Thursday, September 27, 2012

Fountain in middle of duck pond

This park reminds me of Laurelhurst Park in Portland Oregon

Duck House

Quite nice housing for the ducks !

Portland Maine visitors center

How much fun is that?  The visitor center is a small castle!

Bridge in Portland park

Roof of the visitor center ....has installed leaves

We were told the little leaves sticking up off the roof keeps the snow & ice from staying on the roof....and sometimes it works!

Duck pond in park near visitor center

Can you make out the unique duck house in the middle of the pond?

Portland's carousel inside a large mall...just like Jantzen Beach!

Could not believe it!  The similarities keep happening!  We randomly stopped at one of MANY malls in the area...and there it was! A carousel right near the food court !

Greetings from PORTLAND!...Maine that is....

Stopped into Portland, Maine ...funny how there are quite a lot of similarities ...they're both the largest city in their state ....they both are on water and have a unique art culture and a special kind of "Funkiness ".  Some day it would be nice to stay longer and explore more ...

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Waterway near our campsite in Maine - Sunset Point

Our campsite in Maine

Statute of Samantha Smith

In 1982 Samantha Smith wrote a letter to Russian leader, Yuri Andropov, asking for Peace ...she was invited to the then, USSR to visit ....

Senate side...much smaller

Maine House Side

Maine State Seal

This was at the entry of Maine State House

Public entry to Maine Capitol

We had to go around to the back of the building ...guess we're just "Commoners" :)

Phil on the steps of Maine state Capitol in Augusta

It started sprinkling today ...but still got a good picture of the front of the Maine State House

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Maine Lobster for lunch

After church today...we went to a local seafood eatery and enjoyed a first for Phil...Lobster !!  The manager was nice enough to show us the correct way to crack and eat it...it was good & MESSY !

Saturday, September 22, 2012

View of Morse Sugar Farm

Took this picture from Maple Sugar Trail

Maple Syrup lines

The tap the trees in Feb & March...these lines were left up for next season.  They tap different sides each year .

Giant Cornicopia made from corn stalks

Thought this was a unique use of corn stalks

Tapping the sugar maple trees

They don't tap the trees with the old-fashioned way with wooden taps....they use plastic tubing instead ....which is cleaner and faster... As well as easier...more gentle on the trees

Morse Maple Sugar Farm

Just outside of Montpieler, Vt.....we visited a Maple Sugar/Syrup  Farm

Maintaining Harvey in Maine

We drove into Maine and found a rest area...so decided to take advantage of it!  Very nice picnic area.....STINKY pit toilet!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Looks like Oregon ...

Headed to Lake Placid ...looks alot like Oregon ...just different evergreens

Looks like Michigan

We are on Rte 9N headed towards Schroon Lake ....area reminds me of parts of Michigan

Yesterday we experienced LOTS of rain & some wind !!

Since my phone ABSOLUTELY DIED  (With multiple pictures still not downloaded...(Thus the no contact for several days)...Yesterday we went into Queenbury, NY to pickup a replacement phone ...it was a good day to spend indoors at the AT&T store ...although they couldn't get the pictures transferred ....have  to figure something else to recover the "lost" pictures !

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Our campsite for the last week

We parked in Martie's daughter's (Robin) & husband's (Tim) drive from Sept 1 thru 8 in Kalamazoo, Michigan....VERRRRRRY HOT & HUMID!!!!  We used the generator ALOT to keep the AC going!  

More tree trimming time! Harvey provided a great stable platform....

Thank you Harvey for providing a nice stable area to work on!  Much better than a ladder!

Mother & daughter

After almost 2 weeks of enjoying my daughter's & family being  nearby....we say "So long" as we head to Canada.  It was fun camping with them at VanBuren State Park as well as "Camping" in their driveway...we will miss sharing meals & playing Wits & Wagers as well as Kings In The Corner with granddaughter Sarah and losing Play Nine (Golf) with daughter Robin!  "I still don't want to give you the 11 ! :)

Phil & Martie with 13 year old grandson

Our grandson, Stephen took time to say so long before we headed out to Canada

Harvey helping with tree trimming

Tim & Robin's trees were needing some trimming- So.........Harvey provided the height/support while Tim & Filbert did the "Grunt" work! 

Before we left...Phil showed Tim the top of Harvey and..........

Monday, September 3, 2012

LABOR DAY !

What else would you do on Labor Day???!  WORK of course! Here is Phil & Tim re-doing Tim & Robin's bathroom.  Tim gutted the walls...now they are putting up new drywall.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Visited cousin in Grand Rapids, Michigan

After leaving camp on Friday afternoon....we headed up to Grand Rapids via Blue Star Hwy (Back roads)...took 2 hrs to travel 56 miles.  Got to Camping World and exchanged a "Frozen" GPS for one that works.....then traveled 1 more mile to get a used safety cable for our tow bar.  Called my cousin Dave Wells....and made arrangements to drive over to his home for a visit.  Just as I pulled Harvey up to th with Dave & wife Cheryl at their place....Aunt Marilyn (Dave's mom) parked right in front of us!  Had a very nice visit over chicke wraps & lemonade.

Tim & Robin's campsite

Stephen (Tim & Robin's son & Stephen's buddy Jake) & folks slept in pop-up tent trailer....Sarah had her own tent.

VanBuren State Park campground...shared spaces

Right behind our campsite was Tim & Robin's campsite.  It made it nice for sharing meals.....and Harvey's bathroom :)