09/17 - 09/21 Ames Brook Campground

AMES BROOK CAMPGROUND

189 miles - 3½ hours

90 sites. Celebrating 34 years. My site #64

Today's drive was a pleasant one, though a long one with two stops for diesel. And, yes, up here, the leaves have felt Nature's chill and are beginning their fall exhibition. Unbeknownst to me, because of Covid-19, my last campground, Moorings in Belfast, closed both their laundry and shower facilities and don't pump propane into RVs, all of which I needed. Alas, not meant to be. Imagine this Happy Camper when all three were accomplished within the first hour of my arrival here at Ames Brook. Diesel fuel, $2.33/gal. a mile away, propane, $2.95/gal., and shower? Hot and comfy in a spotless facility! The downside of my first day here ended dismal and dreary. The forecasted overnight drizzle began around midnight and kept things dark until about noon when the sun finally brightened up things.

This campground is an old one that has recently changed hands and has undergone many changes. Sites are level, graveled and set deep within thick canopies of old trees. Very scenic.

MY BACKYARD

Mabel attentively awaits Dan's (owner) arrival at the camp office/store.

Ashland, NH is on the southern edge of the White Mountains National Forest, home to about 2,200 people whose median age is 39 and is located at about the geographic center of New Hampshire. Among the tribes of Native Americans that inhabited New Hampshire were the Penacook, Winnipesaukee, Pigwacket, Sokoki, Cowasuck and Ossipee. All spoke related dialects of the Abenaki language. To the east is Little Squam Lake and flows into Squam Lake, the original location of the movie, "On Golden Pond." Little Squam was "first called Keeseenunknipee (meaning “the goose lake on the highlands”), which was then shortened to Casumpa, Kusumpy, and/or Kesumpe around 1779. In the 1800s, it was renamed to Asquam (meaning “water”), which was then shortened to Squam. Little Squam is 408 acres, 2 miles long, 1/2 mile wide and 84 feet deep.” For incredible, breathtaking photos of this beautiful scenic area including drone footage, check out the impressive work of Sara's boyfriend, Jason Heid. 

As mentioned, the purpose of my visit was to spend some time with granddaughter, Sara.

 

Sara and Jason on nearby Squam Lake

Sara is a Marine Conservationist with a special interest in mangrove forests and tropical marine ecology. She describes herself as "passionate about contributing to environmental conservation through a plant-based lifestyle. I do what I love every day and hope to continue making a positive impact on our beautiful planet! Every small change makes a difference!"

An unexpected surprise greeted me when Sara arrived at my campsite this morning. She was with her father, John, who was camped a few campsites up the road. On our way out we stopped to pick up her car.

John and Nancy practicing mask wearing 101.

A compact traveling home with many great features. A real beauty.
It's amazing what designers can do with limited space.

John and Nancy keep a very neat and organized outdoor campsite.

Like my last visit with cousins, John and Barbara, this visit will be short...just four nights. Sara and Jason live about 7 minutes from this campground and while Jason was busy with childhood friend, Ben and his girlfriend, Liz hiking the Five Fingers Point trails, Sara took me around to see the sights of Ashland and Holderness where we picked up lunch and enjoyed it back at the campsite. 

NH covered bridge #65. Photo by Ron Robert

Built in 1990, the Squam River Covered Bridge on River Street
leads directly to the cozy cottage of Sara and Jason
(photo by me)

Their temporary summer home until October when they'll return to Miami.

They've transformed a battered, neglected rowboat into a planter.

Little Squam Lake flows into Squam Lake.

Squam Lake Marketplace is where we picked up our phoned-in lunch

order: Grilled Caprese Paninis.

Fresh mozzarella, tomato, pesto basil, balsamic dressing on a grilled ciabatta roll.

To accompany my panini, we shared pint of a
"sour blonde ale with tart cherries." Quite good.

"Brewed by Throwback Brewery and "proudly crafted
in New Hampshire from New England ingredients." Delicious
in my wine glass beaker, gift from Sara years ago.

Looking forward to trying this. The Loon is
a common addition/logo on many products in local gift shops

Next, we stopped in at The Common Man where I purchased...

 

Apparently labeled specifically for the Common Man chain,
this Chard was grown and cellared in St. Helena, OR

Temperatures have actually been on the 'more than chilly' side. Unless my fire was a 'roaring one' the heat thrown off wasn't sufficient to keep me cozy warm. Last night temps dipped into the high 40's and today it hasn't inched up beyond 57. In NH, there's a fire hazard warning with low humidity, dry tinder and lack of sufficient rains. In NY, there's a freeze warning for tonight.

This little fella, taken through RV window should look like...

...an American Goldfinch. My birdfeeder is up but no takers.
Other than this Goldfinch, I have not seen nor heard any birds.

And so, my last night here, Saturday, Sara, Jason and I got together with Nancy and John up at their campsite for a 'last supper' and fire. Thank you John for hosting out get-together. Huddled around the fire we enjoyed veggie quesadillas, hot dogs, hamburgers, salad and strawberry rhubarb pie (with a scoop of frozen mocha yogurt)

Even under a mask, you can see her beaming, smiling face.
Me? I look better with the mask on.

Chef at work

Some shots of Jason's drone which he uses for his work; it weighs 249 grams....1 gram under the legal limit that doesn't require FAA registration, licensing and certification. However, he must know and obey the height restrictions and presence of "no-fly" zones no matter where he flies. 

The Drone

 

The Remote

Two antennae on the upper side of the remote...

...and two extended arms opposite to hold the iPhone running the app.

Using the iPhone with accompanying app, the user can control the device and see what's being viewed.

In Jason's words:

My thanks to Sara and Jason for taking time during a schedule-packed weekend with friends to visit and spend some time with me and to John and Nancy for 'hosting' their site for a last dinner and fire. And so, with the last night's temperatures dipping down into the 30's, Winnie was cozy warm. Tomorrow, Monday, a five hour trip to Croton's RV Park. See you there.

09/14 - 09/17 Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort

Distance 230 miles

Distance 230 miles

My uneventful and once again enjoyable ride to Henniker, NH, brought me back to the same campground I spent the night last year...and they put in the same site, #90. Distance traveled? 230 miles. The next day, off to Belfast, ME. Distance traveled? 230 miles. Of course, times for driving differed but to have traveled an equal number of miles was a new one.

Temperatures not withstanding, a thanks
to Dawn for giving me a new plaque that
will serve to remind me of current conditions.

The ride from Henniker, NH, to Belfast, however, had a bit more to it. The rise and fall of the terrain provided an interesting gentle roller-coaster distraction. My GPS indicated that I went from elevations from ±500 feet to as much as 1,500 feet with grades varying from 6% to 9%. It was a mild, sunny day BUT the winds were noticeable in the form of crosswinds. Throughout, both hands were needed as unsuspecting lateral winds slapped Winnie from either side. They were that strong that I had to forego my first night's campfire at Moorings Oceanfront due to the high winds; didn't even extend my awning. Actually, with temps remaining in the low 60's in the morning, the added sunshine was welcomed. It was disappointing all the same as cousins John and Barbara came to visit and brought dinner. Thai cuisine from Rice and Noodle  right down the street on Searsport Ave was delicious and we did brave the wind and chill and ate outdoors. To complete the evening, however, we decided indoors was cozier to bring each other up to date.

I'm trying to squeeze as much in as I can before winterizing. I plan to visit granddaughter Sara and boyfriend, Jason, in Ashland, NH on my way home. Although our plans for my shortened stay here will differ, My 2019 stay can be viewed if you weren't part of my Group last year. The scenic beauty of this place was nicely captured in that blog post. If you choose to read it, don't forget to use the left arrow on your browser to return to this blog. My old Log Book may be gone but I have my Blogs now to capture memories.

One such memory was a trip over to Northport for a dinner at the cottage of John & Barb. I brought stuffed shells and my concocted sauce which paired perfectly with John's Pinot Noir. Barb provided salad and dessert; a fresh blueberry crumb cake that was outstanding. The very windy, chilly day continued as we huddled around the warmth of a fire and ate out on their deck overlooking the channel into Belfast Bay and North Islesboro Island in the distance. Even after the fifteen minute drive back to my campground, it was still much to windy to have my late night fire.

A pest that plagued areas of Maine and Cape Cod from April through late June has been the brown tailed moth caterpillar. This invasive species has tiny poisonous hairs that cause a rash similar to poison ivy on sensitive individuals. Direct contact or from airborne hairs from living or dead caterpillars can cause the localized rash to last a few hours up to several days. Signs stapled along walkways here in the campground were reminders for campers.

For Wednesday's lunch Barb and John treated me to lunch in Bucksport, a 25-minute ride about 16 miles further east. The small, almost unnoticed storefront entrance was home to the Friars' Brewhouse Tap Room.  This popular community pub and their artisan beers has a fascinating history. Read Joel Crabtree's article via the link above and learn about Brother Donald Paul who is one of three members of the Franciscan Brothers of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, an Episcopalian subset who own the restaurant where their artisan beers are brewed. I learned that Portland, Maine has more breweries per capita than any other city.  I mentioned to Br. Donald that both my cousin, John, and I worked at the gift shop for years at Graymoor in Garrison, NY, home of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement during our high school/college days. He knew of them but that was it. There was no other association. Father Paul Watson, founder of the Friars in Garrison was an Episcopalian priest and religious who brought his entire Anglican religious community corporately into union with the Catholic Church.

Wearing masks to gain entry, we were told to wash our hands in the nearby bathroom and were seated. Our lunches were epic in size and taste.

Brother Donald Paul

John's "Friars' Bakehouse's Lobster Roll Feast." 

Barb's "Fort Knox;"
Roast Beef, American cheese, mixed greens, tomato, horseradish sauce.

My "Oven Baked Lobster Mac 'n Cheese"
While John and Barb enjoyed their pints, I went for the
5 ounce servings of each of the beers brewed here.

It should be noted that each of us ate half of what you see, the rest for future enjoyment. As this is my last day here in Maine, mine will be lunch in Ashland, New Hampshire, my next stop.

To conclude this blog, I'll provide some views from my site #8 that bring me back each year (beside visiting my cousins, of course). The wind finally died down and I realized one of my goals...a campfire. 

Okay, so the breeze picked up a bit.
(No forest fires were created as a result
of making this clip)

With one match, Tony

I had another great experience as I bid cousins and Maine good-bye. I met them closer to their home in Northport at The Hoot for breakfast. The farm to table restaurant is open only for brunch and dinner on selected days. Excellent food, super friendly folks and a nice way to end my stay in Maine. I had thirteen menu items to choose from. Click on the link above for great shots of the restaurant that I can't take as well as their unique menu items. 

Barb's "Southwest Ranchero Benedict:"
Breludin chorizo, refried black beans, English muffin, house made ranchero,
Hollandaise, poached eggs, fresh cilantro and house potatoes.

John's "Basic Breakfast:"
Breludin breakfast sausage, Breludin chorizo, eggs over easy,
Brazen toast and house potatoes

My "Lemon Ricotta Pancakes:"
House-made lemon ricotta pancakes with Frontier maple syrup

The "Breludin" in the descriptions refers to their own Breludin Farm from which their meats and vegetables are grown and used. It's located 5 miles from the restaurant right there in Northport, Maine.

Some "parting shots" of the campsite.

Looking southwest toward Belfast Bay

Looking south out toward Penobscot Bay 

Low Tide

High Tide

If you've read any of my past blogs about my stay here,
you'll recognize this seasonal, aging beast who continues
to lumber along with his dutiful, attentive master.

Thanks for taking the time to read the blog; double thanks if you've commented on any part of my experience. It's always nice to hear what others think. See you at the Ames Brook Campground in Ashland, NH. There, I'll get to see my beautiful granddaughter, Sara (You're beautiful too, Beca. Someday, I'll see you in Irvine, CA...if CA is still there.)