Roving Reports by Doug P: 2017-17 Bangor Maine, Acadia National Park (PART 1)

Monday, July 10, 2017

2017-17 Bangor Maine, Acadia National Park (PART 1)

2017-17

Penobscot Bay area

Stonington Maine

Bangor Maine PART 1
Penobscot Bay, Deer Isle

Campground: Shady Acres RV and campground. A PPA campground $21. Full hookups, 30 amp. Nice grassy pull-thru sites. Above ground pool, one washer/dryer, restrooms/bathhouse.

Shady Acres, large pull-thru sites

the tiny pond at the campground where I found the Lilly pads

Distance traveled: 209 miles. 42 miles.

Paul Bunyan, Bangor Maine

Well goodness, I took the phrase wandering the back roads a bit too literally the other day on my journey into Maine. I headed over to I-95, yes that heavily trafficked interstate that goes from Florida to Maine and started my northerly route. Heading north wasn't bad but the traffic coming south was jam packed. I got off the interstate onto US-1 a route following a bit closer to the coast line, though no really great views of the coast at this point.

I can't fault my GPS for taking me on a rather rural route, as I had selected a portion of it myself as well as putting in the wrong address to the campground. Apparently there are numerous “Shady Acres” across country and I landed at one that was 40 miles from where I should have been. Back roads, through small burbs and crossroads, stopping at intersections pointing up-hill. Not an easy task pulling a camper. I finally made it to the proper Shady Acres. Must say, that's the first time that happened in 13 years of being on the road as a full-time Rv-er. As well as spending over 7 hours on the road. I was pooped.

Penobscot Bay, Deer Isle

it even has an elevator to the top viewing tower

great scenery around every corner

Lobster fishermen, going out to check on their catch

Stonington Maine

The good news of course is that I've made it to my furthest destination in the U.S. The State of Maine. A place I've visited briefly during my working years, but never with a camper. I even got a message from LA Holmes and Pete who live up here and we will be meeting up today.

LA Holmes and Pete, what great tour guides

Lois did the driving as we began to explore a lesser visited area that most tourists will bypass on there way to Acadia National Park. And that is the Penobscot Bay peninsula and islands. The first islands we drove onto were little Deer and Deer Isle. Stopping along the way to see the bays and inlets as small sailboats and lobster boats plied the water ways. The homes and small coastal towns are meticulously maintained and I had to search very hard to find worn and weather beaten barns and buildings which I always like to take pictures of.

walk, shop, talk

this little charmer is for sale....

We stopped in Stonington for a bite to eat along the picturesque waterfront village. Even with it being a very overcast day and a bit on the chilly side, it was still worth the effort. Out next big stop was over to the town of Castine. This is where a number of training ships/sailboats etc provide expert training to students in the fine art of sailing and boat handling. We had missed a large armada of large sailing vessels that went out earlier in the day. The town was once the headquarters to a fort and it developed into a seaside town that now has quite a few large well kept homes and even an 18 hole golf course. I'm continually amazed at how well kept all the home and businesses are. Especially with their harsh winters and the effects of living so close to the ocean.

We even stopped at a beautiful little lighthouse which is privately owned. The owners permit visitors on the property, but request that you view it from one side only.... not everyone reads the instructions first and therefore end up pretty much tramping all over their stunning lighthouse site. We all thought they should charge admission to to up into the lighthouse. Lois having lived up here much of her life gave me some great tip for my visit to the Acadia national Park and Bar Harbor in a couple of days. It can be a very congested area but they have free buses at the visitor center which I'll take advantage of when I go there in a couple of days.

not easy to find weather worn old homes/barns
as they are all usually so well maintained

Castine Maine

more photos:

Bangor Maine and campground

Penobscot Bay islands (lots more photos)

Part II will be on the Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor area.

ps, the sky gets light by 4:30 in the morning.... time to get up

1 comment:

walterterry said...: Must be getting tough to find somewhere in the Continental USA you have not already traveled. Keep up the good work.; July 10, 2017 at 6:53 AM

Favorite Camping Resource Books

Camping on a Shoestring, 3rd Eastern Edition by Don Wright (Great list of free and cheap campgrounds eastcoast, lists many city and county park/campgrounds)
Camping with the Corps of Engineers by S.L. Hinkle (a complete guide to campgrounds owned and operated by the US Army Corps)
Coleman, National Forest Campground & Recreation Directory (A detailed list of all the campgrounds in National Forests)
Don Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds, Western Edition (Great list of free and cheap campgrounds, lists many city and county park/campgrounds)
GOOGLE SEARCH (Don't forget to use the Internet to search: use (city name, campgound, camping for your search)
Military Travel Guide USA (Lists all the Military campgrounds for DoD and retired military)
Passport America book (lists all the half price campgrounds)
RV Camping in State Parks, D.J Davins (A listing of all state parks)

Camping Club Info:

CAMPING CLUBS:

Joining the various camping clubs can be a great help. Each makes their own mark on camping and building communities within the camping world.

Many of the camping clubs I've listed are 1/2 off clubs. By joining, you get 1/2 off the camping rate for one night, a week and some are unlimited stays at their campgrounds.

Also, most everyone who plans on camping for part of the year or is thinking about full-timing get either the Motor Home or Trailer Life magazine. Both offer tons of helpful hints and trips to take throughout the year. Good Sam’s has Highways magazine which you get free with your membership.

I joined a number of clubs and magazines the first couple of years before I became a full timer, just to get an idea of what the community was like out there. After a couple of years, I’ve kept my favorites and dropped the rest. Listed in no particular order.

TIP: Always call ahead and inform them you are a member of a particular CLUB. Sometimes campgrounds drop out or change their policy. It's always good to call ahead and confirm they are still members in the club you've joined.

Escapees: It’s one of the best communities of Rv’ers you’ll ever find. With great support groups and individual clubs with just about every interest and hobby a person could think of. They own a number of campgrounds that you can get really great rates for camping and they provide a 10-15% discount at other campgrounds throughout the country.

http://escapees.com/index2.asp Membership: $60.00 + $10 enrollment fee.

Good Sam’s Is good, but personally I haven’t had much need for them, and their 10% off campground fees has not been much of an incentive. They do have lots of Rally’s and caravans if you have the inclination and are willing to pay for the trips. The trips can be very pricey.

https://www.goodsamclub.com/Membership: $29.95

Passport America: My favorite club!!!!!!!!

It’s a 50% off camping club that gets you 50% off the campgrounds that have signed up with Passport America, (1,800+ campgrounds) good online web site and book for browsing campsites.

If you join, please let them know your were recommended by:

D Palosaari C-271417

http://www.passport-America.com/main/default.asp

Membership: $44.00

Happy Campers: Another 50% off camping club and mirrors Passport America with perhaps a few different campgrounds than what Passport has. Their camp book is small and doesn't have good maps for directions.

http://www.camphalfprice.com/Membership: $49.95

Camping Club USA: recently merged with Passport America

Recreation USA:

I found this club on the Internet and it advertises that all of it’s campgrounds go for $10.00 a night. They also have a half/off section as well. I have been a member for two years, and though I've stayed at a couple of campgrounds on their list, many are no longer available or haven't heard of Rec. USA and I end up not being able to use the camping club discount. Always call ahead on this one to confirm that they are still participating. I've met the owners of the club and they are nice, it's just that they don't seem to keep up with the campgrounds who are supposed to be participating.

http://www.campingandcampgrounds.com/member_updates.html Membership: $44.00 per year.

Brief History

I grew up in the Copper Country's Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I started working from age 13 at the Copperama during the summer as a dishwasher. I remember being so small that I had to stand on two wooden pepsi crates to put the dishes in the dishwasher. After highschool, I attended Suomi College (a Finish oriented college) renamed to Finlandia University a couple years ago.

I had a chance when I was around 20 to travel to Florida with a co-worker from the Copperama (after our usual layoff in the fall) and upon arriving in Fla, I sent a letter home the second day and said, "I'm Staying". My Mom wrote back and said, "Stay, it's the best decision you made in your life.... and when you get settled, we'll come visit".

It worked out well, having moved from one peninsula in the U.P. to Florida, another peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. I love water.

Mom gave very little advice, but reminded me that no one would ever be able to take care of me after I left home, that I could not come back home after I left (except for a weeks vacation), and that I should never ask for a loan, because they didn't have the money.

What she did give me though, was some advice. And that was to look at the years my Dad struggled with making a living. Getting layed off from his construction work every winter until he finally got a job with the State of Mich. at MTU as a maintenance worker. Life was good after that.

So when I got to Florida, I got the hint and after a short period of working at 7-11 and a couple other small jobs, I started to apply for any Gov. job. City, County, State and Federal.

I finally got a job with the Navy starting out as a GS-2 temporary part time not to exceed 90 days putting cans of beans on the shelves at the commissary. My foot was in the door and a career that eventually spanned 31 years ending up as a Logistics Manager.

my desire to travel was realized after years of camping and enjoying the great outdoors. I got started camping just to save money and it became a lifelong source of joy.

Hint to those just starting out in the working world: Every job has it's fringe benefits, some are written down, some aren't. Learn what they are and take advantage of them.

Example: If I got on committees that required travel, I could travel at the Goverments expense. Plus, I could extend my stay after the work as vacation. The Gov. paid my way out and back for my job and for my vacation!

Dreams do come true. Stay focused and keep working on them and one day, yours will come true too.

Roving Reports by Doug P

Monday, July 10, 2017

2017-17 Bangor Maine, Acadia National Park (PART 1)