Headed back to Maine

Moose at the rest area

July 31 – Up and on the way to Maine again this morning.  I called from the road to get on a lighthouse tour from Port Clyde at 2:30.  I was informed that due to fog they would not know for sure until 1:30.  We thought we would have time to go first a bit north to Owls Head in the Penobscot Bay area.  We were there before but my photos of the lighthouse got erased (new camera issue) and the gift shop was not open to get the lighthouse stamps.  I don’t know where the time went as we didn’t dilly dally on the road but it was taking a lot longer than planned to get where we were going.  I called Port Clyde back at 1 and got the bad news that the cruise was cancelled.  They did tell me that they were open until 5:30 if I wanted to come to get the lighthouse stamps that I missed seeing.  Good news!

Owl's Head Lighthouse

That’s when the map threw us for a loop and screwed up our timeline for the day!  According to the 2003 map we were using (yes, we need a newer map), we thought we were on I-95 heading north, but I eventually looked at the town names on the exits and then the map and we were actually on I-295.  Major Bummer!  Then we enlisted Suri to guide us east to US 1 or I-95 at this point and I don’t think she knew any better than we did.  Grrrr!  We were hungry to boot so pulled into McDonald’s and asked a man coming out and he gave all kinds of directions but in reality he was clueless too.  We ate lunch and had let Suri rest so asked her again and off we went.  We did end up on US 1 but we travelled some of the less travelled roads to get there! 

Off the coast at Owl's Head

We went on to Owls Head and Bill walked to it with me this time and got to see the lighthouse and magnificent view.  Being a beautiful day out there were sailboats, tour boats and pleasure boats and we encountered quite a lot more visitors that on our previous visit there.  The shop was open and I got stamps for there, Curtis Island lighthouse and Rockland Breakwater, which I already had.  I bought a lighthouse t-shirt, which I don’t normally do but it was “special”. 

Puffin on the docks at Port Clyde

Now the question was could be get to Port Clyde before closing?  Of course, we’ve been there before so we knew some road NOT to take this time.  Arriving at 4:45 with time to spare I headed in to the ticket/gift shop confident of getting my lighthouse stamps.  Once again I was in for a let down.  ONLY the boat crew could get on the boat to get the bag of stamps.  I explained I called at 8:30 this morning and then at 1:00 and was assured if I got there before 5:30 I could get the stamps.  The key was remembering who I was to ask for, I said Laurie and it was Jeannie.  We finally got that figured out and she was called and said if I could wait until someone came to open the boat for the evening tour I could get my stamps.  So Bill and I looked in the one store in town, but it was a good store.  General Store, with fresh meat, lobsters, deli, dry goods, excellent wine selection, tourist novelties and more.  We sat in the car a while listening to Sirius radio and I ventured back to the gift shop and was told to come on to the office for my stamps.  I secured Two Bush Island, Tenent’s Harbor, Whitehead Island and Franklin Island lighthouse stamps.  Yeehaa!

Since we really didn’t know how far we would get in a day with all the stops and little roads I

Greeter at Taste of Maine

didn’t make a hotel reservation.  Big mistake!  We didn’t think it would be a big deal since we didn’t have Molly with us this time.  So we meandered south and stopped for dinner at A Taste of Maine.  I think we ate there the last time we were there, 2003 or so.  Very cool décor, lots of stuff to look at and if you’re outside or by the window you have a nice view.  I had lobster pie which was good except a bit too much butter, if that’s possible, and it was running out.  It has a seafood stuffing over the lobster with a side of butternut squash that was yummy.  Bill had some kind of chicken and he really liked the squash too. 

Sun setting over Bath, Maine

So we decided we would drive further than Bath so we could get a better jump on tomorrow.  We considered stopping in Brunswick but again we wanted closer to Portland.  Well, big mistake!  We stopped at 4 places before we found a place for the night at after 9.  We could have had a room at Best Western for $179 or single smoking rooms at Motel 6.  Finally one of the desk clerks at place #4 said they had a call list and our best bet was S. Portland and gave me 3 hotels.  I called from their lot before leaving and secured with a credit card a very nice 2 double bed room at Days Inn.  It included breakfast so that was good.  We were exhausted!  It turned out to be a good thing we ended up there as it was closest to where we start out tomorrow!

ESPN

At the old Sports Center set

July 30 – We woke to a beautiful day out and it was for the entire day!  We didn’t rush around  but wanted to leave no later than 9:30 for Bristol for our tour at ESPN.  Dan’s friend is a cameraman there and he arranged for us to take a tour.  We were schedule for noon and expected to arrive by 11:40.  It’s about an hour from here so we were gone before 9:30 and were able to make a stop at Whole Foods on the way.

In Mike Golic's chair

We were plenty early, the first to arrive for our group.  You park at the Welcome Center and are shuttled to building 4 on the opposite end of the “campus” where you meet your tour guide.  They are all full time employees with other jobs there but are asked to give the tours.  Our guy has been with ESPN for 20 years and does video editing.  He does 1 tour a week.  They normally do 3 a day and you can only go by knowing someone who works there.  There is lots of security and you have to show photo ID and they have to have your info way in advance.  The tour was supposed to be 30 minutes but he was with us well over an hour.

Bill sitting in for Steven A Smith who was suspended

I’m not even sure where to start.  We pretty much visited everything except the new Sports Center set and the cafeteria.  We started in the “news” room where we learned how the shows are put together and how it’s determined what will be the topics.  They have a large section of staff that do nothing but research.  It’s one of the more difficult departments to get into.  They get tested several times on sports knowledge before getting into an actual interview. 

We moved on to the various sets.  We got to see where Mike and Mike is done and I sat in Mike Golic’s chair.  We visited the old Sports Center set.  That was pretty nice!  We learned which cameras are remote control and which are moved by humans.  Bill sat at the Sports Center desk.  Then we watched a taping that is radio and television both.  It was the Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Rusillo show but Scott was absent and Danny Kanal was taking his place.  Our guide took us to the digital center where games are reviewed and parts selected for use on different shows as audio or digital clips.  These places are huge with rows of computer desks and screens all over the place.  There are no assigned spaces in a lot of the sections as everyone’s hours are continually changing based on what sports are on and what is happening in the sports world.  They just grab a space in these audio or digital rooms and work.  Very few employees have their own desks.  Mostly they are in the research department.  Those who don’t have a desk have lockers for their personal items.

I think this was in NFL Coundown

We kinda have an idea of how it all comes together when it goes on the air.  They have a massive area of satellite dishes, one that can handle 32-34 satellite feeds.  The facility or campus as they call it has been in almost continual construction and expansion for the last 20 years.  It overtook a public road and is basically built around 2 courtyards.  Since completely the new building where Sports Center is broadcast from they are remodeling and enlarging the cafeteria that is open 20 hours a day.  There are 2 campuses in Bristol and between them they employ 4,000 people.  They have a top of the line fitness center as well as childcare for their employees.

 Just like Disney the tour ended in the gift shop.  The prices were not nearly as bad as Disney!  The shuttle is called when you are ready to head back to the car.  It was really a great experience and we certainly enjoyed it.

We had lunch in Bristol just down the road and headed back to Manchester, east of Hartford, to do a bit of shopping before heading home.  We had leftovers which was fine since we will be out of town Thursday and Friday!

Beautiful day but not for working!

July 29 – Bill left right after breakfast to go get his haircut.  As much as he enjoyed his last cut, it wasn’t cut short enough so he was going to try our boss’s barber but he was on vacation so he found another one.  He loved his haircut.  It was too short in the back for my taste but he loves it.  Says he’s going back to that guy instead of the first guy, shorter hair and better price!

He made a stop at the store also and I finished cutting the vent holes in the dash mat I made for the RV, did a load of laundry, cleaned the floors and when he got back it was time for lunch.  We had to be at work at 12:30 today.

It was a beautiful day out and Bill worked hard again and was pooped by the time 5:30 rolled around.  I was steady in the office and did my weekly dusting and stocking what needed stocked.  Read a bit and Pam came over and we visited and caught up on a couple of odd ball transactions.

I made pizza for dinner.  It was gluten free and good except for using that dumb convection oven!  I just can’t figure out when to push what buttons.  I keep reading the instructions but they don’t seem to be helping.

After dinner we were getting ready to walk down to Ron and Barb’s to give them a key for Thursday and Friday and info on Molly but they walked up instead.  We all sat out and visited until mosquito time and they headed home.  We watched TV and I worked on some scrubbies.  I think I have 10 done.  Not very many considering we’ve been gone 2 months!

Berries, berries and more berries!

July 28 – It was a very rainy night and we woke to more rain.  By the time we had breakfast it had stopped so we moved forward with our plan for the morning.  We went to pick more blueberries and there was only one other picker when we arrived.  The bushes were still just hanging to the ground with berries.  Such a waste.  In no time we had picked 13 pounds.  Some were for Pam and I put 3 ½ pounds in the freezer.  Washed some to eat and some are still in the bag.  We munch on them a lot for a snack so they do go fast.  In the store where you pay they have a room of fresh fruits and veggies so we go some plums, corn and an English cucumber.

From berries we drove to Dayville for a quick stop at Shop & Stop and then Bill dropped me at Target while he went to Walgreens.  I bought ANOTHER pair of sneakers.  They’re grey slip ons.  Not what I wanted so will wear inside some and see if I like them.  I wanted some to leave by the door to slip on to go out.  We got home about 12:30 and had to be at work at 2.  It was drizzling on the way back but the sun came back out and Bill had plenty of outside work to do.  I had quite a few reservations and phone calls and read 2 magazines.  Pam was off for the day with friends so Steve was in and out.  He let us go at 5:45 and we were schedule until 7 so that was nice.

We had a light snack and I had a glass of wine and eventually I made bison burgers on George since it was raining again.  We had 2 ears of the corn we got this morning and it was very good corn.  Super fresh.  We only did ½ mile tonight as we stopped to see Ron and Barbara and Bill got to yacking.  They’re going to feed Molly a couple of times Thursday and Friday while we head back to the coast of Maine to see more lighthouses and stay overnight.

Nothing on TV of interest until 10, Longmire.  I tried to do some stuff on the computer but think the weather didn’t help matters.  Printed some things I’d saved to print so got that out of the way.

Just another day

July 27 - A rainy yucky day!  We slept in, must have been the rum, and I made blueberry muffins while we still had some blueberries, so it was a late breakfast.  I did some laundry and caught up on email while Bill drove into town.  He wanted a Sunday paper and milk.  It was kinda nice just having peace and quiet by myself for a while.  24/7 together can be a challenge.

He read until time to have lunch while I downloaded the last 2 days of photos and got them ready to post in the blog.  We worked at 2 so I put a snack in my bag, filled our water bottles and off we went.  It had been raining pretty hard just before so Bill had on his raincoat and I grabbed the umbrella but it stopped as we walked out.  The sun was quick in coming out and that meant Bill could do some outside work.  I did some computer work for Pam and swept all the floors and took a break.  It kills my left shoulder using the push broom.  Then Steve brought in the mop bucket and I mopped all the floors and emptied the trash into one big bag for Bill to take out.  By then it was 6 so Steve told me to close everything out and sent us home an hour early.  Nice!

I looked at the Sunday paper and Bill got his shower and chilled.  He was pretty tired after moving wood bundles, pressure washing and emptying fire pits.  We didn’t have dinner until 7:30 and just as I was getting on the computer it started raining again.  Drats!  They turn off the wifi when it storms because they’ve been hit by lightning more than once.  So I just wrote today’s blog and did some reading.

Providence WaterFire

July 26 – This was our early day, had to be in at 9.  I got up at 7:30 so I could go to the post office when they opened at 8:30 to pick up our mail packet.  It’s only 5 minutes up the road so I left at 8:30 but wouldn’t you know, the post mistress was outside putting mail in the boxes there so I had to wait.  When I got back in the car I called Bill to fill my water bottle, pack my book and I’d be there ASAP.  I just made it to the office at 9.

It was a pretty busy day with check ins and calls for more reservations.  There were lots of kids in the park so they were in and out playing games and buying junk food.  The day went fast but it was only 4 hours!  

The closet pit by us

After lunch I did a load of wash, worked on the computer and read.  We were to pick Ron and Barbara up at 5:15 as they got off at 5 today.  She got off a little late so we left around 5:30 for Providence, RI for an evening at the Water Fire event.  Check out www.waterfire.org .  It’s about an hour drive into Providence and we wanted to eat first.  We attempted to find a restaurant on the hotspot of Federal Hill.  There is no parking and the places were packed by 6:30 with 2 hour waits.  Ron used to work in the city so he knows his way around.  Barbara suggested we get closer to the event location and park so we would be able to park.  There were a few spots at the Roger Williams park that isn’t far at all to the central part of the event.  The downside was there are not too many restaurants in the area.  The one we found most appealing was a 2 hour wait still so we headed on down to the event.  The worst case scenario would be eating from vendor stalls.  Right on the corner by one of the bridges over the river was a Fat Belly’s Irish Pub.  Nothing fancy (or big) but we managed to get 4 seats at the bar within about 10 minutes.  Other than the music was a bit loud for us old people, the service was good and the food was too.  It was typical pub type foods, nothing fancy.  Barbara and I both had the Shepherd’s Pie and it was delicious!  The guys had burgers and salami and both said theirs were good.  I was highly impressed with the Rum Punch special, to the point that I had to have 2!  HAD TO!  Yum!

From the bridge

We walked over to the bridge and happened to work our way into a great spot in front so we got to take good photos and see well.  We got to talking to another couple and took each other’s pictures.  We claimed that spot until the fires in 
that section were lit for a while, then we walked along the river behind us where there were sections with at least 12 fires going.  There were gondolas you could rent with the gondoliers in their black and white striped shirts moving you along the river beside the fires.  That would have been neat to do if we’d have planned ahead or knew the cost.  They keep the fires burning until 12:30 AM with boats of wood that travel back and forth along the river.  The staff wears all black so they blend in and keep the focus on the fires.  This weekend’s event was about finding a cure for Hepatitis C.  Barbara received a carnation from a boater in white with a note on it about Hep C.  Each of the 16 events held has different sponsors.  It was beautiful to see, that’s for sure.

The car was still there when we got back, with no parking ticket!  Ron got us out of town and on the road but Bill missed the turn he was told so we ended up kinda circling back around.  He wanted to stop at Cumberland Farms to fill up while we were NOT in CT as the fuel is cheaper and we get that extra .10 off there.  We had some good laughs going and coming home!  After dropping Ron and Barbara off it was almost 11.  I didn’t read many pages before I zonked out.

New Bedford Whaling National Historic Site

Whale bones, harpooning boat

July 25 – I thought we would leave earlier for New Bedford, MA but we didn’t leave until after 9.  We drove through Providence, RI and into MA and it was an easy 90 minute drive.  We zipped into the parking garage after checking the parking rates!  It was a two block walk to the visitor center of the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park.  The park is a 13 block waterfront district but individual and groups continue to operate their properties.  There are 2 visitor centers, one inland and one on the city marina. 

A beautiful model

After watching the excellent movie about “The City that Lit the World” we checked out the various displays in the visitor center.  New Bedford was the leading producer of whale oil used for lighting.  Then once the whales were getting close to extinction things changed.  Actually the whales provided baleen also which was used for many tools and corset stays.  The sperm whale teeth were carved into scrimshaw baskets, salt and pepper shakers, pie crimpers and many other useful objects as well as artistic pieces. 

Down the street was the New Bedford Whaling Museum and that was really nice.  There was a

Assortment of pie crimpers

room of model whaling ships of all sizes.  There was an entire display of models of the Charles Morgan that we were on in Boston.  Hanging from the ceiling in the main hall are skeletons of 3 kinds of whales, one with the fetus that was in it when it was found dead.  We learned about the ships and the methods of securing the whales, butchering them and rendering them into oil.  The ships often left MA and picked up crews in the Azores and Cape Verde.  Many of these crew members ended up settling in the states.  The Azores were settled by the Portuguese, so there are many descendants in MA.  It was a very interesting museum.

We had lunch at a Portuguese diner.  I had their sausage which was sliced and on a native roll with rodellas, which are like thick potato chips, some are crispy and some are not quite.  The fry oil was fresh and they were delicious.  Bill had an Azore burger which was on a native roll with sautéed onions and provolone cheese and his came with rodellas also.  It was a big lunch!

Pulpit at the Seamen's Bethel

We walked to the marina to the other visitor center where I was able to get lighthouse stamps.  That was exciting.  The building is where the fishermen who kinda took over once whaling was no longer profitable went for the daily auction of their catch.  The entire auction took 22 minutes from start to finish.  There are a lot of commercial fishing boats still in the area.  We checked out a couple of shops on our walk back to the Seamen’s Bethel, which is a house of worship for the seamen when they came to port.  The pulpit in current use was installed in 1959 based on the one in the “Moby Dick” book.  Further along our walk was the US Custom House which is the oldest continuously operating custom house in the US.  It dates to 1836.  There’s also a Double Bank building which was built to house 2 banks which was unusual. 

It was getting late and we knew the drive home would be longer with the Friday traffic so we headed back to the car.  It took about 2 hours home and we pulled in around 6:30.  The park was filling up with19 new arrivals today.  After dinner we did our 1 mile walk around the park and showered for 9 AM work tomorrow.  

Trip to town before work

July 24 - Just before bedtime last night it started raining and later it was really pouring.  If it’s going to rain its good that it waits until bedtime!

We were scheduled to work this afternoon at 2:30 so decided to go to town and pick up Bill’s prescription and a couple of other things.  Stopped at Aldi, then Wal-Mart where I also picked up some water hoses for the camp store.  Didn’t need much today, mostly Bill’s pills and didn’t want to drive in tonight late.  They only had 3 water hoses the right size but it was better than none.  On the drive home Bill spotted a farm stand sign so we took a turn and stopped for some cat grass, basil and raspberries.  I asked the owner if blackberries grow wild here and they do but for all the country roads we have been on we have not seen any.  Will keep looking as she said they are fruiting now.

Bill decided to go in to work early and do his mowing before it got hot and the 10 guests we had arriving today came.  While he was gone I caught up on the blog since the signal was great today, so maybe things are going to get better now.  He didn’t get much mowing done as the mower broke.  He came home and ended up going in an hour after me so we’d get off at the same time.

I had 6 of our 10 campers before I left at 7:30.  I was busy right off the bat but then it slowed down long enough for Pam to go home and get some dinner.  I read when I wasn’t busy.  The evening cooled off nicely and we sold quite a bit of firewood.

We had our dinner and I watched one TV show and finished my book.

Drink AFTER dinner

July 23 – Work today at 12:30.  Bill did some outside work on the RV and took a bike ride while I ironed my stack and made a 2 serving blueberry crisp.  I did another load of laundry and after lunch we headed to work. 

It was another really hot day today and Bill got sent home early after working outside for 4 hours.  I spent some time by myself in the office, some with Steve and some with Pam.  I worked on some scrubbies between cleaning and calls.  Not busy at all!

Since it was cooling down when I left work at 5:15 I asked Bill if we could invite Barbara and Ron over for drinks after dinner.  I made some venison steaks that were pretty tasty.  Our guests came over just after 7 and we sat outside and enjoyed a bottle of wine and fun conversation.  They are officially off until Friday but she’s going in tomorrow for more computer time I think.  They had some truck issues today and had to get new batteries.  We really enjoy just sitting with them and chatting about all kinds of things.  We’re all going to Providence on Saturday after work to an event called WaterFire.  Should be a fun night out.

Another trip to Boston

July 22 – We were up and headed back in to Boston today.  First stop was Frederick Law Olmsted NHS to pick up the video camera Bill left last week.  As our luck would go, they could not find it or anyone who knew where it was.  I waited quite patiently while they made phone calls, checked emails and looked in what they considered appropriate places for it.  When the person in charge finally said I’d have to come back, I told her that was not going to work for me.  I rehashed what my last email with the ranger conveyed that she would let the volunteers know and so the volunteer said he would look around in his area but that was no note.  He finally found it in a desk drawer with a note on it that we would be in today to get it!  Phew!

Inside the Artillery Museum

Bill waited in the car and thought I had gotten lost!  We were then off to downtown Boston to Faneuil Hall.  We didn’t get lost or rerouted once and turned right into a parking garage.  The thing was we didn’t see a sign about the cost, that should have been our first clue!  We were downtown about 2 hours and it was $35, yes, $35!  I was majorly bent out of shape!  The sign is below the machine to pull your ticket and you can’t even see it!  Oh well!  We did get more special stamps at Faneuil Hall and were able to visit the artillery museum upstairs that was closed on our last visit.  It’s called the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and was chartered in 1638 by the Great and General Court of MA Bay Colony.  The headquarters and armory have been in Faneuil Hall since 1746.  It’s a huge meeting room with rows of bench seating and all around the walls are photos of all of the past Commanders of The Ancient & Honorable as well as uniforms, weapons, and other memorabilia.  There are original uniforms and reproductions of uniforms from all the wars these soldiers participate in since inception.  It is still an active organization.

Bunker Hill National Mon

 We did some walking to gather more stamps for my park book and decided to eat at one of the food stalls in the Quincy Market.  I went with a clam chowder bread bowl and Bill had burnt ends.  My chowder was very good but the bread doesn’t compare to San Francisco.  Bill drove me to the Paul Revere House and waited while I got my stamp, then again at the Old North Church.  We have been to those before also.  It was a short drive to Bunker Hill and no parking so Bill waited with the car while I went for the stamp and then we went to Charlestown Navy Yard.  The park service validates parking there so you at least get a $5 discount on the parking. 

USS Constitution

Since it’s a Navy yard we had to provide photo ID, go through airline type security before we could visit the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship.  We’d been before but we went again.  It’s a beautiful ship and still part of the Navy fleet.  Parked behind it for 4 days

Charles Morgan Whaling Ship

is the Charles W. Morgan.  Today was the last day of a 4 day visit.  Its home base is Mystic, CT.  It is the last wood whaling ship.  It whaled for 80 years and would traditionally go out for 3 years at a time.  Across from the Morgan is the USS Cassin Young, a restored WWII destroyer.  It was really hot out and we were getting tired so we didn’t go on the Young.

Traffic out of Boston was not bad until we got on the Interstate and then it super slowed down.  Our only detour was for an iced coffee to enjoy on the ride home.  Once we got back to Dayville we make quick stops at Target and Stop & Shop.  We got a rotisserie chicken for a quick dinner then settled in for the night.

Work and Drinks!

July 21 – It was berry picking day again.  We headed out after breakfast and picked 10 pounds.  Some were for Barbara and Pam and I put more in the freezer too.  From the berry patch we went over to Dayville to the ATT store.  Bill hasn’t been able to get into his Itunes and we thought it was because it was hooked to my account still.  It was.  The girl was able to get me out if his phone and him in so all is good again.

After lunch we had to be in at 2.  I worked with Pam for a while and then she headed to her home office to finish up her work.  There wasn’t much to do and very few people in the park.  I read some and did some crocheting and visited with Bill when he took his break.  There wasn’t much going on at all and so we both got sent home at 5:30. 

Bill grilled some pork chops and after dinner we were invited down to Ron and Barbara’s.  We sat out until 9:30 and visited.  We laughed a lot and she made sangria for her and I and it was really nice.  We don’t do that enough. 

We got home in time to watch Longmire.

Eventful Day

July 20 – It turned out to be a rather eventful day, but not all the events were good ones!

It was 61 out when we got up but warmed up to be a really nice day.  Not hot but nice.  We did our normal load of laundry this morning after blueberry almond pancakes for breakfast.  Bill vacuumed all the carpet areas and I mopped all the floors.  It always amazes us how much cat hair there is.  It’s a wonder she’s not bald. 

We both showered and had a quick lunch and headed into Willimantic.  The Salvation Army was closed as I was looking for a couple of baking pans to use in the convection oven.  So we went to Kohl’s where I was hoping to find a neutral color of a lightweight sweater.  I have navy and black but wanted something that looks better with pastels.  The one I really wanted was only in navy, black and white but I did find another one with pockets and a light grey/taupe kinda color.  We checked out the shoe store but left with none (which is rare for me) and headed to the movie theatre. 

As we were heading in we got word that one of the volunteer couples had a run in with someone in the park and are leaving tomorrow.  That is not good!  They are such fun guys that we have really enjoyed meeting and joking with.  Didn’t get the whole story but hoped to see them when we got home so say our good-byes.

The movie was “Sex Tape” and some of it was pretty funny and lots of views of Cameron Diaz’s T & A and almost as much of Jason Segal’s.  Another one of those “how can people be so stupid” movies but it was nice to get out and have a few laughs.  Made our stop at McD’s and did some email and posted several days blog.

Made a last stop at Wal-mart mostly for vitamins.  We stopped by the office on the way in as Rik and Joe were heading up to have a drink with Pam and Steve, the owners.  They confirmed that they were leaving for sure and were all packed up and ready.  How sad!  We thought maybe they’d get talked out of it.  I verified my hours for tomorrow.  We did have it off but the other couple had asked us to trade for Friday so we did.  We try to be agreeable.

I made a pomodoro sauce the other day and just cooked some pasta tonight and warmed some of the sauce with sliced grilled chicken in it.  While the pasta cooked I put together a fresh peach/blueberry cobbler and put it in the toaster oven.  Joe and Rik stopped by just as the pasta was about ready so I didn’t bother even with a salad by the time they left.  They just wanted to say good-bye in private and explain what had happened today.  We thought maybe they worked things out over drinks but no, that didn’t happen.  So we will see them in Florida this fall. 

We had our dessert after dinner and it’s a no TV night.  So it was an eventful day but Rik and Joe leaving was not a good event!  

Errands and back to work

July 19 – It was chilly this morning.  The thermometer said it was in the low 60’s out but by the

Fairy dress I made for Shiloh

time we had breakfast it was warming up nicely.  After breakfast I went to the post office to mail 2 boxes to Shiloh.  She was having a problem with her computer system so I hung around a while hoping I wouldn’t have to come back.  Finally after a good 30 minutes she was able to weigh my packages and calculate my price. 

Kam called when I got back and we caught up a bit then I did a load of laundry before having to go to work at 1.  It was a busy afternoon as BINGO started at 1 and at 3:30 there was a kids snack time followed by Santa for this weekend’s Christmas in July theme.  The Rec Hall was packed with kids and parents until almost 5.  I kept busy ringing up items and taking 2 phone reservations. 

Barbara texted they would be arriving around 4:15 but they were about an hour early.  We agreed to go to dinner together at 6.  We drove and went to an Italian place.  It was good.  Everyone went Italian but me, I went seafood special.  It was a really enjoyable evening out.  We caught up on the campground as well as current events and all about their 2 week trip.  We stopped for ice cream on the way home and after dropping them off we came home and watched TV.

Road trip before work

July 18 – Since we didn’t have to be at work until 4 today we decided to make a quick trip to Sturbridge, MA to get a park stamp at Old Sturbridge Village.  We stopped at Yankee Spirit for some of my Roscato wine while we were there.  We got an iced coffee at McDonald’s for the ride home and took the small country roads.  It was a nice ride back.  It’s only about 30 minutes away.

One of my guests

I did a load of laundry and hung a clothes line out back.  After lunch I put Molly out in her hut and I sat out and read.  I had moved my hummingbird feeder so I was sitting about 6 feet from it and waited patiently for the hummers to settle in.  I did get a couple of photos but as soon as they hear the click of the camera they are off.

While I was out with Molly and talking on the phone with Karen our neighbor arrived and was extremely angry that we were parking in his space.  We were told by our boss to park there since he would be gone all week.  He was just plain irrational and rude when all he had to do was give Bill 5 minutes to move the car.  He stormed up to the office once he turned his AC on, put his awning out and paced back and forth smoking his cigarette.  Later at work we were told he said he should not have over reacted to his neighbors, but oh well, he did and I don’t forgive actions like that very easily.  He was over the top for no reason.

Work was busy at times and slow later in the evening.  We had quite a few check ins and new reservations and a cancellation and lots of shoppers!  Bill got to leave about 8:15 for lack of things to do outside and I closed out and left after 9.

We watched TV a bit and I did some crocheting and read.

Blueberry season in CT

July 17 – It looked pretty clear out this morning and it was the opening day of blueberry picking at Buell’s Orchard here in Eastford.  After breakfast we headed over and I was surprised how few people there were and how many berries there were.  They were clustered in bunches you could pick in your hand.  They were big berries also.  It didn’t take us long to pick just over 5 pounds.  If we had more freezer space we would have picked more.  Of course we ate our share also.  The season will only be 2-3 weeks.  We brought them home and I put 2 pint bags in the freezer and washed most of the rest.  Will make some kind of sweet with some and we will go back next week for more.  They were $2.49 a pound, which is what you pay for 6 ounces in the store. 

After a break we set out for Putnam to have lunch at Bill’s Bread and Breakfast.  We stopped at a roadside stand for some produce then made our way to Bill’s where Kam had gotten Bill a gift card. We were going for breakfast but Bill said he’s rather have lunch.  The baked goods looked awesome and pretty reasonable.  We had a good lunch and shared a caramel brownie for dessert and then Bill got a cappuccino muffin to go and I spotted 2 chocolate things that were shaped like a macaroon.  I inquired and they were like a brownie baked around a macaroon.  I bought the last 2 and OMG are they ever good.  I can’t decide if he cooks the macaroon first and then wraps dough around them and bakes them again or bakes it all at one time.  Hum, I’ve got to figure that out.  Bill said let’s go back and ask.  Not sure if a baker will give out his secrets.

We stopped at the Price Chopper in Putnam for a few things then headed home.  Bill mowed our grass and I made a red sauce for a later meal and put a bison London broil in to marinade for dinner.  Bill later grilled that and 2 chicken breasts.  I made the corn I bought today and fresh green beans.  The meat was excellent, the beans were good and the corn was so tender and sweet.  Delicious meal. 

It was chilling down early tonight so we headed out for our mile walk before we needed a jacket.  We have quite a few more campers than normal for a Thursday night.  Time for some TV.

Busy day around Boston area

July 16 – We got up at 7:30 so we could be on the road to Boston area by 8:30.  It was dreary out from the start and by the time we hit the interstate it was raining cats and dogs!  There wasn’t anything we could do about so we headed on.  We had lunch plans with an old friend of Bill’s who used to teach in Orange County.  She moved back to MA 30 or more years ago.  We hoped to make quite a few stops before then.

Longfellow House

First stop was Longfellow National Historic Site in Cambridge, MA.  I used the mapping on my phone and we aren’t sure it really knew where we were going but in addition many street signs were not in view today so it made navigating difficult and we were getting a bit testy with each other.  Bill parked on the street right in front of the Longfellow house.  We had been here before but that was before I was collecting my stamps so this was to be quick stop.  It was drizzling so I donned my raincoat and off I went.  Well, the signs here were not much better than on the road and I ended up next door instead of around the back at the Visitor Center.  I did get my stamps, so mission accomplished.

Olmsted House

Getting from there to Brookline to the Frederick Law Olmstead NHS in Brookline, MA was a bit tricky.  Now there was road closure that the map didn’t know was there.  Geez!  We were in city traffic and no real clue where we were going but we finally got there.  This was a new site for us.  Olmstead and his 2 sons were pioneers in the field of architectural landscape.  He and his firm designed and implemented the building/development of many famous parks.  He was the designer of NY’s Central Park, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, as well as famous parks in Chicago, Seattle, in Canada and the US Capitol grounds.  His sons worked with him and continued his work into 1979 when the firm was sold and moved.  His home was developed into his business location as well.  He bought the house and then added rooms and buildings for designing and plant designs rooms.  He put in a sunken rock garden and a circle drive so carriages could easily drop off passengers and not have to turn around.  His home is beautiful and practical. 

From Brookline we headed to Quincy where we were to meet up with Bill’s friend Pat and see what we could of the Adams National Historical Park.  Once again we were routed in a very odd fashion and when we arrived at the visitor center there was no parking.  It’s in the middle of town on a main street and there was a parking garage.  Looking at the time we decided we better head to Pat’s and come back after lunch. 

Pat and Bill

We arrived about a half an hour early but Pat was ready for us.  We got a tour of their house which is very deceiving from the front.  They’ve added on so much, probably doubled the size.  Everything has been updated and it’s really nice.  They have heated floors and even their driveway is heated.  Bill was very impressed with that feature.  The key is to turn it on before the snow piles up.  She took us to the country club for lunch so we could enjoy the view, but it was misting and drizzly so there wasn’t much of a view today.  We had a long leisurely lunch and they caught up on people she knew back in Orlando and we talked about aging parents and what we all might have to face at some point.  By the time we got back to their house Pat’s husband Steve had gotten home and we met him.  He explained about the heated driveway and showed us all the plumbing required.  He owns a plumbing company so that’s why they have all the extra perks.  We didn’t stay long but invited them to come for a visit to the campground.  They are discussing an RV for travel with their 2 dogs and she would like to see ours.

At least I got the sign

The Adams National HP was only about 10 minutes away and Bill just parked along a loading area while I went in to get the scoop.  The last tour was gone for the day and the tours are 2 hours long on a first come first served basis.  He wasn’t clear on the times but said it was in the brochure and indicated there is one each hour, two if they have staff for them.  They take you on a trolley to the actual historical location and you have a ranger lead tour of the buildings.  I got my stamps but we will have to go back and hope to get on a tour.

On the way home I wanted to stop at a JoAnn’s and found one that looked like it would be convenient.  It was until we realized the road had a barrier the entire way and only at certain intervals can you cross over and back.  What a pain.  Plus the traffic was horrible and the rain was back.  Luckily for me there was a McDonald’s near door to the JoAnn’s so Bill went for an iced coffee for his headache while I did my shopping.  He was in a much better mood and we asked how to get going in the direction we wanted and it was very simple and in a couple of miles we were back on the Interstate.  Whew! 

We got home about 6 and had planned to have leftovers for dinner.  We got in our mile walk since we mostly sat all day.  When I got on the computer we had an email from a ranger at Frederick Law Olmsted NHS.  She asked if we may have left a camcorder.  Luckily Bill completed the guest register with my email address.  Until that moment we didn’t know we left it.  I emailed back that yes, it was ours and we’d come back for it next week.  Lucky for Bill that we are getting it back! 

I printed some postcards to mail and we watched some TV and read.

What are turketts?

July 15 – Day off!  We got to sleep in which is always nice!  It poured last night and way into the night.  I even thought I heard something drop on the roof but I didn’t go up and check on it this morning.  I have been doing a load of laundry each day since we got back to get caught up.  My washer is nice but you can’t do a very big load. 

After lunch we went to town.  On the way I spotted a wild turkey and her 6-8 turketts!   Bill wanted to get a haircut and he dropped me off at the Salvation Army Thrift store.  His new barber is very popular and it took him forever.  There was someone in the chair and 2 ahead of him but he said it was the best haircut experience he’s ever had.  He was 76 and his other customers have been coming to him for 35 and more years.  Bill said he trimmed his mustache, used hot lather and a straight edge razor to shave his neck and massaged his scalp and it was the best haircut experience he ever had.  Said for sure he’s going back before we leave CT.

I baked some gluten free cookies, Cinnamon Oat Drops, and then bison burgers for dinner.  We did our 1 mile walk before time to watch last week’s Rizzoli & Isles before this week’s show.

Work and trip to town

July 14 – We were on 9 – 2 again and there was even less to do today for me than yesterday.  I checked in one camper and did a bit of cleaning and some paperwork.  Not much else but answer the phone a couple of times, read and start on some scrubbies.  Poor Bill was mowing with the hand mower and had to go home and change clothes he was so sweaty.  He took a lot of breaks to cool off.  The humidity was the highest it has been.  The evenings cool off nicely. 

After work we had lunch and Bill showered and we rested a while before heading to Willimantic.  We needed some groceries after being gone.  We stopped at Aldi’s, Staples, then spent about 90 minutes at McDonald’s.  Of course as soon as we were ready to leave the skies opened up.  We were only going across the street to Big Y.  They have an almond butter grinding machine so we were getting that and some other specials.  Last stop was Wal-Mart then home.

It was misting and starting to get dark on the way home and I spotted 2 deer grazing in a field along the road.  We did our 1 mile walk before dinner and then just settled in for the evening.

New sign for Charlie Brown

July 13 - I was so tired last night and slept so good.  I did wake up with a headache that stayed until we got off work at 2.  I took some aspirin and it finally got better.

Bill mowed grass today and helped hang the new Charlie Brown sign.  I vacuumed, dusted,

The new sign

cleaned glass, the bathrooms, took calls, waited on tons of kids I thought would never leave!  In between I wrote some postcards and read my book.  I know to make sure I take a book or something to work on as last night I read the day old newspaper and an old AARP magazine.  Anything to make the time go faster.

We both rested when we got home and had a few crackers with cheese to tide us over.  I put meatloaf and sweet potatoes in the toaster oven and we did a mile walk around the park.  We have a group of 8 in for a week and a few others but it’s pretty normal for during the week.

Not much on TV and I spent most of the time catching up on email and writing my blog.

Last leg home and back to work

July 12 – We got up early since there was no breakfast with our room today AND we had to drive back 30 minutes and be at the museum when it opened at 9:30.  There were no diners along the road leaving the motel and we didn’t want McDonald’s.  Once we got to Bath we checked out the little downtown and after circling twice I saw a tiny diner on the main street.  We were able to get a parking space with no trouble and there was one table open when we walked in.  The food was very good and it seems like they are a pretty popular place. 

We arrived at the Maine Maritime Museum right at 9:30 and I went in to get my 6 stamps.  They sent me to the shop and the lady told me there were 8 stamps and they cost $1 each.  I stated I didn’t know there was a charge and she just repeated herself.  So I went to the car and got my money.  When I came back there was a different lady.  I told her I had never been charged a fee for the stamps and she said it was a donation and she would make change for me so I could put it in the donation box.  She was much nicer!  So I got my 8 stamps but didn’t get to see the lighthouses.  They are all on barrier islands and you have to take different boats or ferries to them.

From there it was time to head back to CT.  We stopped in MA to gas up since that’s the lowest fuel prices around and we stopped at McDonald’s for a quick lunch.  We had to be at work at 5 and I didn’t want to be rushed to unload, figure out dinner and go.  We got home just after 2 so it was all good.  I packed up a light dinner and it was weird being back after 4 nights away.

It was kinda slow in the office, mostly kids coming in to play games and people buying ice and wood.  Bill was out doing some yard work and by the time it was too dark Chris sent us home about 8:30.

On Route 1

July 11 – I’m not sure I can remember now what all we did today!  We started by loading all of our belongings in the car except for Molly.  Then we headed to the office for another pretty good breakfast.  Bill had another waffle and I went with an egg, sausage sandwich and an orange.  We went back for Molly and then headed off the island to Route 1 south to see how far down the coast of Maine we could make it today.

Bridge over Penobscot River

We didn’t know where we would end up for the night since we had no idea how long we’d stop at places along the way.  I had marked all the lighthouse locations on my map so we’d have an idea of where we were headed.  To our surprise one the first things we came to was this huge magnificent bridge over the Penobscot River.  We saw one of the towers had

Ft. Knox

windows at the top and thought that was unusual.  Once we crossed we pulled over to take photos and learned that you could go up in the tower.  The entry was at Fort Knox State Historic Park, so we back tracked a bit and paid my admission in.  Bill does not care for heights and graciously

Other tower

offered to stay in the car with Molly while I went up.  Awesome!  It’s 50 seconds to the top of the 420 foot tower.  Then you walk up 2 flights of stairs as the oblique tower narrows.  The view is spectacular in all directions.  I could see our tiny little blue car down in the parking lot.  If Bill had gotten out I could have zoomed in on him!

First lighthouse stop was Stockton Springs and the Fort Point

Ft Point Lighthouse

Lighthouse.  I called the number I had to make sure we could see it before heading off the main road.  The man who lives at the lighthouse answered but said it was only sporadically open due to lack of help.  He said we were welcome to visit and take photos and if I sent him a self-stamped envelope he would send me back the stamp for my book.  The lighthouse is on the property of the Fort Point State Park and was easy to find from the signs along the road.  I got my photos and Bill checked out the placards about the 2 forts that had been at that location.

The perfect cow

When we bought our first postcards for Maine there were some with Belted Galloway cows on them.  As Bill was reading the card he noticed they were on a farm in Rockport, which was pretty much right on our way.  I Googled the name of the farm and got the address and as we drove along the narrow road and some fields came into view, boom, there were my favorite cows right along the road.  When I was in Colorado they were off in a field and I never got a really close up photo but today I did.  There was a guy on a bicycle there taking pictures as we pulled up.  Some were along the fence so Bill took my picture with “my” cows.  They are just so unique and relatively few in the US.  They are very expensive to get from Scotland if you can find a farm willing to sell them.  This lady started with a few and now keeps a herd of about 50 and sells their meat, (so sad) and some of the cattle to others who want to raise them.

After Bill finally got me back in the car and on the road we headed south to Rockland where we were thought we would see the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.  Well as we got closer there were tons of cars lining both sides of the narrow road and wondered if there was a park or something and found that the lighthouse is 7/8 of a mile out at the end of a breakwater and the reason for all the cars is that between 2 – 4 there were Tall Ships passing through.  I did manage to zoom in and get a not great photo of the lighthouse and some of the tall ships as they approached.  It was nearly 2 but no where to park so Bill stayed in the car ready to move if he needed to.

We were pretty hungry since it was way past noon and stopped at a lobster/seafood stand along the road.  The food was good but such slow service.  Thought they were out catching our lunch.  I had steamed mussels again and more cole slaw while Bill had a handmade burger.  Molly sat in the car in the shade while we waited and ate outside under the umbrellas.

Next on my list was Owl’s Head Lighthouse in Penobscot Bay.  We managed to find where we thought it was and Bill stayed in the car with Molly and I walked about ¼ mile to the lighthouse.  It’s very short but on a high cliff.  The keeper’s house is now a little museum and gift shop that according to the notice posted was to be open but was not.  Luckily we stopped at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland and I was able to get the lighthouse stamp, the museum stamp and the Rockland Breakwater stamp.

Lighthouse at Marshall Point

There were 5 stamps supposed to be available at Port Clyde at the end of a peninsula off Route 1.  Before making the trek I called (trying to use our time wisely) and the person I spoke to said she knew they had a stamp for Marshall Point Lighthouse and they must have the others too.  So we first drove out to the lighthouse where they have a nice museum in the lower level of the keeper’s house.  The light house is at the end of a short pier from the house.  The upstairs of the house is home to someone.  We enjoyed talking with the volunteers there who gave us directions to the tiny town of Port Clyde.  We found the town and the marina where the stamps were.  Well, they only had the one stamp as the rest were on a boat out giving a tour of the other lighthouses.  I picked up a brochure thinking maybe we could get back.  Will see.  I was a bit disappointed.

We sure were not making any fast time on the road.  I knew we would get no where near where we hoped by night fall.  When you get lost on poorly marked roads and signs it takes a lot more time.  Then there is no phone signal to use Google Maps.  I am so spoiled by that feature!  We decided we would try to stay in Bath where the Maine Maritime Museum is and 8 stamps.  I started checking for pet friendly motels and there were 3 in Bath, 2 only took dogs and the other didn’t have any pet rooms left for the night.  I started checking further out and found a place in Yarmouth, about 30 minutes away.  Crap!  Oh well, we knew in these smaller towns it might be a challenge.  We located the museum so we’d know where we were headed in the morning.  Found the motel in Yarmouth, unloaded our things and Molly and went to dinner at the Muddy Rudder.  The location was nice, the place was very attractive, the service was good, the prices were high and the food not compensatory to the price.  Instead of honey butter for the rolls they made sugar butter.  It was sweet but grainy, like they ran out of honey and made do with sugar.  My seafood casserole was 2 huge sea scallops, fish, 2 shrimp and 1 skimpy piece of lobster.  The sauce was tasty but watery.  My sides were fresh asparagus and wild rice.  They had NO seasoning at all, not lemon, butter, salt, nothing!  The wild rice was brown and wild rice.  Bill’s mashed potatoes and asparagus were the same.  They didn’t bring any butter or ask if he needed any.  It was a lot of money for the piano player and nice surroundings!

At least the wifi at the motel was good!  I did some posting but didn’t journal like I should have.  Well, tomorrow is another day!