Vixen - The Beginning - Week 4

Finishing up the first Phase

We completed our week up on Mt Desert Isle and then started heading south again. On the way south, we try another resource for finding places to spend the night. Boondockers Welcome.

Daily Log

Day 22 10/05 Mon - Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME

Up 0415. Temp 48. Wx: calm, cool, overcast
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-6 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E

This morning we had planned a early morning hike up to the Bubbles to try and see the sunrise from there. The morning dawned overcast and foggy. The drive to the parking lot was through a soupy mix, but we continued on, hopeful that there would be some clearing.

Starting the trail in the dark

We arrived at the empty parking lot and started up the trail with our head lamps blazing. The going wasn't too hard and was an easy grade on a wide path at first. After we turned off onto the trail to North Bubble, light was beginning to filter into the forest. We arrived at the summit with about 20 minutes to spare. Cadillac Mountain was to our east and we could see brightness that way, but there were still a lot of clouds.

Jordon Pond from North Bubble

We had risen above the fog and had some good views from the summit. We sat and enjoyed the coming day. Another couple showed up right at sunrise. The only other people we had seen so far.

We headed over to South bubble. It was a lower elevation and we could see the fog climbing up the mountain. When we arrived over there, we were once again within the fog. We found Bubble Rock then headed back down to the parking lot. We saw a few other people, but this was definitely a less used trail and we enjoyed that.

Bubble Rock

We headed back to camp and just hung out there. Making a nice fire that we burned for several hours. I was craving pizza, so I went to the nearest grocery and bought a frozen one, that wouldn't fit into the freezer, but it would fit into the oven. I also picked up a few items to hold us until we do another full resupply when we depart here.

The day had become beautiful and we enjoyed the afternoon. Back in the trailer, we had our pizza and watched TV until my bed started calling me.

Day 23 10/06 Tue - Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME
Up 0415. Temp 48. Wx: calm, cool, some clouds
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-7 days, G 1-2/3, G2-E

Today's adventure was to get to the top of Cadillac Mountain. We decided that a four mile hike up and down the mountain would be a bit much for Ginger as she has been favoring her left back leg for the last few days, so we purchased an access permit to the mountain road and drove up.

We went just before noon and the day had become nice as we headed up the mountain. We found parking quickly and started exploring the top of the mountain. There were lots of people as we expected, but we had a nice walk on a trail that circled the top. The views were nice and after a while, we headed back to the truck and headed down the mountain.

Looking East from Cadillac Mountain

Bar Harbor way down below

We drove into Bar Harbor and found more parking. We walked to the first ice cream store we saw and got these huge cones. The guy even gave Ginger a small scoop of vanilla in a cup.

I Scream...

After eating our cones, we walked down to the water front, then hung out on a grassy lawn that overlooked it all. A beautiful day with lots of masked people around.

Kayaks behind a sailing ship in the Haa Baa

Back to camp, we made a fire to complete burning all the wood we had found and gathered. I added some charcoal and we cooked four huge chicken thighs on our cast iron griddle.

Thigh night

After dinner we headed inside and watched TV until bed time.

Day 24 10/07 Wed - Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME
Up 0402. Temp 56. Wx: calm, cloudy
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-8 days, G 1-F, G2-E

The day before a travel day is usually one of preparation. We didn't plan any hikes or touring. I headed out to fill up the truck with gas and LoGear took Ginger down to the nearby beach. I joined them after I returned. There was a cool breeze down by the water and the cloudy sky was speaking of coming rain.

Back at camp, we built one more fire. Burning all the wood we had. We packed up all the outside items and I filled a couple of water jugs to bring along on our travel days. Just as we finished our outside work, the rain started.

The rest of the day was inside the trailer except for Ginger's walk. We ate leftovers and started the packing of inside the trailer. Everything has a place and needs to be secured for the next day's travel.

I went to bed a little early as I knew I would be up well before the crack of dawn with all my checklists running through my mind.

Day 25 10/08 Thu - Travel day - Maine is Beautiful - N. Yarmouth, ME
Up 0415. Temp 48. Wx: calm, cool, overcast
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-9 days-F, G 1-F, G2-E
Dumped tanks

Departed: 1038

Arrive: Maine is Beautiful - BW 1615

159.4 miles

3 Hr 38 Min drive time

We were up and doing the departure checklist on a very windy morning. The forest seemed to be dancing all around us when Ginger and I went out for our morning walk. We were ready to go just before 1000 and pulled out to go dump our tanks.

There was another trailer in the dump, so we waited our turn and got all the electronics ready for the trip to our first Boon dockers Welcome stay.

With empty tanks, we headed out. Leaving the windy Mount Desert Island and heading inland into Maine.

We retraced our course to the Walmart about ten miles away and I did the resupply shopping this time. I'm much slower than LoGear, so we finally got back on the road at Noon.

The trip was typical, with the addition of wind to blow me around at random times. We stopped back at the Service Plaza where we had spent the night on the way up and took a break, getting some late lunch and then continuing on.

We arrived a the Boondocks Welcome site, which is just someone's home. They have signed up as hosts and let people stay on their property. We pay a nominal annual fee and gain access to the details of these hosts. You send a request. They approve, and you show up.

Boondocking at Maine is Beautiful

They weren't home when we arrived, but Harold, the homeowner had given me good instructions and we backed into their driveway and set up in front of the garage.

The hosts came home and Harold hooked us up to some electricity and we had a nice talk with Anne, his wife.

The sun set and the area was due for frost, so we just hunkered down inside the trailer and watched some local TV. I headed to the warm covers of the bed early.

Day 26 10/09 Fri - Travel day - Just a Dubbin Farm - Vermont
Up 0550. Temp 37. Wx: calm, cold, clear
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-E low, B-1 day, G-E, G2-E

Depart: 0930
Arrive Just A Dubbin Farm 1440
203.5 miles
4 Hrs 45 min drive time

We had a good sleep and I actually slept in a bit. It was a chilly morning with some frost on the ground. The roof had a coating so I was happy I didn't have to clean off the slide roof. We ate breakfast then got everything ready to go. Pulling out at 0930.

Shortly after leaving, my front left tire gave a low indication, but we figured it was just from the cold morning. I still stopped and put air into all the truck tires before moving on. After that, the drive was pleasant. We stopped at a rest stop and got some expensive lunch, then headed to our next stop. The instructions for this one said to call when we got near, so we called at our last gas stop.

Ruth the host gave me some last minute instructions and said to look for the cones and. Boondockers sign. We found the cones and Ruth guided us in.

Boondocking at Just A Dubbin Farm - Vermont

After looking around some, we found some more level ground and repositioned the trailer there. It was still about a bubble off on both angles, but it would work for one night. As long as the fridge works.

They had a heavy duty extension cord and we were able to hook up power once again.

Ruth had greeted us with a small bottle of real Vermont maple syrup. We knew what we would be having for breakfast in the morning.

We settled into camp and loitered around outside and inside. Ray, Ruth's husband stopped by to talk a bit.

LoGear called her dad and Ginger hung out. We eventually settled inside, made dinner and drank some beers. I beat LoGear in a game of dominoes and we both headed to bed early. It wasn't too cold, but much warmer under the blankets.

Day 27 10/10 Sat - Travel day - Farm Country - New York
Up 0430. Temp 50. Wx: calm, overcast
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3, B-2 days, G-E, G2-E

Depart: 0825
Arrive Farm Country 1335
198.4 miles
4 Hrs 30 min drive time

I was back to my usual early mornings and Ginger and I took a dawn walk down the road.

When LoGear got up we made pancakes for breakfast and the syrup was Devine.

Yum

We started our pack up routine and were driving down the road before 0830.

The route through VT was mostly on back roads, but it was a pleasant drive with some good views of colorful mountainsides. I think we passed the AT along the way in VT, as I remembered some places that I had planned to resupply at as we crossed the mountains.

Eventually we entered NY and we needed a break. After getting gas at a small Citco, we drove some more to a rest stop and had lunch and relaxed for a while.

The day was beautiful so we moved on to get to our next Host's place early, so we could set up and chill for the rest of the day.

Our hosts, Gordon and Marie greeted us as we pulled in and showed us the best place to set up.

Boondocking at Farm Country - New York

We enjoyed the beautiful day and I took a shower. We have been suspecting a leak under the shower and I confirmed it by taking off the small access panel and finding the plastic fitting between the drain and the trap is broken. It's the exact same break as the outside sink had. I rigged up a funnel to try and catch the water from LoGears shower and it worked well enough, but I will need to replace the u trap. Luckily I may have the parts already. I bought a replacement for the outside sink, but decided to not install it. I just converted it to spill to the ground. We never use that sink anyway. I just need to remember where the part is.

Gordon and Marie came over to visit for a bit before dinner. We had spaghetti with pork chops in the sauce.

After watching some TV on our phone and playing a game of dominoes, it was time for bed.

Day 28 10/11 Sun - Travel day - Nothing Fancy - Pennsylvania
Up 0520. Temp 52. Wx: breezy, cool, some clouds
Batt: 83% @ 0520
Tanks: F-1/3, B-3 days, G-1/3, G2-E

Depart: 0836
Arrive: Nothing Fancy 1345
227.7 miles
4 Hrs 53 min drive time

It was a cool morning as we got ready to head to our last Boondockers welcome host on the way back to home base. The drive was pleasant again.

We stopped for gas twice along the way, paying expensive PA prices. In between stops, we stopped for lunch at the Casino that our hosts up on Maine mentioned. It looks like a descent place to stay the next time we are traveling in the area.

We wanted to get to our destination before 1300 so we could watch the Steelers game, but we didn't get there until a quarter to two. We were watching it on LoGears phone until we pulled into the hosts driveway and I was able to use their wifi.

We watched the Steelers win again. They haven't been 4 - 0 since 1979. The game was good.

It started raining and didn't stop. We hunkered down in the trailer. This last Boondockers Welcome site was once again in a driveway in a residential area. The hosts weren't home, which was good for us. We were right next to the house and there was a tennis court on the other side of us. We just appreciated a place to park and some wifi.

They did have water and electric available, but he electric required a long extension, which we didn't have and really didn't need. We had enough water for the night, so no need to add any for this last night before returning to Home Base.

I didn't take a photo of this site since it was raining almost the whole time we were there.

The End of The Beginning

In the morning we would return to Home Base for another resupply and a lot of other chores and things to do to get ready for the next adventure. We spent two nights parked in the street across from the house and I fixed the shower drain, got some propane and helped my daughter switch her phone over to her fiancé's account.

Resupplied and ready to go, we headed down to Cape May, NJ to park outside the Shore House for a few weeks. And then... We head south...

This concludes the day to day log part of this blog (for now). I think the next post will be about the different types of camping (living) we have been doing and what we have learned so far.

There is still so much to learn and experience. The Adventure is just beginning.

Vixen - The Beginning - Week 3

Week 3 - Maine

Our week finished up at Promised Land State Park and then it was time to head to our last major destination on this phase of our full timer life. This would include some challenges, like finding places to park for the night for free and the dreaded COVID test that is required for outsiders to enter the great state of Maine.

Daily Logs

Day 15 9/28 Mon- Promised Land State Park
Up 0520. Temp 64. Wx: calm, light rain
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-3/3, B- 6 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E

Today's plan was resupply and refuel. After breakfast, we headed down to East Stroudsburg to shop at the Walmart. The gas there is very cheap too, so, while LoGear was shopping, I fueled up then took Ginger for a walk along the edge of the busy parking lot. Afterwards, we headed back to camp to spend the rest of the day, just hanging out and doing a few things to get ready to go.

Morning deer

This stage of our new life is a bit stressful, but also exciting. I'm looking forward to getting to Maine and seeing what it is like up there by the shore. Packing up and driving into the unknow makes me a little uneasy, but I relentlessly research the plan when I have the means to. We have our plan A, with refuel stops planned and a night in a parking lot most likely, but we can alter that plan as the day goes on if we need to.

We burned all of our wood and cooked some fish for dinner. Our black tank is showing full, so we have pretty much confirmed that one week is the limit of that tank. Eventually, I want to be able to stay out somewhere for two weeks, so a solution to that issue will be a project down the road.

The campground has cleared out once again and quiet has returned to the loops. Tomorrow should be an easy hook up. We will dump our tanks and have enough water to get us to Maine. There we will get a COVID test after crossing the border and hopefully will be good to go for our stay in the Acadia area.


Day 16 9/29 Tue- Travel Day - Cracker Barrel
Up 0345. Temp 65. Wx: light breeze, humid, foggy
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3, B- 7 days F, G 1-2/3, G2-E

Depart Promised Land SP 1108
Arrive Cracker Barrel 1600
208.5 miles
4 hr 9 min drive time

I was up and ready to get going early, but got yelled at by LoGear for banging around in the coach. Eventually we were ready to go and we headed to the dump station to empty the tanks.

The day's travel was pleasant and we stopped at a rest stop to take a break and stretch our legs. We arrived at the planned stop at the Cracker Barrel in MA and found our spot in the RV area. We chocked the tires, lowered the stabilizers and opened the slide.

We went over to the restaurant and ordered dinner, eating in the trailer. We watched some TV on our phones and went to bed. It started to rain during the night and was quite heavy at times. No one else stayed in the RV area, but there were a few other overnighters in the lot.


Day 17 9/30 Wed- Travel Day - Service Plaza
Up 0525. Temp 71. Wx: heavy rain
Batt: 79% @0530
Tanks: F-E, B-1 day, G 1-E, G2-E

Depart 0815
Kittery 1009
106.2 so far
1hr 53 min
Need to wait for COVID test

Depart York 1320
Arrive Service plaza 1604
202.5 miles
4 hr 33 min drive time

Today's travel would also be pretty pleasant, but it would be a little more challenging to find a free place to spend the night.

We had a 1300 appointment in York, ME to get a COVID test so we could enter and stay in this beautiful state. We made good time in the morning and arrived in the area around 1000.

We stopped at Kittery Trading Post, which is a huge outdoor store, like Cabela's. We found an RV spot in the back of the busy lot and I went inside to find a new chair, my birthday present. I found two that I liked. One $36 and the other $109. I bought the cheaper one. Everything seemed to be on sale in the store. Maybe that was why the parking lot was so full. The store was so huge, that it didn't seem crowded inside.

Next we headed to the Walk-in Clinic to get our tests. We parked in the corner of the large lot and I went to talk to the military guys about our rig. They said it would be no problem to accommodate us and we wouldn't have to unhitch. We had about two hours to wait, so we ate lunch and then relaxed until it was time to take our test. We got in line and they moved us to the proper spot, swabbed our noses. This test doesn't have to dig into your brain, so it wasn't bad at all. Ten minutes or so later, we had our results. Negative. We were free to stay in the state and head to our destination. I don't know how reliable these tests are, but they were what we needed to meet the requirement to stay in Maine.

Our plan was to stay at the nearby Cabela's and we found some really nice spaces, but there was a new sign saying No Overnight Parking. I called the store to make sure. It is a city ordinance. They do that so people like us have to stay in a campground and spend money, but we weren't going to give up that easy.

We headed north and checked out and rejected a Walmart and another Cracker Barrel. Next LoGear found a Turnpike Service Plaza that might work and we headed that way. With 1/4 tank of gas left, we found a spot in the huge back lot and set up. The trucks started pulling in as dusk approached, so we weren't alone in the lot for the night.

I added the water jug to the tank. We should have enough to get to camp.

Crowded Travel Plaza

The lot did fill up with trucks and a couple RVs and there was a low rumble in the coach overnight, but it was more soothing to me than annoying.

Day 18 10/01 Thur- Travel Day - Bar Harbor, ME
Up 0425. Temp 55. Wx: calm, cool, clear
Batt: 78% @0430
Tanks: F-1/3, B-2 days, G 1-E, G2-E

Depart 0836
Arrive Hadley Point 1145
121 miles
2 hr 52 min drive time

Today would be an easy travel day. Only around 2 or 3 hours to get to camp and we were ready to go just after 0830. We filled up at the Service Plaza and headed onto I95.

The ride was pleasant, with good weather and a few nice views. We arrived at the Walmart just before the island and LoGear went in to get some needed supplies and gear. We got a new bed for Ginger. Her old one was smelly and the zipper had broke so it was time for a new one.

Ginger's new bed

We headed onto the island and arrived at the at the campground about an hour and 15 minutes early. It was no problem to check in and Larry brought us back to the site. He helped me back in and we were all set up in about a half hour or so.

Hadley's Point Campground site

We took a walk down to the beach and on the way back picked up a few sticks. The woods are thick here, but we are surrounded by private land. I may be breaking down and buying some wood this week.

Checking out the beach

We took a quick ride over to the information building that is on a little island between Mt Desert Island and the mainland to get maps and other information, then had a nice dinner of chicken and corn on the cob with a salad.

We have wifi here, so I fired up the firestick and we watched some Maryland local tv. I haven't switched our location on the firestick to the local area, because we may be able to watch more Steelers games with it located there and we are allowed to keep it that way for three months. We watched a little of the football game then it was off to bed.

This is a nice campground. The spaces are a little close together, but your coach sort of acts as a wall to one side and our neighbors just close their blinds on our side and hang out on the other side. The weekend will probably be busy, but hopefully it will calm down after that. The trees have some color, but I just like the crispness of a fall day. Colorful trees are just a bonus, but not necessary for me.


Day 19 10/02 Friday- Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME
Up 0520. Temp 61. Wx: calm, foggy
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-3 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E

Today's plan was to go into the park and hike to a lake up the ridge called Bowl Lake. We headed out into the foggy morning and drove into the area that you needed a reservation to drive into.

We found parking in the lot at Sand Bay and found the trail head. The trail started out not too steep, but was quite rocky. We started passing people coming down right from the start. It was kind of crowded, but not too bad. We made our way up and continued on Bowl Trail where Beehive Trail broke off. That trail goes up a very steep climb with rebar ladders and such. Our trail wasn't too bad, there was some stone steps and rocky trail but the grade wasn't too bad.

We got up to the lake and the foggy morning prevented us from seeing anything past about 50 feet from the shore. We continued to make a loop on a part of the Beehive trail and it was a little challenging for us and Ginger, but we made it to the top and took another break. The trail started down and we made our way back to where the trail comes back to the Bowl Trail. I had to let Ginger off the leash for a bit so we wouldn't pull each other off our footing.

Social distancing is challenging on a crowded trail

Foggy lake view

We got back to the parking lot, then walked down to the beach for a bit. It was still pretty foggy, but we had a good time hiking. The view doesn't always have to be a far one. We continued down the road and stopped at Thunder Hole, which is supposed to rumble like thunder when the waves come in, but conditions weren't right for that today.

Quiet Thunder Hole

We drove through Bar Harbor on our way back to camp and then relaxed for a while. I made a small fire, while LoGear took a nap. It started raining a little and we all retired inside. We watched some TV and the rain continued outside. Soon it was bed time.

Day 20 10/03 Saturday- Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME
Up 0415. Temp 48. Wx: calm, damp, clear
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-4 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E

Today's hike was another less than 2 mile, moderate hike. This trail was supposed to be less traveled and it was. We saw way less people on the trail today. Starting at a popular spring, the trail started up the ridge. There were hundreds of granite steps, but we moved along and each time we came to a clearing, the view got better. It is quite a difference that a day makes. We could see for miles, with interesting clouds on the horizon in an otherwise blue sky. We got to the top of the ridge and followed it for a while before coming back down again.

Porcupine islands

View

We checked out a few places at the spring then headed back to the car. We drove through Bar Harbor again and I stopped at a small grocery and got a few things and a six pack of blueberry ale. When we got back to camp, we ate lunch then made a fire outside.

Spring

I ordered some lobster meals from a shack that is right down the road and went to pick it up. We got a lobster roll, a lobster melt and a piece of blueberry pie to top it off. All was very good.

Lobster melt and blueberry pie

Blueberry beer

Back inside we watched TV as the night came and the air cooled down. Soon it was time for sleep.

Day 21 10/04 Sunday - Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME
Up 0440. Temp 47. Wx: calm, cool, clear
Batt: 100% shore power
Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-5 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E

We wanted to give Ginger a little break from the hiking. Her legs were appearing a bit sore. The weather cooperated by being a dreary, rainy day.

We mostly sat inside and watched other teams' football games and not much else. I don't think Ginger left her bed for most of the day. She was happy to nap the day away except for her two walks of course.

Dinner was porkchops, sweet potato and the last zucchini.

We are planning on a sunrise hike up the Bubbles, but the weather may not cooperate for that.