Day 169 – Acadia
We woke up Sunday morning to blue skies, a perfect day to explore more of Acadia National Park. We started with a steep but relatively short hike up the southeast ridge trail of Pemetic Mountain, then down the northwest ridge to complete the loop through The Bubbles and down the west side of Jordan Pond.
After the hikes, we returned to the campground for a late lunch and a little rest. Then we got cleaned up for an evening in Bar Harbor, where we explored the town and had a nice seafood dinner.
Day 170 – Acadia to Portland
We packed up the van early and drove to Belfast for Michael to work. After lunch, we continued our drive to the “original” Portland, where we checked into our hotel near the Old Port area so we could get in a couple more hours of work before heading to dinner. After a short walk through the historic area, we decided on dinner right next to the fishing and crabbing boats at the Portland Lobster Company. Afterwards, it was back to the hotel to relax after long day of driving.
Day 171 – Portland
Tuesday morning we worked from the hotel, then we went for a long walk through the city. We headed through the Old Port to the Eastern Promenade, which had great views of the bay and beautiful historic homes. We walked back to downtown over Munjoy Hill, where we stopped at Tracey’s friend’s wine bar MJ’s for a quick rest. Then we continued west to grab dinner, BBQ for Michael and Thai food for Tracey, and then back to the hotel.
Day 172 – Portland to Oxbow Campground
We started off the day with work from the hotel, then we checked out and hit the road. Our first stop wasn’t far away: the iconic Portland Head Light House. After seeing the lighthouse, we had a long drive to our destination, the Oxbow Campground in southern New Hampshire, where we finished the work day and relaxed in the quiet woods.
Day 173 – Oxbow Campground to Northampton
After a morning of work, we were back on the road and into our next state, Massachusetts. After a pleasant drive, we arrived at Mount Holyoke, where this time we decided to take the easy way out and drove up to the summit. The views of the Connecticut River and the surrounding landscape were really great, with the weather so clear we could see the skyline in Hartford, CT. We also got to see the scene which inspired one of the most famous American landscape paintings, painted in 1836 by Thomas Cole.
After taking in the views, we headed back down the mountain for a drive through Northampton, an historic college town just across the river. Then it was on to our campground to rest up for a big weekend with Tracey’s sister’s family.
Day 174 – Northampton to Neversink
Friday morning we worked from the campground until after lunch, then we started off for Neversink, NY. Along the way, we stopped at the Walkway on the Hudson, a section of a rails-to-trail path which crosses the Hudson River (and the world’s longest elevelated pedestrian bridge). Then we headed out of the Hudson River Valley and into the Catskills, for a beautiful drive through the Mohonk Preserve and lots of fantastic fall foliage.
Finally, we arrived at Tracey’s sisters house, where Michael got to meet the family. Then we enjoyed a grilled hamburger dinner (yum!) and relaxed around a roaring campfire.
Day 175 – Neversink
Saturday morning started off with the Giant Pumpkin Party, where Shelby, Tracey’s oldest niece, was riding her horse in the parade. Tracey and Michael watched with Cora (Tracey’s youngest niece) and Jason, her brother-in-law. We had fun watching everyone go by and Cora’s smile every time someone tossed candy her way.
After the parade, we went to the festival which was a big fundraiser for the local library. We did our part supporting by buying 3 books (one of which is on the history of the American Revolution, which we thought fitting given what part of the country we’re in and are about to spend a lot of time in), some maple candy (including maple cotton candy!), chili for lunch and then donuts for dessert.
After the festival, it was back to the house for some laundry and then fun times with the girls.
You forgot to mention Michael’s near death experience from a horrendous allergy attack that took him through a box of tissues and some serious nose chaffing.
But the Benadryl helped and he was a good sport through it all.
The weather looks wonderful! Big blue skies. We are heading to a week of rain back here in the real Portland. Wonderful posts, its quite a diary. Keep on rollin!!!