AUGUST 06

Wednesday August 6^th - Moving day. Back to the USA we went. When we got to the border they asked if we had target items with us that were not allowed back in the US and thankfully our answer was “no” for most except eggs and grapes. Unfortunately we had just gone to the store the day before so had to dispose of full containers. We were sad to leave beautiful Canada but also happy to be back home in the USA. We drove 130 miles to Medway, Maine where we camped at the beautiful Pine Grove Campground & Cabins. We set up camp then headed out to find and drive the Katahdin Loop Road with overlooks to the Katahdin Mountain (the highest peak in Maine), woods and meadows and short scenic trails. Well, we had quite the adventure as we got lost on old logging roads in search of the route. Boo-boo ended up taking us off-roading into some pretty rough territory before we got turned around and back to graveled but bumpy main logging roads. It was fun! We had high hopes we would see a moose during the course of the drive but no luck. However, the views were very pretty and we did see moose scat during a hike. After our drive we returned to Yogi, had dinner, blogged and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

DID NOT SEE THE MOOSE, BUT HE LEFT HIS SCAT!

Thursday August 7^th - Another beautiful day! We’ve been so happy with the weather this vacation. We decided to go explore the Baxter State Park, a 209,644-acre park given to the people of the state of Maine by former Governor Percival Baxter. It was beautiful and we started with a hike in the backwoods section; a new experience for us. We had to get a “Moose Pass” at the Ranger Station, give our names, contact info, and emergency contact then we were given a window of time in which to hike. The area in which we hiked had increased potential for moose sightings. Our hike was so pretty with multiple clear lakes and forests but we only saw moose tracks and humans only twice. We had hiked to almost our 3 hour limit and were still 1/2 mile from our jeep when we came upon a rushing stream with large boulders to cross. Dana was tired, back sore, and simply scared and overwhelmed with the thought of balancing on boulders to cross the water. Prayer was the only answer for a solution. No sooner had the Lord been asked for help, than a strapping Australian came bounding from the woods. His long legs easily crossed the stream, then he looked back, saw the distressing situation and came back with an extended hand. Dana safely crossed with an Australian on her left and her sweetheart on her right. What a way to go! We reported back to the Ranger Station just 15 minutes late then continued on our way to explore more of Baxter State Park. We drove down the gravel roads of the park to see scenic Stump Pond and Kidney Pond then stopped to watch the families play at Ledge Falls. The Falls reminded us of Diana’s Baths we visited earlier in the vacation only even more elaborate with natural water slides, water pools and water falls. It was fun and picturesque. We continued the scenic drive that offered fantastic views of Katahdin Peak; the highest peak in Maine and also the northern terminus for the Appalacian Trail. Our last stop along the drive was at South Branch Pond which was a huge lake set against the backdrop of mountains. All the waters we saw were sparkling and clear throughout the day with many being enjoyed by families with children still on summer break in the New England area. We returned to Yogi so looking forward to the spaghetti dinner we had planned. YUM YUM! We called Michael’s sister Michelle to discuss her visit next week, got ready for the next days move and relaxed the rest of the evening.

MOOSE TRACKS

Friday August 8^th - Moving day with sunny blue skies. We traveled 98 miles to Moosehead Campground in Greenville, Maine. We set up camp then went out for an ice cream “lunch” at nearby “Birch Bark Sweet Treats”. The town of Greenville where we got our ice cream was an adorable lakeside tourist town that we briefly perused. It is on Moosehead Lake which covers 117 square miles in the area and is the epicenter of many local activities including swimming, boating, sea-planes, and fishing. It is the largest freshwater lake east of the Mississippi in a single state. We went to the nearby Lily Bay State Park and hiked along the Moosehead Lake but found the hike meandered too much into the forest rather than staying along the water. We then drove to a known moose “hang-out” at Spencer Pond but estimated we were too early for moose to be emerging from their cool resting places into the heat of the day. We decided to get an early start the next day for our moose hunt. We returned to the town of Greenville and went to the grocery then back to Yogi for chores, blogging, dinner and relaxation. However, we were surprised to find chickens at our campsite when we returned so it was a bonus “wildlife” siting after-all!

Saturday August 9^th - We woke up really early so we could try to see a moose. The chances are best at dawn and at dusk. We had researched and found 2 promising areas; one in a bog area and another around the DOT due to the salt spill. We went to stake out the bog in the morning. We were rewarded with a moose lifting it’s head in response to another tourist making a moose call. It then stood and acted curious until the gentleman doing the calls became over-zealous with his calls and scared the moose who then ran away. Nevertheless we were very excited to have seen a moose down on the grassy area of the bog. We drove around trying to spot another but didn’t have any luck. We stopped at the Visitor’s Center before we stopped at the Holy Family Parish Festival where we bought several items including a game for the boys, book for the boys, binoculars for us, DVD player and baked goods. Next we went off-roading and on gravel roads to Moxie Falls. We have driven on more gravel and back roads in Maine than in any other location in the US or Canada! At Moxie Falls we took a great hike to see the beautiful multi-tiered falls. We passed several families along the way with swimming suits and gear ready to jump in and cool off on the hot sunny day. After that hike we returned to Greenville for an ice cream lunch at “Kings” to compare it with yesterday’s “lunch” at “Birch”. The quality of the ice cream was comparable but the dip size and atmosphere was better at “Kings”. We browsed the shops downtown Greenville before going to mass at Holy Family. We were happy to get our picture taken with a moose in one of the stores! We returned to Yogi to blog, rest, and plan for the next day before going back out at dusk for moose hunting at the DOT site. We watched for 2 hours with no luck but enjoyed the beautiful evening breeze and sunset during the vigil. We learned there are between 60,000 to 70,000 moose in Maine, the largest population in the continental US but we just can’t seem to find them! We returned to Yogi, had a late dinner and went to bed.

LOOKING FOR MOOSE AT THE BOG

LOOKING FOR A MOOSE AT THE MAINE DOT SITE

Sunday August 10^th - We moved 134 miles to Weld, Maine where we set up camp at Mt. Blue State Park. It was a very hot and sunny day. Our campground was very pretty but we did not have any electric at our site so we were hoping for a cool night. We had a couple things picked out to see in the area prior to our arrival but also investigated and found some hidden gems once we arrived. The first was an amazing 800 foot cross made of different types of vegetation and the face of Christ made of different types of rocks, plastic and metal in a large roadside field. You could get an aerial view from a nearby platform and the goal of the creating artist was to illuminate the “LIGHT OF THE WORLD CROSS AT MADRID MAINE” for many to come visit. It was the artist’s field of dreams also with a small information cabin. Our next stop was at the pretty “Smalls Falls”. As with most other waterways in Maine these falls were not only pretty to look at, but they also offered a fun family location for water play. We continued a winding drive up into the mountains to the Rangeley Scenic Overlook. It was beautiful to overlook the valley especially catching the evening setting sun behind the clouds. Our last stop was at Co’os Canyon where once again we watched families playing in the pools of water around the waterfalls. It was so fun! We were so tired from our long day so we stopped for fast food on the way back to Yogi. When we got back Michael and Dana played Word-a-lot and relaxed before bed. Thankfully it was much cooler at night and quite comfortable for sleeping with the windows open.

Monday August 11^th - Another very hot and sunny day. On our way to our first adventure, Grafton Notch State Park, we stopped for a picture of Paul Bunyan with his Blue Ox. You just never know what you are going to find! Once we arrived at Grafton Park our first stop was at the unimpressive “Mother Walker Falls”. Our next stop was at a section of the Appalachian Trail, the Old Speck Trail. We were so excited to actually walk on the Appalachian Trail even though it was just a minuscule portion. Next we made the beautiful hike to Moose Cave. It got it’s name from the moose that fell to it’s demise off the rocky cliff to the mouth of the cave. Despite Dana’s warnings, dangerous, rocky situations seem to bring out the 12 year old adventurous boy in Michael. There was a concern the cave name would be changed to Lakes Cave with Michael joining the moose! Next we stopped at the very pretty “Screw Auger Falls” with colorful rocks and formations. Our next stop required a drive down a gravel road then a hike up an old logging road to “Daggett Rock”. It is one of the largest glacial rocks in New England and the world. It’s estimated weight is 8000 tons with 2/3 underground. It was carried by a glacier 11.4 miles from Saddleback Mountain and deposited in it’s current location approximately 14,000 years ago. The visible portion was very impressive. Our last stop was at the Mt. Blue State Park Beach before returning to our campsite for dinner (Michael cooked steaks), blogging, games, and relaxation before bed. Another great day.

ON PART OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

MT. BLUE STATE PARK WEBB BEACH

Tuesday August 12^th - Whew! Another Hot Day!! 37 years ago our precious Jennifer was born so we started the day with a phone call and singing Happy Birthday to our sweet girl. We sent her Crumbl Cookies since we couldn’t be with her. We packed up and drove 170 miles to Gold Brook Campground in Stowe, Vermont. We were setting up camp when Michael’s sister Michelle arrived to spend the next 3 days with us. We were so excited to see her!! It was great to just spend time with her, share old memories and laugh which never ceased the entire 3 days. After Michelle got settled into Yogi we drove downtown Stowe and strolled the sidewalks of the quaint, pretty old town stopping in the shops to browse. We stopped at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill and sipped free cold cider while watching a film showing their process for cider production when in season. Their shop had many old brands of candies including old Stuckey’s nut candy bars LOVED by my cousin Shawn so I had to get him one. We bought a snack of their famous cider donuts we enjoyed in their snack bar but found them to be just fair in tastiness by the high Lakes dessert standards. We stopped at the grocery on our way back to the campsite then settled in for dinner and an evening of relaxation and conversation.

STOWE TOWN HALL

NEAT HOUSE IN THE TOWN

Wednesday August 13^th - Wow! Another hot one!! We started the day with a breakfast of pumpkin bread we bought at a festival on a previous stop and some fruit. We then went on a hike to the beautiful Moss Glen Falls. With an 85 foot cascade it is the tallest waterfall in Vermont. Next we had a scheduled 90 minute history tour of the VonTrapp Family Lodge that we erroneously thought started at 11:30. When we arrived it had started at 11:00 so we had to catch up on missed information from one of the other participants. The tour was very interesting. We learned about the history of the Trapp family in Austria, their escape to the US, their musical history, their establishment of the lodge in Stowe, VT and met Maria Von Trapp’s granddaughter still living on the property. We browsed the alpine lodge, hiked to the chapel and visited the graves of Maria, the Captain and several of their children. The property also had a brewery, a cattle farm (Scottish Highland cattle), walking/biking trails, shops and time share condos. It was a beautiful property and chosen by the family due to it’s similarity in climate and landscape to their native Austria. Next we went to Smuggler’s Notch State Park where we hiked to Bingham Falls. It was beautiful but Michelle and Dana found the final descent into the gorge too rugged and slippery to finish so Michael finished the last few yards alone. One drop of the falls was 90 feet and there were multiple cascades and pools as the water flowed through the gorge. Next we took the scenic drive through Smuggler’s Notch with gorgeous rocky formations and a covered bridge. So fun! We ended the day with dinner, conversation and relaxation back at Yogi listening to a welcome cooling rain pattering on the roof. Another good day.

VIEW FROM FRONT OF LODGE

FAMILY CHAPEL

FAMILY GRAVES

MARIA'S & CAPTIAN'S GRAVE

STOWE SKI MOUNTAIN

SMUGGLER'S NOTCH HIGHWAY

Thursday August 14^th - We awoke to gray skies and cooler temperatures. Our first excursion was back into Stowe to the Stowe Community Church. The simple structure was built in 1863 but it became historically significant in 1920 when Universalists, Methodists and Congregationalists united to form Stowe Community Church into one of the first non-demoninational churches in the US. Next we hiked up to Sunset Rock. The trailhead was in the town of Stowe and lead to an overlook down into the valley of the picturesque town. We stopped to shop once we returned to town before driving to our next stop in Waterbury; the Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour. It was soooo much fun entering the Ben and Jerry’s World. As soon as you entered the parking lot you were met by the familiar bright colors of their logo and a replica of the converted RV the “Cowmobile” they used the summer of 1986 when they traversed the US giving out free scoops of ice cream to promote their company. The company continues to have free ice cream one day each year in rememberance of that summer. Our tour was lead by a delightful young lady full of puns about cows and ice cream. So fun! The tour was interesting but unfortunately we were on a day when production was switching flavors so the crew was THOROUGHLY cleaning every nock and cranny of the equipment and factory room/floor in preparation for flavor change. We watched a film instead while also watching the cleaning process. We then went to the tasting room where we had a generous sample of ice cream called “Half Baked”. It was SO GOOD!! After the tour we walked to the Flavor Graveyard where tombstones cleverly memorialize retired ice cream flavors with the “cause of death” and years they were “alive”. It was very funny. We went back into the building to enjoy cups of ice cream of our choosing. SO YUMMY!! With all of us full and satisfied we drove through the town of Waterbury but found it to be unremarkable so drove back to Stowe. We stopped at the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. It was very interesting founded in 1988 in the old Town Meeting House. There were exhibits of ski and snowboard personal equipment, snowmaking machines, lifts, maps of old ski sites around VT, information about VT Oympians, and a film about the impact of the National Ski Patrol and the US Army’s 10^th Mountain Division, an elite unit of ski troops, on the ski industry. Michael found an exact copy of his first ski bindings in the museum…YES… We are that old!!! We returned to Yogi for dinner before sadly saying goodbye to Michelle. We had such a nice visit and were sad to see her go.