you have it.  Today was a great day.  Warm, windy and pleasant from start to finish.  Days like this are easy to take.  Night is now here but the clouds, unfortunately, have again moved in so star gazing is out of the question.  Darn.  Not to worry there will be other days in the next couple of weeks.

We also received an email from our friends Hoag and Max with some really fantastic news about Max’s brother, Jeff.  That news just made the day even better in so many ways.  Jeff, we’re with you every step of the way and will always keep you in thought and prayer.

In closing a thought for all of us to take 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

 

Today started out bright and beautiful with us in no rush to go anywhere – at least not yet.  We had no definite plans for the day when we woke up but that soon changed.  We knew we had mail waiting for us back at Pumpkin Patch and we were interested in finding more of the granite sculptures on the Main Sculpture Trail.  Along the way we were to also discover the Hancock Memorial Park and the Prospect Point Lighthouse.

So if you haven’t guessed already before long we were on our way.  The sky was again clear and the temperatures in the mid 70’s.  A perfect day.  The big question again would be what kind of traffic would we encounter on a Friday in a prime tourist area.  Guess what?  Again, no traffic coming or going.

So our first stop was back at Pumpkin Patch where we picked up some mail that came just a day after we left.  They were gracious enough to hold it for us until we were able to pick it up today.

Another stop we made was at McKay’s RV to pick up what I like to call a gray tank cheater.  This is our secret weapon for staying for an extended time in a location with no sewer.  It’s basically a termination cap for the RV’s tanks to which one can hook up a garden hose and trickle gray water out of.  I first tumbled on to it when I discovered someone using it in a COE Park that we stayed at in Virginia.  Mind you, it’s just for the gray water but never ever for the black tank.

On the way back, our mission was now to find some of the granite sculptures that make up the Maine Sculpture Trail.  The Trail consists of 39 stone sculptures that are made up of locally quarried granite and basalt.  The artists who made the sculptures come from 16 different nations including Taiwan and Sweden.  The full Trail covers some 200 miles along the coastal region of Downeast Maine.   Following are the sculptures that we have discovered to date.

This is called the Whispering Stones and is located in Hancock, Maine.

This is called The Gate and is located in Gouldsboro, Maine.

This is called the Cleat and is located in Winter Harbor, Maine.

This is called the Tribute to Life, and is located at The Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park.

So, by our count we only have another 30 more to locate and take a picture of!

Along the way, we quite by accident, discovered this memorial park along Route 1 in Hancock, Maine.  First up, is a monument that honors those who fought in the Civil War.

 

Then there was this flag pole that was dedicated to those who served in WW II and Korea.

Then this monument which was dedicated to those who served in the World Wars.

And finally this monument honoring those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War.

Finally, we found another lighthouse of which, of course, there are many up in this area.  This is the Prospect Point Lighthouse.  The Lighthouse was built in 1850 and rebuilt in 1891. This white cylindrical lighthouse with a black lantern top matches the keeper’s house, a classic New England clapboard home with black trim.

The station was automated in 1931.  It remains an active aid to navigation and is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and licensed to the American Lighthouse Foundation.  Today, it is  a Navy recreational asset known as Gull Cottage and is available for lease by Active, National Guard, Reservists, and Retired military of all branches.

So that brings us to the end of our day.  Remember in the beginning I said that the temperatures were in the mid 70’s?  Actually over by Pumpkin Patch the temperatures were in the mid 80’s and the humidity was oppressive.  That quickly changed by the time we got back to Schoodic Woods and home sweet home.  The temperature had dropped to the mid 60’s and the fog was beginning to roll in.  You could actually stand on the road in front of our site and literally watch the fog, I guess really a cloud, come down the road!  That was a first for me.

Once again we had a great day, traveling along, hand in hand, singing our song.   We had a day of discovery and a day of interesting sights.  Night is now here but no stars tonight since it is completely overcast.  Hey, did you have a great day?  Sure hope that you did.  If not, why not?  Your day is yours to make of it what you wish.  Now a closing thought for all of us:

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

A sailing we will go over the waters of Frenchman Bay.  Today, we were going to go sightseeing, however, not by land but by water.  We were going over to Bar Harbor for a Nature Sightseeing Cruise provided by the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company.  So we ate a quick breakfast and then got going since it was a 60 minute drive.  The only question on the way over was Where would we park?  We were told that they would not be enforcing the 2 hour parking limit today and that there was one handicap parking space available by the tour company office.  Guess what?  Look where we got to park.

You guessed it, the one and only handicap parking space in the whole lot.  When we pulled up, it was are we really seeing this spot empty.  Empty it was.  How ’bout that!

Time now to get our tickets.  A quick walk, not even 50 feet and we were at the office of

Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company.  Here is Barbara at the counter obtaining our tickets.

Our choice today for a cruise was the 2 hour Nature and Sightseeing Cruise.  Here is a picture of the boat that we would be sailing on for that time.

This cruise would take us among the islands and shorelines of beautiful Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. . We stayed in the protected waters of Frenchman Bay which was first discovered by French explorers Champlain and Cadillac in the 1600’s.

 

Following is a picture of lobster boats in Bar Harbor as we were leaving the dock.

I wasn’t quick enough to get a picture of one boat with a rather curious name which was Beth Said Yes.  I wonder what she said yes to.  One can only wonder.

On board to share with us her knowledge of the area and other stories of natural and human history and answer any questions, was our narrator, Angie.  Angie is a professional naturalist who has been in the area for years.

On the way out, one of the first things we saw was the breakwater that extends out from Porcupine Island.  Like the name applies, it breaks the normal ocean waves that come toward the harbor, allowing much more safety for vessels and commerce.

As we continued on, Angie pointed out some of the magnificent summer homes along millionaires’ row, built during the summer cottage era of Bar Harbor.  Following are some of the pictures that I was able to take.  And they call these summer cottages!

How many rooms does this house have?

 

What a view, but watch that step out the front door!

 

This is really cool, someone definitely had some imagination.

We then went past Cadillac Mountain, and yes I was able to confirm there are people and cars in the parking lot at the top of the mountain.   Cadillac Mountain is one of over 20 mountains on Mount Desert Island, Maine that were pushed up by earth’s tectonic and volcanic forces millions of years ago. Were it not for the once enormous glaciers that sheared off their tops, they would be even higher than what we see today.

We then cruised past the rocky and rugged coastline that Maine is known for which was formed by glaciers, and further shaped and battered by sea & wind.  I mean I’ve seen rocks in the past but nothing like these!  What a spectacular view of what happens when mother nature takes things into her own hands.

 

Moving along we went into Sand Beach.  The beach is nestled in a small inlet between the granite mountains and rocky shores of Mount Desert Island. This gorgeous 290 yard long beach is one of the most popular points of interest on the island.  The thousands of years of pounding surf created a beach that is largely composed of unique sand and shell fragments. The ocean temperature rarely exceeds 55 degrees in the summer, yet every summer there are those brave souls willing to go swimming in its waters.  Not only that can you believe they also have a polar bear plunge each January on this beach.  Yipes.

 

This was a nature cruise and it lived up to its billing as we cruised past a rocky spit of land in the harbor that was full of harbor seals.  The seals are considered an endangered species meaning human contact with them is strictly forbidden.

 

 

Along the way Angie also pointed out several bald eagles and a peregrine falcon.  Unfortunately, I was not able to get pictures of them.  I will say, though, they were magnificent to see.

Next up was Egg Rock.  The rocky outpost, which was also known for a time as Gull Island, was later named Egg Rock for the proliferation of seabirds’ nests and eggs found there.

The Egg Rock Light Station, which was constructed on the outpost in 1875, consisted of two buildings, a combination light tower and keeper’s house, and a fog station building. The keeper’s house is a roughly square 1-1/2 story wood frame building, with a hip roof pierced by dormers on all four sides. The painted brick tower, 40 feet high, rises through the center of the house.  Egg Rock Light is said to be the homeliest lighthouse on the Maine coast.  The station was automated in 1976, at which time its surrounding structures except the fog station were torn down. The light continues to be managed by the Coast Guard, and is not open to the public.

 

Once we finished here, it was time to head back to the dock.  It had been a very rewarding and interesting two hours spent on the water.  If you are ever up this way, I would definitely recommend taking the tour, or maybe this one and perhaps another one which tours the lighthouses in the area.  It is a great way to spend an afternoon.

The day had been picture perfect.  Temperatures in the mid 70’s, a clear blue sky, a slight wind but no real wave action to speak of.  What more could you ask for.  Well, one thing perhaps and that we found on the way home.  Time now for a late lunch and what better place than this.

And we all know, don’t we, what I’m going to have.  Bet you don’t.  I had a classic lobster roll, (instead of a full lobster), which tasted every bit as good as it looked.  Barbara, a hamburger can you believe it.

So the day is now done.  Night is upon us.  The sky is full of stars, lots, and lots of stars.  It is so beautiful up here.  Summer time that is.  I saw some pictures yesterday of the past winter up here, can you say snow and lots of it.  Not for me anymore.  Once again, we had a super day spent together doing something we had never done before but are so grateful that we got to do it now.  Hope you had a great day as well.  As we bring this to a close a thought for all of us this evening:

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

 

 

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