July 18-25, 2025

 

 July 18. 2025

We traveled from Andy's place in NH to Donovan's Shady Harbor Marina, New York.  When we did America's Great Loop by boat, this was one of our favorite marinas.  We called and asked for permission to stay over night in the parking lot and eat at the Dockside Grill.  Weather was perfect, food was outstanding, the setting on the water lovely, and the live music very good. In photo, our parking spot before all of the diners showed up.

July 19, 2025

Today we traveled a few hours into the Catskills to see Alice and Henry Richmond.  They were ready for us and provided a great parking spot a few doors down from their place in their son's driveway.  We had a great time catching up and getting a tour of the area in their restored 1980s Toyota truck. We even visited a farm with horses.  Can't remember the last time I got to pet a horse! Their new deck provided a great view as we ate dinner.  Not a great photo, but this is the view of the lake from their cabin.  Pic #2 was taken of this rock car on Alice's and Henry's road.

July 20, 2025

We left early so we could attend church a few miles away (8am mass).  The service was fast with maybe 20 attendees and no music.  The best story Alice told was about a Christmas eve years ago was when she, her mother and friend Bob walked to Christmas eve services at this church in the snow.  Keep in mind this was several miles of very hilly roads in NY (Catskills) in the winter.  They had to walk home, too.  Pic of the church.

We arrived in Little Egg Harbor New Jersey at Denise's and Brian's late afternoon.  Spent the evening catching up.  It had been 2 years since we had seen them.

July 21st, 2025

We took a drive to Sharrott Winery in Hammonton NJ mid-afternoon and tasted a few wines and shared some appetizers.  We stopped at an antique store where we browsed for a while.  By the time we returned to Little Egg Harbor, it was time for the prime rib special at a local restaurant.  All afternoon I felt off, but just couldn't quite figure it out. (I only had 1 glass of wine). By 11 pm I was sick with all the symptoms of gastroenteritis.  I slept most of the next 36 hours.  Thankfully, we were not traveling in the RV when this happened and I had a place to rest.  Sadly, I missed some of our visit.  Photo is at the winery.

July 22, 2025

Alex, Brian and Denise's 6 year old grandson came to stay over night, so everyone was challenged to play Lunacy card game & Dominoes Mexican train. Needless to say, the adults lost most of the time. Ron played chess with Alex & lost. 

July 23, 2025

We thought I had recovered enough to take off and head for the Cape May/Lewes Ferry across Delaware Bay.  The day was perfect with a gentle hour and a half ride.  Our intention was to arrive in Easton, MD so that we could visit a friend the next day.  We had a nice ride through mostly rural countryside and arrived at our overnight spot at Walmart.

July 24, 2025

Unfortunately, my GI symptoms returned and we had to cancel our meet up with Carol and Mike Hora.  We did not want to take a chance on my illness being contagious. What a disappointment since we had not seen each other for a number of years.  (We did participate in an HOA Board meeting via phone during the morning and then I returned to my resting spot.)  We traveled from Easton MD to Hagerstown, MD (Cracker Barrel night).  Still no appetite on my part.  Photo: a very unique stone fence with spiked rocks on top ran the length of a drainage area (maybe half a mile long)

July 25, 2025

We had a real breakfast at Cracker Barrel before heading out this morning.  We traveled beautiful winding roads through rural Maryland and Pennsylvania.  This brought us to another Cracker Barrel in Cranberry Twp, a suburb of Pittsburgh where we will spend the night.  

July 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2025

 

  July 14th, 2025

 Our border crossing  back to the U. S. went smoothly, taking only a few minutes.  We were asked where we came from in Canada, if we had fresh fruits and vegetables, and why our plates said Ohio, when we were from Florida (newly purchased RV).  He came aboard looking for additional people (trafficking?) and then bid us on our way.  We stayed in Lilly Bay Campground, ME. 

July 15, 2025

After doing laundry in a town along the way, we headed toward Freeport, ME where we spent the night in the LL Bean free RV parking lot.  We were able to arrange a meet-up with Jessica, Leah, Lorraine and Dan, since Jess and Leah had just landed for a week with her parents at their camp in Maine.  

Leah loves climbing just like her dad did when he was that age.

July 16, 2025

  What a treat to visit with our former Dunedin neighbor, Andy Spezzano in South Effingham, NH.  We spent the afternoon reminiscing and telling life stories, and later Andy cooked burgers for us.  We spent the night in the camper in his daughter Nancy's parking area next door.  It was a short, but fun visit and Andy looks great. 

 July 17, 2025

We had a short day of driving to our overnight spot in Fort Dummer State Park Campground, VT.  This park is named for Fort Dummer, a frontier fort that became a permanent European settlement. It was built on the frontier in 1724 and named after William Dummer, the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. Compared to our other campgrounds, this one was pricy at $38.00 and there is nothing special here (no electricity in any of these northeastern RV sites)

July 12, 2025 and July 13, 2025

  July 12, 2025 (Saturday)

  Today we drove along the south side of the St. Lawrence Seaway through a myriad of towns.  Each one had a silver steepled church.  Because it was Saturday, there were many bicyclists along the route causing traffic to slow.  This area is tourist-oriented with many small bed and breakfasts. 

July 13/2025  Walmart to Walmart  La Poca Tiere to St. Georges de Beauce

We headed southwest, away from the St. Lawrence to the U.S. border town of St. Georges.  Along the way, when we pulled in for fuel, there were several electric vehicles in charging stations.  This couple had the right idea.  If you have to wait, you may as well make yourselves comfortable. 

Tomorrow we cross the border.  We've heard the process takes much longer than it did in the past.  We will see.

July 10 and 11, 2025

   July 10, 2025 

Back on the Acadian trail which we've been following since we entered New Brunswick.  

Here is an example of the signs for the trail.

 We camped at Sugarloaf Ski Resort for the night.  In summer, the slopes are turned into bicycle lifts and trails.  There were lots of healthy looking families with some high-end bikes.  And of course they rented bikes, too.

July 11, 2025

Some pics along the way as we headed for Quebec Gaspésie National (Provincial) Park.

path to the waterfall

water rushing toward the St. Lawrence

Pics below were taken in St. Anne Des Monts

Marina

boulders surrounding the marina

 

St. Anne church

 We found a restaurant, Le Pecheur,  in Grosses-Roches that allows overnight parking if you eat in their restaurant.  It was quite an experience, because the waitress spoke no English, nor did most of the patrons.  One nice lady came over and offered to help with the menu.  She spoke perfect English.  We also used Google translator!  Two more days in Quebec and then we head back to Maine. 

July 9, 2025

 July 9, 2025  Second day at Escuminac Beach

Late afternoon we took our lawn chairs and headed for the beach where we watched families enjoying the water and the sandy beach.  This grandma (Mimi) had the patience of a Saint with her two grandchildren and others who stopped by to play.  

This statue in the nearby town commemorates the 1959 hurricane that started in Tampa Bay and got worse as it headed north.  Thirty-five fishermen on multiple boats were caught off-guard in the 50 foot waves and drowned.  

  

   

July 8, 2025

 July 8, 2025

 Kouchibouguac Campground to Escuminac Beach Campground (New Brunswick)

Ron researched and found this private campground on the beach.  It is a small privately owned campground with several access points to the beach, an office and a laundry facility.  They have 2 washers and 2 dryers in a small attached building and were perfect for our needs.  The office even had ice cream!  We will be here 2 nights.  The weather is perfect!!

   

July 4, 5, 6, and 7, 2025

  July 4th

Lake Ainslie to Chiticamp.

We planned to attend Kitchen Fest at the Doryman, so we arrived in town early.  The Doryman appeared to be very busy, so we arrived for dinner at 6pm even though Kitchen Fest was 8-11.  After getting a table, a group of old and middle-aged drunken golfers arrived.  They were so loud, we had to find a different place to sit.  The stayed until about 8:30 and continued to be loud and obnoxious.  We stayed until 10pm and then headed out to the parking lot where we were given permission for an overnight stay.

Tonight's performers

July 5th

After a stormy night and morning, we headed back to St. Peters, where we planned to attend the last night of Kitchen Fest at McBouch's.  We stopped by early afternoon to get a reservation for the evening, and they were completely booked, so we headed back to the campground and then attended church at 5:30 at St. Peter's.  Nancy and Pierre were there so we decided to head to Lonnie's for dinner.  It was great to have a relaxing evening catching up with them.  (photos:  St. Peter Church and deer in the campground)

July 6th

We drove from St. Peter's to Amhearst Shores Camp Ground.  We had rain all night, so no pics. 

July 7th

Amhearst Shores CG to Kouchibouguac National Park Campground.  Because the new Prime Minister has altered the national park requirements this summer, there was no entry fee and we received 25% off of our campsite, so we paid $16.86 US.  Pics show our lunch stop along the way on the Straights of Northumberland. (photos are not clear due to rain) We had heavy rain all night.

July 3, 2025 Lake Ainslie Fire Hall

  July 3rd, 2025  Lake Ainslie Fire Hall

 We spent the afternoon in a Provincial Park parking lot waiting for the evening event.  It was about 11 km to the venue in Scottsville.  We arrived early because the parking lot was extremely small and we don't fit easily.  This venue  was completely different from the others we've attended.  The time was later 8-11pm and it was very casual.  Other Kitchen Fest events have been full, but the Fire Hall was only half full of mostly locals.  Most of the events require a minimal cost of $15.  Some charge only $10.  Tonight's musicians were among the best we've seen: Shelly Campbell, Allan Dewar, Kenny Stewart and Heather Cameron.  Each venue has a host who starts the evening by introductions in Gaelic and English and then sings a Gaelic song acapella.  This young woman was exceptional.  She performed several songs throughout the evening and then step danced at the end.  One of the differences with tonight's event was the square dancing.  Wow! Hope the video works!

Hoping the video below works.

July 2, 2025

 July 2, 2025

 Pictured:  Step dancer, Trina, from the story yesterday

 We had lots of time today, so we drove out to an Isle Madame south of St. Peters and pulled over for lunch on a small beach. There were lobster shells all over the beach where someone had cracked the shells and apparently had a great meal.

View from our lunch stop

Church atop a hill 

         Another church view

Entertainment at St. Peters included 3 sisters (keyboard, fiddle, guitar/ singer) who couldn't stop laughing.  They apparently had a great relationship with each other.

Myles Davidson also performed.  He was very good.

July 1st, 2025 Canada Day

 July 1st, 2025

There were a number of celebrations going on in St. Peters.  We attended the Lion's Club picnic where there was free entertainment and free food!  Events for the kids were available, too.  We joined Nancy, Pierre and their good friends for part of the afternoon.  Pierre was also working the food stand, so he was busy.  

Nancy on the left and their good friends

Pierre

  The Kitchen Fest entertainers:  guitarists, accordion, percussion and vocals.  Our waitress came out and did a wonderful step dance.  After the evening was over, she shared her story with Ron and me.  Her daughter in her 20s is in the military and began having some brain issues.  She was tested and they found 2 aneurysms. Since she was so young, the doctors suggested that it was most likely hereditary and that all of her family should be tested.  Her mom saw a doctor who immediately ordered an MRI.  The Canadian medical system, unlike ours, made her wait 1 year before the MRI could be done.  She was found to have 4 aneurysms in her brain. Both the mom and daughter have had some surgeries, but the mom, our waitress, continues too have issues.  She told us she'd been step dancing her entire life and was so afraid she could never dance again.  But she's grateful she can still dance and teach others. Tried to upload a photo of the  step dancer, but the file was too large.

beautiful accordion

unique percussion

This performer recently won a big award

Aaron McDonald