Well today is "the day before the day before." Tomorrow we fly from Portland, Maine to JFK airport to meet Weina and William. Friday we all fly to China for over a month.
We took the kitties over to the cat sitter's house today and helped them get used to their suite in their luxurious cat resort. There are three open windows - one for each cat, and lots of comfy bed-type places for them to lounge. AND a puppy to occupy their playtime. Kathy's already going through withdrawal :)
Now we're packing, and readying the RV and truck for a month of storage. Luckily, we have enough time to do all this that it's not too stressful.
This will be our last blog post until sometime in late September. Chat atchya then!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Paddling Scarborough Marsh
After taking a canoe tour of Scarborough Marsh yesterday, and because this is likely to be our last sunny day at Wild Duck Campground before we leave for China, we decided to rent kayaks and paddle up and down Dunstan River through the marsh today. We started from the Audubon Center and spent almost 3 hours paddling - first upstream and against the outgoing tide, then back downstream with the outgoing tide.
Soon after we set off, we found three cormorants perched atop a directional sign. We had seen them there yesterday, and they seemed like three sentinels watching over the marsh and keeping an eye on the human invaders. They were unflappable, however, as we paddled up right next to them and they didn't fly away.
The Dunstan River meanders through the marsh as it heads toward the Atlantic Orchard at Pine Point just north of Old Orchard Beach. This map shows the general layout, and marks many of the features we saw kayaking:
Kathy took a bird census and reports that, during the 3 hours we saw:
14 cormorants
18 snowy egrets, over a dozen in one flock
4 great blue herons
several sea gulls
sparrows
sandpipers
...and one flying ibis!
Here's a photo of Kathy on the lookout for more birds while paddling upriver:
The river meandered so much, that as we got to the farthest upstream point, it wrapped around on itself, and we could see each other paddling opposite directions with the equivalent of only a little sandbar in between us:
As we paddled back to the Audubon Center, we ran into today's canoe tour, with a naturalist in the lead. The canoers were paddling all over the river, disturbing all the birds with their noise. Were we that loud yesterday? We were glad that we started early today and had a chance to see all the birds before they were scared away.
Soon after we set off, we found three cormorants perched atop a directional sign. We had seen them there yesterday, and they seemed like three sentinels watching over the marsh and keeping an eye on the human invaders. They were unflappable, however, as we paddled up right next to them and they didn't fly away.
The Dunstan River meanders through the marsh as it heads toward the Atlantic Orchard at Pine Point just north of Old Orchard Beach. This map shows the general layout, and marks many of the features we saw kayaking:
Kathy took a bird census and reports that, during the 3 hours we saw:
14 cormorants
18 snowy egrets, over a dozen in one flock
4 great blue herons
several sea gulls
sparrows
sandpipers
...and one flying ibis!
Here's a photo of Kathy on the lookout for more birds while paddling upriver:
The river meandered so much, that as we got to the farthest upstream point, it wrapped around on itself, and we could see each other paddling opposite directions with the equivalent of only a little sandbar in between us:
As we paddled back to the Audubon Center, we ran into today's canoe tour, with a naturalist in the lead. The canoers were paddling all over the river, disturbing all the birds with their noise. Were we that loud yesterday? We were glad that we started early today and had a chance to see all the birds before they were scared away.
Old Orchard Beach
Monday, August 13, 2012
We started the day at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center. This former clam shack now hosts a canoe and kayak rental center and a marsh education center. We signed up for the 10:00 a.m. tour with an environmentalist. We started our tour in the classroom meeting stuffed versions of all the birds would could see in the salt marsh, as well as all the fish, bugs and plants. We met fellow RVrs, Mike and Lori. They are planing to be full-timers, too. Dave's camera battery gave out right when we started, so Lori promised to send a link to her photos. When we get them, we'll update our blog with a photo or two. We did see a few birds and got to eat some bog lettuce. It was very tasty.
Yesterday we took a short bike ride on the Eastern Trail in the direction of South Portland. We noticed that one of Dave's spokes had broken away from the hub. When we got back to the RV, we did a little Google search and found a bike shop in Saco, just outside of Orchard Beach. Since we were planning to bike over to Orchard Beach anyway, we decided to go ahead and add on the extra couple of miles to get to and from the bike shop.
We figured we needed a good reward for all that extra biking, so we went to BeerAdvocate.com and found a really good beer-bar - Jimmy the Greek's. This place is beer heaven to a thirsty bike rider - over 150 beers from around the world, with 40 on tap. If you can't decide, they offer a sample - 4 four ounce glass. Kathy still could decide after her first sampler, so she had a second. Dave, on the other hand, went straight for the Allagash Black.
We needed the pick-me-up because after getting to the bike shop, we found out they don't carry our size spoke. Who knew it would be that difficult to get a spoke. So, after drowning our sorrows, it was time to hit the beach.
This was the first beach that reminded us of the Jersey Shore. There was a nice wide sandy beach with amusement piers. Lots and lots of tourists, most of them speaking French. The first two weeks in August are a big shut down time in Quebec and they love Orchard Beach. We had soft-serve ice cream. It wasn't Kohr Brothers, but it still tasted good. We even stopped to have a squirt gun race. Here is Kathy collecting her prize.
As we biked back to Scarborough, we passed all of the Orchard Beach Campgrounds we looked at before booking with Wild Duck. Man-o-man did we make the right pick. We have never encountered campgrounds as large or crowded. These places were packed - 200, 400 and even 600 spaces, all full. We couldn't even image what traffic would be like in one of these mega-camps. Besides, we love Mr. Bill and his friends.
We are getting really excited for our trip to China. We've almost got the suitcases packed. We're working really hard to eat all the food in the fridge. There are only a few condiments left - anyone want a pickle sandwich?
We started the day at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center. This former clam shack now hosts a canoe and kayak rental center and a marsh education center. We signed up for the 10:00 a.m. tour with an environmentalist. We started our tour in the classroom meeting stuffed versions of all the birds would could see in the salt marsh, as well as all the fish, bugs and plants. We met fellow RVrs, Mike and Lori. They are planing to be full-timers, too. Dave's camera battery gave out right when we started, so Lori promised to send a link to her photos. When we get them, we'll update our blog with a photo or two. We did see a few birds and got to eat some bog lettuce. It was very tasty.
Yesterday we took a short bike ride on the Eastern Trail in the direction of South Portland. We noticed that one of Dave's spokes had broken away from the hub. When we got back to the RV, we did a little Google search and found a bike shop in Saco, just outside of Orchard Beach. Since we were planning to bike over to Orchard Beach anyway, we decided to go ahead and add on the extra couple of miles to get to and from the bike shop.
We figured we needed a good reward for all that extra biking, so we went to BeerAdvocate.com and found a really good beer-bar - Jimmy the Greek's. This place is beer heaven to a thirsty bike rider - over 150 beers from around the world, with 40 on tap. If you can't decide, they offer a sample - 4 four ounce glass. Kathy still could decide after her first sampler, so she had a second. Dave, on the other hand, went straight for the Allagash Black.
We needed the pick-me-up because after getting to the bike shop, we found out they don't carry our size spoke. Who knew it would be that difficult to get a spoke. So, after drowning our sorrows, it was time to hit the beach.
This was the first beach that reminded us of the Jersey Shore. There was a nice wide sandy beach with amusement piers. Lots and lots of tourists, most of them speaking French. The first two weeks in August are a big shut down time in Quebec and they love Orchard Beach. We had soft-serve ice cream. It wasn't Kohr Brothers, but it still tasted good. We even stopped to have a squirt gun race. Here is Kathy collecting her prize.
As we biked back to Scarborough, we passed all of the Orchard Beach Campgrounds we looked at before booking with Wild Duck. Man-o-man did we make the right pick. We have never encountered campgrounds as large or crowded. These places were packed - 200, 400 and even 600 spaces, all full. We couldn't even image what traffic would be like in one of these mega-camps. Besides, we love Mr. Bill and his friends.
We are getting really excited for our trip to China. We've almost got the suitcases packed. We're working really hard to eat all the food in the fridge. There are only a few condiments left - anyone want a pickle sandwich?
Monday, August 13, 2012
Netherlands Redux
In our June 13, 2012 blog entry, we wrote about Phillipe and Suzanne, two young people from the Netherlands who were bicycling their way from New York City to Ottowa. We really enjoyed talking with them.
We were happily surprised with an e-mail today from Suzanne, which reads in part:
"Back home, it seems like ages since we were cycling in the Catskills and the Adirondacks. We had a great trip. It took us 19 days to cycle the 700 miles from New York City to Ottawa. [Here is] a picture of us arriving at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
"We saw some beautiful wildlife (amongst which a Fisher Cat, apparently rare in the Adirondacks) and met many friendly people.
"After we arrived in Ottawa, we spent a week with Philippe's sister, relaxed and visited Philippe's relatives. After that we flew back to New York City. It was an amazing experience. Even though we live in the second largest city of the Netherlands, we felt like small town folks coming to the big city for the first time."
We're so jealous Phillipe and Suzanne saw a Fisher Cat! They are indeed very shy and difficult to spot in the wild.
We think often about our young friends from the Netherlands. The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when you have a chance to get to know people from other countries. We know that Europeans don't always have the most positive image of Americans, but we hope that Phillipe and Suzanne's bicycle trip forged some ties here in America for them and their family, and also with Europe for the various people they met in the United States and Canada.
We wish you many happy and rewarding travels, Suzanne and Phillipe!
We were happily surprised with an e-mail today from Suzanne, which reads in part:
"Back home, it seems like ages since we were cycling in the Catskills and the Adirondacks. We had a great trip. It took us 19 days to cycle the 700 miles from New York City to Ottawa. [Here is] a picture of us arriving at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
"We saw some beautiful wildlife (amongst which a Fisher Cat, apparently rare in the Adirondacks) and met many friendly people.
"After we arrived in Ottawa, we spent a week with Philippe's sister, relaxed and visited Philippe's relatives. After that we flew back to New York City. It was an amazing experience. Even though we live in the second largest city of the Netherlands, we felt like small town folks coming to the big city for the first time."
We're so jealous Phillipe and Suzanne saw a Fisher Cat! They are indeed very shy and difficult to spot in the wild.
We think often about our young friends from the Netherlands. The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when you have a chance to get to know people from other countries. We know that Europeans don't always have the most positive image of Americans, but we hope that Phillipe and Suzanne's bicycle trip forged some ties here in America for them and their family, and also with Europe for the various people they met in the United States and Canada.
We wish you many happy and rewarding travels, Suzanne and Phillipe!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Rainy Day That Wasn't
Today was the rainy day that wasn't. Weather forecasts had it raining all morning, with a 30% chance of rain this afternoon, and then thunderstorms this evening. Well, it did sprinkle this morning, but for the most part was cloudy. The clouds remained in early afternoon.
Anticipating the rain, we did some computer work - trip planning and such. We watched a Harry Potter film. Finally, around 2pm, we decided to take a bicycle ride, seeing rain approaching on weather radar that wasn't to arrive until 5pm.
The other day, we had ridden our bikes south on the Eastern Trail, which is a 64-mile bike trail running from South Portland, down the coast of Maine to the state border. Our ride south had been for only perhaps 5 miles each way, to check out our route to Old Orchard Beach. Today we chose to ride north, toward Portland. We stopped at the Audubon Society's information center for the Scarborough Marsh, which our campground is located on, and got what we needed to know about canoe tours of the marsh. We continued on the bike trail, north through the marsh:
We pedaled about 6 miles until David's bike sprang a broken spoke, and we decided to turn back, so we turned homeward for a total trip of about 12 miles. After a warm dinner, we took a walk around the campground.
It appeared the Wild Ducks were on strike, because we found them milling about the campground road:
Another couple staying in the campground drove in and encountered the ducks, and we helped shoo them back into the pond so the car could pass. Ended the evening watching another Harry Potter movie.
Don't say nothing exciting happens at RV campgrounds.
Anticipating the rain, we did some computer work - trip planning and such. We watched a Harry Potter film. Finally, around 2pm, we decided to take a bicycle ride, seeing rain approaching on weather radar that wasn't to arrive until 5pm.
The other day, we had ridden our bikes south on the Eastern Trail, which is a 64-mile bike trail running from South Portland, down the coast of Maine to the state border. Our ride south had been for only perhaps 5 miles each way, to check out our route to Old Orchard Beach. Today we chose to ride north, toward Portland. We stopped at the Audubon Society's information center for the Scarborough Marsh, which our campground is located on, and got what we needed to know about canoe tours of the marsh. We continued on the bike trail, north through the marsh:
We pedaled about 6 miles until David's bike sprang a broken spoke, and we decided to turn back, so we turned homeward for a total trip of about 12 miles. After a warm dinner, we took a walk around the campground.
It appeared the Wild Ducks were on strike, because we found them milling about the campground road:
Another couple staying in the campground drove in and encountered the ducks, and we helped shoo them back into the pond so the car could pass. Ended the evening watching another Harry Potter movie.
Don't say nothing exciting happens at RV campgrounds.
Another day in the life...
We realize in looking back over the blog entries that most folks think that all we do is hike, bike and paddle. However, there is more to full time RVing than recreation.
Here is Dave trying to restring the blinds.
Meanwhile, Baxter was in the bedroom folding the laundry.
Kathy was busy on the computer trying to come up with more exciting blog entries. Obviously, she didn't succeed.
Bring back Eddie and George and Mr. Bill!
Here is Dave trying to restring the blinds.
Meanwhile, Baxter was in the bedroom folding the laundry.
Kathy was busy on the computer trying to come up with more exciting blog entries. Obviously, she didn't succeed.
Bring back Eddie and George and Mr. Bill!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Eddie and George Wake Up in Wild Duck Campground
Today dawned misty and cooler after a night of periodic rain and thunderstorms, but George and Eddie are intrepid adventurers, and they trekked out to the duck pond at Wild Duck Campground to see what they could see.
Here they are, pondering the pond and the ducks:
When Eddie, George and we came down to the pond, all the ducks were on the opposite shore, just lolling about. However, the moment the ducks saw us, they started a pilgrimage across the pond. We actively debated whether we should get them some food to reward them for performing in our photos. So Kathy ran back to the RV while David snapped the photo above.
Kathy almost got back to the pond too late. Having arrived, seen that we had no food for them, and recognizing the rule that members of the DAG (Duck Actors Guild) do NOT perform if not paid, they all turned tail (so to speak) and paddled back from whence they came:
However, Kathy arrived soon after, and forgiving as they are, the ducks generously returned to relieve us of our bread crumbs. It was at that moment that we realized the campground was misnamed; it should have been named, "Tame Duck Campground." All the ducks were amply rewarded.
One duck immediately jumped up on the shore and waddled close to us, as if to say, "I'm not shy, you can feed me up close!" We dropped him a few pieces of bread, and then noticed that something had injured his bill. He had trouble picking up the bread crumbs in the normal way, and might not have been able to eat from the water because his upper bill was shorter than his lower bill:
We decided we liked him best, and we named him, "Mr. Bill."
:)
Here they are, pondering the pond and the ducks:
When Eddie, George and we came down to the pond, all the ducks were on the opposite shore, just lolling about. However, the moment the ducks saw us, they started a pilgrimage across the pond. We actively debated whether we should get them some food to reward them for performing in our photos. So Kathy ran back to the RV while David snapped the photo above.
Kathy almost got back to the pond too late. Having arrived, seen that we had no food for them, and recognizing the rule that members of the DAG (Duck Actors Guild) do NOT perform if not paid, they all turned tail (so to speak) and paddled back from whence they came:
However, Kathy arrived soon after, and forgiving as they are, the ducks generously returned to relieve us of our bread crumbs. It was at that moment that we realized the campground was misnamed; it should have been named, "Tame Duck Campground." All the ducks were amply rewarded.
One duck immediately jumped up on the shore and waddled close to us, as if to say, "I'm not shy, you can feed me up close!" We dropped him a few pieces of bread, and then noticed that something had injured his bill. He had trouble picking up the bread crumbs in the normal way, and might not have been able to eat from the water because his upper bill was shorter than his lower bill:
We decided we liked him best, and we named him, "Mr. Bill."
:)
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