Mainely Coastal Continues

 Mon. July 5-9 (4 nights) Megunticook Campground, Rockport, ME

We didn't have time to go to this farm to see the Oreo cookie cows or Belted Galloways at Aldermere...aren't they cute?

Finally, after almost a week of clouds and rain the 5th brought the sun with it and more normal summer temps. Yeah! Mom wasn’t quick enough for a photo, but we passed a house in Ellsworth, with their front yard filled with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck blow up Fourth of July statues. Talking about patriotic! 

The one part of Americana that still exists up here are all the small motels, cottages and Inns, new and old. The smaller motels remind M & D of the Rosebud Motel in the Schitt’s Creek TV sitcom. Antiques, anything with blueberries, granite or rocks, maple anything, quilts and artwork seem to be big draws up here besides the luscious views. 

The state of Maine must outlaw billboards, but there are lots of small well defined blue (commercial or groups) or green (cities, or roads) with white lettering signs. Went through Bucksport and Verona Island close to Ft Knox Historic site. We didn’t stop since it’s hard to park a big rig. LOL. It was pretty beautiful drive because much of US-1 in this part of Maine travels along the Atlantic. The scenic town of Searsport has one incredible Victorian Inn or home after another. Many with water views. Stunning! 

While we have been up here we have been getting these wonderful photos from Belgrade, Serbia where my human sisters are.

Dad was thinking about all that we have seen since he retired in 2015. It hasn’t been inexpensive, but it’s enlarged our country/world view by ions. The Great American Loop by our trawler, Moondance, two transatlantic cruises, three weeks in Ireland, 10 days in Barcelona, our camping trips West and East, and even our driving trip in our car to Alaska; prior to Pippi…it’s been an incredible retirement!!! Even better than we planned…

After a bit of a nap and cleanup we went out looking for food. It was dad's turn to find a place and he picked Claws; it had high reviews and it was dog friendly. Claws turned out to be similar to a Marathon, FL seafood place. You stood in line to order, then you found a seat. Hours later, or so it seemed; you get your food. Our food when we got it, justified the extensive wait; judging by the number of unhappy campers...not so much! They didn’t even offer me water. Humph!  What was really crazy is the prices weren’t less than places where we were served. It was an experience, and I got to meet some nice puppies...

Today the sun was slow coming out, but by the time we drove to the Camden waterfront it started appearing. What a lovey town! It considers itself the "Jewel of the Coast." 

Lots of incredible boats in the harbor, beautiful homes, charming shops and restaurants. Mom fell in love with a British clothing store called Fatface.  This company is slowly spreading out over the US; starting with the East coast. 

They had the coolest sweatshirts ever, but the sleeves were too short for dad. Shucks! Dad did buy mom, a unusually cool blouse for her upcoming birthday. She even saw adorable clothes for the grands. I’m very grateful that they have done little shopping...boring! 

The waterfront was so beautiful with a mix of pleasure and commercial boats

Dad signed us up for a short Penobscot harbor cruise on a lobster boat tomorrow, taking us to see how they retrieve the lobster traps and to two historic lighthouses. "We'll be Back, Camden!"

After exploring Camden and having lunch, we moved on to Rockport’s waterfront. It’s a much smaller village and waterfront, but it had loads of grassy areas that mom let me investigate. 

First, they made me pose with Andre, the seal statue. The real seal continually returned to the area until the townspeople named and semi adopted him; eventually having this statue made in memory of him. 

As we walked around we discovered that in addition to the fishing and lobster industry, limestone was the other big industry until a couple of fires and concrete replaced it.

Just sitting at the Rockport waterfront was very relaxing...watching lobster boats unloading, boaters taking off, and kayakers.

While the sun was still shining, we drove onto Rockland ...This town and Camden really encourages people to come to their downtown...thanks to two hour free downtown parking in numerous locations. 

(If you look closely you can see a cute little dude in a tiny enclosed scooter marking the car tires for time.) 

It turns out that Rockland is one of the biggest distributors of lobsters across the US; as well as, considering themselves an Art Mecca. Mom and dad parked, so they could explore the downtown on foot...After buying me a new toy and some puppy treats at Loyal Biscuit, (they thought I was so cute and well behaved they gave me multiple free treats...Woof!) 

We sat down on the downtown sidewalk outside Atlantic Baking Co. Mom brought out a blueberry pie slice to share with dad and I. The pie berries are so tiny; but oh, so sweet!!! Scrumptious! 

Before I knew what was happening mom disappeared across the street to a barber shop to get a haircut. After two months, she was sick of her BIG hair !!! While she was getting sheared, I became a people magnet...(Poor dad was trying to catch up with a friend on cell, but it was not to be...Everyone wanted pictures or to pet me.) OH MY GOSH! Mom got sheared...She told me not to worry, it grows so fast!!!

Edward Hopper's Lighthouse on the Hill

Mom was back with stories from the local Maine barber... He told her that to buy a lobster boat these days, it costs $700,000 - 900,000 or more. His youngest son is a stern man, so he has no investment: but still makes 15-20% of the take. In season, they can leave at 3:00 AM, and not return until 8:00 PM.

                                 Andrew Wyeth's Lobster

A Maine lobsterman is now limited to 800 tags with many rules in place; so they don't over harvest an area. The lobster boats with their big diesel engines can go through 30 gallons an hour. As he said, before you feel sorry for them, they are currently making $65 per pound. WOW! 

                                        Andrew Wyeth's Lighthouse

His other fabulous story was an Andrew Wyeth one. He had a friend who became close friends with Andrew Wyeth and his wife. One night Andy decided to paint his friend's wife along with his own wife because they were great friends. He finished the painting, but didn't like it, so he crumbled it up...His friend's wife collected it the next day and saved it. It's now worth something like $40,000. WOW!!!

We returned back to Megunticook Campground, as seen above...in late afternoon. Just in time for a quick nap before mom made dinner in SA. This dinner turned out to be a bit explosive; she tripped SA's electrical system.  Dad once again solved our electrical issues. Thank Goodness! Like Moondance, you can only have so many electrical appliances working at the same time! Way to go, Mom!

After solving that issue, we went down to our waterfront here to enjoy what was left of the evening. Mom even set up their smaller Thermacell unit, so they didn't get carried away by the bugs... I just had fun playing ball with mom while watching campers and their dogs. Honestly, in so many ways this campsite is probably one of our favorites...

Today we had to get into Camden early enough to find parking before our Lobster boat trip. It turned out to be one of M & D's favorite cruises. Paul, our captain was a semi-retired commercial lobsterman while Taylor, his stern man, our lecturer and full time school teacher. What Taylor didn’t know Paul could fill in. It was really interesting. We had no idea how complicated lobstering is if want to be a commercial lobsterman.  As you can see, I wasn't quite as into the trip as they were until Taylor bought those strange creatures around to see...UGH! They smelled disgusting!!! I wanted to go swimming until Taylor told us the water temperature as 58 degrees...that's even too cold for me!

I didn't mind getting on the Lively Lady. There were an incredible scenic views everywhere we looked. I pointed out the guy working on the sailboat mast...scary! Whatever our Captain just pulled up stunk!!!

Dad's shot reminded mom of one of Edward Hopper's paintings...There are so many picturesque lighthouses along this coast...This one was outside of Camden. and still in use.

This Rockport grey roofed lighthouse is no longer working, but locally owned. The family lets people come on the island, if you can get there by small boat, swimming or kayak and remove whatever you bring. The Camden lighthouse has been converted to solar. Look closely and you will see the panels.

Mom is forever finding more sites to see.. this tower is called Mt. Battie in Camden State Park. It smelled and looked incredible up there...Dad just couldn't stop taking photos of these amazing Penobscot Bay views. In the distant coastline, we could see Camden, and Rockport; while straight out, we were looking back to Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain.

Mom read me this poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay...pretty...

Time to head back to our camp and to chill out...

In the evening our next door camper, Sandy came over to talk to us. 

She was a newly retired San Diego Educational Administrator while her hubby, Vince is a retired Real Estate Lawyer. They are going to be in near us in Saco, so we are going to try to catch up with them and their darling middle schooler Andrew.

        Until we meet again...stay well all!