09/07 - 09/15 - Moorings Oceanfront RV

My Sunday drive up I-295, I-95 and finally ME Rte 3 was beautiful. These views on I-295 show the traffic very nicely; hardly any. Although it was an Interstate, one of the pleasures of driving with no constraints like time and obligations, I am allowed to soak in the scenery and marvel at how huge, pristine and beautiful this country is outside the metropolitan areas. The traffic brick wall I hit as soon as I left I-95 was on Rte 3 toward Belfast and it cost me 15 minutes. The highway notification signs did warn of an "Event on Rte 3. Expect Delays." I could see the intersection a quarter mile ahead of me and there I waited. Some 10-15 vehicles ahead of me on this two lane road eventually pulled out of the lane, made a U-turn and headed back the way we came. In the breakdown lane to my right, a constant stream of motorcyclists rode toward the intersection. So I assumed a motorcycle rally. As time passed I saw a steady stream of motorcycles entering Rte 3 from the right. Hundreds and hundreds of them--for 15 minutes. The estimate was put in the thousands. So that was it. An annual Sunday in September for bikers here in the Belfast area to come together somewhere in this area and I hit it at the exact time their parade/convoy passed before me. Finally, after 15 minutes we were cleared to pass and on I went. Traffic resumed normal speed but now my curiosity was even more piqued because as I drove along Rte 3 I caught a glimpse of parents and their kids picking things up from the ground; collecting something that looked like the penny candies seen at Halloween and placing them into plastic shopping bags. This sight continued for the next five to ten miles. Every mile or two, along the side of the road, folks had been sitting in their lawn chairs to apparently watch the spectacle. I imagine the bikers must have thrown these "goodies" toward whomever was sitting and watching. When I arrived at my destination and got set up, I immediately went on line to get the scoop. Click here to get the story of My 15 minute delay.  I'm left with a good feeling inside.

As you enter Searsport, Maine, you cross over the Passagassawakeag
River Bridge. This river empties into Belfast Bay which, in turn
empties into Penobscot Bay.

Looking north up the river. I'm glad you asked.The waterway's name
is of local Indian origin and is believed to mean
"a sturgeon's place" or "a place for spearing sturgeon by torchlight." 

As I wrote the origin of the Passagassawakeag River's name I was immediately thrown back to last year and the blog I wrote. "This sounds familiar" says I. You can read about 2017 here, if you want. For that reason, I'll save you from the boring details. This is my fifth year traveling to this area. My first year's experience with Maine and visiting cousins John and Barbara can be read here for 2014. I stayed at Searsport Oceanfront RV park. The next year, here at Moorings. The 2015's blog here.  and 2016's trip is here. and 2017 is linked above. Ha! All done. Note to self: "Who cares?" Maybe Barbara and John. 

Some random photos to save me "a thousand words" for this year's remembrances.

Two beauties in a rig down the road.

My guess: older on left; offspring on right.

A monster truck pulling a monster 5th wheel complete with
balcony on side and in rear.

Next door neighbor taking advantage of the magnificent view
by pulling into site front end first.

Winnie sitting on "the best site in the park," site #1 facing
Belfast Bay. 

Site was enhanced and enlarged. In this climate, grass will
take it's time growing.

The view from "my front yard." This is actually Belfast Bay
which eventually empties into Penobscot Bay which, in turn
empties into the Atlantic.

What my kids thought I was buying when I said I was going
to get an RV.

Should've seen the look on their faces when they saw the
25' Class C I purchased.

Late-afternoon on Monday, I listened to Mother Nature as she upped the wind speed. The chop in the Bay was increasing and looking ominous. Even though I had my awning tied down on both ends, the gusts that rocked the RV hinted that caution should prevail. Hangings from the awning were removed and brought inside, chairs folded and covered and beginning precisely as predicted, 9:00 pm, the rains came. The light pitter-patter increased to a "cat and dog" downpour and lasted the night and provided me with my favorite sound, that of rain on my fiberglass roof.  One piece, water tight roof construction went far to relax me. With the temperature down to 65°, it was a cozy sleeping night.

Tuesday morning's continuing rain made me wonder what all the RV dog owners (about a million of them) do about that "morning walk." It all stopped around ten and out they came. One had four to deal with. Now, as I await my cousins, John and Barbara, from Northport to pick me up for dinner at their place, I see the fog is rolling in and visibility is about a hundred yards and decreasing.

More blogging coming tonight after dinner. See you soon.