Day 13 8-31-11 Trip North

We are currently between USA in Calais and Canada at St. Andrews. Tomorrow we head on up into New Brunswick Canada. Stopped to fill up with gas and I am flattered to find MY name in sucy widespread use in this part of the Northeast.

We visited Eastport Maine this morning. We found the only place in the USA that still makes MUSTARD the old-fashioned stone-ground way using NO heat to preserve quality of taste. Four generations have owned RAYE'S MUSTARD-since 1902-operating in the same facility with the same grinding stones. Pretty impressive. We bought too much. Sampled too much.  Later, down on the harbor area the scenery again is most impressive and beautiful.

On the 50 mile ride from Eastport Maine to St. Andrews Canada, we visited GNONG CHOCLATES in ST. Stephen. Operating since 1873. Created 1st chocolate candy bar in North America with nuts. Also intoduced the FIRST heart-shaped candy box originally for Xmas but which is now so popular at Valentine. Great chocolate and we did sample and bought a micro amount. Yeah, right !!!!

St. Andrews is the Greenwich Conneticut of this part of Canada. Old homes, MONEY, great harbor scenery.  27 acre Kingsbrae Horticultural garden is beautiful with numerous FRAGRANT flowers. Sorry no pictures, flowers beautiful. Tried picture of the downtown area with some buildings back to 1878. Expensive beer !!!!

Washed clothes again tonight. To ALMA Canada via St. John tomorrow to see Hopewell rocks and Fundy National park. B

&B here in Calais is wonderful. We will include picture tomorrow.

Day 12 8-30-11 Trip North

Twelve days and almost 1500 miles later we arrived in Lubec, Maine today. On border with Canada. Beth had to have her picture taken with a local dolphin and his ice cream cone before we could eat some fresh made clam chowder in a whole wheat bread bowl. Great stuff !!! I ran across a buddy and insisted on Beth taking our picture.

We then went to the Easternmost point in USA at West Quaddy lighthouse. Very beautiful and picturesque. Scenery reminded me of all those Canadian Mounted Police movies in my youth. We passed the Maine DOT and it reminded me of Virginia---6 supervisors and ??? workers.

We then took bridge over from Lubec Maine to Campobello Island in Canada. No border patrol checks going out of the USA. This is FDR's summer home and was in his family from childhood. Nice inheritance. Beautiful place.

We then decided to take shortcut to Calais, Maine. Took ferry to Deer Island and 2nd ferry to St. George in Canada(Princess Beth's first ride on ferry carriny vehicles). Traveled some magnificent Canadian highways for about 50 miles into Calais. THEN we encountered border patrol --zillion questions, such as "do you have any alcohol in your vehicle". Response, Well Duh!!!! Nice guy, let us back into USA for stay in Calais even with bourbon, wine and vodka

.

Overall, beautiful weather, panoramic landscape and another fun day.

Day 11 8-29-11 Trip North

Great day. Hurricane gone and Portland only got moderate rain and wind. Scattered power outages, but we escaped it all.

We visited Rockland Maine known as Lobster capital of the world about 10 years ago when we were here. They had done lobsters like Blacksburg did Hokie birds and had then in a cool park.They are all now less in number and beth stands beside one of the saved ones. Town eventually got tired of them and redid the town park. Now a RITE AID. ??? Progress????

Objective today was another Lobster pound. We found several and selsected Young's outside Camden Maine. This place had 100'sof lobster all sizes in holding tanks. We picked two and again very good.These lobster pounds are impressive places.

Outsude if Bucksport Maine we crossed a new bridge-- Penobscot Narrows bridge. I also is a observatory at the top. 42 stories tall--empire state bldg about 102.Built 2006. First bridge observation tower in the country and highest in the world. Pictures look out over Penobscot River.

We are continuing up route one and should reach Lubec Maine on Tuesday.

Maine trivia--90+% toothpicks in this country made here. Home of original doughnut hole maker.Home of 1st snow plow and the EARMUFF.

Day 9 8-27-11 Trip North

Waiting for Irene !!!! Watching effect on N.C. and VA.
We went to historical Freeport Ma today to cruise around L.L.Bean. This whole town is all about L.L. Bean but once again there are a plethora of walk in stores. Many of these are high fliers.

We then headed to harbor in Portland for some food on the waterfront. Lot of great food, True preserved and active harbor with great salty fishy smell. We visited Nancy's floating restaurant in the harbor.Sampled local brew beer. Several breweries in the area. Good stuff.

Finally ran out of gas and are now holed up awaiting Irene who is due here around noon tomorrow.Best wishes to all.

Day 8 8-26-11 Trip North

Abandoned hunker down idea. After spending morning washing clothes, filling up with gas, charging all batteries and picking up few extra groceries we took off for Portland Maine. We found a hotel with rooms on the Northwest corner, backup generator, an in-room essentials to include regrigerator.

On way to Portland, we stopped at first LOBSTER POUND we could find in Kittery, Maine. I am sending pictures of our 13/4 pound lobsters and Beth wading(what a pun) into hers. Took other pictures of this fun event, but can't access for computer.

We are headed down to Portland harbor tonight for more great food and sightseeing. Great news for all----Allison received word today she passed her boards so she is now 1/2 a doctor. Two more years of fun. Go Allie.

Day 7 August 25 Trip North

7 days out. Will it be a Tsunami, hurricane or wet evening. We have gone as far North and East as we dare until path of Irene more concrete. SO--We are hunkering down in Salem Witch/Lexington Patriot country (Beth feels right at home with the witches and I am cool with the patriots (*__*).

Today we started out in historic Lexington with the famous minuteman. We followed the battle from Lexington to Concord. We connected with Paul Revere and the start of the American Revolutionary War. Loved flag over the minuteman and the patriotism. We included picture of the Old North Bridge where the patriots shot the first British soldiers and actually started the war.  Had great New England Pizza in Lexington and headed for Salem, Mass.

Beth immediately identified with these characters. We went to "WITCH MUSEUM" which was a hoot .Beth had to see cemetary where most of the Salem Witch victims were placed (20 of them).  Rest of afternoon we explored the maritime port town of Salem. Hope u enjoy pictures.

Day 6 8-24-11 Trip North

HEY-- We are still out ahead of hurricane. We visited Yale University today. Founded 1701 ?2nd oldest university. Sits on 800 acres downtown New Haven, 11,000 kids(5500 are undergraduates). Tuition 56K/yr. University endowments 17 billion(VT=550 million)** No female students until 1969. Architecture impressive and varied Pictures show Bell tower(once tallest building in US), Beth in front of 14 story 2nd largest university library in US. Also, long building is Dining hall seats 1000!!! Rare book library 800,000 rare books. 2 of only 5 copies Guttenburg Bible in US.

NOW, important stuff. Louie's Lunch "Home of the first Hamburger" for you Food network junkies. CLOSED. Went to famous pizza house and had specialty--White clam pizza.

We moved on up past Boston today-notice traffic

and are near LEXINGTON MASS(Paul Revere fame). We will be here a few days looking at sites from here to Gloucester.

900 miles on vehicle at this point. Started 3rd tank of gas. Looking for possible points west if storm continues as is.

To post comments you need a google account and sign in to google to then make a post.

GAS PRICES GREENWICH CT

Note town with money.

Day 5 August 23 Trip North

WOW-- We escaped Washington, D.C. yesterday before all of the activity. We arrived in New Jersey yesterday and had a wonderful visit with Joe and Pat Reed. They are Ohio camping buddies and family on Beth's side. Fabulous hosts. Great food and drink, Joe and I spend considerable time playing with apples(as in phone, ipad, etc) instead of golf. VERY nice visit.

We tackled NEW YORK today. The traffic through that town is a nightmare. Our 81 is a piece of cake. Beth took some traveling pictures--note Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, etc., and the traffic.

We then made it into Connecticut and stopped at favorite McDonalds for tea and Dollar menu. Drove down into the big money-GREENWICH- where median house price is 1.6 million.Note gas prices in picture, A plethora of UPSCALE shops, etc. Beth agreed to bypass this treat and the PRADA store.

As we passed through STAMFORD CT we noticed all the people standing outside office buildings. We thought they were having a citywide fire drill until a friend called us to tell us about a VIRGINIA earthquake. WOW Again, first spring tornadoes and now fall earthquakes--THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END-- and Hurricane Irene is going to wash us all away.

Tonight we are hanging out in NEW HAVEN CT. Will visit YALE, downtown food/wine, etc., and head north tomorrow.