Blogs from Maine, United States, North America - page 48

It was moose hunting season in Maine when we left Quebec. Along the way were several weigh stations where hunters were milling about, probably swapping stories about the ones that got away. Nevertheless, there were quite a few moose kills on trailers. In deference to the squeamish, I won’t post any pictures. Actually, I didn’t get the chance to take any, as we were driving in a misty rain the whole time. We didn’t mind the rain that day, since Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park were clear and crisp the next day. The park was lovely in the fall, and the summer crowds were long gone. We hit the high points of the park and enjoyed a great lunch in the teeny village of Seal Harbor, where we mailed a few postcards. On the drive ... read more

Dear Mainlanders, Tonight is our last night at Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert Island, Maine. We are so glad we spent a whole week here. Not only has it been relaxing for us, but there is so much to do. After yesterday's stormy, wet weather we woke up to sun. We hiked around on the carriage roads in Acadia and thanked J.D. Rockafeller for coming up with the idea. The leaves keep getting more and more beautiful...even poison ivy turns red. Drove into Bar Harbor to shop, get lunch on the wharf (clam chowdah for me, but Dave was needing a hamburger fix). We went to church Holy Redeemer for a 4 o'clock Mass and knelt on the hardest kneelers ever. Music was not at all like home. We came back in time to order our farewell ... read more

Dear Interested Parties, I haven't described some of the hikes we have taken. We actually hiked a distance on the Apalachian Trail in New Hampshire which went through the White Mts. nice trail and dogs ok on a leash. Today we did a couple of hikes in Acadia Nat'l Park, one with a ranger. We hiked to Otter Cove, but alas, no sea otters. They do have river otters here in the streams. We went on a Raptor Watch on top of Cadilac Mt. and saw some hawks & golden eagles in the distance. The view from the top is sensational; it was a very clear day. We could even see a cruise ship coming into Bar Harbor. Tomorrow there will be 2 cruise ships unloading 5000 people into this small community. I guess it's good ... read more

It has been a long time since there has been a marriage in the immediate family. My cousin Tobias exchanged his vows with Crystal on the weekend of October 5th and it was beautiful. The ceremony was held out in Readfield on Maranacook Lake right at Tobias' parents house.The weather was cool with a slight drizzle that during the reception turned into a steady rain (which according to some superstitions, is a sign of fertility in a marriage). The company, the food; the dancing were all so very wonderful. During the reception I learned a new wedding custom. Traditionally the wedding cake is constructed by the guests who all bring a cake and stack them together to make one big cake. After the ceremony the couple attempts to kiss over the cake, if they succeed and ... read more

Monday, October 1st, 2007. St. John River, Maine. Only thirteen miles - about 3 hours of paddling - remained before Darrin would reach Fort Kent and complete the NFCT in its entirety. With the whole day ahead of him, and relatively little paddling to do, Darrin had to kill time. He took everything out of his portage packs. He hung things up. He dried things. He cleaned things. He went to the campground store for coffee three times. He meticulously packed everything back into his portage packs. Finally, at about 12:30 p.m., he loaded his canoe and left his last camp on the NFCT. He made his way down the St. John, past its confluence with the St. Francis. New Brunswick was on his left, and Maine was on his right. He meandered around islands, and ... read more