HOMEWARD BOUND

 We headed back to Tennessee with all one-night stops along the way. Normally, we spend 1 night, drive 300 miles and spend 2 nights, but I needed to get back to the quilt shop on Friday the 15th to meet customers. We had to drive from Durham, Maine on Monday to Chattanooga by Thursday.

Before we left, we needed to do a bit of cleaning up of the MH. That involved VACUUMING! OH NO, THE EVIL VACUUM CLEANER. As soon as I started, Finnegan ran to the bedroom. Several minutes later I still couldn't find him. Where could he be? I looked in all of his usual hiding places. THEN------

After removing one of the pillows on my side of the bed---there he was. Hiding from the evil vacuum cleaner.

Nickie usually likes to ride at my feet on the passenger side while laying on a kitty bed (which leaves no room for my feet). Every once in a while, he has to have attention and jumps up in David's lap while he is driving. If he would just lay down, it would be fine. But Nicholas insists you look him in the eye while you are talking to him. Of course, David can't do that while driving, so Nickie will stare at him and squawk until he looks him in the eye. Well, needless to say, David had to push him off his lap. You can't drive like that. You gotta love Nickie.

Bentley loves it when we slow down so that he can look out and see where we are.

If we are pulling into a campground, he gets all excited to see where we are and look for trees, animals and others in the campground. Finnegan could care less.

Our first stop was back to the KOA in Newburgh, NY. What a nice campground, deep in the woods and very quiet. One night there and we were headed to our next stop in Williamsport, MD. I thought when we booked this it was a new campground to us. As we turned off I-81 and drove farther we realized it was one we had stayed at a few years ago. It was way off the beaten path, down and narrow winding road along a river. 

According to the GPS we were in the middle of nowhere. The campground was not level, and we had no sewer, so we had to pay extra and move to a deluxe site with sewer. Then we found out there was no internet at that site. I ordered a pizza from the offices because we were just too tired to cook. After an hr. and a half, we still hadn't gotten it, so I had to text the office. A few minutes later it arrived. I'm sure the lady had forgotten about it, as it looked like it could have cooked a bit longer.

The river was a nice view, but I hope I never book us at this campground again. There are other options along I-81 that are better. This is a KOA, but we have seen too many that are not up to par.

As we were driving down I-81, David noticed the MH was not shifting into 3rd gear properly. He kept it in second gear. We had about 100 miles until our next stop in Wytheville, VA. We looked for a local RV service center that could fix it, but the only one nearby was Camping World in Roanoke, VA. They couldn't look at it, and we would NEVER have CW service anything for us again, but the guy there was very nice and did check our transmission fluid. He said it looked fine. 

David had a diagnostic tool that he plugged in to the dashboard of the MH and it said it was a bad solenoid and gave the # of the part which was bout a $125. So, at least we knew what we were dealing with. David called one of our service centers in Chattanooga, Lee-Smith and Mike told him to get a tow truck and tow it. Daivd said we were in ROANOKE, VA and it would cost us a fortune. So, I found a new RV service center in Chattanooga and David spoke with Jim, the owner and he said as long as we drive it in second gear at less that 3000 rpms (about 50mph) we should be OK. He gave us the name of the transmission place they use, and we called them and told them what was happening. They seemed fine with driving it home like that. So, there we were driving I-81, 50 mph in the right lane, with our emergency blinkers on. We spent the night in Wytheville KOA campground and headed out for a slow drive as we limped home. It was a very stressful drive.

We arrived back at the storage facility safe and sound and unloaded the kitties and what we had to have until the next day. Boy it was good to get back home without any more drama. The next day, we unloaded everything and cleaned up and we were done. 

In spite of our transmission issues, we did have a great trip and ate way too much food. But I guess that's what happens on vacation.

Time in Freeport, Maine

 We drove South to Freeport to spend 3 nights there. Freeport is an outlet mall city and the home base of LLBEAN. We used to come here every time we were in Maine to shop LL Bean and the other shops. This year we didn't need to do any outlet shopping and we no longer shop LL Bean. They have always been a staple of Maine and always had quality products made in Maine. A couple of years ago they went woke and started supporting BLM. Then when I ordered our traditional Maine wreaths from them, they sent us wreathes from Oregon. No more business with them for sure.

On Saturday we looked for a breakfast place and we found the Freeport Cafe. WOW!! What a huge menu and large portions.

David had eggs, corned beef hash, home fries and a biscuit and I had eggs, bacon, hash browns and Texas toast. A lot of food, so we had no need for lunch.

One of the places I did want to visit was Mother of Purl Knit Shop. They have a great selection and I have ordered sock yarn from them several times. I purchased some of their own hand dyed yarn and some Demin colored yarn for a short sleeve sweater.

Then David decided he needed a car wash, so we went down the road for that. After we drove away, we heard something dragging in the back of the car. There was no way to see what it was because we couldn't crawl under the car.

 So, I used my phone to take a picture underneath the car from the back, and this is what I saw. Something had definitely fallen down and was dragging. David tried calling the Honda dealership service and they couldn't see him until Tuesday. That was no good since we needed to leave on Monday. With it being 1PM on Saturday most everything was closed. I looked online and saw a Meineke auto place in Topsham that was open until 4PM. David called and went right over. They were so nice. They found one of the clips holding a cover in the up position had broken off letting the cover fall down on the ground. They fixed it for him at no charge. WOW. You don't see that much anymore.

This what we saw when we pulled up to the MH.

  It's a Nickie in the window. About 5PM we went over to Cindy's for a lobster roll. It was good, but not great. Being in Maine, we had to get a lobster roll. It was a quiet night with the kitties.

On Sunday we went back to Freeport Cafe for breakfast again. David had an omelet, and I had their Belgum waffle with whipped cream and fruit. YUM.

There was another yarn shop in Portland that I wanted to check out, Knit Wit. They had some yarn that I was interested in and lucky for me there were open on Sunday, so after breakfast we took a ride to Old Port, Portland and I found 2 beautiful yarns. It was a very nice shop, and the staff were nice too.

We went back to the MH and spent time with the kitties. Then for dinner we drove to the Village Inn in Auburn for dinner. Needless to say, we couldn't eat it all. Just too much food.

We did a lot of eating in Maine, but it is all over now. Tomorrow, we head back to Newburgh, NY as we work our way home.

More Vacation Pictures at the Camp

 These pictures are from Ryan. More fun times for everyone. Emma and Trevor forgot their I-pads, so they had to entertain themselves like we did in the good old days.

                                             

                                                  Fun with the cousins.

                                                                  Fun at Coos Canyon.

                                                                  The Meyers at Coos Canyon.

                                           

                                                    A real Maine red hotdog with a top cut bun.

Don't know what was more fun, canoeing or kayaking.

                                            Or just sitting in the sun or playing on the dock.

           

                                                Or having Maine blueberry pie and ice cream.

 

Glynda, Chris and Alan and family left early to go to Portland because they had a flight out. The Meyers, Gregg and David and I went to Rangeley for dinner. This is a very weird town and there was only 1 restaurant open. I guess most places are closed, Monday and Tuesday or Tuesday and Wednesday since their busiest days were over the weekend. We ended up eating at Sarge's which used to be a tiny, no nothing place. They have remodeled and expanded and have a great menu. Since they were the only game in town, they were packed. We were seated right away, and we had a great meal there. 

After eating we took a walk around Rangeley visiting any of the shops that were open, like the Alpine shop. We found a few things to buy, mostly T shirts.

                                        DOC Grants has long ago closed, but this sign is still there.

 The next day The Meyers left for Portland as they had a flight back the following day. So, it was just Greg, David and I left in Oquossoc. For dinner we all felt like a really good meal, so we made reservations for The Loon Lodge. The Loon Lodge is both an Inn and Restaurant and has been around for 110 years. Loon Lodge Inn - on Rangeley Lake, Maine (loonlodgeme.com) We have eaten there several times and the food, atmosphere and service has always been outstanding. This occasion was no different. David had the NY Strip; I had the Filet and Greg had the Cowboy steak. They were the best steaks ever. 

Greg's steak looked like a roast, and they all melted in your mouth. I could have cut mine with my fork.

After our special meal we decided to go on a moose run which is family tradition. You drive down Wilson Mills Road headed towards the dam listening to the Maine humor of Bert and I while looking for moose deer, whatever. It's the wrong time of year for the moose to be around due to the summer heat. In Spring and Fall you see much more. Sadly, we didn't see any.

(1/2) "Bert & I... And Other Stories from Down East" by Robert Bryan and Marshall Dodge (Side A) - YouTube

After our moose run, it was back to the cottage for the night.

The next day, David went down to Turner to visit his sister Ann and I stayed home with the kitties. It was gorgeous day and we sat outside by the lake most of the time.

                                                                

                                                                

                                                               

                                                              

                 

 I had Bentley in the stroller next to me and I let Nickie sit in my lap for a while.

                       

                           

Then I heard Finny crying and crying and when I turned around, he was in the window wanting to come out too. I couldn't handle another one outside since I had one lap and one stroller. Poor Finnegan.

We went for dinner at Parkside & Maine and had a good meal. Back home again and the kitties were all in their beds for the night. They had their beds in the twin bed at the foot of our bed. Snug as a bug in a rug.

. The next day we had to say goodbye to Oquossoc. I drove down the road to OG to get some blueberry muffins for breakfast and then pack up and head for Freeport, as we worked our way towards home.

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We still call the OG by the name "Rogers", since that was who owned it when we first started coming here in 1982. We all have great vacation memories here.

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Koobs gas station had taken over most of Oquossoc since The Four Seasons Restaurant closed. Kurt Russell's family is from this area, and he could be found at the Four Seasons having a meal with his Dad, Bing Russell.

The Oquossoc post office. The only change is longer and more ramps to get in.

The Community Church. It used to have a family of foxes that lived under it.

Another goodbye to the Height of Land. See you next visit.

A Couple More Family Reunion Pictures

 I didn't do a good job of getting pictures at the reunion. David's niece Julie was trying to get group pictures and she did pretty good.

This was our clan picture. LT to RT: Ann Blais (David's sister), Najla Bell-Meyer (our DIL), Ryan Meyer (son), Colleen Surette (DIL, Quinn (Catie) Surette (GD), Emma Meyer (GD), in the front Anna Marie and Briana Surette (GDs), in back Alan Surette and Greg Surette (sons), David Surette, in front Trevor Meyer (GS), me, Glynda Surette (daughter), Chris Sather (Glynda's significant other.

                                                                  David, Glynda and Greg

                                           Ann's with her kids:   Julie, David, Ann, Dan, Michelle.

UP TO THE CAMP

 We stayed at the Coos Canyon Campground for 3 days. It's not only famous for the beautiful canyon, but for gold panning. We didn't do any of that, but Michelle who was a registered Maine Guide knows just where to go to pan for gold.

We were pretty excited to leave with no cell service and get to Oquossoc where there is cell service and internet, and where our family camp is. On the way up highway 17 we stopped at the Height of Land which overlooks Mooselookmeguntic Lake. It was a beautiful day and a perfect view.

The family camp, Ernie's Place was built in 1957 by David's Dad Ernie and David. It has always been a family camp. David owned it for many years, but it became harder and harder to maintain it from Tennessee even though he used a realtor to handle the bookings. So, a few years ago he sold it to his daughter, Glynda to keep it in the family. Here's some info on it.  Ernie's Place - Small cottage on Rangeley Lake and close to Oquossoc Village and marina - Oquossoc (vrbo.com)

Unfortunately, while we were going to be there, so was Glynda, Chris, and David's other kids. They were all flying up, except for us in the MH, so we had to find somewhere that we could park a 38-foot MH and a place to stay for 4 days. Alan and his family were at the Oquossoc Motel just down the road from the camp. Ryan and family rented a place just across the lake and Greg was staying with us. 

We ended up renting a "cottage", which was really a camp at Mountain View Cottages. We were to meet Jennifer at 4pm at the camp. She showed us where to back the MH in and give us some info on the cottage. I saw a few pictures of it when we rented it, but it seemed much older than I expected.

It has a beautiful wrap around porch overlooking the lake and mountains where we enjoyed coffee the next morning.

It has 4 bedrooms and one bathroom and looks to sleep 10 even though we only needed room for 3. We took the downstairs bedroom. The stairs in this place were really scary. Each step was about 12" high (very steep), very narrow (about 24") and no railing all the way up, so there was nothing to hold on to as you went up or down. On the second floor there were 2 bedrooms with 2 beds each and another bedroom about 2 steps up with a king size bed. Greg took the king size bed. This place is OLD, OLD, OLD and creaks like there is no tomorrow. Every step, every area of floor and even the mattresses creak. Poor Finnegan hid under the bed and didn't want to come out. I'm sure between the creaking and the smell of dog, since they allow pets, he was petrified. It was so funny. I told Jen we had "pets" with us. I didn't mention they were cats since a lot of people are OK with dogs, but not cats, so I told David not to mention the cats. As I was speaking with Jen, she had her back to the MH and there was Bentley running back and forth on the dashboard of the MH trying to get attention. She may have seen him, I don't know. What a ham and a troublemaker Bentley is. He always makes us laugh.

The inside of this place has a weird layout too. There is a wood burning stove for warmth and an old wood burning cooking stove for looks, I guess. After the first night here, Glynda and Chris left to go back to GA, so Gregg moved over to the family camp. He said this place had weird vibes and gave him the creeps. He uses a c-pap and during the night he said someone pulled the mask off of him and woke him up. He thinks it's haunted. Oh well. 

             Bentley really enjoys sitting in front of the screen door looking out. It has been very drizzly up here. One minute the sun is beating on you at 78, the next it is 58.

 

                           This camp has a regular stove, although we probably won't use it.

                                               

                                         This is the huge house next to us. Wow!!!

                                       Next post is on fun times at the family camp.