Welcome to Quebec

Crossing the Border

July 23 we crossed the border into Canada. Bruce was finishing a call on the cell phone when we pulled up to the guard at the crossing. (it's .69 per minute for the next week so he didn't want to just hang up!) We think that the guard was not happy about this and we were directed to go park for a full inspection! Two young and very serious border officers searched the truck thoroughly and then the camper for about a half hour before sending us on our way. Interesting experience.

Camping de Compton!

We went on to Camping de Compton, RV Park. It is a large, well equipped RV park with everything except cable. We did get antenna TV with one English-speaking station and several in French. The area is one of rolling hills with lakes and large farms.

The homes and farms in this area are very neatly maintained and typically have beautiful landscaping with abundant flowerbeds.

We met up with Carol's friends, Claude and Rennee Martin, who stay at this campground in the summer and spend winters in Florida. Claude and Renee were camping in Apopka, Fl the first year of Carol's retirement. The three of them enjoyed riding together and talked about getting together some time in Compton, QC.

After a serious accident on their Goldwing a short time ago, they decided to stop riding and got a Smart car! The car, at 104", is only 14" longer than Bruce's scooter, and with the top down and top side rails out, it's a pretty fun ride! We must have made quite a site, following them on the scooter around the countryside where they both grew up and then raised their own children as well.

Among the stops we made was the Abbey St. Benoit, a beautiful place where the Monks support themselves by making cheese, maple syrup, and other items. Renee's father who was a mason, actually worked on the building which appears to be traditional on the outside but is very modern inside.

Unlike winter RV parks in Florida, summer camping includes lots of families, tents, tent campers. We met a young couple who are doing it the fun/hard way!!!

All this stuff, 2 adults and 2 kids, and 2 bikes went into 2 motorcycles and a trailer! We think it took them about 4 hours to pack up. Only for the young!

Another interesting nearby place was Coaticook, home of the world's longest walking suspension bridge! And no OF COURSE Carol did NOT walk on it! Are you kidding? (On the other hand, neither did Bruce) But we got some great pictures. Here's one:

So, that's it for our Canadian visit! See you back in the States!

Carol & Bruce

Tamworth, New Hampshire July 16th

Arrived Tamworth, NH, 63 miles west of Portland, ME on Thursday July 16. While most of the campground is heavily wooded with a nice stream running through it, we are in a more open area. After 2 months on the road, we have driven over 4000 miles plus about 1300 on my scooter.

There is a Christmas in July event going on here and here are a few photos.

Maya loves to swim in the river. (see movie clip)

Ellsworth, Maine

Arrived at Patten Pond Campground Thursday July 9th. Campground has cable, a nice large lake and is about 10 miles from Ellsworth and about 35 miles to Bar Harbor.

"Only" $45,000 and no wheels! OK, IF you want to stay in the same location.

Took a scenic 90 mile round-trip on scooter to Bar Harbor

and continued doing loop of Acadia national park to Sand Beach. These people are desperate for a beach! In the blue it says only the hardy go into the water as it's 50 degrees in the summer!

On the loop ride we went to the top of Cadillac peak.
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, at 1532 feet, is the highest point along the N. Atlantic seaboard providing spectacular views.







Monday, we rented a 3 wheel trike and got some exercise for both Maya and us.

Portland, Me

On Sun 7-5-09 we arrived at beautiful Wild Duck Adult Campground in Scarborough, Maine just south of Portland. It's a very small campground set on a little piece of solid land surrounded by an extensive backwater area. The picture was taken looking through a site next to Janet and Ron's and out across the backwater. Our 4 days at this location were a mix of rain and sun as you'll see!

We met up with a friend of Carol's - Larry Taylor - and were treated to a tour of the countryside and his homestead in Limerick. He share's our love of being on the water and has 6 boats on the premises, including a new Hobie kayak that can be paddled, pedaled, or sailed! We're looking forward to trying it out later this year in Florida, as Larry winters with his 5th wheel at the AFB in Tampa.

We then had rain for 48 hours which gave us time for getting caught up on a lot of things that get deferred on sunny days! Even though it was only 56 degrees on Wed and still pouring. we took a "truck tour" of downtown Portland and had a "touristy" lunch of steamy clam chowder in bread bowls at the water's edge.


When we crossed the bridge between Portland and South Portland, we were treated to the passing of a ship up into the harbor and watched the tugs guiding it do their magic! (Sorry about the picture quality - rain is not a friend to our camera!)

Later we picked up Janet and Ron, met up with Larry and Sandy, and went to a really good (local) seafood restaurant they frequent. Carol, Bruce, and Ron all had "twin lobsters" (Carol tried not to look too close at hers, but Ron seemed delighted with his first "whole lobster"!)

We can hardly believe that as chilly as it's been in the northeast, it was reportedly 88 degrees in Fairbanks, Alaska! Guess that is where the global warming went! We're hoping for better weather in Bar Harbor. We're heading up to Ellsworth, a network park, about 22mi. from Acadia National Park .

See you there!

Carol and Bruce

Arrived Littleton, July 1

Minuteman Campground is north of Boston near Littleton. It is in a pine forest. Rain most days as you can see from the MUD! It makes us think of state campgrounds - very woodsy and no cable, but beautiful!

So far the "4-legged girls" are

traveling well together!

The weather cleared yesterday so we enjoyed a day-trip in to Boston by train and subway. We took the Trolley Tour of the city and had a great lunch in the North End at "Tia's" .

Our favorite thing to see was Trinity Church and the juxtaposition of a fabulous modern building

Ron went in to the city with us, but we went our separate ways and met up back at the subway station later. Fenway Park was Ron's favorite stop, although he did spend a good amount of time at Cheers! Having spent time in Boston previously, Janet decided to stay at the campground and did a lot of work on her quilting!



Tomorrow we head on to the Portland, Maine area!

Bruce and Carol

Arrived Cape Cod-June 29

Well, here we are in New England at Old Chatham Campground in

South Dennis, Mass. It's on the Cape, and only about 60 miles from Provincetown. The four of us went together to see the town and have our first NE sea food! Afterword we took a few hours to walk around the town and play tourists. Amazing the stores you find!

See you next from Littleton, Mass.
Bruce and Carol