2017-17
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| Penobscot Bay area |
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| 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.
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| Shady Acres, large pull-thru sites |
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| the tiny pond at the campground where I found the Lilly pads |
Distance traveled: 209 miles. 42
miles.
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| 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
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| it even has an elevator to the top viewing tower |
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| great scenery around every corner |
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| Lobster fishermen, going out to check on their catch |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| walk, shop, talk |
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| 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.
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not easy to find weather worn old homes/barns
as they are all usually so well maintained |
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| Castine Maine |
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
Must be getting tough to find somewhere in the Continental USA you have not already traveled. Keep up the good work.
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