Late Summer Camping

This summer was ridiculously busy, and at the same time, sort of uneventful. Out first camping trip got rained out, but we were lucky enough to squeeze one in before school started. The weather was absolutely perfect, sunny and warm, but not to warm, cool nights, and no rain! We didn't do a whole lot- a quick trip to Eastport, a short hike, walks in the campground, and dinner at Helen's in Machias was all we needed for a super trip to Cobscook Bay State Park. Now for the photos!

campsite visitor #1

our site

Campsite visitor #2- this guy slept in the tree above our tent all night.

Sunrise

Oops, I wore sandals, no socks and shorts. Only 2 of the little buggers got me though!

Shackford Head

Aquaculture in Eastport

Trip Number Two

    Trip Number Two has now come and gone. We had a few small mishaps along the way, but overall, it was a great success!

        I'll start with mishap number one. This was more of a near mishap, but it is mentionable none the less! Maritime Canada has been one of our favorite places to travel to over the years, but we have not been since they decided to make a rule requiring passports to re-enter the US. We were dead set on getting there this time, and so, the day before our trip, we got photos and applications ready for a passport, as we heard we could get a temporary authorization to get back to our country. When we arrived at the post office, we learned that we needed an appointment, and they were booked for the whole day!! Ah! But, The man working that day saved us, he squeezed us in between appointments and authorized our birth certificates. Thank You Sir!

We missed you Canada!

    We left nice and early, and arrived at the campground in time to set up our site, and then go visit Tide Mill Organic Farm, which is just down the road. It was Open Farm Day in Maine( See more here...), so they had BBQ chicken and fresh milk to sample, along with a hay ride, which we most definitely went on with the dog! Many thanks to Aaron Bell for showing us around.

Open Farm Day at Tide Mill Organic Farm

     



Site 110

    Our next mishap happened in the campground. We bottomed out in the Subaru!! Our exhaust broke at one of the joints, and sounded so loud it was embarrassing.  Thank goodness though for some more good luck, we found a garage that had the part and could weld the exhaust for us. I can't remember the exact name of the place, But it is owned by the Hallowell family. They were very kind and helpful to us, and their prices were great.

Tikaani enjoying the site

 

   We are on our way again! We spent the rest of the day island hopping. We took the ferry out of Eastport to Deer Island ( with a minor mishap in Eastport- We bought a lobster roll at J'romes Pizzeria and did not eat it until we were on Deer Island, where we discovered it was not real! How dare they serve us imitation lobster?!) We were the only car on the ferry over- we finally made our way back to Canada! We watched the massive tidal whirl pool named Old Sow, spotted a few seals, then drove from one end of the island and back and then boarded the Ferry to Campobello Island.

   Trips down east are never completed without stopping at Helen's, so we did. We both got the amazing french dip sandwich and shared a piece of the most delicious, fresh, award winning blueberry cream pie.

   

Camping Trip Number One of 2012....

After being rained out and cancelling due to sickness, we have finally completed our first camping trip of the season. We went back to the best camp ground in the world and stayed at our most favorite site in said campground.

Just after sunrise- in front of our campsite.

 We did a few short hikes (One at Hamilton Cove Preserve)  and went to Eastport to have treat at Dastardly Dick's Wicked Good Coffee (more about Dastardly Dick's) and also some more treats from Moose Island Bakery. We discovered both of these places last year on a camping trip when we needed something to do on a rainy day. We got a perfect iced mocha frappe at Dastardly Dick's and many yummy things at the Moose Island Bakery- our most favorite were the Cream Cheese Muffins, which lie on the line between muffin and cupcake in taste and texture and are filled with cream cheese frosting. Something else interesting about Eastport while we were there is that it was PACKED full of people...and sailors. Apparently Eastport goes all out for the 4th of July week ( according to the website they have the biggest 4th of July celebration in Maine) 


                                                                                                                                                                

 

  


Along with food and activities, the U.S.S. San Jancinto was docked in the harbor. We had never been to Eastport when there were so many people, and dressed and smelling as we did ( campfire smoke, unusually hot and humid weather and a short hike make for an interesting odor...) We chose not to tour the boat.

notice anything? No power lines!

tired, dirty dog.

camp coffee.

 

Back at our campsite we relaxed, enjoyed the view, and then relaxed some more. Being the first outing of the season, we both used it as a time to recharge our batteries, and other than fighting off swarms of mosquito's and no-see-ums, recharge is just what we did.

"recharging"

Hamilton Cove