Monday, October 23, 2017
We are One Night from Home
Upon departing West Point New York, We ended up in North Carolina. Several of our other planned stops didn't work out so we came down to visit with our friends Kim and Joyce that we were stationed with in Spain. As always it is a relaxed stay. This morning we departed them and drove for about eight hours. We are currently parked at Maeport - one of those navy places. Again right on the water. The neat part is off to my left is one of those mini aircraft carriers. Tomorrow AM we head home to see how our hose fared this time after the hurricane that came in the Sunday after the previous Tuesday when we departed for this little 6,000 ile jont.
West Point & New York
This will be our last major stop of our trip. My photographer seems to have went on strike. The camp site for west point is literally on the top of a mountain. Again limited cell and internet - Very limited. It was a beautiful location. We arrived on the Saturday And left the following Friday.
On the Sunday we flagged a taxi and jumped a train to New York City. If I had to work New York City - I would have to live some where along this line. It travels along the Hudson River all the way in. What a beautiful ride! Upon our arrival to New York City we decided to walk to the hotel - oops (we went out the wrong door and added several blocks to our walk). OK we finally get there and have a beautiful view of the river and New Jersey. We are four blocks from the UN and one of the three Trump Towers. Through our time share we purchased a hop on and off pass as well as three of a list of places to see here. I will add the list when I add pictures. Joan wanted her carriage ride in central park. The other two we never made it two. This place is made for those who can walk marathons.
So we caught the bus and ended up at Time Square for a night bus tour. Each bus has an individual telling you about the places and history. Each person has their own favorites. We took the same tour the following morning. We had to stop at Rockafelar plaza and had lunch in the cafe down stairs on the same level as the ice skaters. It was great watching those skate and fall while we had a nice warm lunch. From there we jumped back on the bus to finish the tour. Joan was worn out - we were going to see a play but it was cold out - that sounds like a good excuse. The following day we had to find out where to redeem the tickets for the horse drawn carriage. We saw Trumps tower with all of the contraversy - the one across from central park. I don't blame him - it is a great location and view! Once completed we had a nice ride through central park. After that we caught the bus for up town. It was hallarius listening about how great Harlem is! It was interesting about the museum mile and a lot of the old mansions. After we completed this tour we jumped a taxi back to the hotel and another taxi back to Grand Central Station. This time the train was busy and a little more crowded.
Now back to West Point Campsite we ordered up an Enterprise car and explored Sleepy Hollow and mansions along the Hudson. In the Grave Yard in Sleepy Hollow there is the crypt that Barnabus Collins raised out of. Again another place for some great and longer exploration
On the Sunday we flagged a taxi and jumped a train to New York City. If I had to work New York City - I would have to live some where along this line. It travels along the Hudson River all the way in. What a beautiful ride! Upon our arrival to New York City we decided to walk to the hotel - oops (we went out the wrong door and added several blocks to our walk). OK we finally get there and have a beautiful view of the river and New Jersey. We are four blocks from the UN and one of the three Trump Towers. Through our time share we purchased a hop on and off pass as well as three of a list of places to see here. I will add the list when I add pictures. Joan wanted her carriage ride in central park. The other two we never made it two. This place is made for those who can walk marathons.
So we caught the bus and ended up at Time Square for a night bus tour. Each bus has an individual telling you about the places and history. Each person has their own favorites. We took the same tour the following morning. We had to stop at Rockafelar plaza and had lunch in the cafe down stairs on the same level as the ice skaters. It was great watching those skate and fall while we had a nice warm lunch. From there we jumped back on the bus to finish the tour. Joan was worn out - we were going to see a play but it was cold out - that sounds like a good excuse. The following day we had to find out where to redeem the tickets for the horse drawn carriage. We saw Trumps tower with all of the contraversy - the one across from central park. I don't blame him - it is a great location and view! Once completed we had a nice ride through central park. After that we caught the bus for up town. It was hallarius listening about how great Harlem is! It was interesting about the museum mile and a lot of the old mansions. After we completed this tour we jumped a taxi back to the hotel and another taxi back to Grand Central Station. This time the train was busy and a little more crowded.
Now back to West Point Campsite we ordered up an Enterprise car and explored Sleepy Hollow and mansions along the Hudson. In the Grave Yard in Sleepy Hollow there is the crypt that Barnabus Collins raised out of. Again another place for some great and longer exploration
Traveling New England
Let the saga continue! As Joan & I depart northern New York - the smart route would be to head south of Watertown towards Syracuse and then over to Boston and then up into central Maine. As I said the smart move. We took US highway 11 north along the Canadian border towards Champlain then crossed into Vermont and down US 2. It was a string of islands down towards Burlington VT. We continued on US 2 east towards Montpelier and into New Hampshire. We stayed on US 2 till we arrived at Bangor (Do not pronounce Banger - locals do not like). From there we continued north on US 2 to a small town Lincoln. Out side of there is a Navy camp site called Great Pond.
Great Pond - We arrived - We left! Don't get me wrong. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all - and I mean all - this is the place. Actually, I thought it would be a great place for those with PTSD to adjust, it is very tranquel! We eventually ended up in a town called Ellsworth that is between Bangor and Bar Harbor. OK, closer to Bar Harbor. It was easier to hire a rental car here. What was surprising though was while we were making plans for our campsite in Ellsworth, we were stopped in a parking lot. Across the street was the Grand Lodge of Maine. Now the Grand Lodge in Maryland (my home lodge) is this grandious place.
We make it to the campsite and hire a rental car. We believe our next trip we will purchase a car dolly and take our own car. I don't do well with all of this down time. There is to much to see and do. So with the rental car we do the Arcadia National Park. Drive around Bar Harbor _ have a lobster roll (not impressed). We do the Bangor thing. The most exciting part of this trip and every leg so far is the people we meet. We met this couple that were out of Seattle - were our kids live. Their son lives in Marrysville. That's neet our kids live there to. Their son works for the company that makes parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Wow - our son works with the same section on the 787 dreamliner.
Last March when we were down in the keys - one of our stops was at the end of US 1. This time we took a short jont (four Hours) up US 1 to the beginning of US 1. The first highway in the US. It is located in Fort Kent. Now I can't forget that since that is where Joan comes from in England. Now our trip back to the motorhome could have been a lot faster if some one would have aloud me to enter back into Canada and come down their major highway back into Houlton. That's OK
Our next port of call is Salem Massachussetts. Do not try to drive a class A motorhome down town old town. They had a location for tour tram - no place to park. Another important point about traveling in the New England you must walk and no free parking. Also Gas (tax) is high - road's are atrocious. Really neat places to see. We needed to leave the motorhome outside of city and drive a car in - lesson learned.
Now to one of our major stops. The only soap opera I have ever watched and Joan is addicted to as well is Dark Shadows. The Mansion that is used in the series is Seacliff mansion in Rhode Island. There is a walkway in front of the mansions that goes along the sea shore. It is also supposed to be where they started each series with waves crashing along the rocks. It was great seeing the building and again talking to individuals who live around their. We also stayed at the Naval Base camp site - out side of the base, right on the water. We met some interesting retirees their with larger motorhomes then ours who are traveling for nine plus months a year.
After here we headed to West Point and my next post!
Great Pond - We arrived - We left! Don't get me wrong. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all - and I mean all - this is the place. Actually, I thought it would be a great place for those with PTSD to adjust, it is very tranquel! We eventually ended up in a town called Ellsworth that is between Bangor and Bar Harbor. OK, closer to Bar Harbor. It was easier to hire a rental car here. What was surprising though was while we were making plans for our campsite in Ellsworth, we were stopped in a parking lot. Across the street was the Grand Lodge of Maine. Now the Grand Lodge in Maryland (my home lodge) is this grandious place.
We make it to the campsite and hire a rental car. We believe our next trip we will purchase a car dolly and take our own car. I don't do well with all of this down time. There is to much to see and do. So with the rental car we do the Arcadia National Park. Drive around Bar Harbor _ have a lobster roll (not impressed). We do the Bangor thing. The most exciting part of this trip and every leg so far is the people we meet. We met this couple that were out of Seattle - were our kids live. Their son lives in Marrysville. That's neet our kids live there to. Their son works for the company that makes parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Wow - our son works with the same section on the 787 dreamliner.
Last March when we were down in the keys - one of our stops was at the end of US 1. This time we took a short jont (four Hours) up US 1 to the beginning of US 1. The first highway in the US. It is located in Fort Kent. Now I can't forget that since that is where Joan comes from in England. Now our trip back to the motorhome could have been a lot faster if some one would have aloud me to enter back into Canada and come down their major highway back into Houlton. That's OK
Our next port of call is Salem Massachussetts. Do not try to drive a class A motorhome down town old town. They had a location for tour tram - no place to park. Another important point about traveling in the New England you must walk and no free parking. Also Gas (tax) is high - road's are atrocious. Really neat places to see. We needed to leave the motorhome outside of city and drive a car in - lesson learned.
Now to one of our major stops. The only soap opera I have ever watched and Joan is addicted to as well is Dark Shadows. The Mansion that is used in the series is Seacliff mansion in Rhode Island. There is a walkway in front of the mansions that goes along the sea shore. It is also supposed to be where they started each series with waves crashing along the rocks. It was great seeing the building and again talking to individuals who live around their. We also stayed at the Naval Base camp site - out side of the base, right on the water. We met some interesting retirees their with larger motorhomes then ours who are traveling for nine plus months a year.
After here we headed to West Point and my next post!
Friday, October 6, 2017
We have arrived in Maine
Good Day to One and All,
Well the adventure continues. We were scheduled to spend a week at a Navy FamCamp. When we arrived it was so far out in the boonies we would never get a rental car. This place was ran by the Air Force for 15 years and then taken over by the Navy. I couldn't understand why this place was not near a large body of water. I thought it might had been a training base with a Navy Exchange or something. There is nothing! I do know what this place would be good for. Those individuals with PTSD - It would be a great place for them to help put them selves back together. It is a beautiful - but secluded place. OK, so I lost my deposit there.
We started heading a little towards this place called Bar Harbor. My Navigator started looking into one of our camping books to find a place. She did, in a place out side of Ellsworth. While we were sitting in this parking lot trying to sort everything out. I looked a cross the road and there was a Masonic sign. As I looked closer at this building that looks like a bank. It says it is the Grand Lodge of Maine. Obviously I have to go in (seeing how I be one). Now my Grand Lodge in Maryland is this monstrous place out in the country on a hill - over looking the peons. I went in and per-roved their artifacts and swapped stories it was a nice hour - seeing how I couldn't check in yet.
We checked in and settled down for the rest of the day. I even got Joan to go out and wonder around. We ended down by the lake - I had to put my feet in - not bad. We sat in a couple of Adirondack chairs and watched the sun set. While sitting around we met a couple that are doing the same as us but from the Seattle area. Met a retired Army guy that has a forty five foot motorhome. Mine is only thirty feet. That's OK the way I drive, I'd never get that thing around the two lane roads. It would be in style though!
That's it for Joan resting - poor thing. I had her up the next morning so she could go with me and pick up the rental car. Once completed we headed to Bar Harbor. OK another tourist place. An over exaggerated fishing village. We went to a couple over villages around the sound. We even stopped in one so I could have a lobster roll - not what I was thinking of! It was a hot dog bun with some lobster in it. I need to introduce them to a shrimp Po-boy! Ok been there done that not going back again.
Today has been one of those twelve hour days with nine of which was driving. Last March we had been to the end of US 1. Today we were at the beginning of US 1. Once I get my photos down loaded they all will be posted on here. Now while we are on the subject of pictures. Like last years trip. My navigator (Oh by the way I have a great GPS) dosen't like taking pictures. So have really missed some beautiful shots. I even purchased a new digital camera.
We had two opportunities to enter back into Canada and travel paralel to US 1, but some one is still pissed at our last excursion in. We got off I-95 and headed to Houghton (where we could have entered Canada) then drove up US 1 to the end - which is in a town called Fort Kent. The name is appropriate since Kent is the county that Joan comes from. There was a small border there. We could have entered there and taken a four lane highway back to Houghton - instead of a two lane (twisty twines road).
We have two more days left hear before we depart here and head to Rhode Island and the Dark Shadows Mansion! Till the next time!
Well the adventure continues. We were scheduled to spend a week at a Navy FamCamp. When we arrived it was so far out in the boonies we would never get a rental car. This place was ran by the Air Force for 15 years and then taken over by the Navy. I couldn't understand why this place was not near a large body of water. I thought it might had been a training base with a Navy Exchange or something. There is nothing! I do know what this place would be good for. Those individuals with PTSD - It would be a great place for them to help put them selves back together. It is a beautiful - but secluded place. OK, so I lost my deposit there.
We started heading a little towards this place called Bar Harbor. My Navigator started looking into one of our camping books to find a place. She did, in a place out side of Ellsworth. While we were sitting in this parking lot trying to sort everything out. I looked a cross the road and there was a Masonic sign. As I looked closer at this building that looks like a bank. It says it is the Grand Lodge of Maine. Obviously I have to go in (seeing how I be one). Now my Grand Lodge in Maryland is this monstrous place out in the country on a hill - over looking the peons. I went in and per-roved their artifacts and swapped stories it was a nice hour - seeing how I couldn't check in yet.
We checked in and settled down for the rest of the day. I even got Joan to go out and wonder around. We ended down by the lake - I had to put my feet in - not bad. We sat in a couple of Adirondack chairs and watched the sun set. While sitting around we met a couple that are doing the same as us but from the Seattle area. Met a retired Army guy that has a forty five foot motorhome. Mine is only thirty feet. That's OK the way I drive, I'd never get that thing around the two lane roads. It would be in style though!
That's it for Joan resting - poor thing. I had her up the next morning so she could go with me and pick up the rental car. Once completed we headed to Bar Harbor. OK another tourist place. An over exaggerated fishing village. We went to a couple over villages around the sound. We even stopped in one so I could have a lobster roll - not what I was thinking of! It was a hot dog bun with some lobster in it. I need to introduce them to a shrimp Po-boy! Ok been there done that not going back again.
Today has been one of those twelve hour days with nine of which was driving. Last March we had been to the end of US 1. Today we were at the beginning of US 1. Once I get my photos down loaded they all will be posted on here. Now while we are on the subject of pictures. Like last years trip. My navigator (Oh by the way I have a great GPS) dosen't like taking pictures. So have really missed some beautiful shots. I even purchased a new digital camera.
We had two opportunities to enter back into Canada and travel paralel to US 1, but some one is still pissed at our last excursion in. We got off I-95 and headed to Houghton (where we could have entered Canada) then drove up US 1 to the end - which is in a town called Fort Kent. The name is appropriate since Kent is the county that Joan comes from. There was a small border there. We could have entered there and taken a four lane highway back to Houghton - instead of a two lane (twisty twines road).
We have two more days left hear before we depart here and head to Rhode Island and the Dark Shadows Mansion! Till the next time!
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