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.)