Here Comes the Sun - Beatles

We processed from Connecticut to Pennsylvania today mostly along i-84. This is a switch from our usual travel but we needed to get to a state park up in the mountains and getting close by was of the Interstate seemed like the best idea. We did travel on very small winding roads from the farm we stayed to I-84 including crossing a covered bridge, Bull Bridge, that was very picturesque but you were not allowed to stop. In fact there were numerous no parking signs until you entered NY and the narrow road with no pull-offs were an added emphasis. So, I slowed and took one from the driver’s seat with the iPhone. So sad to have missed this one. The state park we are at today is Ricketts Glen and we back up to a view of lake from our site. Very pretty. Tomorrow we are doing a 3 or 4 mile hike to see 21 named waterfall. And it only rained for a few minutes today but still, day 12. The sun was out for about 2 minutes but we were glad to see it. It quickly went back behind the deep clouds and the grey, thick, misty gloom descended again. However, at 4:30 in the afternoon, sun. The trees lit up, the lake sparkled and we were delighted.

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

First thing to get straight, I am the photographer for this site. Period and end of discussion. Second thing is that I remain the editor and if I permit you to write your travel book it begins with this understanding. Right?

I’m okay with the photo thing if you will work harder and….

Wait a moment, the photo aspect is not up for discussion and especially not with a failed pilot, failed navigator, failed chef and failed presidential candidate. 

Ooooo, ouch, that was not necessary. They were learning experiences on the way to my emerging as an accomplished writer. Not only do you need a hat and a vice - plus a great letter- smacking machine, you must have a history of angst and anguish to draw upon. You can do the photos but I get to the critical point and work on my Pulitzer Prize winning writing. And you can edit cause you have to ask my PA how to spell everything anyway. 

When do you propose to start this farce, excuse me - Pulitzer Prize winning journalistic endeavor?

Well, I would like to get underway as soon as my hat arrives. That might not be until we are back in the heat sink you call home. So the next time the infernal tank gets going - I’ll be writing the vastly more interesting text. I may practice a bit before then but it won’t be complete without the hat and the Olivetti. Still a big improvement I am sure. Plus I have a lot of promotion to work on to overcome the inertia of this blog. And that will give you time to take an RV repair correspondence course! 

Interlude

We are at Lake Umbagog in NH with zero service. Therefore, we present from the recent past…the perfect flower.

Rainy Days and Mondays (or Tuesdays) - Carpenters

If you guessed that it rained today, you would not be wrong. However, it did not do so during waking hours until about 7 this evening and for a short time. We still have not seen the sun but now suspect it may be there cause things were slightly brighter. We meandered today. From Schodack Island to Castle on Hudson to Kinderhook (full of old and a number of historic buildings) to a bunch of small villages and finally to Sharon in Connecticut. We did not plan originally to come here but it just seemed good with a nice Harvest Host farm, nice area and close to I-84 for our trip tomorrow to a state park in PA. Also we had a request for a trailer viewing from someone who was very interested and this was a good meeting place. Mellissa was fun to spend a hour or so talking about the Oliver and camping and the area here. We traveled to Kent a very upscale town where we ate dinner in a modest Mexican restaurant. On the way we hiked (short but steep) to Kent Falls. It was roaring after all the rain including nearly 5 inches yesterday. 

Kent Falls

At our farm for the night

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

So who do you think will ever publish your travel “masterpiece?” I doubt anyone will even talk to you. 

Aha, you didn’t think I had a plan but I do. First you build interest in your writing and you do that by writing and self-publishing. Then as you grow the adoring fans, you will find publishers seeking you out and bidding for your writings and giving you massive advances before you even write. I’m talking like $57. Then there is a whole line of cute Moose merch. 

Arrugh, do not use stupid slang like “merch.” Write an actual word. Still, I don’t see where you are going to find someone to publish stuff even by yourself.

Why here of course.

No, no, this is not your blog. This is where I write stuff and post photos. 

I have been meaning to talk with you about the photos. I have talked to Dennis and he is willing to do the photos for my work. 

Dennis, you can’t afford Dennis. He plans to eat more than once a month and not in a marsh!

Well I want to upgrade the weak links here, like the words and the pictures. My P/A and editor will add a touch of class as well. 

I have been your editor and it is a lot of work to make it at least similar to reality. And weak links - the only weak link is in your mind. I’m getting too upset to talk any more. Dennis, rats. Well maybe I can pass off some of the bad images as his. Yeah, that’s the ticket. If someone doesn’t like one I will just mention it might be Dennis’.

Who'll Stop the Rain? CCR

Guess what? It rained today, all day, day number whatever. People are forming cults to seek ways to appease the Rain Monster, the cattle are shriveling up like prunes and the single red leaf still on a tree has attracted more than 400 bus tours. It is chaos. 

We chose to leave the north of Vermont and stopped at Hilldene, the home of Abraham Lincoln’s son. near Manchester, VT. It is a beautiful place with extensive grounds, gardens and interesting outbuildings including an observatory. We took at 3.5 mile hike, yes it was raining - but we were glad to get out. At that time it wasn’t raining hard, that was saved until I was driving in heavy traffic. Enjoyed the historic home and especially the 1903 restored Pullman private car he used as President and/ or Chairman of the Board of Pullman in Chicago where their primary home was locate on the waterfront.. Very cool way to travel. On our hike we arrived at the farm portion and met Terri, who showed us some cool animals, multi- colored chickens and we got to hand feed a Alpaca named Tiny. We are now on an island in the Hudson River, just into NY on a water logged site. 

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

Tina

The cabin Abe Lincoln was born in would fit under the portico.

The floating boardwalk over a marsh - part of the Battenkill River.

Let me reiterate NO SMOKING. Is that clear. 

Of course, but I need a vice, all good writers have a vice. How about bourbon?

No bourbon. You already have several vices and I would be glad to rate them by the annoyance factor. Speaking of annoying, where did you get the money for an Olivetti typewriter? 

My very good hiking buddy, Rusty, gave it to me he said it was worth it if it causes you to act a fribble. 

Well, Janet does not know he did that!

Janet adores me, that is not an issue. 

This is trying my patience. You have no idea how to write a travel book.

You have no idea and you have been doing it for seven years, just no body notices. I strategize for success and plan to be famous. You don’t know how to market, how to ply the social media, how to correctly SEO your posts and you are not cute like a Moose. 

PIFFILE!, I can make up words too - and I need a break. 

The Gambler - Kenny Rogers

We “almost” saw the sun today. Not quite but at least the sky was bright for 30 minutes a couple of times. We left the trailer at the maple farm and chose to do a small, charming Vermont towns tour, following an article we found online from a Vermont newspaper. They were small and mildly interesting but not a compelling trip to seven or so towns. One, Lincoln, was over a notch in the mountain on a dirt road and the down side into Lincoln was a 20% grade with very narrow and winding roads, virtually no shoulder. And in Lincoln there was nothing but a general store. It was opened in 1842 and that was neat but the store was very ordinary. The two mountain passes we went over were full of beautiful colors. We also went north to see the Von Trapp Family Lodge but it was completely socked in with fog and muddy parking lots and no food at 3:00 - either too full and no reservations or closing. We found little open at Stowe but lots of cars everywhere. The coolest place was an apple press and we bought some cider but it was slammed with people jostling for a parking space and not all in the most festive moods. We stopped at a diner in Montpelier called Wayside Restaurant and they were feting their 103rd year in business, same location, different staff. Food was good. 

The forecast for the next two days is ample rain as well so we are moving south a bit to the other end of the state tomorrow. We have a house we wish to tour and some indoor things we could do. Not so much here.

Three more CB today.

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

So, Mr C. Moose, I want you to go to school to learn RV repair. If you are traveling with us, it would be nice to get some value from you. 

But that interferes with MY plans and anyway, I don’t have articulated hooves, so it would not work. 

We can work around the hoof challenge, so your plans - however unrealistic they might be, will be on hold. 

My plans are never unrealistic, just circumstances conspire against me, besides this plan is easy and practically perfect. 

Right, OK, what is your plan?

I intend to be a famous travel writer. I already ordered a fedora and am tracking down an Olivetti letter processor and, as you have already noticed, I am working on my vocabulary. If you are going to drag me across the country in this overland submarine I need a career that works with being in new places every day or so. 

Realistic, really. Travel writers are not famous. And besides, you don’t even know where you are most of the time. No one is going to publish you even if you wrote something about the ferns and fauna FOR DINNER at some random pond.

Not famous! How about John Steinbeck or Ernest Hemingway or Bill Bryson or Mark Twain or Hunter Thompson or Marco Polo or Mr. Peabody. Besides I already have the hat! All I need to do is start smoking. 

Smoking. No, nope, not a chance, never. We’ll continue this tomorrow. 

Hero - Mariah Carey

The rain is relentless. As I write this we are in day 4 and 28 of the last 30 hours. Not super hard, but constant.

So we last left our heroes poised on the edge of a dilemma crafted by the nefarious Mr. Frostie. Forced to move south to gain more heat potential the heroine of the story found a Certified Cape Wearing Repairman, Peter. So we headed that way at first light or what we thought was the light through the gloomy, insistent rain. That way was to an island fortress in the middle of Lake Champlain carefully disguised by apple orchards planted around the area. The rendezvous was accomplished with precision timing.  After being guided into position, Peter initiated his listening super powers and declared the problem as good as solved. Leaping into his stealth work pod he quickly replaced the faulty circuit board, fixed the underlying engineering flaw and sent us on our way. As we drove off though the orchards I thought I heard the strains of the William Tell Overture wafting across the lea.

And to that end, an exhausted writer bids you a good night, Cadillac will have to wait another day and you get to see two of the five photos I took all day.

The secret repair station located in — not kidding here, the town of South Hero, Vermont.

Tonights Next Door Neighbor

Bridge Over Troubled Waters - S&G

Our goal was a camping site on a maple farming operation so far north in Vermont that it nudges Canada. We arrived and set up, then went for a ride to see the colors before the rain. It really never cleared, but it did not rain. The dark, low and grey clouds once more dulled the still amazing colors of the forest. We went up and over Jay Peak and down into a valley with several small towns and lots of covered bridges. We set about to find some of them and ended up with six. Four built by the same family in the 1880’s. Eventually we returned to our site on the farm and found out our heat (sail switch, again?) failed. Rats. So we hooked up and moved south about 35 miles to a campground with power so we could run our heat pump. It is just cold at 44 degrees with rain starting early morning hours, so no sun either. At least at this age I need some warmth. We are formulating a new plan or else we must come back to warmer climes.  Late note: CJH found a certified repair person to look at the furnace tomorrow so off to the islands. Yup.

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NLV

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

Well I have made an important decision that I will announce tomorrow and it would be MUCH better with my Announcement Gong. But I fear I must plod on until we get back to NC and uncover the loot stuffed in the car. Then it will be great to have my every passage into a room gonged. Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!. ED NOTE: I have an announcement also that concerns you and I will make you wait until tomorrow for a real life altering plan, MINE. 

American Pie — Don McLean

Our campsite tonight is rather unique. Located on the back of a parking lot for Echo Lake on the Cannon Mountain Ski area. There are seven sites for full hook up and a nice view. We dropped south to arrive here and set up in time to go to Polly’s Pancake Parlor - a real treat. We enjoyed five different kinds of pancakes all with real maple syrup or maple creme or maple sugar. Major decision dilemma. It was a day of off and on rain, usually on but we did get a few breaks, one of them no weather related:) My glasses broke and a lens fell out. I did not lose it and called a local eye care place and they fixed it in five minutes. No charge - thanks! At a weather break we hiked a four waterfall trail that was pretty even in a light mist. Talked with nice folks, camped next to us, from Georgia on their way to Acadia for the first time with their son and meeting some friends. I tend to offer too much advice cause I love the place so much and want others to enjoy it as well. Don’t think after seeing the crowds that is really an issue. The leaf change over the last three days is visible and they are just reaching the “stunning” category. Hope we will see even more as we move to a couple of miles from Canada in Vermont tomorrow. 

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

This is my last official day of protest. I am sure everyone has learned an important lesson. But tomorrow I am back, so it will be a monsterful day.

What Kind of Fool Am I - Newley et al

Looking for Moose is reminding me of a snipe hunt I was sent on as a new Cub Scout. “Here, Dave, hold this bag and we will chase them to you.” Highly amusing, apparently. We have had advice from 5 or six people on where to go to see Moose and they vary by scores of miles in every direction. I don’t doubt the good will and expertise of those we asked, but no two were even close. So, I conclude that you sent someone where you saw a Moose (2007 was a good year) or someone you know saw a Moose. Perhaps we shall not seek a Moose and one will randomly appear. We are in very Moosey habitat. Meanwhile, we have driven a lot, in the rain again but still gorgeous leaves and neat places. No regrets with or without the elusive Moose. Photography has not been great today. The skies are leaden, the colors are flat and the drizzle only stops to rain hard for a bit. But we Press On Regardless. We did come across a neat, still in use, covered bridge in a hamlet called Stark somewhere between our campsite and Vermont. 

Dixville Notch, Balsam Lodge (closed, sadly) site of the first votes of the Presidential election.

The Androscogan River

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

I should be still on strike but I had to report today that here in the heart of my relatives’ country, with me giving exact locations of my cousins, aunts and uncles, the Driver has yet to find a single one. You are trammeling me.

The Pink Panther Theme - Mancini

Leaving Maine we entered into New Hampshire and set up at Umbagog State Park. We must have missed Maine cause we were back in about 2 hours. We went off on a short hike along the Androscoggin River, quite nice and we saw a flotilla of Wood Ducks. Cool. We were searching out potential Moose sites but later were told by a local couple who are birders and live near the campground that the Moose population has been serious reduced by a disease spread by ticks. Some estimates are that 60% have died. So, they said you can see them but much more random. We didn’t. But will try again tomorrow. We were on the wrong side of the mountain to see the sunset but had a wonderful reflection in cloud and stream. As an aside, we couldn’t find a moose and the irony is we travel with one we can’t get rid of. 

Thanks to Shelly at Dunkin in Colebrook, NH, for figuring out how to allow me to use Wifi inside to get this posted.

Androscoggin River

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

I heard that but I am still on strike and will not respond to that slander. You are being a bit of a fardel.

Working on the Highway -Bruce

We have had a few calls from friends who were checking in on our vacation. It is difficult to make the adjustment but this is not really vacation - it is just a slice of the year on the road. And when we have a day like yesterday with lots of rain and this one - lots of errands, waiting and not much “excitement” it feels ok cause we have those days in abundance at home as well. You cannot travel for two or three months and not have regular stuff to attend to - in fact if you get a week straight with little of that it would be the exception. Today was one of those days. Mostly. We still had a nice walk to the seawall near our campground before checkout time, the sun was out and warming, the ocean a brilliant blue and the birds active all around. We also stopped in Bar Harbor for our lunch that would do for dinner today, so, lots of fun in the midst of the errands. The car wash was a necessity and we had a two hour plus wait to get the oil changed, also needed. The time was way better than the Toyota garage who said they could get us in late October! We got new maps at AAA, cleaned up a lot of stuff in the trailer, emptied tanks, filled the propane (Tractor Supply is great for this), stopped at a bakery, checked tire pressures and worked on the upcoming week. I am writing this while they finish the oil change and then off to a maple farm for the night. Then tomorrow we are off in search of leaves and moose in the northern reaches of New Hampshire and Vermont.

Seawall Surf

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

(Ed Note: Since he is still sulking, day two by my count, I will set the record straight for real. It is not an announcement gong, it is a wind chime, it is not an award and if he uses a word like simulacrum again I am going to take away is “Word of the Day” calendar.)

Have You Ever Seen the Rain? - CCR

The rain began at 3 AM on Saturday and with brief respites continued until 4:00 Sunday afternoon. We thought we had a window in the morning. We hit Bass Island Lighthouse and then took off on the Ship Harbor trail. The trail is named for an Irish schooner, the Grand Design, that wrecked here in the late 1600’s. It is a figure eight through deep forest then out on the rocky shore. About the time we hit the cross over on the eight it started to drizzle, about the time we got to the shore it was raining, heading back it poured and the trail filled with water. You could not go around some of the puddles so we waded through them. Soaked! Our shoes are still drying and everything else went through a dryer at the local laundry. After lunch we poked through a shop or two and took a ride to both Long Pond and Echo Lake. Then we went to the Hinckley Yacht builder and saw a cottage nearby where we stayed about 30 years ago. Seemed like a nostalgia tour.  Dinner at the trailer and a moderate sunset capped the day. 

Just a bit off the rain soaked trail in a deeply forested park of Acadia National Park

Storm surge on the rocky shore at Ship Harbor.

Hinckley harbor with clearing sky

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

I am not sulking. I am protesting. As an all-American Moose and former Bull Moose Party Presidential Candidate it is my inalienable right. You hid my beautiful award statue and announcement gong. And provided me with a suspect photo. My protest will last three days, not counting this one cause I had to un-protest to set the recored straight. I need my simulacrum and the announcement gong that shall ring each time I enter a room. The protest in reinstated.

Back in the Trailer Again -apologies to G. Autry

Today was move back day. Our friends departed for Virginia at 5:30 this morning. Cindy and I had taken one load of stuff to our trailer that is stored about twenty minutes away and finished that job this morning after completing the requirements of the house rental. We are at Seawall campground in the National Park located in the Southwest portion of the island. Lots of rain today. Since it was not conducive for hiking we chose to get re-stocked on groceries. We tried twice to take a walk but just could not dodge the rain so, short dashes and back to the car. Dinner was in the trailer tonight and it was great. Plus we still have blueberry pie for dessert. The rain makes the trailer seem very snug and cozy.

Rain and fog on a small pond

Walking to a spot on the shore I spooked this heron, wrong setting on my camera and a couple of seconds to shoot so I panned with him with the wind and rain blowing hard and got a result I like.

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

Ed Note: The Moose is sulking. He wants a better picture of the “crown & statue - award” but I told him it was put away. He is not speaking or writing.

The Times They are a Changing -Dylan

Preparation day for moving back to the trailer. First a nice, leisurely walk on a carriage trail on the south end of the island. Pretty morning, warm with a steady breeze off the ocean. Then lots of packing, laundry, trips to the car and one to the trailer to get the fridge back to cold and take extra cloths and food. After as we planned to go for one more dinner together was stopped at the Bar Harbor Cellars to buy a bottle of blueberry wine. Dinner was at a place we have never been before, Mama DiMatteo’s - as you might guess an Italian place where I still managed to have haddock. By the way it is owned by a Norwegian man:) At the house we are fixing some coffee and waiting for AAA to come and see why Dave Faith’s car will not start. Important as they are set to leave by 5AM. 

“I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.” Psalm 55:7 NLT

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

I was chagrined by the photo from my PR person, the crown is much more amazing in person and the statue is magnific. I think I may be needing a new PR team.

Meet Me in the Morning - Dylan

Morning came early today as the whole crew piled into the Toyota shortly after five for a trip up Cadillac Mountain to greet the sunrise. It was mild but very windy with lots of fog drifting in and out while we waited. The sky was colorful early and the sun made its appearance right on time. Everyone should see this at least once. This time of year this is the first light on the continental US. We immediately drove to Bar Harbor for breakfast sandwiches at the “Slice of Eden.” Not a replacement for the Morning Glory but maybe nothing will be as unique. A walk on Jesup Path in the morning light was more conducive for photos than early evening from the night before. Another half hour spent on the Steamship Dock at Seal Harbor was rewarding. Cindy and I then spent an hour on Schooner Head watching eiders and waves. Mesmerizing. An early lunch at the aways good Galyn’s preceding a two hour shopping and looking at Bar Harbor before heading back to the rental house sated with seafood and ice cream. Cindy and I made coffee and sat on the chairs on “our” beach for a while till it got chilly.

Moments before sunrise

Shortly after dawn the fog intensified.

Eider

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

I was up early, full of vim and vigor (Ed. Note: Being drug out out of the comforter and pushed into the car is not vim nor vigor) to see the mountain named for me in all its morning glory. I was not disappointed. It is good to have your expectations met and the high quality of the things associated with my name can only enhance the future film roles I will be offered. Although they are slow in coming and only two - very average - suggestions have made the way to Nearly Canada. I did not have my photographer in time because of my morning duties - so the spectacular crown will have to wait till tomorrow. 

An Easy Plan, Foiled!

The intent was to park at the South Bubble parking lot to get to the top of the small mountain. Well, that did not happen because there were no parking spots there or at the little pull-off 1/2 mile away. So we drove to Jordan Pond House where we did find a space and so choose to hike from there. It appeared to add about 3/4 or a mile each way to the hike but there was the added factor of more height from the pond plus we chose poorly. We did the straight up the bubble. That included lots of very steep clambering over rocks, up some vertical shoots, an iron bar to two and lots of cliffs to work around. From our hiking book: “This hike challenges the well conditioned hiker.” It was a feat and Cindy did it very well. I would say a casual look around at others on the same route that all appeared to be three or five decades younger. For the way back, we chose to head toward the parking lot and then on an oblique trail that led more gently to the pond’s trail and then back to the parking lot. We did meet some interesting people on the trail including four women friends who travel to a National Park each fall to spend a week together. Very neat idea. 

After showers and lunch we did venture out for a walk on the very level Jesup Path for a nice evening walk. Dinner at the house. 

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

One of my many fans got me a prize today. It is a Moose with a crown, to represent my achievements. I plan to get a PR team to get a photo tomorrow.  

On the Road Again

Took a long but easy hike this morning on a portion of the extensive carriage road system. We began at the Brown Mountain Gate House and continued to the two bridges we could not seem to locate on the other hike. The bridges were, as they all are, cleverly built to enhance the scenery and often frame a feature, like a waterfall. Not sure how many bridges are on the 49 miles of trails but more than a dozen would be close. I could look that up but then so could you. Very light lunch today as we were headed to Bass Harbor for an early dinner at the Seafood Ketch. Turned out to be nice on the deck and the food was pretty good. We poked about in the area, stopping at Seawall and Bass Harbor Lighthouse before ending the day at MDI for some excellent ice cream. 

Potential prince

A light tall waterfall

Daybreak at the rental house

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

Another film project arrived today. To Infinity and Beyond - a Moose odyssey. I like the concept of the featured antlered one on a great adventure but neither of them seem to be the right one just yet for me. I imagine more will come tomorrow. Off tonight to visit some cousins and eat water lillies. I don’t think they quite understand stardom. 

Buzz Buzz

Up early and off to hike the Bee Hive. It is one of my all time favorite hikes and Rusty was still here so it was the two of us. The Bee Hive is a lot of up with ladders, open rocks and cliffs but the reward - great views. It is a popular hike so watching the trail from below looks like a hive both in the shape of the mountain and the number of people criss-crossing the rocks. We hiked over the top and then took a brief side trail to The Bowl, a neat, nearly hidden lake with deep blue waters. Back to the house, I had blueberry pie and coffee for lunch, the trip is getting better. Late afternoon the five of us walked Hunter Brook Beach trail and watched the waves lap at the shore, then headed to town for dinner. A new place featuring cheesecake opened in Bar Harbor and they offer sample sized flights, the reviews of the four cheesecake eaters were mixed. My review was not. 

A view of the Bee Hive as you process back down. There are at least 10 people visible in this shot.

Sand Beach and Great Head from the Bee Hive

Cindy enjoying sun and ocean with a favorite view.

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

Still whirling with my celebration. My future board chairman and my financial advisor brought me a gift today, I will share with all of you later after the emotion of the moment allows me to reflect on their joy of giving. My first script idea came in today. Moose Tracks: The making of a hit album. Sounds more like a documentary and may not test my acting skills enough

Too much party!

"Celebrate, Celebrate, Dance to the Music"

When the day begins with a loon sighting from your porch, it portends a good day. We also spotted an eagle soaring over the adjacent island. Cindy and I set out mid-morning to take a walk on a nearby carriage road. We walked to one of Mr. Rockefeller’s bridges and then set out to find two more bridges off a trail. We did intersect the carriage road but could not find the bridges, so we came back on the same route to the Brown Mountain Gatehouse where we parked. About a 3.4 mile trip in perfect weather. We met a mushroom hunter and asked a lot of questions which she patiently answered. We had to take some freshly laundered items back to the trailer when we finished the trail and pick up a couple of things we were missing. When we got back to the house we found out that Tom bought a blueberry pie from the Sugar Bakery and we forced ourselves to try some of that for lunch. All seven of us went to dinner at the Side Street Cafe in Bar Harbor. The consensus was the meals were very good. My haddock was the best of the trip. Then, of course, a stop at MDI for ice cream. Tonight’s selection was a combo of Maine Sea Salt Caramel and Girl Scout Thin Mint. Wow. It was also the celebration for the 300th Park. 

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

What a day of accolades for me and my acting debut. Many of my fans came north to celebrate with me and have been providing me with great food. They have also provided an appropriate Star Level lodging for me. I have a marsh right outside my door, there is a fresh (Ed Note, was a…) blueberry pie and lots of super food type items. In the late afternoon, my fans piled into the transportation pod and we went to a elegant restaurant in Bar Harbor. They had flowers on the table! I had trouble choosing my meal but ended up with sauerkraut on mac and cheese. Of course someone else picked up the tab, another benefit of fame. We then strolled around the corner for a second celebration at an ice cream shop that has moosey flavors like basil. What a delectable frozen treat. I was appropriately humble and was able to appear surprised. Still have not had any scripts to review but the mail is slow up here in Close to Canada. 

Ice cream means celebration.

Trying not to drink excessively is hard at a big party

Some of my fans and proto-staff for the celebration. Tickets were limited, obviously. Some of these folks drove more than a thousand miles to be here tonight.

Transition Day

We moved today. Our friends Dave and Jean Faith and Tom Light arrived for the house we rented. You would think it is easy to move from the trailer to the house, you would be wrong. First we had to secure a place for the trailer. I found one but it was neither easy nor inexpensive. So everything we needed had to be unloaded from the trailer and the trailer prepped for storage. We also needed to handle our food and that too was tricky to not lose any of the food Cindy prepared for us to use on the road. But we did. With the trailer stored, I drove to Bangor to pick Tom from the airport. We stopped for groceries, gas and lunch. Got back to the rental house, which is located on a private 150’ pebble beach. We unloaded lots of stuff, left Tom to get a rest and I went to pick up Cindy who spent the day with the Harmans. We are in tonight and all is good but no hikes at all on this beautiful Saturday. 

There was the start of a sunset but the fog rolled in fast and thick so it disappeared. The photo is shot from “our” beach.

Update Cadillac - where, what and with whom — for his fans

The plan is afoot. I will soon be rolling in new opportunities for my new vehicle. Vehicle is not a car but movie talk for a new film. My fans will shortly be sending me scripts and film suggestions. Oh, and I think the party might be tomorrow cause I saw a party hat in a bag. Stay tuned.