Northeast Trip - October 2011

Oct. 15 thru Oct 20

We arrived at the Boston/Cape Cod KOA in Massachusetts on October 15th. Using the campground as our hub, Randy unhooked the 5th wheel and we explored Salem the next day. Site of the 1692 witch trials and extensive Maritime history created the perfect backdrop for the "Haunted Happenings" Festival taking place thru October. We bought Little Lana a bat wing costume in one of the pet stores down by the wharf and she wore them thru the town with crowds of people taking her picture. Lana was definitely the most photographed personality in Salem that day…Randy would wait outside while I ventured into some witch boutiques and I could hear people coming in behind me and exclaiming how cute she was! I think Lana in costume made our experience especially fun. She really was a hoot!

Salem was at its height of drama during the Halloween Season...lots of haunted exhibits and people dressed in costume. I went to one event called The Witches Cottage, a live presentation in a tiny theatre in which the actors spoke of real events during the witch trials. Dressed in costumes, they described stories of spooky lore as the lights and props set the audience up for some frightening fun. With Lana and her bat wings in the lead, we finished our tour of Salem at the Maritime National Historic Site on the wharf. Lined with historic homes on cobbled stone streets many of these dwellings date back to the 1600’s.

Not a cloud in the sky as we wound our way thru Cape Cod the following morning. With autumn just beginning to touch this part of New England we were kind of surprised at how green the surrounding country side remained. Passing cranberry bog farms and little towns built almost exclusively of cedar shake cottages we got a feel for the area. However, roads in Massachusetts are not well marked so by the time we found an information center in Yarmouth, half the day was gone and a bit late to catch a ferry ride to Nantucket. Not to worry as we were not overly anxious to make a 2 hour passage to the island and 2 hour trip back. However, as luck would have it I did spot a local “Lobsta” Co. in Dennisport. Fishermen owned with a lovely fresh selection, they were also willing to prepare some “lobsta to go” for a special request I needed to fulfill. One of the owners, Mark, cooked and then iced them in a cooler for us to take to our freezer back at the camper for transport to my folks back in Florida. As we waited for the “lobsta” to be prepared, I noticed the clams and oysters in the display case. Mark recommended the oysters over the clams and shucked them for us to eat as we waited. They were fabulous, plump, full flavored morsels with a marvelous briny taste. The colder sea water, here in the Cape produces a saltier taste than in Florida…very nice.

In the town of Chatham we stopped to walk thru their pumpkin people festival, a local competition of creatively themed and hand made scarecrows using pumpkins has heads with carved or drawn faces…very cool. Later in Eastham, we had hoped to be able to drive along the coast of Cape Cod National Seashore like you can in Flagler Beach, but you can’t get that close. So we settled for taking a few photos of the famous lighthouse pictured on the Cape Cod potato chip bag. Life is full of compromises.

Before heading back to camp we arrived in the very pretty town of Plymouth a few hours before sunset. Somehow, without directions, Randy magically got us right where we needed to be for our “pilgrimage”. A beautiful view of Plymouth Harbor provided a backdrop to many memorial statues with a replica of the Mayflower resting at the waterfront wharf. I think we all grew up with certain grade school history lessons ingrained in our psyche of the pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock in 1620. Well, they have a columned memorial built around this rather smallish rock with a cage around it to prevent people from touching it. As we peered down upon this shrine we shared a moment of wonder with our fellow tourists followed by a quick change of disappointment then understanding that this rock represents more than a physical arrival. It is a symbol of the human spirit and quest for freedom. However, for the Indians, Thanksgiving Day is known as the Day of Mourning because it represents the beginning of the end; a loss of their freedom to roam their lands with dignity and in peace. A bittersweet irony to this story, would you agree?

At this point of our trip it will take 24 hours to get back home so we hit the highway on the morning of October 18. Leaving Massachusetts behind we settled back for the long ride, bouncing along inter state 95 and taking in the landscape receding quickly out of view. Past the majestically domed building of the capitol of Providence, Rhode Island, over the George Washington Bridge, thru NYC, jockeying for position in traffic and then traversing the pot holed roads of Newark before stopping for lunch. We crossed the Delaware but unlike George Washington, we did it over a big bridge in a 5th wheel and were tolled to death in road fees. Finally, we ended up somewhere in Maryland for the night in a little campground on a lake…definitely time for a glass of wine.

We awoke the next morning to the sound of rain pattering on our camper, shrouding the lake view with mist. We were advised last night not to attempt driving thru DC until midmorning so we hung out, did some laundry and internet correspondence before joining up with the interstate. But first, we stopped for groceries and while waiting at the check out we saw a young man wearing gator colors. Randy made a comment to him and the guy asked us where we were from. One thing led to another in our conversation. Come to find out, he grew up in Palm Coast and knew our daughter. “It’s a small world after all”.

Back on I-95 south our mantra became “water, tunnel, river, toll”. Over the waters of the Susquehanna in Northeast Maryland, thru the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, and over the Potomac River in DC we went, paying heavily in tollbooth fees. Uh-Oh! We had a blow out while in the middle of a political discussion about the nation’s present economy. One of the tires on the 5th wheel let loose after miles of rough, pot holed roads. Randy is always prepared and had it changed and the rig back on the road in less than an hour. What a guy! Finally, we arrived in Virginia greeted by smoother riding highways, woo-hoo! Not as many miles accomplished as we had hoped and it was dark out before we finally pulled into a campground in North Carolina.

Our goal at this point is to get as close as we can to home so we left the KOA in the early morning with clear skies and a cool, crisp breeze. Passing cotton and tobacco fields, we were on a mission and avoided scenic byways in favor of the ability to make up time along I-95. However, we did not need a ticket as we spotted quite a few state troopers concealed off the shoulder, just itching to write one. Set on cruise control we breezed thru NC and merged right into South Carolina before noon without a snag. Lo and behold, just before reaching the Georgia border we had another blow out. This makes 3 tire changes for Randy; two blowouts and one he changed at the beginning of the trip because the tire looked like it was ready to blow. Luckily, Randy insisted on buying 2 new spare tires at a Wal-Mart yesterday. We have certainly traveled some rough highway south of Massachusetts thru DC and would probably not take the 5th wheel on that particular tract in the future. I guess that’s why they call it exploring. Ah well, time for us to decompress, reflect, and regroup for 2 nights in St. Mary’s before pulling into our driveway Saturday afternoon on October 22nd.

PS: On our way back to camp, just south of Portland, Maine we spotted a church billboard that read “aspire to inspire before we expire”…amen brothers and sistas…I think that says it all.

Northeast Trip - October 2011

Oct 9 thru oct 14, 2011

Leaving Vermont behind, we head into New Hampshire Sunday morning. A lot happening this Columbus Day Weekend as we drive by signs boasting apple pie contests, quilt shows, antique sales, and apple picking. So many sweet little villages decked out for autumn celebrations. However, with just two weeks left to go we need to head on down the road to make our destination of Acadia National Park in Maine.

Our curiosity about the fall color changes caused us to reflect on elementary biology lessons. Leaves are green due to the pigment called chlorophyll. Found in most plants, it is critical for photosynthesis which allows plants to make energy in the form of sugar from sunlight. The shorter fall days trigger the leaf changing cycle due to a decrease in chlorophyll production. Each type of tree produces a specific leaf color unique to the combination of sugars left in its leaves. Other factors affecting the intensity of foliage color is temperature and moisture. Warm fall days + long cool nights – rain = happy, colorful leaves. We are really starting to see some fabulous colors on this beautiful Monday morning in southeast Maine with an outside temperature of 83 degrees! I think it may be warmer here than Florida.

A dramatic, scenic overview off I-95 of Mount Katahdin was spectacular. Deep blue water framed by colorful forest and a mountainous backdrop has developed into some of my favorite photos. Further down the road, we arrived in Island Falls, Maine in the early afternoon on Monday, Oct 10. A friend from home who returned to his roots, Bill Lane and his lovely lady, Anita, greeted us with some warm hospitality. We parked our rig on their property for an overnight visit on our way to Bar Harbor on the coast. We all piled into Bills pickup truck for a tour of their town and stomping ground. Dazzled by the many beautiful little lakes edged with cabins, we have learned that it is a popular tourist destination in the summer months. There were just a few tourists left as places were closing up in preparation for the long, brutal winter ahead. Later that evening we enjoyed some delicious homemade lasagna prepared by Anita, in fact, I even got to take some with us the following day. I do enjoy good food! Next morning we all went out to breakfast and took in another view of the rambling countryside occupied by many farms and occasional Amish families. On the way back to Bills, Randy finally got to see a moose, albeit a dead one shot by a local hunter. We would rather have seen a live one but hey, it is a part of life up here and many of the locals were raised on fresh game. The men planned on taking the moose directly to a butcher for eventual replenishment of their home freezers. Anita confesses that she especially enjoys moose stew. After saying our farewells, we headed back on the road for the coast.

We have been practicing our New England accents on the way to the Bar Harbor (pronounced Ba Haba) KOA located on Mount Desert Island. Arriving on October 11 in the early afternoon, the sun still shone warmly. We went for a walk on the beach at low tide along the rough, rocky shore. This is quite a change from our soft, sandy Florida Beaches. A full moon campfire, cider, and rum ended our crisp down east evening.

The town of “Ba Haba” and Acadia National Park are just a few miles down the road. We opted to tour the park first with a drive up to the top of Cadillac Mountain. Submerged in cloud, we were unable to take in the panoramic views at the summit. However, we made up for it hiking along the craggy shorelines where sea and shore emerge, revealing the landmarks that define Arcadia’s coast such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Point. This is granite country and I was tempted to have Randy haul a slab home for our kitchen counter renovation but our camper is already filled with pumpkins and gourds. A late lunch at Jordan’s Pond rewarded us with creamy “lobsta” stew and homemade popovers, butter and strawberry jam…some major artery clogging food but oh so yummy.

Next morning the rain finally caught up to us and a decision was made to head out on US-1 down the coast. Winding our way thru quaint little towns toward Portland we admired the historical manors and old weathered buildings that are classic New England. Next stop: Old Orchard Beach before heading out of Maine. Apparently there is a lot to see and we will get an early start tomorrow.

Randy and I began our day at the “Merry Moose” camp diner, consuming oversized pancakes loaded with Maine blueberries and a side of sausage links. No doubt that I have eaten well on this trip. A perfectly foggy, drizzly day accompanies our tour of lighthouses and graveyards. We actually had the opportunity to see 5 different sea beacons among the many along Maine’s coast. Pungent sea air and rain mingled with the sounds of the light house fog horns as they continually guide ships to safety. Two Light State Park boasts a pair of beautiful white lighthouses. Viewed from a distance, like so many of Maine’s Lighthouses, this duo is located on private land and inaccessible. In Bug Light Park the fog cleared long enough to reveal the cute little beacon named bug light. Its buddy, Spring Point Light is connected to a jetty made of huge granite planks allowing a walk up to and around this beacon. Finally, the most famous Maine Lighthouse called Portland Head Light is indeed a scenic photograph waiting to happen. Located in Fort Williams State Park in the town of Cape Elizabeth, we were able to walk around this picture perfect lighthouse and peruse the little museum as well. Gray seas pounding against dark, glistening rocks created sprays of surrender to the nautical depths beneath Portland Head’s foundation. Speaking of which, the city of Portland is gorgeous regaling ancient red brick structures everywhere you look along the wharf. It reminded me of NYC with its big city energy but retaining its New England flavor on a much smaller, quainter scale.

Driving thru the countryside of Scarborough we came upon many ancient cemeteries scattered with headstones of all sizes, shapes, and etchings. Some scrolled with fancy detail and ripe with a blackened patina. Keeping with the Halloween season, I would ask Randy to stop so I could hop out and photograph the leaf strewn grounds of tombstones dating as far back as the 1700’s. One in particular that fascinated me was Captain Mariner, only 42 when he died in 1872 and the stuff that ghost stories are made of!

Well now, I have to say that I accomplished my vacation goal and ate lots of “lobsta”. I ate “lobsta” salad, “lobsta” stew, “lobsta” roll. I have eaten it broiled and steamed. But I finally figured out that my favorite remains the live Maine “lobsta” boiled in a pot to be slowly savored thru the process of cracking the shells and dipping the meat in melted “butta”. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Northeast Trip - October 2011

Oct 1 thru Oct 8, 2011

Saturday night we stayed in a rest area near JAX airport in order to make my early morning flight to NYC. A beautiful half moon followed us around the grounds as we walked Little Lana, our Chihuahua, before catching a few hours sleep.

Sunday morning, Randy dropped me off for my 6AM flight to JFK…my window seat allowed me to view an amazing sunrise over mother earth as the plane followed the coastline up to NYC. My beautiful niece, Nicole, met me at the airport followed by a succession of subway rides to her turf in Brooklyn. Partly cloudy skies allowed some heat from the sun to warm our wait for brunch at the Buttermilk Channel. Yummy beef short rib hash melted in my mouth chased by a mimosa and dotted with fun conversation.

Back to her darling brownstone apartment shared with two other gals, I crawled into bed for a much needed nap. Later, we met my son, Jason and his lovely lady, Ruya for wine at their place in Williamsburg before enjoying a NYC night walk to Traif for dinner. We shared multiple interesting entrees with each other…loved it!

Monday morning, Jason dazzled me with his breakfast burritos and a fresh fruit salad. I also got to meet Josh, another roommate, who took me under his wing and bought me a fabulous cup of coffee at his favorite neighborhood haunt called Variety. I met some of Josh’s friends along the way…just adore the street energy in New York. By the time we got back to the apartment, Ruya was ready to roll and she and I headed out for some shopping in Soho. Later, Jason met up with us after his meeting and we had lunch together at Café Gitane. A perfectly wonderful little French bistro nestled in the city, wafting with wonderful cooking scents and crowded with beautiful people. Ruya had to go to work so Jason and I hiked over to Con Artist Art Gallery to pick up a painting he had done for his brother, Joe, and I’m taking it back home with me. Down a steep flight of stairs we ventured into the bowels of the city. There we talked art and gleaned some interesting “big work” techniques from the owner.

Come early evening the clouds opened up into a drizzle of drops on our way to Beauty and Essex, one of Jason’s employments. I was treated to an amazing $18 glass of Chardonnay and a tantalizing appetizer before heading out to meet Nicole. She had just gotten off work at 6PM so we headed to the “Jimmy” at the top of the St. James Hotel, another establishment that Jason tends bar at. There I was treated to a view of the city that was dizzying. Last stop Norwood, Ruya’s place of employment (many of the young people work the food/bar industry as a means of supplementing their career goals). I also got to see Teddy, a friend of Jason’s…lots of great memories together from years ago on my first visit to the city. He is now managing this establishment and took us on a tour of each floor. More great food and drink followed by a cab trip home to Jason’s and a late night piece of pizza.





Tuesday morning we all slept in and later met Nicole at a place called Jeffrey’s Grocery. This is a cute little establishment in the village where Josh works and he invited us to come for lunch. Oh my god, I had the most delicious Bloody Mary, beet salad, and roasted pork sandwich…so yummy. Next we window shopped and enjoyed a cup of java at Joe’s for a little pick me up. Then, Josh had suggested a walk on the skyline which is a revamped elevated railway turned garden that winds its way several miles thru the village. Local flora and city views made a great back drop for picture taking. At this point we have literally eaten our way through the city and decided it was time for another fabulous dining experience. At the Fig and Olive we sampled amazing cheeses, olives, and figs, among other delicacies. Finally, our last stop for the evening: The Comedy Cellar. We found ourselves packed in with lots of other city dwellers and tourists for an evening of laughter. And we were not disappointed…so fun. Parting ways with Nicole the three of us took a cab back to Brooklyn for a night cap of wine and pizza. I was exhausted after 3 days. What a great NYC fix.

The next morning, Jason and I hustled thru the subways to procure a train ticket at Grand Central Station for Poughkeepsie. I gave my son a big goodbye hug and plopped in a window seat to take in the view. The train chugged along the Hudson River winding its way up state. Randy and Lana met me at the station with a kiss and hug. Beautiful blue skies and fairly warm temperatures embraced me in the Hudson Valley. After picking up a few groceries we headed to Mills-Norrie State Park and I laid down for a much needed nap. Later that evening and before heading to bed, the moon shined down on our campfire, nestled in the chilly night air of the forest.

Thursday, October 6, we decided to check out some of the local sights that Hyde Park offers. We visited the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historical Site on a gloriously sunny day with just a hint of nip in the air. The tour of our 32nd president’s birth home proved to be nostalgic and also serves as the final resting place for FDR and his wife, Eleanor.

Located an hour away on the west side of the Hudson River, we later found our way to my brother, Joe’s home, in the Village of Rosendale. What an adorably, funky little house, right on Main St. surrounded by other interesting little shops and eateries. I took photos of the late afternoon sun shining on the garden out front of his home. Encased by a small picket fence, sunflowers, cosmos, and tomatoes leaned toward the final vestiges of warm autumn sun before the frost of winter touches them with icy fingers. My gorgeous niece and nephew, Ashley and Sam, joined us for dinner at the Red Brick Tavern just down the street as Joe’s treat. We ended our meal with a game of pool and I won only because Sam scratched, ouch

Friday afternoon we opted to take in some more local history at the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historical Site. I was immediately impressed with the old growth trees on the property reminding me of the giant sequoias and firs out west. Later, we learned some of these trees were the oldest of their kind in America. Like many Vanderbilt Mansions, this tour was worth its weight in Italian marble, sculpture, art and antiques. Opulent splendor graced many of the rooms so wonderfully preserved thru the ages. After the mansion tour I walked thru the magnificent gardens and especially enjoyed sampling the sweet fragrance of the “antique roses”. It was an era of tremendous wealth and extravagant lifestyle beyond most of our comprehensions. Afterwards, we kind of raced back to the camp site to gather supplies for a feast we were planning at Joe’s. Randy and I made a corned beef brisket and vegetables for a cozy dinner that night in Joe’s kitchen. Another beautiful niece of mine, Becca, popped in for a quick hug but was unable to stay for supper so just my nephew, Zane managed to join us as we devoured second helpings and fun conversation…a short but sweet visit…miss you already, Joe.

On Saturday, October 8 we left Mills/Norrie SP for destination Brattleboro, VT. As we headed over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, spanning the Hudson River, we enjoyed views of the Catskill Mountains while continuing our journey to Maine. We are rewarded along the way with glimpses of reds/oranges/yellows tempered by magnificent 73 degree weather. Lots of wonderful little roadside stands decorated with pumpkins and chrysanthemums popped up in view but too difficult to stop with the big rig we pull. The scent of fresh mown grass and fields of hay wafted thru the open truck window. We finally arrived at our destination when I discovered right next door an organic farm! OMG, I cannot imagine a more wonderful food shopping experience. I made a total of 3 trips to Walker Farm before leaving the next morning. Pumpkins, gourds, and mums of every imaginable color, size, and shape excited my senses. On past trips I have collected rocks and this trip it will be gourds! I bought some organic apple cider and enjoyed it with some Captain Morgan’s Rum back at camp. Organic carrots, apples, pears, spinach, sweet corn, beets, peppers, potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, to name a few of mother earth’s harvest I just had to sample. I bought organic eggs, Vermont cheddar cheese, and homemade muffins too. It’s the little things in life that excite me!