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Travelling through the US 2022
  • Birgit Cross
  • Fergus Cross

Travelling through the US 2022

A 44-day adventure by Birgit & Fergus Read more
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  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Toll booth at Mount EquinoxHalfway up the drive with wonderful views to the west, i.e. towards New York state.Summit views to the South - seeing as far as Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York State.Hike to Lookout RockTrail to Lookout RockView of Manchester Village from Lookout RockA hint of Autumn colours in the sunshineOn the way back from Lookout Rock. And let it be clear it was a crisp cold morningSummit view to the North - up to Burlington and the Canadian borderA steep drive down ... 🚗

    VT - Mount Equinox

    September 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Mount Equinox is the highest mountain in the Taconic Range, the climb is steep and unrelenting. It's about a 1000m ascent and the same down.
    Apparently, the first half is pure incline like setting your treadmill at 15%. The second half is more stairmaster-like with stepping up rocks.

    Hence we decided not to do it 😃

    But there is a very nice but very steep drive up to the top - Skyline Drive. Surely one of the most expensive private toll routes in the world but totally worth it for the views and saving my knees going down.

    When we got up the summit, the temperature had plummeted to 8 degrees with a keen wind
    But the views are stunning even if the Green Mountains are still a bit greener than we would have liked. But there are hints of Autumn colours coming through.

    From the summit we took a small hiking trail to Lookout Rock. Not a bad view of Manchester Village but can't beat the 360 degree view from the top.

    Driving down I was glad when we reached the bottom. The high revs of the car engine didn't sound nice 😬    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Manchester - River walk
    Manchester - River WalkPumpkin anyone?Pumpkins and scare crowsMouthful of Apple Cider 🍩At least I gave Fergus a chance to pose before he stuffed his face with 🍩Big task ahead - Vermont has 60 plus craft breweries. Doubt we can try them all 😉. Liked this one!

    VT - mooching around in Manchester

    September 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Enjoying a lazy afternoon wandering around Manchester, soaking up the sunshine in the crisp autumn air and tasting some local seasonal produce - apple cider doughnut and apple cider.

    Autumn is definitely here. Seems everyone and everywhere is gearing up for Halloween too. So many pumpkins!!Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Manchester - waking up to autumnal fog
    Manchester - ready to go for another day driving along VT100Wilmington - autumn colours slowly coming throughAlpine feel in WilmingtonWilmington, another historic village listed on the National Register for Historic PlacesTravelling along the Green Mountain National Forest on VT100One of the more than 100 covered bridges in VermontAutum colours in WestonWoodstock - Georgian houses along the village greenWoodstockVillage green in the centre of WoodstockWoodstock - covered bridge across the Ottauquechee RiverWoodstock - Ottauquechee RiverOttauquechee RiverOttauquechee GorgeGorgeous scenery driving along Green Mountain National Forest on VT100Rochester - stopping for an ice-cream 🍨Moss Glen Falls near GranvilleIt's Pumpkins everywhere 😃

    VT - VT100 scenic byway drive

    September 16, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    At 216.6 miles, Vermont’s longest state highway is also one of the most scenic and well-loved, meandering through the Green Mountains, as well as charming New England villages with all the quintessential Vermont goodness that we have been dreaming of.

    VT100 runs straight through the centre of the state, from north to south. It's a actually quite hard to choose where to stop. There are so many places worth visiting and exploring. Can't do all, at least not in three days!

    👆 Wilmington - a small town at the southern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest.
    👆 Woodstock - named after Woodstock in Oxfordshire. The town was first settled in 1761. It's a very pretty town of renovated brick and clapboard Georgian houses. Restoration of the town was a result of the generosity of philanthropists such as the Rockefeller family.
    It's a gorgeous place to spend some time wandering the streets and along the river.
    👆 Quechee Gorge - at 165 ft / 50m deep, the deepest gorge in Vermont. Stunning views from the top.

    The VT100 runs until Newport on the Canadian border. We leave it at Stowe where we will spend a few days in the Alpine Mountains of Vermont - hiking and hopefully tasting some of the local craft beers.

    One last thing ...
    In 1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the first European to set foot in Vermont. The State's name is derived from the French word for green (vert) and from mountain (mont).
    Having driven through the state from South to North - one can totally understand why.
    Just would like it to be a little more yellow and red at the moment 😬    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Stowe Community Church in the evening sun
    Idletyme Brewery for dinner and drink 🍻Idletyme - Pink 'n Pale. Very nice.As I said, not only drink. Added salad to make it seem more healthy 😂Best way to eat burgers 😋Idletyme Brewery beer gardenBen & Jerry Ice cream factory.Sadly we missed out on the factory tour but how different can it be - Petfood .. Ice-cream 🤔Ben & Jerry - ice-cream graveyard. We didn't recognise any of the flavours.Ben & Jerry - Flavour graveyardBen & Jerry - enormous line for the scoop shop. Is it worth the wait??Some people go big - Mini Vermonster 😯Small for us. Was tasty Ice-cream though.Alchemist Brewery - I think it's only brewery #3Sitting in the beer garden of the Alchemist Brewery enjoying the evening sun and the beer.Cheers to the end of a great day hiking.Well, couldn't be so close and not stop by.Trapp Family Lodge & Hotel in Stowe is a huge complex overlooking the valleyLeaving Stowe for North Conway in NH. Rainy day but still looks good.

    VT - Experiencing Stowe

    September 16, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Stowe is a town in northern Vermont and it's our last stop in Vermont

    It’s overlooked by Mount Mansfield, known for its trails and ski slopes and is nicknamed "The Ski Capital of the East". It certainly looks very alpine. Lots of Aprés places around.

    The centre of Stowe is very pretty with plenty of nice shops and restaurants but the town is spread out along Mountain Road going up to Smugglers Notch.

    Stowe is a good base for hiking, tasting ice-cream at the nearby Ben & Jerry's factory and visiting some of the local breweries - especially after an energetic days hike at Smugglers Notch.

    And then there is the Trapp Family Lodge and Bierhall - it is managed by Sam von Trapp, son of Johannes von Trapp of the Austrian musical family, the Trapps. Their motto 'a little bit of Austria and a lot of Vermont '.    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Burlington - Church Market Street
    Burlington - Lake ChamplainBurlington Church1Ben & Jerry in Burlington - interestingly, the ice-cream is cheaper here than at the factory 🍨🤔Burlington - Church Market StreetBurlington - city hallVermont pretty and atmospheric even in the rain

    VT - Burlington

    September 18, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Burlington is a city in northwestern Vermont, on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, south of the Canadian border.

    The lake was named after the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who encountered it in July, 1609. Today the lake is the border between the states of New York and Vermont.

    French inheritance here (and generally in Vermont) is palpable in many places with information boards both in English and French as well as products in shops include the French description too.

    According to our guide book Burlington is a 'must-see' when in Vermont. However, we weren't too impressed with the city.
    Maybe the beauty can't be found in a rainy Sunday with the city in Pride fever 🤷

    But there are still a couple of titbits to note ...
    👆In 1978, the ice cream enterprise Ben & Jerry's was founded in Burlington in a renovated gas station.
    👆 Burlington is home to 'Zero Gravity' brewery, the producer of the 'Little Wolf' beer I like 😬    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Vermont State House
    Vermont State House in MontpelierVermont State House - Representatives' Hall, home to the 150 Vermont RepresentativesVermont State House - Senate Chamber with original 1859 furnitureHow about this for a rack of stamps 🙂Vermont State House - bust of Abraham LincolnVermont State House - Governor's office restored to 1859 appearance

    VT - Montpelier

    September 19, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Having got up really early to watch the Queen's funeral, we have a long drive ahead of us to reach our next stop in North Conway in New Hampshire.

    The plan is stop in a few places to break up the journey.

    First up, Montpelier, the state capital of Vermont.
    Montpelier has the distinction of being the smallest state capital in the United States, with a population of just over 8,000 people.

    Vermont State House is certainly worth a visit. And it amazes me that the public can just walk through the building looking into various governors offices, Representatives' Hall and Senate Chamber.
    The State House was built in 1859 in Italian Renaissance Revival Style and has been renovated over two decades at the end of the 20th century.

    It's truly a small town but we counted 6 churches around the downtown area. In fact, there are 11 churches.

    But there isn't much else worth exploring so it was a quicker pitstop than we anticipated    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Along the Road to North Conway - very wet but autumn colours are coming along.
    Along the Road to North Conway - very wet but autumn colours are coming along.... not only Autumn colours but Halloween is on its way too 🎃

    NH - North Conway

    September 19, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    After we left Montpelier it basically didn't stop raining. In fact, it rained so hard that we had to stop twice and wait for the rain to lessen.

    So no more stopping along the way.

    Went basically straight to North Conway and out to dinner at the Muddy Moose Restaurant & Pub.

    No food and drinks pictures but it tasted very nice - Blue Moon and Ribs 😬    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Can't say 'wherever you go' but there are lots covered bridges to drive across
    Hiking trail to Diana's Bath in White Mountain National ForestDiana's Bath Trail - lots of water around after all the rain yesterdayCrossing Lucy Brook on the way to Diana's BathDiana's Bath Waterfalls very strong after the torrential rain 🌧️🌨️Diana's Bath Waterfalls - listen to the noiseDiana's Bath Waterfalls - along Lucy Brook fed from Big Attitash MountainDiana's Bath WaterfallsDiana's Bath - lots of little brooks to crossJust more more of the covered bridges. This one is actually a gift store now.Mineral Site Hike - White Mountains National ForestHiking trail to Mineral Site - almost a casual walk through the woods.Mineral Site Hiking Trail - not too steep and not too wet after the rain eitherMineral Site Hiking Trail - easy until you get here. Lots of water in the brook after the rain.Mineral Site Hiking Trail - where is the best way to cross bearing in mind it's all a bit slipperyMineral Site - area where people are digging for ??Well, let's do some digging ourselves. Obviously totally unprepared as only a walking pole as a toolDigging deeper ....Our 'find' - might contain some smoky quartz (we think) and my mining permit

    NH - Hiking around North Conway

    September 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    After a day of travelling, it's time to do some hiking again. However, with the torrential rain yesterday everywhere is pretty soggy and slippery.
    Hence we opted for some easier trails with not much climbing and scrambling over rocks and roots.

    In the morning, we went to Diana's Baths which lie along Lucy Brook which is fed from Big Attitash Mountain.
    It's an area with many rocks, ledges and cascading falls surrounded by the national forest. The cascading falls measure approximately 75 feet in total height.
    In the summer the pools in the brook invite to swim or at least dipping to cool down.
    Right now, the cascading falls are pretty strong and noisy. No way would I want to go in there.

    For the afternoon, we went for a rather unusual sight: Hiking the Mineral Site Trail (also in the White Mountains National Forest) leads to an active Rock hounding site.

    Rock hounding - not a word I came across before - is searching for and collecting rocks, fossils, or minerals.

    We met the Park Ranger at the entrance of the hiking trail and she explained that we could 'mine' for rocks at the Mineral Site and take up to a 5 gallon bucket home with us. One needs a permit to do so but that's just filling out a piece of paper and doesn't cost anything

    The trail winds through the woods and along a brook. When we got to the site there were two true 'Rockhounders' lying in the mud, digging holes and excavating rocks.

    Chatting to one of them she showed us some of her finds - a small piece of pretty looking smoky quartz. She also said, it's her sister's 60th birthday and that's what she wanted to do this on her special day.

    Must admit what she showed us, looked pretty (even if tiny), but I am going to do something else on my birthday 🤣🤣

    Didn't stop Fergus to do a bit of digging though 😬    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Driving along Kancamagus Highway - Swift River
    Kancamagus HighwayKancamagus Highway - Rocky GorgeKancamagus Highway - scenic byway on the way to Franconia Notch State ParkFranconia Notch State Park Trail - looking towards VermontAutumn is definitely here2Franconia Notch State Park - Echo Lake with Cannon Mountain ski slopes running down to the lakeEcho Lake - still beautiful despite the low cloudsEcho Lake

    NH - Kancamagus Highway & Echo Lake

    September 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Starting early from our accommodation in North Conway and driving along Kancamagus Highway which is running through the heart of the scenic and mountainous White Mountain National Forest. When driving East to West, the highway runs along the Saco and Swift Rivers while steadily climbing up to Kancamagus Pass at 2,855-foot (870 m).

    It's known for its views of autumn foliage and is a popular drive in September and October for leaf peeping tourists such as us😃

    We started off with some blue sky but the higher we got, the more we got engulfed in low hanging cloud basically all the way to Franconia Notch State Park which is a few miles on the other side of the pass.

    Franconia Notch State Park is a nature preserve either side of Interstate 93 as it passes through Franconia Notch, a mountain pass between the Kinsman Range and Franconia Range in the White Mountains.

    I wanted to walk the Franconia Notch Path to Echo lake so that I can take some nice pictures of autumn foliage reflecting in the lake.

    Well, it sort of worked.
    Would have preferred blue sky instead of grey, low hanging clouds. But unfortunately, one can't book the weather 🤷    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Mount Washington - we made it 😉
    That's our engine and coachOn the train. Strange feeling sitting down as the seats are slightly slantedView on the track and Steve, the breaker and commentatorLook at the steepness of the tracks. Plus the winter top station - getting ready for the icy seasonTravelling along a 1000 ft steep gorge with the clouds sticking to the lower levelsPowerful Biodiesel engine 🚂Steepest part of the track - 37% incline.Coming over the pass with presidential range on the left.4Made it to the top and the clouds miraculously lifted.Mount Washington viewsUndercast - that's what they call it when clouds below the topThe sun is shining but the wind is blowing and it's pretty chilly up there.The Cog Railway making its way to the top to pick us upSome more autumn foliage in the evening sunshineMount Washington in the distance.Setting sun over the White Mountains National Forest - one of my favourite pictures

    NH - Mount Washington

    September 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288.2 ft (1,916.6 m)

    The mountain is notorious for its erratic weather. In 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory recorded a windspeed of 231 miles per hour (372 km/h) at the summit, the world record from 1934 until 1996. Mount Washington still holds the record for highest measured wind speed not associated with a tornado or tropical cyclone.

    Often called the most dangerous small mountain in the world, hiking up Mount Washington is not for the fainthearted: elevation gain 1293m and 12 km out and back. So not for us!!

    Hence we took the easy route and chose the
    Cog Railway, the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world. With an average grade of 25% (some sections approach nearly 38%), it’s also the second steepest!

    "The second greatest Show in Earth" - that’s what showman P.T. Barnum proclaimed in 1869 as he stepped down off the train and marvelled at the view from Mount Washington’s rocky summit. High praise indeed from the man whose grand circus occupied the primary spot.

    So, definitely good enough for us 😉
    Really enjoyed the ride - apart from when the engine stopped unexpectedly on a very steep slope and the driver telling our guide that he had a warning light and needs to check it out 😳😳😯
    Certainly not routine and it did get my heart beating. But all went well.

    It's an amazing sight coming out of the low hanging cloud ("Undercast") and seeing the mountains of the Presidential Range almost next to you.

    The highest mountains in the Presidential Range are named principally for U.S. presidents, with the tallest mountain (Mount Washington) named for the first president and the second tallest (Mount Adams) for the second president. Others include for example
    Mount Eisenhower — after Dwight D. Eisenhower
    Mount Franklin — after Benjamin Franklin
    Mount Jefferson — after Thomas Jefferson
    Mount Adams — after John Adams

    A few little titbits to finish things off
    👆 Search & Rescue and Coast Guard helicopter crews use the helipad on Mount Washington for training sessions to land in strong winds
    👆On the way down, the carriage is actually not connected to the engine but has independent breaks. In fact, the engine is only being used to push the carriage up the hill.

    A long post that can be summarised in a very short statement.

    It was amazing!!    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Tracking Hurricane Fiona - predicted to hit Nova Scotia at the weekend
    All Ferries cancelled for the next three days

    Hurricane Fiona - sometimes plans change

    September 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We were planning to visit Fergus' cousins in Halifax, Nova Scotia this weekend. I was so looking forward to finally meeting them all!

    Unfortunately, Mother Nature has different plans.

    Hurricane Fiona is on its way north and is expected to hit Eastern Canada and possibly Nova Scotia in the next two days.

    All ferries from Bar Harbor across to Yarmouth, NS have been cancelled for the next three days. We briefly thought about driving up instead but that's not a good idea in Hurricane conditions.

    So sadly, the visit is off for this trip.
    But there is a promise to visit when we are back for another trip to the US/Canada.

    Hope everyone will be safe.    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    My view out if the window isn't quite as bad, but the camera can only focus in the rain drops 😃
    Stopping for petrol. Usually not that exciting but this petrol pump is talking to you 😂Raining in Maine tooGot to Augusta and the rain seem to stop for a bit to allow a walk at Viles ArboretumWell, we didn't get far and it started to belt down again.

    ME - Augusta

    September 22, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    The show must go on even if the weather is more suitable for a duvet day.

    Another travel day. This time from North Conway to the coast of Maine. Originally planned as a stop over for our trip to Nova Scotia.

    Leaving North Conway in the rain we were hoping for some lull in the clouds to explore Augusta, the state capital of Maine - Viles Arboretum, Old Fort Western and the Maine State House.

    Well, things don't always work out as planned 🌨️⛈️🌧️

    After a short stroll through the Arboretum, we got soaked despite our wet weather gear so opted for pressing on to get to the coast.

    Not that we thought the weather will be any better there as the weather front seem to follow our path.

    Travelling through Maine felt like a World tour as we drive through Norway, Sweden, Poland and East China 😂    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Staying at Fort Knox Park Inn in Bucksport - the actual Fort Knox is on the other side of the river
    Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Bridge across the river. View from our roomOut for walk along the river path in BucksportInteresting - it's same distance to Dublin as it is to San Francisco.Wild Cow CreameryIt might be raining but who can say 'no' to these flavoursOh boy, they are good!!

    ME - Bucksport

    September 22, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    Arrived at our destination for the day - a place called Bucksport. It's a town across the Penobscot River estuary from Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge.

    There isn't any particular reason for us to stay here apart from 'it's on the way'

    No change in weather though - still raining.
    But can't sit inside all day. So better get out an stretch our legs.    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    What a difference a day makes! View from our window in Bucksport this morning
    Seawall on Mount Desert Island - very windyShip Harbor trail - partly through forest and partly along the coastShip Harbor trail - glad for the boardwalk as pretty muddy in placesTrekking along the pink granite shorelinePink granite stones at the water edge of Ship Harbor trailShip Harbor trail - waves are getting stronger, Fiona or incoming tide?Fergus on the lookout for a sealLots of rock pooling opportunitiesShip Harbor trail - shorelineShip Harbor trail - pink granite shorelineBass Harbor lighthouseBar Harbor - Wharf areaBar Harbor - Fergus trying to scout out a place for Sunday lunch. But he can't eat at most of themThe large boulder was left behind at the end of the last ice age more than 10,000 years ago.Bar HarborSandbar across to Bar Island

    ME - Acadia National Park

    September 23, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    What s difference a day makes. Left Bucksport in beautiful sunshine this morning. But one can feel Hurricane Fiona's wind chill already.

    Plan for today is to explore (and hike) Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. It seems 'millions' of other people had the same idea 😳
    Guess being the weekend it's extra busy that's why we originally planned to be here early next week. But hey ho, it is what it is.

    However, after driving some of the Park Loop Road (which is what everybody else seems to be doing), we decided to go to more remote areas hoping they are not quite as busy.

    Will be back early Sunday morning to beat the crowds - hopefully.

    Went to Ship Harbor for a walk along the shore and to Bass Harbor to start my lighthouse collection 😃
    Nice little trail, not too challenging and stressful for my knee.

    And then spent the afternoon mooching around busy and touristy Bar Harbor feeling the winds warning of what is to come.

    Didn't quite make it across the sand bar to Bar Island. The tide was coming in already and we didn't want to get caught out.

    A couple of little titbits to finish
    👆The pink colouration of the stones in Acadia National Park is due to the high potassium feldspar content, a mineral commonly found in granite.
    👆Bar Harbor is along Frenchman Bay. The bay was named after the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who visited the area in 1604. The same guy after which Lake Champlain in Vermont is named.
    👆 Lobster is big business in Maine. But it hasn't always been like this. In the 1800's lobsters were used as fertilizer and fed to prisoners and servants since no one else wanted to eat them.    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Route 1, view of Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island - the highest peak is Cadillac Mountain
    Village of Sorrento on Schoodic PeninsulaSchoodic Peninsula - Sorrento villageOn Schoodic Peninsula - totally unperturbed by cars driving pastSchoodic Peninsula - driving along the Loop Road of the Acadia National Park sectionAcadia National Park on Schoodic Peninsula - driving along the Loop RoadFrazer Point on Schoodic Peninsula. Very windy indeedDriving along Loop Road on Schoodic PeninsulaSun Dew trail on Schoodic Peninsula - over rocks and roots againSun Dew trail on Schoodic Peninsula - one needs to focus on the pathWalking through forest area with lots of moss and lichen aroundMunching along without noticing us. Sadly my video didn't workReindeer lichen - according to Google Lens 😉Frenchmen Bay - did expect slightly higher waves thoughLovely benches along the trail to rest and check the mapMe taking a picture 🤣Looking across to Acadia National Park and Cadillac MountainHickory Tussock - if Goggle Lens is to be believed 😉Driving along route 1 aka 'the bold coast of Maine'Prospect lighthouse - along route 1

    ME - Schoodic Peninsula & Scenic Route 1

    September 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Still trying to avoid the crowds, we set off to Schoodic Peninsula today. The island just across Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor.

    Not all of the peninsula is part of Acadia National Park, but this section is more secluded than the main part of the Park located on Mount Desert Island. Approximately only 10% of visitors make the trip to the peninsula. So right up our street 😃

    We expected strong winds and high surf along the coast but it wasn't bad at all. Still a stiff breeze but beautiful sunshine too.

    Hiked along the shoreline around Schoodic Point in the National Park before heading off on a scenic drive along Route 1 aka 'The Bold Coast' of Maine.    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Pumpkin Pie 🥧🤩
    Pumpkin ice-cream - so yummy!!

    ME - Tasting the season 😉

    September 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    After having tasted Pumpkin ice-cream and Pumpkin beer, tonight it was finally time to taste some Pumpkin pie 😃

    I like it!!
    Tastes a little bit Xmas-y with all the spices.

    Not sure how to transport one home though.Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Acadia NP - Jordan Pond. Walking to the trailhead
    Jordan Pond - will come back along the pond laterPenobscot Mountain Trailhead. It starts easy crossing the brook and going up stepsCome on, let's go. It's easy ...🤔 not sure what Fergus is looking forWell maintained path going up. It's like being on a stepperA few more easy steps before it gets a bit trickyTaking a breather half way up🤔 where do I go from here?Going up the steep bitHow do I get up there?Getting there ...1Made it to the top. And there are always nice people around to take picturesOn top of Penobscot Mountain - just gorgeous views over Acadia National ParkDown the mountain, not quite as steep but still need to concentrateComing down through Deer Brook, criss-crossing the brook and its little waterfallsDeer Brook - scramble down the rocksFinally back at the level of Jordan Pond. First stretch still over rocks but ...the final part of the path around Jordan Pond is easy - just have to dodge other people

    ME - Hiking Penobscot Mountain in Acadia

    September 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Another day hiking in Acadia National Park in beautiful sunshine and no wind. It's so calm compared to yesterday

    Starting early to get ahead of the game (and the crowds).

    Target for today: Penobscot Mountain.
    A moderate trail, only 6.1km with a modest elevation gain of 295m. We thought we would be done in about 2.5 hours and do another trail in the afternoon.

    The first 0.5 miles involved lots of rock climbing and scrambling. Then an long stretch on Granite up to the top of Mount Penobscot before descending on a tricky path along Deer Brook.

    Must admit the climbing at the start was rather challenging but also a lot of fun. And we made it to the top even if it took us 3 hours 45 minutes to finish the trail.

    No further hiking in the afternoon though. Drove along the Park Loop Road for a while (with lots of others) before calling at the Asticou Inn for a well deserved drink - ok, 🍺    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022

    What is it about Mondays / Travel days?

    September 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    There seems to be a theme developing here ...

    It's Monday, it's a travel day ... It's raining.

    At least it's supposed to clear up by the time we reach our destination further south 🤞🤞

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Witherle Woods - walking out to Blockhouse point hoping to catch a glance across Penobscot Bay
    Sadly, the view wasn't up to much. Bad timing 20 min later the sun was shining againWitherle Woods - trees looking lovely in the sunshineCastine - Fort George or what is left of it.Spotted a Mule Deer along the roadPenobscot BayBelfast in Penobscot BayBelfast in Penobscot BayMemorial Bridge over the Passagassawakeag River in BelfastBelfast shipyard and Marina in the background

    ME - Highway 1 going South

    September 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Travelling south now, in the direction of home

    Or as Fergus put it:
    'We are closer to home than Los Angeles', the starting point of our trip.

    At least it stopped raining along the route.
    Stopping in various places along Penobscot Bay to marvel at the scenery.

    Went to the historic village of Castine, which has been established in the early 17th century and has been flying the flags of France, Britain, the Netherlands and the US.

    Got caught out by a sharp short(ish) shower while walking in Witherle Woods.

    Spotting wildlife along the road ...

    Stopping in Belfast to take a stroll across the Memorial Bridge over the Passagassawakeag River and along Harbor Walk in the hope for an ice-cream. But sadly the shop was shut.

    The little titbit of today
    👆The pronunciation Passagassawakeag River is PASSA-AS-SA-WAU-KEAG. It's a Penobscot Indian word meaning 'Sturgeon-his-place' or more descriptive 'the place for spearing sturgeon by torchlight '    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Rockland harbor
    'A Morning in Maine' - the boat we will go out on for a 2 hour early morning sail in Penobscot BayCaptain Taylor telling us all about the boat and the do's and don'ts while onboardHaven't set sail yet but love the atmospheric light of the sun coming through the cloudsHere we go, just leaving the mooring and the sun is coming out 😃Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse - will be walking there this afternoonClose up of Rockland Breakwater LighthouseStill pretty breezy on the boatOwls Head Lighthouse, constructed in 1825 and rebuilt in 1852Lots of harbor seals around this morning. Just popping up all over the placeLots of lobster buoys in the water around the coast. Getting closer to the coast again.'A Morning in Maine' under full sail. Took this later in the day as impossible when onboard

    ME - Sailing Penobscot Bay

    September 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Well, we have been driving and walking around Penobscot Bay. It's time to look at it from a different angle.

    Very calm sea this morning but with apparently enough breeze for a good sail. Still a little overcast but the ☀️ is trying to make it through.

    Spent a couple of hours sailing along the coast and around some islands. Saw lots of harbor seals, a few eagles flying over head, some loons and lots of lobster pot buoys

    Apparently lobster like cooler water, so in the main season the lobster pots have to be much further our at sea. Now, with the water getting colder, they are closer to the shore again. But lobster season is coming to an end anyway.

    And I haven't tried one yet 🤷    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Rockland Breakwater - 1200m out to the sea
    That's how it looks. A long way out. Hardly see the lighthouseRockland Breakwater Lighthouse1Walking back. Still seems a long way outCormorants spreading their wings to dry off

    ME - Walking Rockland Breakwater

    September 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Rockland is located on the west side of Penobscot Bay.

    In the 19th century, its harbor was frequently used as a safe harbor during bad weather but it was less than ideally suited to this task, because its large east-facing opening would still subject ships at anchor to storms with winds from the northeast.

    To improve harbor protection, the breakwater, which is more than 1,200 m long, was built at the end of the 19th century.

    The granite blocks for the Breakwater were cut precisely to fit and were placed end-to-end in water up to 70 feet deep.

    We walked along the Breakwater at low tide with plenty of space between the tip of the granite blocks and the sea. When we sailed past it earlier today, it was high tide and people might have gotten wet feet.    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022

    What a night ...

    September 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Heard a strange noise in the middle of the night.
    Thought someone just locked their car outside as all American cars seems to beep when they get locked.

    Heard it again ... and again ....

    By the time I was awake enough, I realised the smoke detector in our room went peep ... peep ... peep - roughly every 40 seconds.

    Called reception. Guy came up to fix it.
    Went back to bed.

    Ten minutes later ... peep ... peep ...

    Called reception. Guy came up to fix it but couldn't.
    Changed rooms in the middle of the night.

    It's one way to get a free night 😳🤷🥱🥱    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    1

    ME - Boothbay Harbor

    September 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Travelling further south along the coast in glorious sunshine this morning.

    The mid-coast of Maine has so many peninsulas, islands, bays, rivers - it looks crazy on a map and it's impossible to grasp the expanse of the coastline. Would love to fly over it.

    Stopping in a few places along the road to break up the journey.

    Boothbay Harbor is a quaint little place.

    Boothbay Harbor was developed as an important fishing center, able to hold hundreds of ships in its port.

    Today, the Boothbay Harbor styles itself as the Boating Capital of the World with lots of daily boat excursions to see whales, puffins, seals, lighthouses, and lobster boats.

    Tempting but we were on a boat just yesterday ....    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Harpswell Peninsula - driving down to Orr's Island
    Harpswell Peninsula - crossing the bridge onto Orr's IslandHarpswell Peninsula - lobster pots on Bailey's islandHarpswell Peninsula - Pott's PointHarpswell Peninsula - Pott's Point, accessible depending on the tideHarpswell Peninsula - Pott's Point, exploring a little bit but not sure of the tideHarpswell Peninsula - Pott's PointHarpswell Peninsula - Pott's Point - come on, let's go back. Might get wet feet otherwiseHarpswell Peninsula - Pott's Point looking towards 'the main land'. It's so tranquilStill on the hunt for the perfect autumn foliage. Sunshine makes all the difference

    ME - Harpswell and Pott's Point

    September 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Oh, how much would I love to have a drone to see this area from above.

    Driving down Harpswell Neck peninsula and the bridge-linked islands, the landscape is ruggedly beautiful and unspoiled.

    On the map it looks like Harpswell is a set of jagged teeth taking a bite out of the Atlantic and Casco Bay. Most of the forty plus islands in the Harpwell area are inaccessible but we did drive down to Bailey Island, Orr’s Island and Pott's Point.

    It's just beautiful scenery with plenty of summer cottages and lobster boats scattered amongst the coves.

    To get to Pott's Point Preserve at the end of the peninsula, we had to walk along a private road of secluded summer houses. So quiet and remote, one wonders if people are actually living there.    Read more

  • Travelling through the US 2022
    Old Orchard Beach - like a mirrored sunset as the sun is setting behind us.

    ME - Old Orchard Beach, Atlantic Coast

    September 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Old Orchard Beach - known as Maine's premier beach resort. Right now, it's end of season.

    Still a few people around but definitely not busy.
    Found one place in town that served dinner tonight 😃

    But there are 7 miles of beach just in front of our motel. Looking forward to a long walk in the morning.

    Alarm clock is set in time for sunrise 😬    Read more

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