Day 10 - around the Minuteman Campground and Trek into Boston.

Mornings are Bill's favorite time. Good breakfasts to start us off. 

Nate and Lenny are patiently waiting for breakfast. 

Well we traversed the MTA trains from Concord Station in to the Boston Common quite well if we do say so ourselves. Then we walked the Freedom Trail from the start at Boston Common to the USS Constitution. Lenny now knows why NanNancalled it the Damn Trail .... One pooped little puppy. 

Here's what Lenny thought of it. 

Got all the right trains to get back to our truck parked at the Concord Station. But had to wait for an hour to catch the commuter train. Worked out to our advantage though. Nate and Jillian and I went into the Walgreen's at the Concord Station to get something to drink and a lady gave us a box of ice cream sandwiches because they were buy one, get one free. Woo hoo. Made Nate's day (and everyone else's except we wouldn't admit it. 

Started to break down camp so that we can get an early start for home so this ends this travel blog through the New England states (unless something happens tomorrow that's blog worthy).

Day 9 - Driving from Bar Harbor Maine to Boston

Made it to the Minuteman Campground around 2 pm. Decided to stay around camp for the afternoon. In the evening Bill, Andrea and the kids played miniature golf. Lenny and I went for a walk. 

Some pics from around the campground:

Day 8 - Last Full Day in Bar Harbor

Today started with oatmeal with blueberries that we picked at the campground. YUM. 

Now it's time to go go to the church that sells pies and then on to shopping in downtown Bar Harbor. Here's our pie box that one of the church people paint on every pie box and our pie. Can't wait to dig in!

The native blueberries are so tasty. They are small but have so much flavor. We've been trying different restaurants to see which one has the best clam chowdah (Maine speak for chowder) and lobster roll so today Andrea, Jillian and i had some chowdah downtown. It was pretty close to being the best but the Lobster Pound across from our campground still has it for the top one. 

Bill and Nathan went on a hike up Dorr Mountain (inside the park) while we went shopping. We met up at Sieur du Mont, on the Park Loop and went back to the campground for lunch. Andrea and I still wanted to go on one more hike, so we went on the Gorge Trail. It was a pretty hike through the wood but there wasn't any water in the gorge. Still managed to top off 10,000 steps which is the smallest amount of steps since I've been here. 

For dinner, we decided to try Dave Shaffer's suggestion of the Upper Deck in Southwest Harbor. Quaint little town and a great restaurant. Discovered the best lobster roll yet (except for Angela Alsup's (Carl's sister). She still makes the best. 

Most of tomorrow will be spent tearing down camp and heading for Boston. We are staying at the Minuteman Campground. So far Bar Harbor Campground has been our favorite. It's a huge campground but very clean, dog walk, heated swimming pool, laundry and very hot showers. 

Day 7 - Hiking in Acadia

Today started off with blueberry pancakes by Chef Shuff. The blueberries were picked by the kids in a field in our campground. Yumalicious!  Maybe not a word but it is now. 

Then we packed a lunch and left to hike around Jordan Pond. Lunch and then on to hike a trail down to the rocky coast. Absolutely beautiful. Sun came out and made it even more spectacular. Lenny and the kids crawled over the boulders and got wet in the tide pool. Watched the tide come in. 

Then while I made foil packets for dinner, everyone else went to play mini golf. I heard there is a fierce competition between Andrea and Nate. You'll have to ask them who won again. 

The night wasn't over yet, so we picked more blueberries for oatmeal tomorrow. 

Oh my gosh it's almost time for the sunset. Hurry, jump in the truck and head for Cadillac Mountain.  Whew we just made it. 

Back to the campground to sit around the roaring fire. Lenny said good night after he had his chewie. He was one tired little doggie. 

Day 6 - First full day in Maine

Bill, Lenny and I got up early and went for a walk to the ocean. 

After a great camping breakfast by Bill, we decided to drove around the Arcadia Loop Road. Decided to stop at Sand Beach for a couple hikes.  

Bill, Andrea and the kids went on the Beehive Trail, which is a straight up the mountain climb using rebar to pull yourself up. 

Lenny and I hiked on the Ocean Trail and that led us over some boulders by the sea. We ended up at Thunder Hole.  

Day 5 - headed to Maine

Packed up and left the Israel River Campground around 8:30. On our way to Bar Harbor Campground. They don't take reservations so we are hoping there still spots left when we get there about 2 pm. 

We crossed the bridge into the island. 

Yay, we made it to the Bar Harbor Campground in time to get a camping spot. If any of you are coming to Bar Harbor with a camper, you should stay here. It's huge and had an ocean/harbor view.  We will be here 4 nights.

The campground has a shuttle all around so we took it into Bar Harbor. Really saved us time and the hassle of finding a parking spot. And Lenny was even allowed to ride it. 

Here are some shots while we were in town. Yes, Lenny went swimming in the Atlantic with Jillian. 

Beautiful blue skies and temps around 70. Perfect weather. 

Depending on the weather tomorrow, we plan to go hiking.  

Day 4 - touring New Hampsire

After a cool night, we got started for Franconia Notch State Park, the Old Man Profile and Mt Washington. Old Man Rock fell in 2003 but they created a monument.  It was very innovative way to have people be able to view what the Old Man Rock looked like. The artist created places where people could stand depending on their height, then close one eye .... It really did work. 

Next was Franconia Notch.  Bill, Andrea, and the kids hiked the Flume George while Lenny and I hiked two other trails. 

Scenery was beautiful as we drove across the Kancamagus Pass on our way to Mount Washington. You'll have to ask Jillian how she liked the ride up the mountain. Clouds descended as we drove closer to the top. Winds were 50 MPH with a temp of 42 degrees at the top. 

Tomorrow we leave for Bar Harbor Maine and Cadillac Mountain for three days. Till then ...