Kingfield, ME

Here we are at Deer Farm Campground in Kingfield, Maine. The Park is...rustic (although recycling is mandatory...or "take your trash home with you" and once again the rig sits in a well-shaded spot. But, Josh is closeby in Carrabassett Valley and it's Fall and we'll have a great time! There are some really good restaurants in close proximity to the ski resort at Sugarloaf Mtn...and we are eating really well. My new favorite is "cheeseburger soup" at The Rack.

We biked on The Narrow Guage Rail/Trail which follows the Carrabassett Stream and comes to an end at the base of SugarLoaf Mtn. where one can indulge in a nice cup of Irish Coffee before heading back. Josh sprayed our bike chains with some miraculous substance and I now see the benefit of utilizing those gears!

The leaves are "turning" a bit early and the scenery changes daily! Maine has a "Hut to Hut" 180-mile project underway for hiking/cross-country skiing between huts. Two are completed; the others are under construction. We hiked to the Poplar Falls Hut while Josh arrived by mountain bike trail for lunch in the beautiful lodge.

We hiked up the backside of Sugarloaf Mtn. on the AT...and it was hard! It was very steep and mostly huge rocks. I just don't know how Adrienne does this day after day carrying a full pack. She is down to the last 200 miles or so. What an amazing test of emotional and physical endurance.

You know we're always on the lookout for KW signs...and low and behold we sighted one in Carrabassett Valley!

Togetherness Meter: Al went off with Josh to work on a mountainbike trail for an upcoming race. The kittys and I attended to some domestic chores and pined away for a few hours.

Maine is known to be home to hundreds of moose...which we searched for tirelessly. We drove the 20+ miles between Stratton and Rangely (moose alley)a number of times...nothing. Hiking around some small ponds near the campground we saw much evidence of where the moose "was", i.e., Al's shoe beside the moose hoof print. :)

It feels good to be in Maine, especially at our favorite time of year. There is nothing like fresh Apple Cider pressed yesterday! It is fun to watch the loon family in the pond. But, it's getting cold; frost is in the air. The kittys have reminded us they were born in Alabama and require a certain amount of warmth. We stayed in Kingfield a few days longer than we had planned. Bangor is the next stop!

Twin Mountain, New Hampshire

Hallelujah! The weather is perfect...warm, sunny days and cool, brisk nights...and all free of precipitation! The Rig is right out in the sunshine. We're done with shade trees and pitch. There is that matter of all the water when we left Bennington. Al has a theory...time will tell.

Mountains surround the RV Park and we can see Mt. Washington and the smoke from the Cog Steam Engine as it chugs up the hill. We opted for the easy way up and rode the Cog to the top. The myth about being "mooned" by a hiker is NOT myth...very much the truth! It is pretty busy up there: Nat'l Weather Station, Museum, Cafe, Gift Shop, shuttle busses, cars, AT thru-hikers, day hikers. What a ride straight up the side of the mountain. The incline is such that the trees look like they are leaning. It was a beautiful, clear, warm day at the summit defying the norm of cold, gusty winds.

As the AT is steep, winding and arduous in The Whites, we encountered Adrienne a number of times as her long mileage per day became seriously decreased to allow safe navigation of the terrain and enjoy the awesome beauty along the way. Her hiking buddy has joined her to finish the trek, and it appears he has given her renewed enthusiasm. They are both incredible!

Franconia Notch is a hikers dream...and can be a dangerous nightmare. On a lovely, holiday weekend, we hiked the Falling Waters Trail intending to stop at the 3rd waterfall. Others, however, were continuing to climb even though "it wasn't recommended." The trail, now called "Agony Trail", would eventually join the AT on Franconia Ridge. So, after lingering over a late lunch, even though it was too late in the day, we continued to climb.
Understand that Al is "MODERATELY to extremely" hindered by my less than skilled climbing. We stopped short of the Ridge at Shining Rock, a huge sheer rock side of the mountain, to allow this not-to-surefooted climber (who didn't get up early enough so we could start earlier so we could make it to the top before darkness threatened) to descend before dark.

I redeemed myself on the bike trail from the Flume to Cannon Mtn. Thinking we could outdo our friends Bob and Susan Biker, we opted to ride both ways. It was a tough 10 miles up. Did I say tough? Last gear tough! There must have been a downhill somewhere because the return had some big uphills as well. :) Passing by The Basin was a photo op and a good excuse to rest. What a ride to the bottom!

We hiked some in Crawford Notch and Pinkham Notch. One week turned into two and could have been longer...but the season is marching on...and our chariot will turn into a frozen pumpkin if we overstay our welcome in New England!

We glimsed a couple of moose after many evenings of searching and saw many flocks of turkey.

Al continues to LOVE his truck and pressed me into service washing and waxing it...for the 2nd time! It's about a mile around the thing. :)

Whew! I've been rather long on words tonite. Kingfield, ME is circled on the map. We're so excited to see Josh... and our Maine buddies...and eat some lobster!

Bennington, Vermont

It is great to be in New England! With the exception of the laundry hanging on the clotheslines, Bennington, VT doesn't feel like Maine. However, it is a charming, picture-postcard town on the northern end of the Massachusetts Berkshires and the southern gateway to the Green Mtns. of Vermont. Maple syrup is the claim to fame here followed closely by...maple sugar candy and covered bridges!

Bennington's attraction this summer is "MooseFest." Forty, nearly life-sized,colorful,themed moose are scattered around the small town.
The Appalachian Trail passes thru Bennington. We hiked to the top of Harmon Mtn. to meet Adrienne. We had to bribe her and a few of her hiker friends with dinner in town in exhange for photos with "Hiker" moose. She is down to the final 500 miles of the AT!

We biked the paved Ashuwillicook Rail/Trail 2x. There was no winery on this trail...but there were Margaritas at CJ's Tavern. :) The trail follows a river, meanders through wetlands, wraps half-way around a lake, all with mountains on both sides.


It has been raining frequently and hard...so, we've spent a fair amount of time inside...watching for New England bound hurricanes! It's a good excuse to get a haircut, browse the bookstores, do the laundry, take in an art exhibit etc., etc. Al even played Scrabble with me...twice!!

We had planned to go directly to Maine, but decided we'd stop in New Hampshire in the White Mountains for a week or so. An RV spot near Mt. Washington reserved, our departure Check-List prepared, Al added a little air to the tires (with his brand new air compressor), and disconnected the various and assorted electric cords, unmentionable hoses etc. We bid our RV Park neighbors farewell, loaded the kittys and pulled the Rig ahead to remove the blocking. A large amount of water started coming from the bottom. Wow, where is that coming from???? Ok, well it eventually stopped. We'll deal with it when we get to New Hampshire._

BigHorn

For those whose lifestyle involves full-timing in an RV, the living quarters are affectionately referred to as "The Rig." Our Rig is quite comfortable with all the comforts of home. We actually upgraded to a queen bed. Not sure how we're ever going back to that std. double we so carefully stored away. The kitties miss the sunroom but the rig has plenty of windows...although, the lack of windowsills caused a few surprises.
Al keeps busy with the regular maintenance etc. and installed additional stabilizers...for more...stability. :) The basement is adequate storage for our "must have" items. The central vac is great! The furnace heats us up quickly, but uses a lot of gas. An electric fireplace takes the chill off, and creates a nice ambiance. We've not had to use the A/C; but we checked to make sure it is functioning.
Big Rig plumbing is learned behaviour. There is a skylight over the shower to ward off claustrophobia. It doesn't take long to clean the whole bathroom! Enough said...
Al rearranges the "pillow package" on the bed to ensure the kitties have regular mental stimulation. They choose their snoozing spot based on the configuration. :) Remember now...we're retired...we are happily amused by the littlest things!
By virtue of our Southern vocabulary, we know we are "blessed" to be living our dream in our Big Rig!
The Togetherness Meter: Al is away for a few days enjoying some heat in the South. I think I'll take in a Tuscany Art Exhibit at the local college, browse the local used- book store... for as long as I care to, stroll the streets of Bennington, VT, buy a piece of maple sugar candy and nibble it with a cup of Green Mtn. coffee...in the middle of the afternoon at a sidewalk cafe...and skip dinner!

"Absence is the wind that blows out the little candle, but fans the embers of a fire to a great blaze."