Sunsets and Thanksgiving

 On the way to Cedar Key, I stayed a night at Lake Louisa State Park.

 

Nice old Florida for sure.

 

Then I arrived at Sunset Isle RV and although this too, is the old, more rustic Florida, being on the bayou with the RT friends makes it more special.

 

I got my site request and am happy.

It's been another great Thanksgiving week and we are discussing our return next year already!

 

 

driving, driving, driving

  It seems as if I have been doing lots of driving just to get back to Florida from our fantastic get together in Branson. I tried to avoid the interstates so from Eureka Springs I took four days to get back but I did spend two nights at the Longpoint State Park in Eufaula, Alabama to rest a day before heading back into my home state.
    Had such a wonderful time at our Solo Rendezvous.

We spent time outside before the 'very' cold came and then spent time inside both at our clubhouse and at restaurants and shows. We did lots of eating and drinking and talking! It was fantastic to meet solos I already knew and the ones I only knew by name and now can put faces to those names when I read them on our message board.
   Does it look like we had fun?

Last day of summer trip

Well, this is my last day 'on the road' for the summer. It won't be long, however, before Petey and I 'go' again.
    I'll be cleaning and re-arranging during the next days and, hopefully, manage to take fewer items on upcoming trips. I have learned, I hope, that I do not need as much clothing and other items but also that there are some things I want to have with me in the future.
   The last few campgrounds have been nice and I would return to them again for their beauty and amenities.
      Williamsburg, VA is always a nice place to visit.

Gov. mansion garden

gov. mansion

 

 At Bass Lake, S.C..

 

The beauty of a Georgia (Blythe Island) camp

heading home

I have been out of Maine about two weeks now and attended the great RT rally in Foxboro after a few short stops in southern Maine and New Hampshire.

      In Boston we visited the library (marathon finish line there too) and square it abuts-Trinity Church is interesting especially as reflected in building across from it.

    Then after lunch at Quincy Market (a large food court), we toured Fenway Park and even got to sit on top the 'Green Monster'.




  Today I am in Williamsburg, VA and will do the Colonial town before heading south again.
      

Last day at Bass Harbor

It is a feeling of 'leaving home' that I am suffering today since I'll be heading out of Bass Harbor campground in the morning. My first summer staying at the same place without moving to different campgrounds has been a great experience and next time I hope to pack better since I'll know what to expect and what I need/don't need to have with me.
   Today I am putting things in place, cleaning up, doing laundry so that I can leave in the morning with not too many things to do in order to get back on the road. I will stay in Maine for a day or two taking the coast route and enjoying the scenery before getting down into Mass. where the chapter rally is being held.
    Tonight will be one more lobster dinner and I'm looking forward to enjoying it with friends I've made here.
  

Summer end soon

I can't believe I will only be here another three weeks! The summer has gone quickly and I've enjoyed it alot.

   
   Eating these has made me very happy and I will have more before I leave these shores.

The Natural Seawall with tide somewhat 'out'

Fog at Ship Harbor

This is a short nature walk/hike and even with fog very scenic.

        

the Quiet side and then Thunder Hole

I got to see the 'quiet side' of the island and although it was foggy in the morning, the west Trenton area had some nice scenes.

Then on to Acadia National Park on the ocean side to see Thunder Hole which is where the sea has taken some chunks out of the side of the granite wall and when the water rushes in, it frequently just 'spouts' up.

And the views of the ocean are wonderful on this coast.

Since last writing, I have had the opportunity to visit the top of Cadillac Mountain and have popovers at Jordan Pond House.

These are views overlooking Bar Harbor from the top of the mountain.

I keep forgetting to take photos of the food (lobsters, popovers) but Jordan Pond is a lovely place and the popovers are wonderful.

Next time we do lobster, I will remember to take photos so you can be 'jealous'!

  

Whales and parades

Bass Harbor Campground Float

Last Saturday was a really fun day with a parade and then whale watching. Our campground had a float in the Flamingo Parade in Southwest Harbor and I rode on it tossing beads to the crowd. The history of this parade goes back to a 'get back at Martha Stewart" thing (she has a home here) I was told..it was a fun thing for me, for sure.
     The parade 'theme' this year was pirates but Flamingoes are everywhere in town and on the floats.

Robin, Paul

A pirate flamingo

The whales were harder to get photos of since they do not stay 'up' very long and there were lots of people on the boat.

a 'fin' whale

  On my way to the Lighthouse, I found all sorts of flowers so this collage is an assortment. It inclues some Foxglove found right here on the campground property.

   
The path to the east side of the lighthouse is down and some has stairs while some are just rocky. One can no longer go inside the lighthouse (except an occasional 'special' day) but the views from around it are beautiful since you can see the water, surrounding islands and the buoys bobbing around. To get there is only a ten minute walk so I certainly got exercise that day.

        And see what else I found on my way.

A Walk in Bass Harbor

Before the rain returned to Maine, I took a walk to Bass Harbor and up the road some too. I love the 'fishing village' look and everywhere on the docks are lobster traps. The flowers are also gorgeous

We've had time to see some of Bar Harbor too but there is so much yet to be explored.

   

Day trip June 17

One of the things explored this past Sunday was the Azalea Gardens so here is a collage:

       

Bass Harbor, Maine

Am now settled into Bass Harbor where I will be for the summer working. After only two days, I can see I will be happy here. With Susan S. staying until the end of July, we will have lots of time to explore the area. I will post photos when I start getting them (today will be first day out of camp) and since Acadia National Park is our home, the photos should be really nice.

VT , briefly

Did a 'retreat' from Oneida Shores after a couple of nights not feeling 'safe' there. Spent only a night in Vermont but on an island in the middle of Lake Champlain.

view from my site

the quiet side of the lake

   When I left I realized that one side of us was nice and calm but the other side (south side) had white caps on it! The wind was blowing very hard all night but I was protected by a high berm behind me.
   On to Maine!

Oneida Shores

I am now in my 'work kamp' position and with very few campers here, it certainly is not a difficult job at all. The park is beautiful and the weather has been lovely (although today is rainy and cool-wearing sweatshirt). Being right on the lake, I am not leaving my awning out since it is windy but on the sunny days, I have used my beach umbrella for some shade.
   After only a few days, here are some images:

Wolcott, NY

I am in a nice campground which was quiet until yesterday afternoon when all the weekend folks arrived. There seem to be distinct groups of people who are camping together and then there are the 'seasonals' but all seem friendly.

  Today I think I will take photos of all the animals (mostly dogs) that are here since there is quite a variety.

Pennsylvania to New York state

Another week has elapsed and I have spent time in Pennsylvania and now in New York.

creek in PA

   In Pennsylvania I stayed in a campground I expected to be really nice since it is part of the Morgan Resort group but I was disappointed. They are geared towards the 'seasonal' campers and overnight/weekend camping has some things missing (like really nice bathrooms/showers) to make the short stay enjoyable. They do have lots of weekend activities and terrific pools (outdoor and indoor) but being there in the rain and during the week (everyone went home) was not so great for me. I did get to play with my camera and learned how to do more 'close up' shots.

     Now in a campground that I stayed at (two years ago) while sick after my job at the kid's camp, I have been able to see how big this place is and with the new owners it is headed to even greater heights.

       

Heading north

West Virginia

   Sitting in the Canaan Valley State Park campground in West Virginia where I have no TV or internet access. My cell phone (and consequently the MiFi) has a spotty signal and I have been able to get the temperature and send an email. I am enjoying the beauty of the forest and meadow here and watching the critters (chipmunk, birds, etc.) with Petey. It was cold (39 at 8am which made it much colder during the night) but our heater works and we stayed cozy.   This photo should explain why I had no 'connections'.

Now I am back in 'civilization' in Pennsylvania and today is cloudy and drizzly so when I get some photos of this place with a creek running along side, I will post them. Today will be a television and computer and book day mostly indoors although this morning they did a pancake breakfast (Mother's Day) which was excellent and I got out for that treat.