Perhaps you have wondered where we are - I will explain in a moment.
We awoke Saturday unable to judge the weather from our room as it faced the inside courtyard of the Sheraton Hotel in South Burlington. No rain when we left for breakfast but then it started. Oh My! A pelting rain in 45 degree temperature with a 15 mile wind blowing at all times. We headed for the Shelburne Farm/Museum with high hopes, but after surveying the situation we bagged it. The "complex" covers many acres and includes at least 25 buildings that help tell the story of rural life in Vermont and also house art galleries, etc. The thought of running in and out of the rain to get to each building didn't seem to spark our enthusiasm and we headed south toward what we hoped were better things.
Vermont Teddy Bear Factory appeared and we skipped through the raindrops and toured the facilities with a young (aren't they all?) fast-talking girl who made horrible puns (don't they all?) about, in this case, BEARS. The day before at Ben&Jerry's it had been COWS. The factory was not operating but the tour was informative - it's nice to see things that are made in America.
Continuing southerly we discussed the possibility of shortening the trip and heading home - I didn't have reservations planned for that night and was feeling rather lethargic due to the cold that had developed. let's face it - the weather was horrible. And I think/know that The Captain was ready to come home.
We drove to Proctor (near Rutland) and visited the Vermont Marble
Museum. This company has provided the marble for the Washington Monument the Lincoln Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, etc., and makes the headstones for Arlington National Cemetery. A couple films are available to watch and galleries of different uses for marble. They also have a room of Presidents. One man had carved all of the busts and he has retired (or died - which is really retired) so they are behind - it stops with George Bush (Poppy). Maybe someone else will continue.
Still ugly out (and so went the forecast for Sunday) we persevered toward the home of Robert Todd Lincoln, the only child of Abraham Lincoln to survive to adulthood. This is a lovely home outside Manchester Vermont set up in the hills overlooking the Battlekill Valley. It is used nowadays for weddings and other functions in addition to being open for self guided tours. Large tents were set up in the extensive gardens that day - what a disappointment it must be to plan your wedding in such a beautiful location only to be cramped inside a closed moisture holding tent with 250 other people.
R. Lincoln was president of the Pullman Car Co. and we would have liked to see a car thy have on the property but it was too wet and ugly to walk out there. Luckily they were using a shuttle bus to take people up to the 24 room mansion. The last ancestor of Lincoln lived in the house until 1976. At that time it was turned over to the Historical Society. There are many family possessions on display and private correspondence, etc. of A. Lincoln (thinks like his top hat box). When they cleaned the home in 1976 they found the papers of Robert's concerning the insanity hearings of this mother (some of which seem to project him in a better light than usually). The home also has a player organ with over a thousand pipes. It's a little like having the calliope at Knoebel's playing on an intercom. We caught a ride down the hill to the visitor center/parking lot on a glorified golf cart (dozen person) with zip down sides to keep out the weather which was like riding in a Zip Lock bag on roller skates.
The rotten weather persisted with hard rain and fog abounding. No use trying to visit nature's beauty (like gorges and mountain vistas), so there was no more to be done or said. We put Northumberland in the GPS and pointed the car toward home. I drove in the daylight until I couldn't keep my head up (I hate how my head feels like it weighs 20 pounds when I have a cold) - and I don't like to drive at night in the rain. Then Big Tom took over. We stopped around Wilkes Barre at a TGIF and had dinner and restorative cups of tea before finishing the drive arriving home around 10:30pm.
So - confession time - we have been home since Saturday night. I spent most of Sunday and Monday sleeping off the cold with an occasional trip to the washer or dryer ans a brief stint babysitting the local grandchildren. The kitchen table is still loaded with our loot and bounty of the trip, corn meal and buckwheat pancake mix, jams and preserves, a marble votive - -and fabric, not to mention the AAA books and brochures collected on our excursion. We had a good time but were dogged by bad weather, though mostly in the USA. Once again it was a thrill to see so much of the beauty of this country (and Canada too) and visit so many interesting places. Who knows where we will set our sights for next time! See you then...for now - over and out.
The Tour Director
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Back in the USA
We left Riviere-Du-Loup, Quebec around 9AM after yet another Continental Breakfast. The day was dreary and remained threatening throughout the drive with a few sprinkles here and there. It was extremely windy and it showed on our mpg.
We opted not to cross over into Quebec City and pushed onward. Actually I could sleep off my cold - Last night's stay did not give us our best sleep. We could hear everything going on on the floor above us. How is that possible ? Don't they put cement in between? Every drop of water, every flush........
Stopped for lunch at a restaurant near a truck stop that was doing a booming business. French was the language of the day, although the menu had English subtitles. We both chose the meat pie (ground beef and pork), which much to our surprise came with root vegetables, a toss salad and coleslaw with a side dish of two scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy. A hearty meal indeed. Included the glass of soda with no ice - I miss ice in my drinks.
We were following the St. Lawrence River Valley passing through farming country. Large barns and silos (sometimes several on a property), grazing cattle and horses dotted the countryside. There wasn't much sign of fall - things are still quite green.
The skies brightened as we neared the border. We came down a side road (rt 133 - along another river) thru a town with one lovely home after another, not mansions but very nice, with about every one in four for sale. At the border the guard asked if we bought anything in Canada and I told him 2 and 1/2 meters of fabric and he let us through. Didn't seem worried.
We were glad to be back in the United States and are still convinced there is nowhere better. From I- 89 we took the exit toward Stowe/Waterbury (Horrible Traffic!) to visit Ben & Jerry's and take the Factory Tour. Our tour guide was a real hoot - reminding us a little of Emily (Granddaughter) in her mannerisms ( and her use of the word "homonigized" instead of homoginized over and over). Our sample at the end of the tour was "milk and cookies".
We then went up the road to the Cabot Cheese Store (with only 15 minutes to spare) and bought a few things (including ice).
We are staying in a Sheraton tonight where a 50 year college reunion is being held this weekend. Everyone seemed to be checking in at once right when we arrived but we made conversation while waiting in a long line. Supper was at Friendly's just across the interstate. The weather outlook is less than appealing for tomorrow - rain and much cooler (in the 50's) but we're heading to the Shelburne Museum and more!
We opted not to cross over into Quebec City and pushed onward. Actually I could sleep off my cold - Last night's stay did not give us our best sleep. We could hear everything going on on the floor above us. How is that possible ? Don't they put cement in between? Every drop of water, every flush........
Stopped for lunch at a restaurant near a truck stop that was doing a booming business. French was the language of the day, although the menu had English subtitles. We both chose the meat pie (ground beef and pork), which much to our surprise came with root vegetables, a toss salad and coleslaw with a side dish of two scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy. A hearty meal indeed. Included the glass of soda with no ice - I miss ice in my drinks.
We were following the St. Lawrence River Valley passing through farming country. Large barns and silos (sometimes several on a property), grazing cattle and horses dotted the countryside. There wasn't much sign of fall - things are still quite green.
The skies brightened as we neared the border. We came down a side road (rt 133 - along another river) thru a town with one lovely home after another, not mansions but very nice, with about every one in four for sale. At the border the guard asked if we bought anything in Canada and I told him 2 and 1/2 meters of fabric and he let us through. Didn't seem worried.
We were glad to be back in the United States and are still convinced there is nowhere better. From I- 89 we took the exit toward Stowe/Waterbury (Horrible Traffic!) to visit Ben & Jerry's and take the Factory Tour. Our tour guide was a real hoot - reminding us a little of Emily (Granddaughter) in her mannerisms ( and her use of the word "homonigized" instead of homoginized over and over). Our sample at the end of the tour was "milk and cookies".
We then went up the road to the Cabot Cheese Store (with only 15 minutes to spare) and bought a few things (including ice).
We are staying in a Sheraton tonight where a 50 year college reunion is being held this weekend. Everyone seemed to be checking in at once right when we arrived but we made conversation while waiting in a long line. Supper was at Friendly's just across the interstate. The weather outlook is less than appealing for tomorrow - rain and much cooler (in the 50's) but we're heading to the Shelburne Museum and more!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Making the Turn for Home
The day dawned lovely again. We packed the car and turned south to cross the Confederation Bridge that joins PEI with New Brunswick. That and the ferry we took the other night are the only means of getting to and fro. You must pay when you leave the island - so luckily we did it the right way - the ferry is $64 and the bridge was$47.
The trip across New Brunswick was unremarkable in the sense that we had no misfortunes,etc. It was a nice ride (for 9 hours?) and the topography was a lot like PA's I-80. We had a petrol/lunch stop in a homey diner and another spur of the minute decision to seek out Potato World. (It was a chance to change drivers, too.) Learned more about the potato (largest crop in Canada) and McCain's is the world's largest french fry producer. Florenceville is the home of the frozen french fry.
We regained our hour from the other day when we crossed back into Eastern Time just passed Edmunston, NB. We are now in the province of Quebec and my French is rusty but good enough for reading signs. (Danger - Moose!)(Work Zone)
We sought some sustenance and settled on a place called Normandin - a little like Perkins I think. The hostess picked up on the English right away and gave us English menus. The waitress, however was a little less clear. To level the playing field we ordered Italian - a meeting of the minds and an international crisis averted.
We are in the room, forgoing the pool or exercise room for a little extra rest. NyQuil here I come. Love to All....... Tomorrow down the St.Lawrence
The trip across New Brunswick was unremarkable in the sense that we had no misfortunes,etc. It was a nice ride (for 9 hours?) and the topography was a lot like PA's I-80. We had a petrol/lunch stop in a homey diner and another spur of the minute decision to seek out Potato World. (It was a chance to change drivers, too.) Learned more about the potato (largest crop in Canada) and McCain's is the world's largest french fry producer. Florenceville is the home of the frozen french fry.
We regained our hour from the other day when we crossed back into Eastern Time just passed Edmunston, NB. We are now in the province of Quebec and my French is rusty but good enough for reading signs. (Danger - Moose!)(Work Zone)
We sought some sustenance and settled on a place called Normandin - a little like Perkins I think. The hostess picked up on the English right away and gave us English menus. The waitress, however was a little less clear. To level the playing field we ordered Italian - a meeting of the minds and an international crisis averted.
We are in the room, forgoing the pool or exercise room for a little extra rest. NyQuil here I come. Love to All....... Tomorrow down the St.Lawrence
Prince Edward Island
We began the day with no particular plans. Leaving the hotel we turned left toward Cavendish, the town on which Lucy Maud Montgomery based her Anne of Green Gables books. The morning turned into "Lucy slept here", as everywhere was a sign coaxing you in to see something about her. We saw her birthplace, the cellar where she was raised (although there was a house on it at the time) and the post office which was built to replicate L.'s home/post office, the church where she was married (after her grandmother died), and the cemetery where she's laid to rest.. Seems Lucy's mother died of TB when she was only 21 months old and she was then raised by her maternal grandparents (who ran the post office).
At the site of the grandparents' home we spoke with a grand nephew whose parents ( in their 80's)were working about the place tending the gardens and pruning the trees. They dug out the foundation by hand and have laid out crushed stone paths through the lovely wooded area surrounding it with quotations posted strategically. A 100 year apple tree is still there (and bearing fruit!) and the smell was wonderful. Took me back to my childhood when apples smelled like apples and not plastic bags.
Working at the post office came in handy for L. - she sent off her manuscripts and took back the rejections with no one the wiser. "Anne" was rejected 5 times.
Later in the morning (which was beautiful), we drove to New Glasgow and ate at the PEI Preserve Co., recommended to us by a fellow traveler (a souvenir salesman) at the hotel's breakfast. Anyway, the restaurant is situated in their store. It's shelves were lined with every flavor of jam, jelly and preserve you could imagination - and some you would not have thought of I am sure. Samples were available as well as several kinds if teas. We bought a few that we liked and then had lunch. Potato pie with a bacon crust for me and a ham and Gouda sandwich for him - then we shared a piece of raspberry cream pie . yummmmm
Driving the coastal road in the afternoon we just took in the scenery - it is very beautiful here - and the day was warm. People were telling us that this was what there July should have been.
Working our way toward Summerside on the more southerly end of the island we stopped at a fabric outlet. It takes a sharp eye to spot one you know. While hubby read/napped I "browsed" . While having fabric cut I had a lovely conversation with an elderly woman (she had 22 grandchildren) - she like my bag (from 31 - it has a button on shell) and at the end of it I had bought more paisley to make a new shell. I think she was a "plant" there just egg on innocent shoppers!
A visit to the Lesurgy-Wyatt House was a spur of the moment decision. We were close and saw they conducted tours until 4 o'clock - turns out the AAA book was wrong, but the folks very graciously gave us our own tour. The house belonged to a woman lived there all 102 years of her life and was a real museum.
The day was not over - we went to a dinner theater in Summerside and saw - Titanic! We didn't know what to expect, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. Only 8 actors on a raised stage with a grand piano and a velvet covered bench. They all sang well - not a weak link in the bunch - there was occasionally some background music but most was just the piano and two violins all played by characters within the show. It focused on the stories of those eight people and was very well done. We received tickets with the info of a passenger (who we would later find out - dead or alive) and were called aboard by name and greeted by Captain Smith (later appearing as Mr. Guggenheim). All the actors were the waiters too - busy night for them - thank goodness for buffets! Oh!-And Yours Truly was whisked to the front to waltz with the crewman (who turned out to be a stowaway using a stolen identity).
We got back to our room after ten and were too tired to blog (especially since we had to go to the breakfast room to get a signal). I think I caught a cold too. Rest is the best thing.
At the site of the grandparents' home we spoke with a grand nephew whose parents ( in their 80's)were working about the place tending the gardens and pruning the trees. They dug out the foundation by hand and have laid out crushed stone paths through the lovely wooded area surrounding it with quotations posted strategically. A 100 year apple tree is still there (and bearing fruit!) and the smell was wonderful. Took me back to my childhood when apples smelled like apples and not plastic bags.
Working at the post office came in handy for L. - she sent off her manuscripts and took back the rejections with no one the wiser. "Anne" was rejected 5 times.
Later in the morning (which was beautiful), we drove to New Glasgow and ate at the PEI Preserve Co., recommended to us by a fellow traveler (a souvenir salesman) at the hotel's breakfast. Anyway, the restaurant is situated in their store. It's shelves were lined with every flavor of jam, jelly and preserve you could imagination - and some you would not have thought of I am sure. Samples were available as well as several kinds if teas. We bought a few that we liked and then had lunch. Potato pie with a bacon crust for me and a ham and Gouda sandwich for him - then we shared a piece of raspberry cream pie . yummmmm
Driving the coastal road in the afternoon we just took in the scenery - it is very beautiful here - and the day was warm. People were telling us that this was what there July should have been.
Working our way toward Summerside on the more southerly end of the island we stopped at a fabric outlet. It takes a sharp eye to spot one you know. While hubby read/napped I "browsed" . While having fabric cut I had a lovely conversation with an elderly woman (she had 22 grandchildren) - she like my bag (from 31 - it has a button on shell) and at the end of it I had bought more paisley to make a new shell. I think she was a "plant" there just egg on innocent shoppers!
A visit to the Lesurgy-Wyatt House was a spur of the moment decision. We were close and saw they conducted tours until 4 o'clock - turns out the AAA book was wrong, but the folks very graciously gave us our own tour. The house belonged to a woman lived there all 102 years of her life and was a real museum.
The day was not over - we went to a dinner theater in Summerside and saw - Titanic! We didn't know what to expect, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. Only 8 actors on a raised stage with a grand piano and a velvet covered bench. They all sang well - not a weak link in the bunch - there was occasionally some background music but most was just the piano and two violins all played by characters within the show. It focused on the stories of those eight people and was very well done. We received tickets with the info of a passenger (who we would later find out - dead or alive) and were called aboard by name and greeted by Captain Smith (later appearing as Mr. Guggenheim). All the actors were the waiters too - busy night for them - thank goodness for buffets! Oh!-And Yours Truly was whisked to the front to waltz with the crewman (who turned out to be a stowaway using a stolen identity).
We got back to our room after ten and were too tired to blog (especially since we had to go to the breakfast room to get a signal). I think I caught a cold too. Rest is the best thing.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Halifax and beyond
If you are viewing this without reading yesterday, I'll give you a moment to go back to catch up.
We had a rotten time with the Internet in Halifax so both blogs are written tonight. Yesterday's was easy to write because I had already done it twice (unable to save!) Arghhhhh.....
OK - so here is today's report. Great weather - blue skies and mild temperature from the get go.
We were tired of eating continental breakfasts on Styrofoam plates and opted for a restaurant. We went to a bank and exchanged some money to Canadian. Nuff said about that.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic was our first stop and we spent several hours there going through some wonderful exhibits. I did not realize how important Halifax was i the shipping business. Halifax was also the headquarters of the rescue ships that went out after the Titanic disaster (one of my favorite things). (They were actually fishing boats, etc. that were accustomed to the North Atlantic. A special movie (3D glasses) and so much more to see. At least 125 unknown victims were buried here in Halifax. For those who are interested I am going to have a Titanic anniversary party in April - 100 years - and we'll eat the same dinner. RSVP.
Another large display was of the 1917 explosion here in the harbor where a ship loaded with ammunition collided with another ship and caught fire. Eventually it blew to smithereens and took most of the town with it, killing thousands. The method of identifying the dead bodies from the Titanic was used again in that disaster - tagging the bodies and numbering everything that belonged to that person (if possible).
To cheer ourselves, we got pizza and ate on the pier where it was quite windy but still a marvelous day to be out and about. Street musicians (including the saxophonist playing it upside down and behind his back) and all sorts of shops and eateries line the dock area.
The Citadel sits high above the city and we drove up there and parked our car. It was twice as windy up there but nice. The fort had been built to protect this area (and harbor) from the Americans, believed to pose the biggest threat at the time. It obviously has a great view. Timing is everything and we got to see the changing of the guard.
We left Halifax and drove to Caribou to take the ferry to Prince Edward Island over the Northumberland strait! As I said, timing is everything, and we just missed the 4:30 ferry. It was still there, but once they close their hatch they don't open it for anything. So - we turned around and went to find petrol and then came back to line up for the 6:15 ferry. There was a little restaurant there where a lot of people wait around. (We're lucky it wasn't the last ferry of the day!)Not knowing the schedule we couldn't be too upset about it. We read and kindled (Mah-Jongh). When we boarded we were paarked on the upper level (this one was a big sucker), but then moved upstairs again to the TV lounge area. At some point into the ride my husband asked if I wanted to move because he thought a lady was going to throw up. About that time, she moaned and groaned and then passed out. We thought "That's three!" (The broken leg lady, the fall off the bus lady and now this). The call went out - "Is there a doctor on board?" and a first responder and a nurse popped out of the woodwork. Slipped to the floor, cold cloths,etc, - such excitement - she rallied . Then we heard them tell the driver to" step on it" and as a result we got to PEI ahead of schedule. The ambulance was there to whisk her away.
Our ride (now dark- again) took us through hill and vale and so we are about to lay our heads down for the night at the Stanley Bridge Resort - resort sounds a little big for their britches, but it seems nice , although we had to come to the common area to use the laptop. We'll see what it looks like in the morning. We should be near Green Gables and more. Bye for now. TD
PS-We ahave had trouble getting pictures on the blog - but don't worry -we'll keep trying and if unable we'll bore you with them at home (smile)
We had a rotten time with the Internet in Halifax so both blogs are written tonight. Yesterday's was easy to write because I had already done it twice (unable to save!) Arghhhhh.....
OK - so here is today's report. Great weather - blue skies and mild temperature from the get go.
We were tired of eating continental breakfasts on Styrofoam plates and opted for a restaurant. We went to a bank and exchanged some money to Canadian. Nuff said about that.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic was our first stop and we spent several hours there going through some wonderful exhibits. I did not realize how important Halifax was i the shipping business. Halifax was also the headquarters of the rescue ships that went out after the Titanic disaster (one of my favorite things). (They were actually fishing boats, etc. that were accustomed to the North Atlantic. A special movie (3D glasses) and so much more to see. At least 125 unknown victims were buried here in Halifax. For those who are interested I am going to have a Titanic anniversary party in April - 100 years - and we'll eat the same dinner. RSVP.
Another large display was of the 1917 explosion here in the harbor where a ship loaded with ammunition collided with another ship and caught fire. Eventually it blew to smithereens and took most of the town with it, killing thousands. The method of identifying the dead bodies from the Titanic was used again in that disaster - tagging the bodies and numbering everything that belonged to that person (if possible).
To cheer ourselves, we got pizza and ate on the pier where it was quite windy but still a marvelous day to be out and about. Street musicians (including the saxophonist playing it upside down and behind his back) and all sorts of shops and eateries line the dock area.
The Citadel sits high above the city and we drove up there and parked our car. It was twice as windy up there but nice. The fort had been built to protect this area (and harbor) from the Americans, believed to pose the biggest threat at the time. It obviously has a great view. Timing is everything and we got to see the changing of the guard.
We left Halifax and drove to Caribou to take the ferry to Prince Edward Island over the Northumberland strait! As I said, timing is everything, and we just missed the 4:30 ferry. It was still there, but once they close their hatch they don't open it for anything. So - we turned around and went to find petrol and then came back to line up for the 6:15 ferry. There was a little restaurant there where a lot of people wait around. (We're lucky it wasn't the last ferry of the day!)Not knowing the schedule we couldn't be too upset about it. We read and kindled (Mah-Jongh). When we boarded we were paarked on the upper level (this one was a big sucker), but then moved upstairs again to the TV lounge area. At some point into the ride my husband asked if I wanted to move because he thought a lady was going to throw up. About that time, she moaned and groaned and then passed out. We thought "That's three!" (The broken leg lady, the fall off the bus lady and now this). The call went out - "Is there a doctor on board?" and a first responder and a nurse popped out of the woodwork. Slipped to the floor, cold cloths,etc, - such excitement - she rallied . Then we heard them tell the driver to" step on it" and as a result we got to PEI ahead of schedule. The ambulance was there to whisk her away.
Our ride (now dark- again) took us through hill and vale and so we are about to lay our heads down for the night at the Stanley Bridge Resort - resort sounds a little big for their britches, but it seems nice , although we had to come to the common area to use the laptop. We'll see what it looks like in the morning. We should be near Green Gables and more. Bye for now. TD
PS-We ahave had trouble getting pictures on the blog - but don't worry -we'll keep trying and if unable we'll bore you with them at home (smile)
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday at Campobello Island
Good Evening -
The sun was shining on us today as we left Bar harbor and headed north. We are in Halifax, Nova Scotia tonight and officially 1,060 miles from home. We entered Canada through New Brunswick and Campobello Island. On our way we passed through the Blueberry capitol of the World (Cherryfield) and the Maine Museum of Natural history (A junkyard) which gave us a laugh. At the border we had to flash our passports and upon doing so, the guard reminded me to sign mine. Oops - it worked in our favor - such stupid people would not smuggle anything into the country - and he let us in.
Touring FDR's Cottage (note the capital C) on Campobello was a real treat. 17 rooms but not pretentious at all. Lots of windows gave it a welcoming feel and their furniture and possessions were all about the place, including a megaphone that Eleanor used to call the kids to supper.It just seemed the kind of place where a good time was to be had. The gardens were still abloom with begonias and dahlias and the lawn sweeps down to the Bay offering a gorgeous view. The boat dock remains from which FDR was carried off after contracting polio in the summer of 1921. Things like that give me the chills.
We walked next door to Hubbard Cottage as well. the Hubbards were neighbors and friends of the Roosevelts. It too was a very airy space. Light colored woodwork (I think unusual for that time period)and lots of windows. A large oval window in the dining room gave a new meaning to picture window - what a fantastic view of the bay. Mrs. Hubbard was a concert pianist and all around the grand piano (situated in a turret) were window seats with cushions that matched the other (many) pieces of furniture. A very ornate mantle dominated the room but again in the light woodwork.
Afterward we drove to the north end of the island to the lighthouse (Quoddy?). It was so pleasant that we had an impromptu picnic then and there. Moving on (we had lost an hour switching to Atlantic time) we caught the 6 car ferry to Deer Island and then a larger ferry to St. Georges.It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the trips over the Bay of Fundy - which is green (Loke Lithis Springs' pool used to be).
From then on it was just driving. Nothing remarkable However when night falls in these maritime provinces it gets really dark! Driving at night here is like being inside Space Mountain. The roads are up and down and around again and everything is dark, dark, dark.The exits go off into outer space or the twilight zone and I think civilization ends with the ramp.
Clear night - hoping for more good weather.
The sun was shining on us today as we left Bar harbor and headed north. We are in Halifax, Nova Scotia tonight and officially 1,060 miles from home. We entered Canada through New Brunswick and Campobello Island. On our way we passed through the Blueberry capitol of the World (Cherryfield) and the Maine Museum of Natural history (A junkyard) which gave us a laugh. At the border we had to flash our passports and upon doing so, the guard reminded me to sign mine. Oops - it worked in our favor - such stupid people would not smuggle anything into the country - and he let us in.
Touring FDR's Cottage (note the capital C) on Campobello was a real treat. 17 rooms but not pretentious at all. Lots of windows gave it a welcoming feel and their furniture and possessions were all about the place, including a megaphone that Eleanor used to call the kids to supper.It just seemed the kind of place where a good time was to be had. The gardens were still abloom with begonias and dahlias and the lawn sweeps down to the Bay offering a gorgeous view. The boat dock remains from which FDR was carried off after contracting polio in the summer of 1921. Things like that give me the chills.
We walked next door to Hubbard Cottage as well. the Hubbards were neighbors and friends of the Roosevelts. It too was a very airy space. Light colored woodwork (I think unusual for that time period)and lots of windows. A large oval window in the dining room gave a new meaning to picture window - what a fantastic view of the bay. Mrs. Hubbard was a concert pianist and all around the grand piano (situated in a turret) were window seats with cushions that matched the other (many) pieces of furniture. A very ornate mantle dominated the room but again in the light woodwork.
Afterward we drove to the north end of the island to the lighthouse (Quoddy?). It was so pleasant that we had an impromptu picnic then and there. Moving on (we had lost an hour switching to Atlantic time) we caught the 6 car ferry to Deer Island and then a larger ferry to St. Georges.It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the trips over the Bay of Fundy - which is green (Loke Lithis Springs' pool used to be).
From then on it was just driving. Nothing remarkable However when night falls in these maritime provinces it gets really dark! Driving at night here is like being inside Space Mountain. The roads are up and down and around again and everything is dark, dark, dark.The exits go off into outer space or the twilight zone and I think civilization ends with the ramp.
Clear night - hoping for more good weather.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Bar Harbor 2
Salutations -
We awoke to the Weather Channel's "Dense Fog Advisory until 10am". Well, doesn't that cheer you on. Nonetheless, we dressed, ate breakfast and made a bee line for Acadia National Park and Thunder Hole. High tide was at 9:15 and we thought that might be a good time to see it. Not so much....it sounded like thunder but wasn't a visual extravaganza as we had hoped.
We were about to leave when a woman fell (Caution: Walkways are slippery when wet" - and they mean it) - fell hard - and broke her leg. It was an open wound - I never saw anything like that before. Well, I gotta tell ya, everybody went a scurrying to get out of there . Big Tom and I were left with a guy from Massachusetts (Who thankfully had a first aid kit in his car). We sent for the Ranger and the EMTs. First hubby held her hand and after the gap in her leg (and the blood) was covered I went to her other side and held that hand and made conversation until she was ready to be hoisted up the stairs to the road.(Nobody ever said I would make a good nurse.) So, we hope Mary Shoemaker from Lancaster county was fixed up and will continue her travels with her friend Bobbi Kennedy (really!), if not on this cruise then in three weeks when she is supposed to go to China. Bobbi said if I ever came to Lancaster, she would buy me dinner. Said maybe I would when I come to a quilt shop and she said "Great, I quilt too, and I'll take you to where the bargains are!" What a small world.
We had to hustle to get back to Bar Harbor (all this leg stuff took an hour)for the Lighthouse tour we had scheduled. The sun had broken through the clouds while we were at Mary's side and things were looking up. We found a place to park (legally) and hurried to the restroom to add layers. Out I came ready for adventure, popped a Dramamine on the way to the area we were to board and found a man saying "The lighthouse tour has just been cancelled due to poor visibility". Bad Karma?
Dejected, up the steps we trudged to the ticket office to demand our money back and stood in a line that stretched 20 feet. They were really very efficient and also printed our voucher for another whale watch tour (You can go until you see a whale - no expiration date). Before we left the building I went back to the restroom to take off my layers and while doing that Big Tom found a book of lighthouses in the store across the hall. When we went to pay for it we asked about the trolley tours and signed up for one. After lunch, we did that and it was fun. The driver/tour guide was entertaining and full of info on the area. (However at the first stop (Cadillac MT.) a lady stepped off the bus, missed the last step and...........no, she didn't break her leg, but she was banged up and the ranger had to come - same ranger (AJ) as the Morning Mary episode so we were able to ask about her. I had seen the same EMTs at the pier earlier. Busy day.
When we finished the tour, we headed back to Acadia to see a film and drive the rest of the Loop Road before returning to the hotel. The most unusual and interesting aspect of this park is the way the land just drops off into the ocean. No beaches to speak of. And to me , the land close to the ocean has always flattened out which this area (really an island) does not.
Dinner was down the road not too far at Jack Daniel's Steak and Brew and was excellent. We both had soup (red pepper for him and the BEST clam chowder I have ever eaten)and salads with Salmon (for him) and a tiny fillet (for me). Creme brulee and Blueberry pie for dessert.
Now we are doing a load of wash before we head for Nova Scotia tomorrow. We are taking turns minding the laundry - you have to be quick to get a machine - so if I have seemed disjointed forgive me.
We awoke to the Weather Channel's "Dense Fog Advisory until 10am". Well, doesn't that cheer you on. Nonetheless, we dressed, ate breakfast and made a bee line for Acadia National Park and Thunder Hole. High tide was at 9:15 and we thought that might be a good time to see it. Not so much....it sounded like thunder but wasn't a visual extravaganza as we had hoped.
We were about to leave when a woman fell (Caution: Walkways are slippery when wet" - and they mean it) - fell hard - and broke her leg. It was an open wound - I never saw anything like that before. Well, I gotta tell ya, everybody went a scurrying to get out of there . Big Tom and I were left with a guy from Massachusetts (Who thankfully had a first aid kit in his car). We sent for the Ranger and the EMTs. First hubby held her hand and after the gap in her leg (and the blood) was covered I went to her other side and held that hand and made conversation until she was ready to be hoisted up the stairs to the road.(Nobody ever said I would make a good nurse.) So, we hope Mary Shoemaker from Lancaster county was fixed up and will continue her travels with her friend Bobbi Kennedy (really!), if not on this cruise then in three weeks when she is supposed to go to China. Bobbi said if I ever came to Lancaster, she would buy me dinner. Said maybe I would when I come to a quilt shop and she said "Great, I quilt too, and I'll take you to where the bargains are!" What a small world.
We had to hustle to get back to Bar Harbor (all this leg stuff took an hour)for the Lighthouse tour we had scheduled. The sun had broken through the clouds while we were at Mary's side and things were looking up. We found a place to park (legally) and hurried to the restroom to add layers. Out I came ready for adventure, popped a Dramamine on the way to the area we were to board and found a man saying "The lighthouse tour has just been cancelled due to poor visibility". Bad Karma?
Dejected, up the steps we trudged to the ticket office to demand our money back and stood in a line that stretched 20 feet. They were really very efficient and also printed our voucher for another whale watch tour (You can go until you see a whale - no expiration date). Before we left the building I went back to the restroom to take off my layers and while doing that Big Tom found a book of lighthouses in the store across the hall. When we went to pay for it we asked about the trolley tours and signed up for one. After lunch, we did that and it was fun. The driver/tour guide was entertaining and full of info on the area. (However at the first stop (Cadillac MT.) a lady stepped off the bus, missed the last step and...........no, she didn't break her leg, but she was banged up and the ranger had to come - same ranger (AJ) as the Morning Mary episode so we were able to ask about her. I had seen the same EMTs at the pier earlier. Busy day.
When we finished the tour, we headed back to Acadia to see a film and drive the rest of the Loop Road before returning to the hotel. The most unusual and interesting aspect of this park is the way the land just drops off into the ocean. No beaches to speak of. And to me , the land close to the ocean has always flattened out which this area (really an island) does not.
Dinner was down the road not too far at Jack Daniel's Steak and Brew and was excellent. We both had soup (red pepper for him and the BEST clam chowder I have ever eaten)and salads with Salmon (for him) and a tiny fillet (for me). Creme brulee and Blueberry pie for dessert.
Now we are doing a load of wash before we head for Nova Scotia tomorrow. We are taking turns minding the laundry - you have to be quick to get a machine - so if I have seemed disjointed forgive me.
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