Blueberry Pond is Calling.....

9/21/11

Woke up to sun, sun, sun and about 72 degrees…..pure heaven.  Headed straight for Ogunquit, ME’s post office to pick up the USB to upgrade Gertie, and her new little case that she’ll call home.  Unfortunately didn’t get a promised package from daughter-mine (“No, we didn’t finish the project Mom.”) or my compounding pharmacy’s meds.  Will have to stop in there on our way back to the Cape.

Meanwhile, since we hadn’t explored this part of the coast, we took the time – with me behind the wheel – to cruise the beaches and neighborhoods of Ogunquit, Wells Beach, Wells, Moody and Cape Porpoise.  I told Tony afterward, that it was my best sightseeing day yet.  The crowds are pretty much gone, so the quaintness of the towns is apparent; the beaches are unbelievably sandy, rocky and beautiful too.   We just meandered all over the coast, surprisingly ended up in Kennebunkport which is a very rich, very busy, very cute little town.  We just kept following our noses to the sea and huge mansions, until we were looking at the Bush compound.  Pretty impressive sitting on its own point, secret service folks have their own little gate house.  

We moved on to the impressive rock built St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and some kind of center.  Beautiful piece of shoreline property, that even has an outdoor seating area for…services?....weddings?  They’ve got lots of money just riding on the view.

 

Tony then led us on to our current favorite, Cape Porpoise.   You take a right instead of a left, and the world opens up into a hidden beauty mark on mothernature’s face.  God it’s gorgeous!  We were so captivated by the lobster boats all lined up, bow toward the sea; the pier, where the lobster pots were piled and a lobsterman was unloading his catch; the little Chowder House, where we sat outside and ate our clam chowder and lobster stew  - both awful, unfortunately.  Lobster stew had me salivating for a rich, thick soup of heavy cream and lots of lobster – he’s unloading it at the fuckin’ dock, for criminy’s sake!  Instead, it was warm milk with old, rubbery lobster in it.  TC said his was just OK.  We haven’t finished our search for great seafood, and will continuously venture into unknown territory for that perfect chowder and lobster, and scallop, and crab.  It’s fun!!!

We then journeyed back to Shithirst, where TC bravely did our laundry and I did nuttin’.  Roku came in and out: outside to track squirrels (they’re like rats at this park, but smart enough to get in a tree when they see the mighty black hunter without a tail come their way); run inside to take a poo; run outside to track squirrels; run inside to eat; run outside to track squirrels; run inside to poo.  He’s got it all figured out.

9/22/11

Woke up in a funk again today, after a pretty solid sleep.  Kind of achy and have a slight cold, but the sun did wonders for me yesterday.  Couldn’t get us out of old Shithirst fast enough, so we were on the road before check out time at 11:00 AM.  After our Pine Sol showers, of course.

And then, it all turned to poo again.  We didn’t put the car on the dolly as we had less than an hour to Blueberry Pond RV Park in Pownal, ME.  I loaded Gertie up for Tony, and my Galaxy pad up for me…..and we were so lost and screwed up again.  On streets we’d been driving on for days!  Argggh.  Finally got headed the right way and hit two toll roads, for which I didn’t have enough money.  Eventually we stopped to regroup and eat breakfast and got back on track; made camp, let Roku out to ‘splore the woods.

Since we’re 4.5 miles from Freeport, ME, we zipped into town.  I had talked with Tony’s other girlfriend, sweet Tara Mullan, who hails from Maine and was recently married in Freeport, about what to see and do, so we had a pretty good idea of what the town consists of: L.L. Bean hometown; downtown is all outlet stores.  Interestingly, every building is Colonial, even the McDonalds.   Very cool when a town has standards. And here's a pic:

I hit up both the senior’s thrift and the great Freeport Consignment stores, as well as, all right!  you know I did!.....as well as J. Crew, L.L. Bean, Coach, Nine West, and many other lovelies.  Now, we are not fans of outlet stores, as we think the prices reflect still not enough of a markdown on overpriced clothes, etc.  But, I am a helluva’ shopper, and can track down the sales racks within the outlet stores like a skunk on stink.  And I succeeded again - it just takes tenacity and the love of a bargain, and I’ve got both in spades.  I did lose TC along the way, but not to worry, he was happily on the phone with his Masonic friend, Ken Van Cooten (who plays steel drums like nobodies bidness!). exchanging tales of secret Masonic handshakes and long ago memorized  lectures.  So I shopped some more.  Alex B. made out very well, as did her roommate Cin-City (mailing it Monday kids!). 

Back at the Blueberry, quiet prevails, trees are turning, Roku hunts and poops.  I am achy today with the crappy rain, although the temperature is in the high 60’s, so it is humid.  Sweaty time again for me.  They don’t MAKE a deodorant strong enough when Jackie’s exposed to humidity.  Three or four times a day, I wet down a washcloth with cold water and sluice myself off, head to….well, lady parts.  It just gets the top layer of sweat and oil off, and then a few hours later, you start again.  One upside though, you can’t tell when you’re having a hot flash, ‘cause it all feels like a big old hot flash!

The skeeters are not quite as bad as Alaska, as they don’t hover around  your Deet-covered face waiting for the shit to wear off; but man, they are big and they bite.  I feel like I have chicken pox today because of the bites and sweaty pimples.  My skin is a mess! 

9/23/11

Rained all night.  Hotter outside than in.  Drippy with sweat as soon as you’re out of the shower.  Welcome to Maine in September!

Aside from the weather and sweating and stuff, it’s been a non-funky morning, emotionally for me, and we had a good discussion on where we’re going next; even got ahead of the game and made reservations for Naples (I’m calling it Nipples ‘cause I think it’s funny – TC isn’t amused).  We’ll head 30 miles west to Nipples tomorrow through Thursday, then back to Freeport and our beloved Blueberry Pond Camp.  Three more days here, then we head for Salisbury, MASS October 1^st.   Sometime during our second stop at Blueberry, we’ll be taking a two hour train ride on the Maine Eastern, check it out: http://www.maineeasternrailroad.com/  I also hope our stay in Nipples ends up with a maple farm visitation so that I can finally get some real Maine syrup.  Mara and Spencer insist that the “B” grade is all you need for happiness, so I’ll try and find a gallon to bring along…just kidding – or NOT.

Went back to Freeport today so that we could sample the chowder at the Harraseeket Inn.  This advice was passed on by local girl Tara Mullan, who not only has first hand information about said chowder, but was recently married at the Harraseeket Inn.  ‘Nough said for me, so off we went to the Broad Arrow Tavern at the Inn, its oldest part.  I ordered a cup of Haddock Chowder and Tony had a bowl of Clam Chowder, with a basket of homemade bread.  Heaven sang, the golden light appeared.  We were happy.  I feel like the haddock had it hands down over the clam, but TC felt they both had their own high merits.  Whatever!  The meal was delicioso.

I then veered uncontrollably toward Main Street like a zombie in a Stephen King novel, and “just a few more” outlet stores – well, I hadn’t been to Yankee Candle yet!  Geez, lighten up, will ya’?  Or Banana Republic or Maidenform.   Yankee Candle surprised me with a btgof sale, and with the degree of help they offered.  I hate getting help, but I succumbed to the sales woman because there was no one for her to help, and really couldn’t fight her infectious enthusiasm.  I explained that we have an RV with a cat, and between his box and cooking and our funk, if someone other than we were to come into the RV, it might have a slight odor.  It would stink, really, to anyone but us.  She raced across the floor and had their new product in her hands, assuring me it would not “cover” an odor, but “absorb” the odors.  I’m game, got three for the price of two, and walked away feeling really served in a store, for once.  Nothing at the others interested me, so I’m done.  It’s got to be a hell of a bargain to light my fire.


We zoomed back to the RV to begin preparations for our first…..Blueberry Pond Camp New England boiled dinner!  We were so excited to be invited!  Our contribution is my famous cornbread, of course, in our Silpat forms that make the little “butterhole” at the top (Joey!).  Counted up the folks here, doubled the batch and spent a few hours baking and baking in our great little propane oven.  We hear Bill shout SUPPER!!!, gathered up our grub and headed for the picnic tables.

What a lovely group of campers, relatives and friends.  I had an idea that the boiled dinner would be bland, but I’m here to tell you, it was divine inspiration direct from our ancestors.  A big old ham (bone in), taters, turnips, carrots and cabbage all boiled together and  tender and juicy.  Someone had also made a brisket and it too was falling apart delicious.  Then came the desserts.  My personal favorite happened to belong to the couple from Louisiana/Mississippi we were seated next to, and it’s called “Chocolate Cobbler.”  Yes, picture it, cobbler goodness on top, gooey-buttery-lava-cake-like chocolate under it.  Served warm.

We had a great time talking and laughing and sharing lives.  Light hearted and just what this woman needs!  I think part of my funk the last week or so is because I don’t have face-to-face contact with my friends anymore.  The only people I talk to are Ton-Ton, and those folks we’re paying for food or gas.  I miss it the talk.  I know, I know, I ‘m such a shy little flower, it’s difficult for me to share conversations with others – ha, ha.  I MISS blabbing.  Tony isn’t as interested in my intelligence, or off the wall conversational constructions as my friends are – I need their input, damn it!  Got a great but brief chat with Diane  (“Dirty Legs”) which bolstered my friend need for the moment.  So it was nice to talk to folks over a meal, even if they seem conservative and you avoid subjects like politics. 

Back home again – hey, I called Blue home, wow – snuggling with Roku, doing our computer stuff.  Nice and full, quiet ahead.  Kid Rock on Pandora….”Cowboy” live.  Lovin’ it.  And one more picture of Kitty-Boy:

Forgotten Pics from NH.....

9/17/11

We had taken a drive to Rochester, NH to check out the county fair, and found some interesting buildings.  But first!  Our day started thusly.....

This is his common routine in the morning while I blog or read the paper: he's out hunting, prowling.  When he comes back 2 or 3 hours later, he eats, then is SO EXHAUSTED, he waits until I get the blanket in place, move the PC, then it's a flop and he's out for 45 minutes.  Love him.

And here is Rochester:

Rainbows, Blue Skies, Money and Pooping.....

9/19/11

Does nothing go like clockwork?  Can one rainbow stay above my head for an extended period of time in the white fluffy clouds?  May the skies be eternally blue?  Nay, we say.  That is not life; that is not the RV Way. 

It felt so good to finally be in Maine!  We made it, all the way to the opposite side of the states – how cool is that?!  We felt like we were ready to peep those leaves, then skedaddle south for the sun. 

  

 After a few stops in between to see friends (Hello Linda and Don!  We’re coming!)  We stopped at the visitor’s center, ate one of their famous McIntosh apples and loaded up on traveling brochures.  Hit Hwy 9 that doesn’t hug the coast but lets you see glimpses of it as you pass through….yes, barf-puke…more cute New England towns!  Enough already you Yankees!  Mess it up a bit for some contrast, man!

I had already pre-loaded the first three RPI (Remember them?  Our erstwhile, fickle fucking RV camping club?) parks to come into view.  Could we find them?  No.  So we did what we do and stopped for a lobster roll, and also added a new culinary delight (thanks Scott Mullan!), the fried scallop roll, at Jake’s in Moody.  Um, we loved them so much I didn’t even stop to take pics.  It’s what a lobster roll is supposed to be  - succulent hunks of lobster, very little mayo, on a tiny teensy bed of lettuce, in the cutest little special toasted  piece of bread you’ve ever seen, in its own little paper cup thingy.  Same for the absolutely delicious scallop roll – lightly, tenderly fried fresh scallops in the above ditto.  Heaven.  Sitting in the sun, blue skies, eating heaven.

What started as excitement upon arriving in Maine, turned to shit soon after.  This finding-a-decent-park thing is going to drive us nuts!  RPI, Thousand Trails/Encore, KM, Passport America (PA) that the park’s like until you drive through.  So we took the car off Blue in order to try our new idea on how to find a good park – drive the car to two or three then pick, after checking out the showers!  First one, yuck, but could work.  Second one, 20 miles away (they all look close on the map), it’s 3:00 PM and we know from experience if we keep going (next one is 30 more miles), we will be royally pissed at each other for no good reason other than we want to stop for the night.  So, in we go to the office, only to find that since we can’t call RPI (not open on  Sundays!), we have to pay full price.  If we can get them to back load the reservation the next day, they’ll adjust.  We don’t like that one bit, but…..here’s where we get in trouble, we just say OK.  So, let me add that up for you…..instead of the $10.00 a night we should pay – oh, no wait, there’s another rule! – instead of the $39.99 peak season (pools are closed!) rate we were to pay – oh, no wait, there’s another rule!  - we paid $60.00 for one night! 

I slept really well last night, surprisingly, as this whole park thing is so stressful I thought I’d be tossing and turning all night.  Mr. Roku woke me up his usual earliness by standing on my side with pads digging in until I had to get up and let him out.  I realized I was still pissed this morning, feeling really numb and old and the sky became black over my head.  Did a little research on pricing online, looked at the RPI site again.  Ruminated.  Moped a bit.  Pooped.  Drank a double Dhjani espresso.  Stared at the trees, the squirrels in the trees, kissed Roku’s head when he came back inside.  Felt dark and old and damp and useless.  I think it’s the park; I thought, “Man, I NEVER want to end up old and gray in a place like this!  No money, a beat up Blue, rugs that smell like cat piss, skid marks…”, well, you get the drift.  This whole cruddy scene here just put a damper on my once bright Maine enthusiasm.

TC and I discussed it all this morning, along the positive line of lessons learned on the road.  Waited until 10:00 here so the RPI office in Cali can open at 7:00, made reservations for the next three nights, tried to have them back load yesterday for a discount.  They not only won’t do that, but they don’t know how much to charge.  And upon walking to the office, neither do they.  I said the website shows $15.00 + $3.00 – she gives me a double take, like, “Never gonna’ happen.”   After several phone calls back and forth between RPI and Pinehirst, they agree it’s peak season but since we’re club members, it’s only $39.99.  I tell Ton-Ton, he shakes his head, I tell the Pinehirst staff, “Nope, we’ll move.”  She doesn’t know that last night we did a stealth check on about four other parks in the area, and found a Passport America for $22.00, so it’s no problem for us to move.  She then says, “Well, I’d rather keep you satisfied than have you inconvenienced by a move, I’m the manager, so I’ll just change this to $15.00.”  Done deal, we’re happy.  I got two spray bottles, filled them with water and Pine Sol – ready to tackle the showers.  Problem, sort of solved.

Rounded catty man back into Blue and loaded up my beach bag with books and coke, headed for Old Orchard Beach.  Beautiful afternoon at the beach.  I was so tired of being bummed out, fuzzy thinking, too MUCH analyzing, I thought I’d drop off for a nap.  Tony did, I couldn’t, but I sure rested.  We slowed way down, listened to the magic surf, the seagulls (Birds! Hitchcock!), people around us.  Blue, blue sky.  Exactly the rest we needed.  My friend Joey tells me that when she gets to the ocean, she lets all that surf and wind just blow away the nonsense in her head.  Hear, hear. 

Drove around for awhile, picked up some dinner and had a great feast.  Now it’s quite dark and the black cat is out hunting squirrels and another black cat with a straight tail.  We are quiet.  I’m heading for my cocoon of a bedroom soonest, new book, plenty sleep.  Night all, much love, peace OUT!

Back in the Saddle, Northwood, NH

9/14/11

I’m feeling esoteric and dreamy this evening. Sometimes my mind gets caught up in a tornado of all the places we’ve seen/been, the people we’ve talked with, the food we’ve eaten. Then I think of all the MORE we’re going to experience and it leaves me in wonderment. Which leads to how lucky, lucky, lucky I am to have had such an outstanding career with WSF – mostly fun, lots of great peeps, good public service; to be able to retire at 54 years old; to spend day after day of quality time with the man I love and respect; to have a daughter who we’ve been fortunate enough to watch grow, mature, laugh with, cry over, who is a wonderful citizen of the world (as I like to call raising a good kid); a family I love more each day, who are funny beyond belief, bright as the sun in my eyes, loving and kind; to have held onto such creative and deeply loving friends throughout my whole life; traveling in this apartment on wheels is pretty comfortable and very unique.

I think about the three years we planned this adventure – and now we’re doing it! I spent three years with this dream in my big head, and this dream was surrounded by a golden glow. That halo effect means that all is well, all will be well, everything will be as you dream it will be. Your future holds endless days of blue skies, aqua pools and sunshine. Unfortunately, that’s not really how it rolls in life; we’ve have endless days of sun which equals sweltering humidity and many bug bites; very few pools….three so far, I think…..not enough anyway; and the skies have been blue, the buffalo have roamed. There are skeeters with all of the above, big spiders, and sweating like we’ve never sweated before. So, it’s not disappointing exactly, it’s just different – and that’s what life serves up for your lunch almost every day.

I’m never bored, and I love that! How fortunate we are to have Facebook for instant postings and keeping up with family and friends, email, texting, cell phones – what a beautiful way to connect with everyone. This ain’t no Calamity Jane/Deadwood days where the mail was delivered via horseback that took several months. I’ve been such a social person my whole work life, and that has come to a screeching halt while traveling. Yes, you can talk up your neighboring rv’ers, but I haven’t felt the need, most of the time. It’s nice to have all of the above electronics at my fingertips, as it makes me feel social, even with no direct contact with people. I do look forward to settling in Florida, or wherever it’s warm, and instigating a community around us. Tony does a lot more talking to folks than I do. I mostly find them boring and mundane and predictable, so why waste my time? If I hear one more 60’ish man say, “Yes Dear! Ha ha ha!” about his wife I’m going to puke!

Some random pics of Concord, NH:

9/16/11

Long, long day at Camping World (CW) in Chichester, NH. A two hour oil change and tire seal lasted about 7 hours. And poor Roku had to be put in his cat cage the whole time. The system at CW doesn’t bode well for customers: many repairs during a day, little to no communication from our service rep. Dropped Blue off at 9:00 AM, first conversation with our rep at 2:00 PM. Left the place at 4:45 PM. Way too long. However, it did give me time to drive to UPS in Manchester to pick up a package of coffee from Nespresso.

On the road a short bit to Saddleback Campground, Northwood, NH. Route 4 absolutely a great drive, with more quaintness, a beautiful lake, and a great ice cream place. Saddleback has proven to be a true gem of a campground. I learned more about the intricacies of RV life from owners Les and Nancy than I have from being on the road. They enthusiastically answered so many questions about campgrounds, rates, clubs, inspections, etc. Roku is in pure heaven here, able to roam and explore not only woods, but a pond and other camper’s sites. We caught him taunting a dog at another site last night, little rascal.

We’re off to York on the Maine coast today, to start our way up to leaf peeping, as they call it here. Tony and Roku are still sleeping, and being awoken at 5:00 am by Mr. Kitty Boy, I’m ready for a nap!