The Adirondacks (NY), August 17-19

Afternoon on the pond

Although not in the National Park System, I wanted to visit the Adirondacks in Upstate New York since I began planning this trip. Sometime in my childhood, I think, I read some novels set in the Adirondacks and have romanticized the region ever since.

The sun has set on the
pond ... can you hear the
loon's call?

The Adirondacks cover a huge area, over 6.1 million acres, the size of Vermont! It is a combination of both public and private lands. Upon asking about camping in the VanDwellers group, I met Wendy who lives in the Adirondacks.

Wendy has a van in which she travels and camps in.   She kindly shared several "secret" boondocking camps on some local ponbds.  Another traveler, Dave, Wendy, her dog Zeke, and I met and camped together.   I was impressed by Dave's use of space in his truck camper.  He had all of the comforts of home, including a router-like wifi device called MiFi that I was able to tap into.

Dave's rig ... loved the set up

I enjoyed sitting around the campfire and getting to know Wendy, Zeke and Dave. And I loved the quiet stillness of the site by the pond, watching the sun set and waiting for the morning fog to clear.  The eerie call of the loons made it all that much more perfect.

Morning fog in the woods.

Morning fog on the pond.

originally posted 9/17/10

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, August 15-17

Visitor Center bust of
Augustus Saint-Gaudens

After getting a new set of tires in Bangor, ME, I headed west though northern New Hampshire into Vermont, taking a drive through the White and Green Mountains.  I'm really looking forward to returning to this area at the beginning of October to enjoy the fall color show with husband John.

Cast of Lady Liberty for
the 1907 $20 Gold Piece

After driving through New Hampshire, I camped just inside the State of Vermont at Mt. Ascutney State Park.  To get to this park from New Hampshire, you need to drive over the Black River through the 120' Downers or Upper Falls Covered Bridge which was built in 1840.  Loved it!  While at the park, I took advantage of a beautiful, but very steep drive up the mountain to several scenic overlooks.  My campsite was near an old apple tree that was dropping fruit.  Here I hoped to watch deer as I drifted off to sleep ... but, I didn't see anything that night, nor any sign the next morning.

Shaw Memorial.  A larger-than-life sculpture.

The following day I drove a few miles back into New Hampshire to visit Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site.  Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907) was the sculptor who designed the 1907 Twenty Dollar Gold Piece which many believe to be the most beautiful coin in America.

Some detail of the
Shaw Memorial

He was a gifted artist of more than 150 sculptures.  I love his Abraham Lincoln statues.  But, my favorite at this site is the Shaw Memorial depicting the man who lead black volunteer soldiers to fight in the Civil War.  The detail is absolutely amazing.

In addition to lots of artwork, were beautiful expansive grounds -- several gardens, hiking paths, historic buildings, carriages and other artifacts.

Gallery Atrium & Pool, Saint-Gaudens NHS

The Adams Memorial, Saint-Gaudens NHS

Aspet, Pan Garden, Saint-Gaudens NHS

My next stop was at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Site in Vermont.  George Perkins Marsh, Frederick Billings, and Mary and Laurence Rockefeller all lived on this land at different times in history.  They didn't know each other.  Each, however, made significant contributions to the concept of stewardship and preservation through their actions, published works, funding, and political involvement.  Marsh is considered the "Father of Conservation," publishing Man and Nature in 1947.   Billings, having read Marsh's writings, truly practiced conservation on the land.  His farm continues to operate as it did after he purchased it in 1869, opening its doors to the public.  The Rockefellers made sure, through their leadership and philanthropy, that the land was preserved and opened to the public.  I didn't go into the farm, but I did enjoy exploring the museum and wandering the grounds.  Here are some pictures.

Formal Garden, March-Billings-Rockefeller NHS

Pool House, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHS 



Carriage Road to explore the countryside by
horse, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHS





















originally posted 9/16/10

Acadia National Park (ME), August 10-14

Schoodic Point at low tide

My first excursion at Acadia National Park was to Schoodic Peninsula, a separate piece of land from the main Bar Harbor area.  A friend gave me a heads up that this is a not-to-miss place, albeit off the beaten path.  And she was absolutely right!

Schoodic Point at high tide

I loved the beauty of the drive and the roughness of the place, where sea meets granite, where waves crash and lobster boats bring in their day's catch.  It was low tide at my first visit, and high tide the second time around.

Drive with gnarled tree on
the Schoodic Peninsula

For my first evening I made it to Bar Harbor and a bit beyond, staying the night at the park's Blackwoods Campground.  The next day I began to explore the main part of the park, lighthouses, bays full of boats, and a sunset at the natural seawall.  In fact, the next few days I camped at the Seawall Campground in a lesser visited portion of the park.

Lobster boat off the
Schoodic Peninsula

One morning I got up early and went on a ranger-led birding hike where we spied grosbeaks, finches, chickadees, hawks, cormorants, and many others.  Another morning, I got to the popular Sand Beach before the crowds and enjoyed some unexpected solitude as the tide was going out.  That same day I spent a couple of hours at Thunder Hole, where the rising tide can make a thunderous noise in an air pocket in the rocks.  Unfortunately, the seas were too calm that day, but I enjoyed people watching all the same.

Sunset at the
Natural Seawall

One evening's ranger-led star program on Sand Beach corresponded with the Perseid Meteor Shower ... what a spectacular show those falling stars put on for us as we laid on our backs in the sand ... better than the 4th of July!  And on another night, I watched the sunset from on top of Cadillac Mountain.

Sunset from the top of
Cadillac Mountain

During the days, I explored the many scenic drives and back roads ... taking little hikes, or just lazing around, watching the lobster boats. I even went to town and had a lobster dinner one evening at one of the many roadside stands.  On my last full day in the park, I treated myself to a carriage ride.  John D. Rockefeller, Jr. built wonderful gravel roads for horse drawn carriages.  He wanted visitors to enjoy a slower pace within park.

Noontime view from the top of
Cadillac Mountain

Later on that same day, I took myself out to Jordan's Pond for tea and popovers, a local tradition.  It was lunch time, so I added a cup of lobster stew.  There I was, sitting at a table under an umbrella overlooking Jordan's Pond, ordering, being served, indulging in rich-tasting food.  I felt like a silly, eccentric old lady sitting at a table all by myself ... enjoying every minute and every bite!

Early morning solitude at
Sand Beach

My foot prints at
Sand Beach

Jordan's Pond with the
"Bubbles" in the background

Just seated for tea and popovers
at Jordan's Pond ... a local tradition

Getting ready for a
carriage ride

On one of the many
carriage roads in the park

Fine stone work and bridges
designed and funded by
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. for
the carriage roads

Thunder Hole
No thunder today, but
good for people watching

originally posted 9/15/10