09/09 - 09/14 Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort

09/09 - 09/14 Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort

An 9 mile trip from Shore Road to campground

For the fifth September in a row, I'm able to make the long but enjoyable trip back to the Belfast, Maine area and to a campground that has a most spectacular and relaxing setting. Although I've seen cousins John and Barb in August at their daughter, Angie's wedding, it's always nice once again to meet for good conversation, catching up and enjoying meals together. John and Barbara have their summer home in Northport, 9 miles/15 minutes away. In the past, sunrises, dinners out, hiking in Acadia, meeting friends of John and Barb's, visiting Belfast, Searsport and Camden have all given me lasting memories which, fortunately, I've chronicled in past blogs and to which I'll be adding these next five days. A reminder to my readers that all words and/or phrases in red are links I hope you click on to see more...and then return to the blog.

Some familiar views of the campground.

Entrance

Site #8 with sewer hookups that can accommodate
either backing in or driving straight in.

For the best view, I chose to drive straight in...

  

...which presented a challenge; getting my electrical cord
from the rear left of the coach to the front right.

The path and steps down to the beach allowed
me a view of folks coming and going.

Yes, I was guided in and knew when to stop.

Views and sunrises (today at 6:10 a.m.) that haven't changed over the years.

Low tide

In 2018, the US Coast Guard reported the theft of a 750 lb buoy and 9 other warning devices from Penobscot Bay as well as along Maine's coast.

 This tiny land mass located a few hundred feet out
from the campground is a bell buoy. I've heard the gong,
so this one was not stolen.

6:10 a.m. sunrise 

No, I won't make a habit of it although I could've
used the same shot from and of the past four visits.

John & Barb made their first trip over and our first dinner was at Rice and Noodle right down the street from the campground. We've gone there last year and although it's just a shack and certainly not an inviting image, we've found the menu extensive and varied, the food delicious and the folks within to be gracious and hard working. A quick check on Barb's iPhone enabled us to say (or, rather, show) our thanks as we left. In case you need to know, "thank you" in Thai, is ขอบคุณ (K̄hxbkhuṇ). It has one vowel so that should help you with the pronunciation.

Artisan Sourdough Bread

Tuesday, I brought stuffed shells and eggplant parm to their Northport cottage for dinner. Barb baked it and served it with a salad and fresh sourdough bread from the local farmer's market. Barb's homemade fresh  peach cobbler topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream for dessert made for a dinner that couldn't have been more perfect.  The weather was mild enough to have our wine out on the deck. The setting was very quiet and relaxing with a view overlooking another part of the bay.  If the video clip inserted below doesn't work for you, take a moment to listen to a 30-second video clip I made of their wind chime using the link. Be sure your sound is up and notice the craftsmanship of the articulated neck that adds such a mesmerizing effect enhanced with the soothing sound of bamboo. Then use the back arrow to return to the blog. 

The apple tree in their front yard will provide a
bountiful harvest this year...tart though they may be.

Directly across the road from
their cottage, it's low tide.

Looking north from their beach you can see the bell buoy that is off shore from my campground. Nothing of the campground can be seen.

Wednesday afternoon we enjoyed Scrabble, OneUp (a word game) and Rummy.  Scores were kept of course and I'm pleased to announce that John came in third from last, Barb, second and I next.  Even with a brief shower, we continued under the awning and temps did rise to the mid-70's. Then, as the sun set and temps dipped down into the mid 60's, it was time for a fire. "Cold air, dark night, warm fire, bright stars." 

The tide is coming in

The fire provided just enough heat to take the chill out of an autumn-like evening. The tide is in and I can hear the waves lapping on the rocky shore no more than fifty feet from the bottom of the stairs leading down to the beach. The soon to be full moon has risen out of the east and moved over Penobscot Bay. It provided a romantic and beautifully  shimmering reflection while Jupiter and Saturn shined brightly in the southwestern sky. Out in the bay the bell buoy was rhythmically sounding its pleasant and comforting gong in response to the gentle waves. There was a land breeze that took the smoke from the fire toward the water and behind me a lone cricket lazily chirped. I guess it doesn’t get much better than this. All senses except taste were bombarded. Yes, a glass of wine completed the experience to which I'll once again toast and be thankful for yet another memorable experience.  

As you can see, John likes to drive as much as I do.

Thursday's adventure was to Bucksport, ME to visit The Lighthouse Arts Center, Blue Hill, Maine to visit the Jud Hartmann Gallery and then, off to dinner in Ellsworth, Maine, at Serendib that "serves a unique combination of Indian and Sri Lankan cuisines." The photos below tell all.

Our first stop was in Buckport, Maine. We stopped in The Lighthouse Arts Center. The display of works by local artists and craftsmen was impressive. 

An outstanding exhibit of Kathryn James was the tall, square tower of painted scenes on all four sides depicting the lighthouses of the Maine coastline. To see the video clip I took of this masterpiece CLICK HERE. 

You can get a good view of the Penobscot Narrows

Bridge connecting Verona Island to Prospect, Maine from behind
the Arts Center. Just to the right is Fort Knox.

Beneath and a bit to the north of the bridge on the west bank opposite Buckport is Fort Knox, one of the best preserved fortifications on the New England seacoast.  Constructed between 1844 and 1869, the fort was strategically located on the narrows of the Penobscot River, protecting the City of Bangor and its surrounding area.  Although it never saw combat, Fort Knox was garrisoned during the Civil and Spanish-American Wars. Since it was still under construction, the Civil War garrison was less than fifty troops. About 500 soldiers from Connecticut pitched their tents near the fort for a month during the Spanish-American War.

At low tide an abundant amount of seaweed cling to the
boulders lining the shore.

John beside the 9½'
"He Who Is Without Equal."
Lacrosse, the oldest sport in
North America, was an integral
part of the Native American
culture.

Next we traveled to Blue Hill and paid a visit to the Jud Hartmann Gallery. This had to be one of the most impressive and rewarding experiences I've ever had. Jud Hartmann was in the gallery and we found him to be a most cordial,

Judd Hartmann, raised in Bedford, NY and has his galleries
in both Blue Hill, ME and Grafton, VT.

informative individual who is a  master craftsman/artist/sculptor. His works depict the native Americans of the Northeast Wilderness (The Iroquois and Algonkians) and the amount of time he spent with us sharing his knowledge about the historical research he conducts to bring life to his work brought us right up to closing. I would consider him a scholar on the subject of the native American tribes he so dramatically sculpts in clay first and then forges in bronze.  Watch HIS VIDEO to get the feel of his personality and his gift as he describes the process that results in the magnificent limited pieces he creates. These few photos I took have links to the historical background that has given new light to an incredible culture we know so little about.

Sassacus, Last Chief of the Pequots

Canonchet Last Sachem of the Narragansett

Susquehannock

Captain John Smith: "He seemed the goodliest 
man we ever beheld." ~1607-1609

Madockawando
Penobscot Chief and Shaman

Jud's current project in clay,  The Nightwatch is scheduled to
be cast in bronze over the winter of 2020...

...depicts a scene from the French and Indian War. In February of 1689, the gates of Schenectady were left open  while the guards were visiting the local tavern. In their place they built snowmen on either side of the entrance. The result was an attack upon the 400 sleeping Dutch inhabitants. 

For an excellent account of our visit, read John's take on the experience with a review he submitted to Trip Advisor

Owners Menemsha and Sanjeeva Abeyasekera

To complete our day, we drove to Ellsworth, ME and dined at Serendib. Located right on the corner of Main and Water Street, they're in the heart of the city of almost 8,000 people. 

We were so hungry, I forgot to take a photo of our appetizers. Our meal consisted of:

House Made Naan - Accompanied with fresh Tamarind, Coriander and Onion Chutney.

Samosa - Spiced potato with green peas, carrot wrapped and baked in phyllo and served with house made mango chutney.

Lentil Cakes - Baked red lentils with onions, ginger, garlic and aromatic spices; served with a choice of chutney.

Our main courses consisted of:

Cashew Curry with Shrimp - Cashews with tomatoes, onion, coconut milk and spices.

Chicken Tandoori - Chicken marinated in organic yogurt, lemon juice, Indian spices and oven baked; served with coconut roti (a type of Indian flatbread).

Chana Masala - Organic chickpeas simmered in coconut milk and tomatoes with South Indian style blended spices.

Chicken Tandoori

Chana Masala

Cashew Curry with Shrimp

After dinner we return to the campground and enjoyed a bottle of Chardonnay and a warm campfire as we watch the near Harvest Full Moon (Saturday night, 9/14, 12:30 am) send its shimmering reflection on the water in front of us. A perfect day. Thank you Barb and John.

LUCKY for me Friday, (the 13th), Barb picked me up for my Last Supper at their Northport cottage. I enjoyed veggie spring rolls, caprese salad, beet greens and pesto farfalle accompanied by KJ Zinfandel. Terrific! Temps dipped down to 52° so the fire in their screened fire pit on the deck was yet another perfect ending for the night and the week. At 7:04 we were able to greet the rising Harvest Full Moon coming up from the east behind Islesboro Island. 

Well, almost like this one.

Saturday, my departure day, I met Barb and John at The Hoot, a Farm to Table restaurant in Northport. Do click on the link and check out their story and their menu. Health nuts will drool; their own farm is the source that provides many of the ingredients found in their very interesting menu. The farm is located just five miles from the restaurant.

Some final thoughts as my Belfast, Maine visit comes to an end. You've heard about dogs burying bones. Well, Maddie walked by with her owner on their way down to the beach and I offered a treat. Her "mom" warned she was "picky." As predicted, Maddie refused from my hand so I threw it in the grass. She proceeded to "muzzle" the grass around it to "bury it." Check out the video Maddie "burying" biscuit

For another look at Maine through another blogger's eyes, I encourage you to click on the link to visit friend, Vicki's blog. She's just completed her adventure to some parts of Maine and I think you'll enjoy the read and her journey.

I'm now headed to an overnight at Coldbrook RV Resort in Barre, MA. See you there. P.S. I would love to hear your comments which you can add below. If you comment as "Anonymous," add your name or initials so I'll know who you are. Thanks.