Heavy Rains and Red Apple Campground

Aloha Everyone

A hurricane off the Atlantic Coast is causing havoc in New England. Since last night, we experienced extremely heavy rain and this morning Honu had to navigate inundated streets with flash flood warnings.

Thankfully, we found Red Apple Campground in Kennebunkport. When the weather is disagreeable, it is a blessing to find a campground  with a slogan, "clean, quiet & relaxing, the way camping should be." www.RedAppleCampground.com

Aloha -- Cathi

An Unplanned Adventure and Passagassawakeag River

Aloha Everyone,

Our plan this morning was to drive South along US Route 1. However, we mistakenly took US Route 1A and went for an unplanned adventure.

We didn't realize our mistake until our waitress at Kosta's informed us that we were now in Brewer, Maine, a small town just before Bangor. Oops. At least we were able to enjoy a wonderful calamari appetizer and Greek pizza.

We used a boat launch site in the town of Frankfurt for our afternoon siesta.

I thought the Hawaiian fish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa is difficult to spell, but when I saw the sign for this river,

Passagassawakeag, I had to share it with you.

Our search of tonight's RV park using Siri did not fare well. Instead of the place we were looking for in Bath, we ended up at another place in Wiscasset. A large maple tree with yellow leaves is the best feature of this place. Enough said!

Aloha -- Cathi

Relaxing Around Camp, Apples and Crab Apples

Aloha Everyone,

Today, J.J. and I took the day easy relaxing around camp and catching up on emails.

In the afternoon we took a walk around the Sunset Point Campground. Kurt, the owner of the RV Park, invited us to pick some apples.

One of Kurt's apple trees

The small fruits is called crab apple and Kurt told me that they are not for eating but maybe used for making apple pie.

Here are some photographs I took of Sunset Point Campground when we went for our walk.

Kurt prepared another lobster for J.J. tonight, I am enjoying a plate of quiche, cucumber, Swiss cheese and apple from Kurt's tree and blueberries from Canada.

Aloha -- Cathi

Back in the USA!!!

Aloha Everyone

We are safely and happily back in Maine!!! Before our re-entry, we stopped at Atlantic Superstore to purchase some provisions.

We spent a total of US$700 during our 7 days stay in Canada inclusive of the costs of diesel, accommodations, food and entertainment such as parks' entry fees.

We kept our driving time short today so we would have time to call our family and friends. Staying at the Sunset Point Campground located next to a lake in Harrington, Maine. Being Sunday, it was a special treat for me to do Facetime with our granddaughter. As we talked, I walked around the campground to show her fruit trees and fall colors.

We dined in with Greek Salad and boiled Maine Lobster. J.J. placed the order when we checked in and the owner prepared and brought us the 2 pounds crustaceans to Honu. It's good to be back in Maine.

Aloha -- Cathi

Quaint Cover Bridges & Our Stay In Fundy National Park

Aloha Everyone,

We took the Fundy Coastal Drive from Muncton, NB on Route 114 West. Sawmill Creek bridge in the town of Hopewell is no longer open for vehicular use. I ran to the other end to photograph the bridge with Honu.

The covered bridge in Shepody National Wildlife Area allowed Honu access.

Zanna at the Fundy National Park information center was very helpful and friendly. She also assisted us to check in at Headquarters Campground located at the entrance. We paid US$31.52 and we're happy to secure an open space to enjoy the sun. 

One of the recommended stops along the Fundy Coastal Drive is The Hopewell Rocks. Tourism brochures promotes this location as where you can observe the highest and the lowest tides (in the world). You can also experience walking on the ocean floor.

In the village of Alma, located just east of Fundy National Park, I inadvertently captured high and low tides with my iPhone.

Alma's Lobster Shop's main business is "take-out." However, there are outdoor picnic benches for patrons. J.J. selected two large lobsters which were heated and served with lemon butter. Our photo was taken by Bill and Susan from Ontario who also have been doing their RV adventure.

Moose replica on Alma's main street

For our granddaughter

Here are some photos of the Fundy National Park.

Aloha -- Cathi

Amherst, Nova Scotia; Bella's Cafe and Bistro, and Chocolate River

Aloha Everyone,

We started with another, "Oh my goodness what a perfect day!!!" weather.

We took Trans Canada Highway 104 West which included a section of toll road. The fee charged was $4.00 Canadian.

Lunch stop at Amherst, the largest town in Cumberland County in Nova Scotia.

We took a loop around the quaint, historical downtown and found only one restaurant that seemed to be open. An elegant woman dressed in a black suit acknowledged our entry and offered us to take one of the two tables that were empty.

We counted eleven tables, twenty-two diners and only the woman in black was working. During the 70 minutes or so we were in the restaurant, J.J. and I noticed 4 tables were vacated and immediately occupied by new groups of patrons. While no one audibly expressed their frustrations, 3 groups of potential customers walked out. The woman in the black suit removed her jacket after a while but she remained calm, composed and in control. It seemed obvious that for today she was short of her usual staff.

This was interesting lesson in equanimity.   

Moncton is a large city with businesses, traffic, malls and the Université de Moncton, a French-language university. It even has a Walmart and Costco.

Petitcodiac River that runs through the south-eastern end of Moncton, is known as Chocolate River by the locals because of heavy sediments in the water. Many locals  believe that the river is haunted.

Our RV park is about 5 kilometers away from where I last noticed the chocolate colored water. In front of Honu, the water is clear promising a cooler night ahead.

To our granddaughter and to all of you who were hoping that we'll have a close encounter with a moose, this is as close as we were able to get to.

Aloha -- Cathi