Day 18-19-20-21-22: St Johnsbury

Just hanging out here at the workshop.
Great food at the Academy and good times at the Tavern on the Hill.

Day 17: St Johnsbury

Headed from NH to StJ today.

I really need a shower and laundromat.

Day 16: White Mtns

I went to Pinkham Notch and made several short but worthwhile hikes. Today I hit the AT for the first time. All in all, I've hike about 1.5 miles of the AT, so I only have like 2000 or so to go. Saw the Crystal Cascade, hiked Old Jackson Road, Lost Pond and Diretissima.


After many "No Vacancy" sites among the NH state parks, I found "Sugarloaf 2" which was a great out of the way, primitive (by my standards - pit toilet, hand pumped water, no shower) campground. I had what I expected will be my last camp food of the trip :(

Day 15: ME to NH

A rather uneventful drive along Route 2 in Maine and New Hampshire.
Camped at beautiful Moose Brook State Park and did some very cold
swimming.

Day 14: MDI

Spent today discovering some of the best of Mount Desert Island.
Gringo's is known to have the best burrito in town. Overstuffed with lots of creative combinations with a very cool decor.

I fell in love with the tiny Bar Harbor Brewery. There are only 2.5 employees, but the brew is fantastic. 90% of their stuff is sold on the Island, so you'll have to hope some of what I bought makes it to you.

The best display of boat models on the island is at Great Harbor Maritime Museum which opened tonight.

Reel Pizza is a fun place to see a flick and get some creative pies.

Day 13: Acadia

Matt and Sara regaled us with the stories of Agnes at the Bagel
Factory and her fantastic bagels. Luckily, we there were bagels for
sale today when we arrived. I can never return to chain bagels again.

The Queen Mary 2 landed in Bar Harbor for the day. I saw the
original back in 1984. This one looks newer (ha ha). I'm told that
there are around 100 cruise ships in Harbor every year, to the dismay
of local outfitters and the delight of t-shirt sellers.


Every time I've visited Vacationland i've swam in her colder than a
bathtub waters. Despite warnings from everyone that this was no
longer the 'warm' water of southern Maine, I chose to hop in at Sand
Beach. There were lots of folks on the beach and some folks playing
in the waves (I noticed later that none of them were deeper than
their knees). I waded determinedly to about mid-thigh, then dove
into an oncoming wave. The water literally takes your breath away. I
stayed in long enough to settle my breathing, got out, walked the
beach, then dove in again, just to prove to myself that I could. I'm
glad I didn't read until afterwards that water temps in the summer
are between 50 and 55. I found out later that my cousin gained some
celebrity by diving in here on January 1st - I feel a little less
bold about diving in on July 5th.

For my hikes today, I set about to go to Otter point and the Otter
cliffs. I really enjoyed myself and snapped lots of photos, but was
disappointed to see no otters ;)

Checked out the Great Harbor Maritime Museum and after emptying their
trash, saw some very nice boat models, and all before opening day.

The afternoon Fenway hike was to the top of Bald Mountain. I've
realized that Matt and Sara see this scenery so frequently that they
sometimes forget how unique it is.

Dinner tonight was at McKay's, a fantastic year-round establishment
in town. The risotto was awesome.

Day 12: Bar Harbor on Independence Day

After my harrowing trip into Maine and short nap at a rest stop just
south of Bangor, I completed my drive to Bar Harbor at about 6:30 on
July 4th. Not wanting to be that guest who wakes his hosts, I set
out to explore town, since the sun was already high in the sky. I
discovered the Bar Harbor Shore Path and its lovely views of
Frenchman's Bay.
Bar Harbor has lovely views, but I didn't spot the public restrooms,
so I did end up waking Matt and Sara around 7:30. After breakfast,
Sara took me into Acadia and we did a morning hike up Gorham Mtn for
more fantastic views.
We returned to town to find that the 4th of July parade goes down
their street, so we detoured to the town festival to bet on some
lobster races - the photo here doesn't do justice, i'll show you the video
All the excitement must have tuckered me out as I crashed in the
afternoon, but recovered for dinner and a very foggy fireworks display.