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.