tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932399477809105712024-03-12T00:21:14.850-05:00RV-A-GOGORVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.comBlogger626125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-49444039110797958442023-08-31T15:39:00.001-05:002023-09-03T05:14:43.879-05:00Québec City - A City of French Canadian Culture<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Québec City, the birthplace of French Canada, embraces its’ 400-year-old
history and welcomes visitors with its charming and friendly aura. Winding cobblestone roads, towering
cathedrals, stunning architecture, bistros, sounds of French pleasantries and the
smell of fresh baked croissants may have you thinking you are in France, but
no, you are in Canada. From the onset,
we were charmed by the city. The actual city is
nicely small and can be explored in two or three days, but there is lots to do
in the surrounding area as well, so you may find yourself extending your stay. Like we did.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNa6bpHVcS7kYI5JbbZfCVIree6kyyHRgC7tqQGhRNqqIAny5NOZA3vcxNCeRMV-dd-hmSmsxexI2R6WAcGeW2ha6JfGg61PbDsaL7mTZyT9y9OYL-T_kdN_v_uSgVBq4jToTO1TzP26Wj8Ex_lRJLL9S2dyeqvQwR8x8ZAvioc9WfrGM9oSQotF8UZk/s4000/20230619_145547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNa6bpHVcS7kYI5JbbZfCVIree6kyyHRgC7tqQGhRNqqIAny5NOZA3vcxNCeRMV-dd-hmSmsxexI2R6WAcGeW2ha6JfGg61PbDsaL7mTZyT9y9OYL-T_kdN_v_uSgVBq4jToTO1TzP26Wj8Ex_lRJLL9S2dyeqvQwR8x8ZAvioc9WfrGM9oSQotF8UZk/w640-h480/20230619_145547.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNa6bpHVcS7kYI5JbbZfCVIree6kyyHRgC7tqQGhRNqqIAny5NOZA3vcxNCeRMV-dd-hmSmsxexI2R6WAcGeW2ha6JfGg61PbDsaL7mTZyT9y9OYL-T_kdN_v_uSgVBq4jToTO1TzP26Wj8Ex_lRJLL9S2dyeqvQwR8x8ZAvioc9WfrGM9oSQotF8UZk/s4000/20230619_145547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNa6bpHVcS7kYI5JbbZfCVIree6kyyHRgC7tqQGhRNqqIAny5NOZA3vcxNCeRMV-dd-hmSmsxexI2R6WAcGeW2ha6JfGg61PbDsaL7mTZyT9y9OYL-T_kdN_v_uSgVBq4jToTO1TzP26Wj8Ex_lRJLL9S2dyeqvQwR8x8ZAvioc9WfrGM9oSQotF8UZk/s4000/20230619_145547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieA9VC1L2-HVVWkFa3Qv9unmK-BJGuEJu-8SRNqru65L_BIPd1G8rFE0DFkKpL-8TFftoOnAG3nSBsBIDfWq6laTjefG5CmroVvuilce6pcYd3RnGeBZ6m_6Bxc_3Vz5wfYDKi5oX55793jq8F08JveA2bRoabArJ0GQ0B5pjI4XWFRLZmZrpqwQf4XZg/s2768/20230620_102841a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2076" data-original-width="2768" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieA9VC1L2-HVVWkFa3Qv9unmK-BJGuEJu-8SRNqru65L_BIPd1G8rFE0DFkKpL-8TFftoOnAG3nSBsBIDfWq6laTjefG5CmroVvuilce6pcYd3RnGeBZ6m_6Bxc_3Vz5wfYDKi5oX55793jq8F08JveA2bRoabArJ0GQ0B5pjI4XWFRLZmZrpqwQf4XZg/w657-h480/20230620_102841a.jpg" width="657" /></a></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 1985, Québec City was designated a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and is the most intact fortified town north of Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The city’s fortified walls and ramparts,
constructed between 1608 and 1871, which served as the city’s defense system
are still intact today and are prominent features of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Québec City is at a strategic location along
the St. Lawrence River and played an important role in the fur trade between
North America and Europe and saw many skirmishes between the French and
British.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The British eventually gained
control of the colony in 1759, but the province retained its French ancestry,
including French as the official language of the province. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvXeYJ3B051ornnSst98ubCHBFWhP_hlE-C2zO9oohIbmjCP_JSVFePRVMFqvHeEUQUjDgCc2S4Grg2V1MGD_nGn46pI_xYwOy7R6BBsBExEJCKkynkx3qXPzyFw8uTZqau2T-P1E8HLRYduVOAKaME_SYq6Z9xwOHc6T8MWMyxQ9ywMU6fInTyEuW08/s4000/20230620_101905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvXeYJ3B051ornnSst98ubCHBFWhP_hlE-C2zO9oohIbmjCP_JSVFePRVMFqvHeEUQUjDgCc2S4Grg2V1MGD_nGn46pI_xYwOy7R6BBsBExEJCKkynkx3qXPzyFw8uTZqau2T-P1E8HLRYduVOAKaME_SYq6Z9xwOHc6T8MWMyxQ9ywMU6fInTyEuW08/w640-h480/20230620_101905.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Upon entering the city, you feel thrust back in time and you
get the sense that not much has changed in hundreds of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “quartier du Petit Champlain” (also known
as the Old Quarter) is where Samuel de Champlain founded the first colony in
1608 and one of the most beautiful historic areas in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gateway to the Old Quarter is the oldest
staircase in Québec City (<i>Escalier Casse-Cou</i>), constructed in 1635 to
make the walk easier between the upper and lower sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today the stairs are one of the most
photographed spots in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just be
careful when taking a selfie because they have been coined the “breakneck
stairs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P3wnetq2dNT7FOdYBvQS3bx32TVbs5d1Myqgie2DJTNz1xN_k8QSd8pBUpmNVg_eN4jAwOdd452zRFna53tCUtd8ZDnQWAwBKg3p_7Wlnj1vcg2j4OIDcTgTISF_QHgakmPDPQmVBMhPEP-a1TaBwD7kJzorSeyk5zQygZm0fCu0E35C7VJs_xY-Qcc/s4000/20230620_100931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P3wnetq2dNT7FOdYBvQS3bx32TVbs5d1Myqgie2DJTNz1xN_k8QSd8pBUpmNVg_eN4jAwOdd452zRFna53tCUtd8ZDnQWAwBKg3p_7Wlnj1vcg2j4OIDcTgTISF_QHgakmPDPQmVBMhPEP-a1TaBwD7kJzorSeyk5zQygZm0fCu0E35C7VJs_xY-Qcc/w480-h640/20230620_100931.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the most eye-catching features of the Old Quarter is Umbrella
Alley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brightly colored umbrellas dangle
suspended in the air and mold to the contours of the meandering lower
cobblestone street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flanking the sides
are bistros, boutiques, and pubs beckoning you to stay and relax and take in
the charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHaE0OoboxWVrA-35ZjxQZynSNckfObueYSucQwnspxOZeq-q4EGFzgKzyLiQcrVLfhK6SWSpg-84N5uuz0Rrf84InZL5gWZOC0KPukpUuUuIZSA87F_wKPm7xLTrW0QwgaHhrPui7r1Oyxd-dBdVJpy1JAPCzE7DU_ascLKM9ajGfrgrY37nOK5IT1s/s4000/20230620_095149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHaE0OoboxWVrA-35ZjxQZynSNckfObueYSucQwnspxOZeq-q4EGFzgKzyLiQcrVLfhK6SWSpg-84N5uuz0Rrf84InZL5gWZOC0KPukpUuUuIZSA87F_wKPm7xLTrW0QwgaHhrPui7r1Oyxd-dBdVJpy1JAPCzE7DU_ascLKM9ajGfrgrY37nOK5IT1s/w480-h640/20230620_095149.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wandering around the Old Quarter you eventually will come to
Place Royale - a town square outlined by well-preserved stone buildings and
cobblestone streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the site
where Samuel de Champlain chose to erect his “abitation”, or dwelling, when he
arrived in 1608.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The buildings served as
a fort, storehouse, trading post, and residence after his arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anchoring the square is the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the church has been
rebuilt several times, it has stood on the same spot in the heart of Old Québec
since 1647, making it the oldest stone church in North America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpqawLAc5kSBzl9j1nJbAd9YdCi8PAdBPH5uI-egJZ_AJVzlv0v5nNTKNV0lFOKcqTKf6LVUH6j4_OrUvOBsKDSKM6PwwgjglNbcRGwetIhazgWLWUbyG2qr9R86kRgHp3_-8e-vZlU3qquf2Rwj6fNtUqGnV0b1-sGoMjORDkSjl281ETDcg1YeEu4I/s3542/20230620_095503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2684" data-original-width="3542" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpqawLAc5kSBzl9j1nJbAd9YdCi8PAdBPH5uI-egJZ_AJVzlv0v5nNTKNV0lFOKcqTKf6LVUH6j4_OrUvOBsKDSKM6PwwgjglNbcRGwetIhazgWLWUbyG2qr9R86kRgHp3_-8e-vZlU3qquf2Rwj6fNtUqGnV0b1-sGoMjORDkSjl281ETDcg1YeEu4I/w640-h484/20230620_095503.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Around the corner from Place Royale is the impressive
Fresque des Québécois mural which narrates the story of Québec City and pays
homage to some fifteen historic figures and various local authors and
artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a dozen other murals
around the city that tell the stories of the past and transform the city into
an open-air museum.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCRpYrAuCRcV7CfypTQP7kAZVaPSC8tpjn-51R9R87uMClSlsOSNzEApUkeb7mrB0pRX6iCC_QEp-4d5m_Y9NMfX6Vst8uCvUh5gjk_pWnlPLuQQM-6KHaGlyaIBECmGs4MO_JYS6wUX8Kh32wJ08S_tuR8MvRCGOKKR0c3BKF9uL2PG8wbemlpqCR1c/s3000/20230620_095956a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2636" data-original-width="3000" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCRpYrAuCRcV7CfypTQP7kAZVaPSC8tpjn-51R9R87uMClSlsOSNzEApUkeb7mrB0pRX6iCC_QEp-4d5m_Y9NMfX6Vst8uCvUh5gjk_pWnlPLuQQM-6KHaGlyaIBECmGs4MO_JYS6wUX8Kh32wJ08S_tuR8MvRCGOKKR0c3BKF9uL2PG8wbemlpqCR1c/w640-h540/20230620_095956a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA198-ASjsfcrwhI_pLl3yRMOk0mUS2OiAZaNZy9qEUAQWI13J9shHf4MwdqWeQ8pDty_Dcq533OytN6cQV8aHC9AXjEXA5q780AQYIIPqol_QI2SgVYxe0vxrTpefZtmOi97TujLqylgryuMdLbbJLzYRmlhM5wpLVuDVSXtYhVTZvKyLlMDzYL_CSvY/s2925/20230620_103351a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="2925" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA198-ASjsfcrwhI_pLl3yRMOk0mUS2OiAZaNZy9qEUAQWI13J9shHf4MwdqWeQ8pDty_Dcq533OytN6cQV8aHC9AXjEXA5q780AQYIIPqol_QI2SgVYxe0vxrTpefZtmOi97TujLqylgryuMdLbbJLzYRmlhM5wpLVuDVSXtYhVTZvKyLlMDzYL_CSvY/w640-h640/20230620_103351a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A popular attraction in the city is the funicular
railway. In operation since 1879, the
funicular rises 195-feet from the lower quarter to the upper quarter and saves
you from walking the steep hills and steps.
Passengers are treated to wonderful views of the city and the St.
Lawrence River. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Towering over the city from its hilltop perch atop Cap
Diamant is the regal Le Château Frontenac (commonly known as the Frontenac Hotel).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reputedly the most photographed hotel in the
world, this extravagant structure opened its doors in 1893 as part of a luxury
chain of hotels operated by Canadian Pacific Railway who wanted to build a
hotel to draw travelers as a way to promote luxury train travel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many famous people have made the Château
Frontenac their residence during their time in Québec City including Queen
Elizabeth II, Céline Dion, Princess Grace of Monaco, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul
McCartney and Charlie Chaplin to name a few. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and
Canada's Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King met at the hotel to plot
the final stages of WWII.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mL2CSaIyLt0SDThXdSZXines0n5cFD3rR1d8fu1zT9Cl3wzZrgvHWArKYjLjy3x1ztZIPYsoKHmjGVuxXt6X5Z2xpISxedGYZVUmXnHUsmantEAT3vWa5Und24wI-6XX1w8zFgU-jEFDGXtnFGzj3le_KBqPtEJ7aoWJl3FQTwyRPGqELmuqO4uX2kE/s4000/20230620_094325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mL2CSaIyLt0SDThXdSZXines0n5cFD3rR1d8fu1zT9Cl3wzZrgvHWArKYjLjy3x1ztZIPYsoKHmjGVuxXt6X5Z2xpISxedGYZVUmXnHUsmantEAT3vWa5Und24wI-6XX1w8zFgU-jEFDGXtnFGzj3le_KBqPtEJ7aoWJl3FQTwyRPGqELmuqO4uX2kE/w640-h480/20230620_094325.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHtTMoghspqWjtGdAcBmXMe5O8c8MpYOM-mBgTwIaCajCH62z3V7-a629C497YxJp0vbGMMlEK0SUYdRdTw4zbOej2aVT_rzCGcCzIWlWLnhZo6bd9eI9z0_jji5EKVTPmkjZybOuOBG1zHzhHKA_1cz-6IyEVlZnBJEal6e86ALnM9LaXxEATwOtS84/s3726/20230619_145604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3726" data-original-width="2955" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHtTMoghspqWjtGdAcBmXMe5O8c8MpYOM-mBgTwIaCajCH62z3V7-a629C497YxJp0vbGMMlEK0SUYdRdTw4zbOej2aVT_rzCGcCzIWlWLnhZo6bd9eI9z0_jji5EKVTPmkjZybOuOBG1zHzhHKA_1cz-6IyEVlZnBJEal6e86ALnM9LaXxEATwOtS84/w318-h400/20230619_145604.jpg" width="318" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Le Château Frontenac spills out onto the Dufferin Terrace –
a 425-meter-long wooden boardwalk that is a popular gathering place where
visitors are entertained by street entertainment and delightful views of the
St. Lawrence River and downtown. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boardwalk
leads you to the domineering Citadelle, a Canadian National Historic Site. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Erected between 1820 and 1850, the Citadelle
was the largest British fortress in North America at the time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Citadelle boasts a characteristic star
shape which is clearly visible from above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A popular event in the Citadelle is to watch the musicians of the Royal
22e Régiment, dressed in their red uniform and traditional bear fur cap,
offering musical performances.</span><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Adjacent to the Citadelle is the Parc des Champs-de-Bataille
which witnessed some of the most important battles in the country’s history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also referred to as the Plains of Abraham,
this 267-acre strip of land just west of Old Québec City was the site of the
Battle of Québec, a pivotal moment in the French and Indian War when the French
were forced to cede Canada to Great Britain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The huge park attracts a myriad of visitors from history buffs to picnic
goers to those looking for a nice walk in a quiet part of the city.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We spent most of our time exploring on our own but we decided
to book a couple of guided tours to learn more about the history and see some
other parts of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first tour
was a three-hour history and food tour which was a great way to marry the city’s
rich cultural and culinary histories. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
we wandered through the city, our guide pointed out some of the key sites
within Old Québec interspersed while stopping at restaurants to taste local
Québecois-fare, including poutine, fresh pastries, local deserts, and alcoholic
beverages. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our local guide was extremely
informative and entertaining making our tour absolutely delightful while our
stomachs were very full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_9WEe3dH6hvq3J2wxmCmX-_qsd4yHO1CO_AfsHTylRqaGEGrBo0CoEt9vXy21nikVLtT0302ctjpGsSdBWYG7g4ZyzYrkuaU4OeS7wtUzDOMuGdpxgzqvkamn61K_FcJrYHsCyplbry3sPyJqTtS3I91GhVFRRD1iNxNHKHUabOfgJA_t9d33eMsXv8/s4000/20230619_134523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_9WEe3dH6hvq3J2wxmCmX-_qsd4yHO1CO_AfsHTylRqaGEGrBo0CoEt9vXy21nikVLtT0302ctjpGsSdBWYG7g4ZyzYrkuaU4OeS7wtUzDOMuGdpxgzqvkamn61K_FcJrYHsCyplbry3sPyJqTtS3I91GhVFRRD1iNxNHKHUabOfgJA_t9d33eMsXv8/w640-h480/20230619_134523.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitssZGFBsCXTbWBz80uICdpUksX6G8bg1fIQQ_TBn-Fcdq5pk_0qxpcqqN5Xzy8-gZGnkTRjUDQNzWmUUYIF91pbUntb1sUdXzc0mIhuyoJE00LKqSopLpV2bwGFWjMUjMjh3WXJtiMNlp81B_NcS1M1xRUWkOR3XZWnnVLQ362HHmVem-qNa3rvh7L0/s3000/20230619_131855a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitssZGFBsCXTbWBz80uICdpUksX6G8bg1fIQQ_TBn-Fcdq5pk_0qxpcqqN5Xzy8-gZGnkTRjUDQNzWmUUYIF91pbUntb1sUdXzc0mIhuyoJE00LKqSopLpV2bwGFWjMUjMjh3WXJtiMNlp81B_NcS1M1xRUWkOR3XZWnnVLQ362HHmVem-qNa3rvh7L0/w640-h512/20230619_131855a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the best views of Québec City is from the water so we
booked a narrated sightseeing cruise that set sail from downtown to the
Montmorency Falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cruise along the
St. Lawrence River offers beautiful views of the city skyline and the falls,
which is the highest waterfall in Québec.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowzZpNXEmHvtfJP3QkyhlsMA7tugTz-ECYjX_SFJvfhPhkhDOUB8g7TACafskM82N1gcCCp9bjDfiyfMiVI-2d8LRb4HQF_8dUrpCPBwbD_XTgS3bOnicCPBlOcfGD6vEb6l7pzb_INBYFn3WQTKvjaPw6CfSDL7rWdEZpNbfEyBCVW-jGq68Vmr8UNg/s3250/20230620_092503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3250" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowzZpNXEmHvtfJP3QkyhlsMA7tugTz-ECYjX_SFJvfhPhkhDOUB8g7TACafskM82N1gcCCp9bjDfiyfMiVI-2d8LRb4HQF_8dUrpCPBwbD_XTgS3bOnicCPBlOcfGD6vEb6l7pzb_INBYFn3WQTKvjaPw6CfSDL7rWdEZpNbfEyBCVW-jGq68Vmr8UNg/w640-h452/20230620_092503.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8eCB-66ArDpnPQKATIMi6B1zvkxa60OharIesDkU4KKf40vPy5afIpahLfYdarV_SSWYzQJuR401EaVrUHP92sgminu1sLv_sCiJCaH0_aMWO6-GbczpXkdph8GemAOHCkJY6NELdPsVICYGc2QSP3IYbdBpnchxiugFVqrZT9iWDz6wFNhqyqT7XW0/s4000/20230620_121135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8eCB-66ArDpnPQKATIMi6B1zvkxa60OharIesDkU4KKf40vPy5afIpahLfYdarV_SSWYzQJuR401EaVrUHP92sgminu1sLv_sCiJCaH0_aMWO6-GbczpXkdph8GemAOHCkJY6NELdPsVICYGc2QSP3IYbdBpnchxiugFVqrZT9iWDz6wFNhqyqT7XW0/w640-h480/20230620_121135.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Québec City is a fantastic place to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved the history, well-preserved architecture,
friendly vibe and food which makes this a great destination to soak up the
lively French-Canadian Culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYRxYBagt_eutkTdDzE0UoztpOGTbanUw0O4z1iM4k672u3ilpZqTTiW_lDDeCF4xuLmvIf-WTnDJWPQh4Jhlow3f17ECm5DIOIPrQE3PRn0oAQH7x64ctawDvz_6JxkTR4wg7y9E85gtmNEaZIiJStBDCZYuOtIu4TIza24_79pN8wHGCmEAG5hUhPo/s3000/20230620_103129a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYRxYBagt_eutkTdDzE0UoztpOGTbanUw0O4z1iM4k672u3ilpZqTTiW_lDDeCF4xuLmvIf-WTnDJWPQh4Jhlow3f17ECm5DIOIPrQE3PRn0oAQH7x64ctawDvz_6JxkTR4wg7y9E85gtmNEaZIiJStBDCZYuOtIu4TIza24_79pN8wHGCmEAG5hUhPo/w640-h480/20230620_103129a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /> <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br />RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-27008510994731384932023-08-11T09:06:00.022-05:002023-08-11T09:57:27.051-05:00Bonjour Gaspé!<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The far easternmost part of Québec is the Gaspé
Peninsula, known as Gaspésie to local Québécois and deemed “<i>Lands End</i>”
by the indigenous Mi’gmaq tribe. Early
explorers considered the Gaspésie “the gateway to the <i>New World”</i>
and brave voyagers from an ocean away set sail to claim the land. Early settlers relished in the abundant
bounty discovered in the seas and settled along the coastline. Today, the Gaspésie attracts inquisitive
tourists who are drawn to the seaside communities for their pleasant beaches, rugged
coastline with dramatic cliffs, and beautiful mountains and valleys. The Gaspésie is rich in natural and cultural
history and endless beauty. We quickly
became enamored with the region and were glad we made the trek to Lands End. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoceRfe_fqIylbCqhiVcTVpsNpFDn9aUFxFTlZ1yqiSTHix4DC8xAkllxFehz-KTsruZS1BzVFoC7TM93Uf1k--fHV8LfNuXs2NBbb9utLyQP65oTWiOJ8Tv59TeYi_29BMuDPh5RppnsuJaqwZPBEc4xXNRO5_p00947XqrLvTo8RLb8wnta7i9va39w/s4000/20230628_134615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoceRfe_fqIylbCqhiVcTVpsNpFDn9aUFxFTlZ1yqiSTHix4DC8xAkllxFehz-KTsruZS1BzVFoC7TM93Uf1k--fHV8LfNuXs2NBbb9utLyQP65oTWiOJ8Tv59TeYi_29BMuDPh5RppnsuJaqwZPBEc4xXNRO5_p00947XqrLvTo8RLb8wnta7i9va39w/w640-h480/20230628_134615.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our tour of the Gaspé Peninsula started in Métis-sur-Mer,
a small town along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, approximately 225
miles from Québec City. Métis
is home to the internationally recognized Jardins de Métis (i.e., Redford Gardens) –
a 100-acre property which is home to over 3,500 varieties of plants. The gardens’ founder, Elise Redford, was an
amateur gardener who had a passion for creating beautiful and thoughtful lush gardens
which incorporated winding paths, charming wooden bridges over trickling
streams and benches for quiet reflection. The gardens are home to the International
Garden Festival, North America’s largest contemporary garden festival, and open
to the public during the summer season.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BFrEgBEAc6knmRy9vDIsws0EZ4njh-bC_MZrdCRgn9Ng8OD2XTA88YGX4zb7HLSiRPcLWSHdG43hNP7fOCwIQX-8dFx6XVkt2gg2_YiIJIz7gPvzjdFzWC4_PDH7kJ8JojyW-ym-8RQXUXJD-YrDj6iwTcaF4BoJfkSrF0wWU9vgR3_klfg-h7YkTzU/s4000/20230624_105811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BFrEgBEAc6knmRy9vDIsws0EZ4njh-bC_MZrdCRgn9Ng8OD2XTA88YGX4zb7HLSiRPcLWSHdG43hNP7fOCwIQX-8dFx6XVkt2gg2_YiIJIz7gPvzjdFzWC4_PDH7kJ8JojyW-ym-8RQXUXJD-YrDj6iwTcaF4BoJfkSrF0wWU9vgR3_klfg-h7YkTzU/w640-h480/20230624_105811.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5_iQRIMwP2hYrk8JJsZPO_V4HS_UiwCiQ1UzrhsZxNEM9Txdb1Tt-SF28ye-PTNW7j-Lr6K9tweXdrX45p9PVlgWm_iMuS09rByDLfd9bpH93oZci8y6eOzXOrhx-sehF7lLxg_zlBR6UgTEmoUhOyKXZ0-Cg-VwnVbBeDnQu8NFK84zHrLuVW2XRuw/s4000/20230624_112420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5_iQRIMwP2hYrk8JJsZPO_V4HS_UiwCiQ1UzrhsZxNEM9Txdb1Tt-SF28ye-PTNW7j-Lr6K9tweXdrX45p9PVlgWm_iMuS09rByDLfd9bpH93oZci8y6eOzXOrhx-sehF7lLxg_zlBR6UgTEmoUhOyKXZ0-Cg-VwnVbBeDnQu8NFK84zHrLuVW2XRuw/w640-h480/20230624_112420.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the nearby town of Rimouski is the Musée Empress
of Ireland which chronicles the worst maritime disaster in Canadian
history. The passenger liner was struck
by a hefty Norwegian coal ship in the thick early morning fog causing a deep gash
and subsequent rush of water that sunk the ship in only 14 minutes. Of the 1,477 people on board, 1,012 died,
making it the worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canadian history and more loss
of lives than the Titanic just two years earlier. The immersive museum includes a movie depicting
the tragic events of the passenger liner and exhibits on the history of this
ship, testimony of the passengers and their descendants, and dives to
rediscover the wreck. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPkwL4rf3wWRzEnWjZ1I2Ve5P_4x2lreLNj1VXpfyjF6gHJxDLmXJlAhUkH48IqbGdXIwFBWGQpHFlCGVGHWkHbCQyyrhtWKBiZqHRcT_xImoZq8XcR82SHHxTjbJhz9kaYB4IE8I1SeIxvpTaYHTdmGcoLOcMYQrR2xDsANiulg1K6HYHm_d2tTxhHQ/s3940/20230623_131227a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="3940" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPkwL4rf3wWRzEnWjZ1I2Ve5P_4x2lreLNj1VXpfyjF6gHJxDLmXJlAhUkH48IqbGdXIwFBWGQpHFlCGVGHWkHbCQyyrhtWKBiZqHRcT_xImoZq8XcR82SHHxTjbJhz9kaYB4IE8I1SeIxvpTaYHTdmGcoLOcMYQrR2xDsANiulg1K6HYHm_d2tTxhHQ/w640-h480/20230623_131227a.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisNwXLR_YmguWd0N79ShCVhfKvjl1TJgtqjku75FvJHILW163sFJhTqjKawBt0sI5THysp9zBlQzrbJyPxoa_3-_ONf2pNOMWrQmiDTioUzqByQ56Z1P42FuR8htQuG0EWDVdNY4Ha3nueW5hNRud1FAtpfd2o70_trXukTFYTaHy0P1L53meuFPlnpc/s4000/20230623_130852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisNwXLR_YmguWd0N79ShCVhfKvjl1TJgtqjku75FvJHILW163sFJhTqjKawBt0sI5THysp9zBlQzrbJyPxoa_3-_ONf2pNOMWrQmiDTioUzqByQ56Z1P42FuR8htQuG0EWDVdNY4Ha3nueW5hNRud1FAtpfd2o70_trXukTFYTaHy0P1L53meuFPlnpc/w640-h480/20230623_130852.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI56h_qeT1dxAaKUsD-V1GcU-etKqX2VkYWFUcHdOwU6sk1568DzLzFimgXfOkowxUoayj0y3cEfPN5mLUDaWUXBr6QMMvDBc0Sa0iZBqaTMbie-In3LJ9cJSX_ANFsWBDft81O37gr0456UyjAVZq4JEhi809drxAzNRn0HHjjimpscV00bTkzNFY7M/s4000/20230623_125456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI56h_qeT1dxAaKUsD-V1GcU-etKqX2VkYWFUcHdOwU6sk1568DzLzFimgXfOkowxUoayj0y3cEfPN5mLUDaWUXBr6QMMvDBc0Sa0iZBqaTMbie-In3LJ9cJSX_ANFsWBDft81O37gr0456UyjAVZq4JEhi809drxAzNRn0HHjjimpscV00bTkzNFY7M/w640-h480/20230623_125456.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Adjacent to the museum is the HMCS Onondaga, a 90-meter submarine
in operation from 1967 until 2000, which is open for audio guided tours and
overnight stays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing tall along the
St. Lawrence River is the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse which is the second tallest
lighthouse in Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lighthouse played
a key role in the history of navigation on the heavily trafficked river.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTt5kTrXijvBEgWfSit7D-8xgsfF63TztP-DxYjGWp47Lo2XujbxzIchHZ33Xcz7uF9Pz_rZnYcrP9kFhr3Buw6OkadrUt02_Labvt_XnFVTVCxQungPgpmdGhjwKoi2mWmx-PUtC6ofN3vVhz7_5cP8V8-ofA8gfHZMWS-FfYVosEDqG-4NF9DtFdDU/s4000/20230623_132617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTt5kTrXijvBEgWfSit7D-8xgsfF63TztP-DxYjGWp47Lo2XujbxzIchHZ33Xcz7uF9Pz_rZnYcrP9kFhr3Buw6OkadrUt02_Labvt_XnFVTVCxQungPgpmdGhjwKoi2mWmx-PUtC6ofN3vVhz7_5cP8V8-ofA8gfHZMWS-FfYVosEDqG-4NF9DtFdDU/w640-h480/20230623_132617.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you drive along scenic coastal route 132 and your eyes
gaze out to the sea, you will witness a strange sight that will make you look
twice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon the horizon are over one
hundred primitive gray armless figures emerged in the St. Lawrence River and appear
to be coming on land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Le Grand
Rassemblement</i> (<i>The Great Gathering</i>) is an art installation and the
brainchild of artist Marcel Gagnon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The life-size
sculptures are constructed of reinforced concrete to weather the elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the tides change, so does the scene. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At low tide, you can wander around the sculptures
and get an intimate look at their faces and stare into their eyes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sculptures are part of the Center d'Art
Marcel Gagnon which has a boutique inn, restaurant, gift shop, and an art
gallery featuring three other artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(A convenient first come, first served RV lot is located across the
street for overnight parking at $20.)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgfN95BIMG4Li220jbkCNykx6e_npfNjbIc1E3c1GkQhVa8wgaDPSADiFqwWe9D7DUQ6nj7XPaOK4Y9co2KmRmNN08Xe7TJm1Z519SEtlWvp_GxNz2_-SDkRSJe6MhWRDMJzqdjnLJJw6SsMFruBkdjLutdfd6JsegAnwMt1d_0VMzIN1EvMIXQA5_2E/s4000/20230623_150130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgfN95BIMG4Li220jbkCNykx6e_npfNjbIc1E3c1GkQhVa8wgaDPSADiFqwWe9D7DUQ6nj7XPaOK4Y9co2KmRmNN08Xe7TJm1Z519SEtlWvp_GxNz2_-SDkRSJe6MhWRDMJzqdjnLJJw6SsMFruBkdjLutdfd6JsegAnwMt1d_0VMzIN1EvMIXQA5_2E/w640-h480/20230623_150130.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkFQ_kZQmWlyzKkAVcF_-CdWOsfy5SOm8EQoKGVbkWwcLKp7LaOzjWZ-rP-E1l_mokt-mk0ePGgB-Q15hbVsVCxP0vlmUivQJ8ZiYV8PhdmY0hoW05Ob66id79_Rpk-uH6rrt6Fi4cMdjCk0v7XN4p68c9Zhgo0hiB0L4615CnzK7rENKaLk-_s3ShFU/s1923/20230623_145042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="1923" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkFQ_kZQmWlyzKkAVcF_-CdWOsfy5SOm8EQoKGVbkWwcLKp7LaOzjWZ-rP-E1l_mokt-mk0ePGgB-Q15hbVsVCxP0vlmUivQJ8ZiYV8PhdmY0hoW05Ob66id79_Rpk-uH6rrt6Fi4cMdjCk0v7XN4p68c9Zhgo0hiB0L4615CnzK7rENKaLk-_s3ShFU/w640-h434/20230623_145042.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu335QLnb-UbFpNwRKrJdKgXxCSxPdOtKW_n8f_qMgQjbklGLDT51sUA4tab9PShKG59Vi9Ci3edj4mPjQ66b6XWUHUXjafzSqMKBR4Zvf9pNpsXCi-Nsv3j1CT8SPIYh-HcsVF5SWkUzvi1nDdrmzSoD0C8BAj1DvQYaJ_fFaaiYwLAzJWwrjIcLtCPQ/s4000/20230623_145427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu335QLnb-UbFpNwRKrJdKgXxCSxPdOtKW_n8f_qMgQjbklGLDT51sUA4tab9PShKG59Vi9Ci3edj4mPjQ66b6XWUHUXjafzSqMKBR4Zvf9pNpsXCi-Nsv3j1CT8SPIYh-HcsVF5SWkUzvi1nDdrmzSoD0C8BAj1DvQYaJ_fFaaiYwLAzJWwrjIcLtCPQ/w640-h480/20230623_145427.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Before leaving the area, we traveled a short distance north
to the town of Matane to sample the famous Matane shrimp (which got the name
because Matane was the site of the first processing plant for these shrimp).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These tiny wild-caught shrimp have a soft,
sweet, and salty taste which are simply prepared to allow their delicious
flavor to prevail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, this
regional delicacy is facing an uncertain future as the northern shrimp
population in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has dropped by 50 percent in the past 10
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Fisheries and Oceans
Canada, warming waters and an explosion of new competitive species may be the
culprits and time will tell the future of this regional delicacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0abbgpaZI9-r-uSXsk0lGNzKAydhCUg0eqdwKnfP_a74_Y_AG96XDsK3ToTsc2fWNb2CYK29x3qu_mxyzNaxxNymrkgFot7xqO-SMdb54n_kaVEQi5CpPcS705wU9u2sVMShPmueH8r5ZZRJDS7QComECG9vO3wpSw8eXN_UUl8eSoxjVoeXC5xU8Rg/s4000/20230624_130029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0abbgpaZI9-r-uSXsk0lGNzKAydhCUg0eqdwKnfP_a74_Y_AG96XDsK3ToTsc2fWNb2CYK29x3qu_mxyzNaxxNymrkgFot7xqO-SMdb54n_kaVEQi5CpPcS705wU9u2sVMShPmueH8r5ZZRJDS7QComECG9vO3wpSw8eXN_UUl8eSoxjVoeXC5xU8Rg/w640-h480/20230624_130029.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Parc national de Forillon is a gem not to be missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The expansive views of the ragged coast rise
from the aqua blue waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence creating memorable views.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forillion truly is <i>Land’s End, </i>being
the farthest eastern point on the peninsula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Established in 1970, this was the first national park in Quebec.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the natural beauty attracts many
outdoor enthusiasts, discovering the parks rich cultural history is not to be
missed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Historic buildings like The
Hyman & Sons General Store and Dolbel-Roberts House have withstood time and
the elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These restored buildings currently
house museums highlighting life on the peninsula and the vital cod industry
which sustained communities for thousands of years. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HW_Lv0zr7asoHgFDnJbKlh1fSh1f-u1NQSDja8r01rG2OMo7AVZqvwHlPT-3XJ1HuJxNxtRHe6PlWonPSxeCDBanG_97hJbhY96X1grEXrbWLwusbVuTj4xjOU5IcKizBf5k3MSL-ryEBYSN-vETLPZv_yrwAxhHUBlMBtrMDtp_ElxGzI6HrRLld08/s4000/20230626_130201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HW_Lv0zr7asoHgFDnJbKlh1fSh1f-u1NQSDja8r01rG2OMo7AVZqvwHlPT-3XJ1HuJxNxtRHe6PlWonPSxeCDBanG_97hJbhY96X1grEXrbWLwusbVuTj4xjOU5IcKizBf5k3MSL-ryEBYSN-vETLPZv_yrwAxhHUBlMBtrMDtp_ElxGzI6HrRLld08/w640-h480/20230626_130201.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQS0Fjwnzs4pUCv96kPNTwWKgepNsRkPrnvPJ-6gU0X3HGi9YNYjYqJKZsoSld9HOxkWYgk8PPdzvEIkzncqYPOqGp9LXKNoQ1u52huYiOxI-CgOTqTh4VH9x5qh8dZg8vZsVPH6R3Q0CDKh-n9jNLGQ3sPRhwfCRhXlv53i-h8uP4G4jRDl0CiAqI9k/s4000/20230626_132517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQS0Fjwnzs4pUCv96kPNTwWKgepNsRkPrnvPJ-6gU0X3HGi9YNYjYqJKZsoSld9HOxkWYgk8PPdzvEIkzncqYPOqGp9LXKNoQ1u52huYiOxI-CgOTqTh4VH9x5qh8dZg8vZsVPH6R3Q0CDKh-n9jNLGQ3sPRhwfCRhXlv53i-h8uP4G4jRDl0CiAqI9k/w640-h480/20230626_132517.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Forillion has a myriad of hiking trails ranging from easy to
difficult and with varying lengths and are fun and easy ways for visitors with
all abilities and fitness levels to enjoy the park. The most popular hiking trail is the moderate
Les Graves Trail which snakes along the cliffside coves and pebble beach guiding
you along the International Appalachian Trail to Cap-Gaspé. At trails end, the Appalachian Mountains fall
into the sea and you will have marvelous expansive views under the watchful eye
of the lighthouse (that is, providing the fog does not set in, like it did on
us). Keep your eyes peeled on the horizon
as you may even catch a glimpse of a whale in the distance.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYM_hxg28WSLoabbcmp_N23eG7KBnKafYGlOfbp0GzbDfV4NznobyFuldHgkitxzOcQDV86J9BA0nQvRgbhiy8QQaKTSfI-eE-cxSOERd9clT1pu0-pCfYu2fII3w7gy4uxa9aVsOx_NE8BUQnIZcPjTfK9AtEgmMnGhcgFGP0X8n-9ZgaNIexUQAco4/s4000/20230629_074352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYM_hxg28WSLoabbcmp_N23eG7KBnKafYGlOfbp0GzbDfV4NznobyFuldHgkitxzOcQDV86J9BA0nQvRgbhiy8QQaKTSfI-eE-cxSOERd9clT1pu0-pCfYu2fII3w7gy4uxa9aVsOx_NE8BUQnIZcPjTfK9AtEgmMnGhcgFGP0X8n-9ZgaNIexUQAco4/w640-h480/20230629_074352.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Spectacular panoramic views are found at Cap Bon Ami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A short hike takes you up to the Mont St.
Albans Tower which stands 935 feet high and presents spectacular 360-degree sweeping
views over <i>Land’s End</i> where the high cliffs disappear into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard to leave Forillion, but we knew more
adventures and beautiful scenery lie ahead.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0paiBduR84vkiiSC5QFZChs-p77EzYbgvsp0-6AbxyvA22aPC7st7K6YFZTpLqAqV_J9J3nUucr4deEjglGsZ1G7B0nv2IvJVaDnAyWhfhXusnbuemJ4y9_YS9eWoQ6Ru7Lca4JkzGYpWVApikynkXJAuRzVxjIC6YWneEop7UlDmFSfgAmnfT5XnFXg/s4000/20230628_134845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0paiBduR84vkiiSC5QFZChs-p77EzYbgvsp0-6AbxyvA22aPC7st7K6YFZTpLqAqV_J9J3nUucr4deEjglGsZ1G7B0nv2IvJVaDnAyWhfhXusnbuemJ4y9_YS9eWoQ6Ru7Lca4JkzGYpWVApikynkXJAuRzVxjIC6YWneEop7UlDmFSfgAmnfT5XnFXg/w640-h480/20230628_134845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1uWiodZm4hVvnbRJcQFWZJOW2nSHXkJLwPmIt3gUQrIcufECy6iaos7DaMuGy4WBeuFkBg52EB-ROpmu09M_RNzltUk8kISgxu7DkeSHP_15BPtzfe_4BApsGBV67u04tQTlQZYDo5qJrSh3TYQmsYFZExMGYP-zPbFrz3vKh28lr2GdA6HnCFmP1Z8/s4000/20230626_105216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1uWiodZm4hVvnbRJcQFWZJOW2nSHXkJLwPmIt3gUQrIcufECy6iaos7DaMuGy4WBeuFkBg52EB-ROpmu09M_RNzltUk8kISgxu7DkeSHP_15BPtzfe_4BApsGBV67u04tQTlQZYDo5qJrSh3TYQmsYFZExMGYP-zPbFrz3vKh28lr2GdA6HnCFmP1Z8/w640-h480/20230626_105216.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our next stop was just a short 45-minutes down the road to
the town of Gaspé where we found a quiet little waterfront campground in a quaint
area that was ripe for exploring. Gaspé
claims the title of "Cradle of French America," because on June 24,
1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier landed in the bay after dragging anchor
during a storm. He went ashore and
claimed possession of the area for France by planting a wooden cross with the
kings' coat of arms and the sentence “Vive le Roi de France” (meaning
"Long live the King of France").
Today, that site is commemorated as a historical site with a
reconstructed cross and exhibits in heritage buildings that depict life in Gaspé
in 1900, complete with costumed characters that interpret the history and
culture of the town.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Musée de la Gaspésie is a great place to discover the maritime
history of the Gasp<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ésie</span>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Permanent and seasonal
exhibits take you on a journey that revolve around history, art, and the culture
of the Gaspésie people and region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
crowd-pleaser at the museum is the Gaspésienne No. 20, an authentic 60-foot cod
fishing boat that sits outside the entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The boat was restored by the local community and visitors are invited to
climb aboard and put themselves in the shoes of the cod fishermen of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the museum are dynamic and static
exhibits and a virtual reality film that takes you on an immersive journey out
to sea with two Gaspé cod fishermen.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodFBTj5REg306YwEs6JWU3gRGQX7N-y7f8QJbhYqMx6hA3ExD8HtZVD6hwhD_ej2sdRM9cpKbjGMpPNqMWOLQkP8qbhv87SJ_kCbBythCxssTw2MKoTa_M_2gjFeLBmPeOdCQCPFakQ9ClXxFBrB2WAn52s7ZiqcqH0efgZ_1gxD_TaGEGWAsP4SHEtA/s4000/20230627_142149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodFBTj5REg306YwEs6JWU3gRGQX7N-y7f8QJbhYqMx6hA3ExD8HtZVD6hwhD_ej2sdRM9cpKbjGMpPNqMWOLQkP8qbhv87SJ_kCbBythCxssTw2MKoTa_M_2gjFeLBmPeOdCQCPFakQ9ClXxFBrB2WAn52s7ZiqcqH0efgZ_1gxD_TaGEGWAsP4SHEtA/w640-h480/20230627_142149.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9fBW3q9iXYHM94uUsSf_yiDebIVyfr19GNruWdQ6cGCn62MmPHdNcWZDA_li-Dirxbxl5pHPVN7qz49zSgTSnJDbYN35OuDkD7EyWsMTBAHyfPb5TENGLH9H10WOT1dOLj15zHhsC2Qaz3mf7FndrH_r0U1GYvcXEFqLEhBrqNCgee-cfMx3bW0YQ4Y/s4000/20230627_133025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9fBW3q9iXYHM94uUsSf_yiDebIVyfr19GNruWdQ6cGCn62MmPHdNcWZDA_li-Dirxbxl5pHPVN7qz49zSgTSnJDbYN35OuDkD7EyWsMTBAHyfPb5TENGLH9H10WOT1dOLj15zHhsC2Qaz3mf7FndrH_r0U1GYvcXEFqLEhBrqNCgee-cfMx3bW0YQ4Y/w640-h480/20230627_133025.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Heading south from Gasp<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span> is a beautiful and hilly
drive along the coast that drops you into the town of Percé.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downtown Percé is a buzz with tourists filing
in and out of galleries, boutiques, restaurants and strolling along the waterfront
promenade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By far, this was the busiest
town on the Gasp<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>sie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main attraction
is the Rocher Percé which is the most recognized place in Qu<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>bec
and a large draw for tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The limestone
formation stands 288 feet tall and 1,545 feet long jutting out of the sea with a
rich green cap standing atop layers of red rock with a distinctive hole in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_2yyaAG_pfsdpe2e8JxyzqIq4lc0XGQqtYYm8kFI6iGO7PCSjAP1wm06DEnBgaJZXWIPey-ZFerDyskVoqzk4BCtV2piWmAGiAGVM7KbrULQ1-soTQduxDXP8e0UzSRYcwA39hprdh4dsrFVCiRV7aHC4eMlNY8Kzam_Aw2wBCfrsfLWMNJymQeA1aw/s4000/20230704_142241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_2yyaAG_pfsdpe2e8JxyzqIq4lc0XGQqtYYm8kFI6iGO7PCSjAP1wm06DEnBgaJZXWIPey-ZFerDyskVoqzk4BCtV2piWmAGiAGVM7KbrULQ1-soTQduxDXP8e0UzSRYcwA39hprdh4dsrFVCiRV7aHC4eMlNY8Kzam_Aw2wBCfrsfLWMNJymQeA1aw/w640-h480/20230704_142241.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40HlOKf3vEvA-6TBKF-aYl1A8dlqxgYl8FWlyRXZmeWiNRyTtQGRtVoz9td52lUFuQhlNtS6oBYWHSYbgVfCcCeVN0x49oqhqr6CRoQBpeR9pmCoHFwaEHVfPjf939PXf69PTqAecgK1gafb3_9mHf6Nd3uuTO0v93g1w86f1d8Csd4AJh6I2u9MNNx0/s4000/20230704_140649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40HlOKf3vEvA-6TBKF-aYl1A8dlqxgYl8FWlyRXZmeWiNRyTtQGRtVoz9td52lUFuQhlNtS6oBYWHSYbgVfCcCeVN0x49oqhqr6CRoQBpeR9pmCoHFwaEHVfPjf939PXf69PTqAecgK1gafb3_9mHf6Nd3uuTO0v93g1w86f1d8Csd4AJh6I2u9MNNx0/w640-h480/20230704_140649.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Standing a few miles out to sea is <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">î</span>le-Bonaventure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island was one of the first places to be
colonized in Canada and has a 400-year history of human habitation but
eventually went to the birds, literally!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 1919, the island was named a bird sanctuary due to the large and
diverse population of seabirds in need of protection attributable to dwindling
populations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1971, the province of Qu<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>bec
was granted ownership of the island and made it (and the Rocher Perc<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>) a
national park (collectively known as Parc National de L’<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">î</span>le-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher
Perc<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>)
and evicted all residents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The establishment
of the national park ensured that avian populations have thrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently, the island supports over 200,000
nesting colonial seabirds like northern gannets, storm petrels, puffins, razorbill
auks, double-crested cormorants, black-legged kittiwakes and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v6kkIAfO9GA" width="514" youtube-src-id="v6kkIAfO9GA"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The best way to see the Rocher P</span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">rcé and </span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">î</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">le
Bonaventure is to take a boat ride which brings you up close to the islands and
their avian residents. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The tour boats dock
at </span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">î</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">le
Bonaventure and we highly recommend departing the boat to explore the island by
foot.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">A 3 </span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">½</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> – mile trek across the island
will reward you with the sights and sounds of the largest northern gannet colony
in North America (and the second largest in the world). </span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">As far as the eyes can see are these porcelain-faced
birds dotting the ground as they incubate their eggs and shade their
young.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Over 100,000 gannets come to the
island every year to nest and the sight and sounds of this mass of birds is amazing.
</span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before the last ferry at 5 pm departs,
park staff ensure that no humans are left on the island, not even park service
staff.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2RlHHVsR9CNRGoF2arh9UYrPeZZd_XDn893PzQ3Fn6uTWcB9x0pJ3ZAwkGwdEG-kFOEOV0D0ZNe3WC6CAMs0U4XZMBKcN0HkhP-_GrgesLMbaJCs6uCivTMWPGbeijF186YmS9xvyDTxQjxZAkKFlHh7izpr3PD0gz70VmogIU0__MAdLFeQYsArDu4/s4000/20230704_111154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2RlHHVsR9CNRGoF2arh9UYrPeZZd_XDn893PzQ3Fn6uTWcB9x0pJ3ZAwkGwdEG-kFOEOV0D0ZNe3WC6CAMs0U4XZMBKcN0HkhP-_GrgesLMbaJCs6uCivTMWPGbeijF186YmS9xvyDTxQjxZAkKFlHh7izpr3PD0gz70VmogIU0__MAdLFeQYsArDu4/w640-h480/20230704_111154.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihojwDpAhw__UJH1OzoHwEJf_8A0rMRBpFMpPrNUveg6hknUmidK8ArPus07lFtAjWf2dd2lNylI4miwEa4HLPr9GPmd6kCY0mzsYLmsN4vRGqp6n4PzbDlowVynRLEuDehObpwOIcfCWl12HRSvargiDU54BFhK_QMPm19FUfF2gF9bv3aIlMc6vUyUQ/s4000/20230704_124842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihojwDpAhw__UJH1OzoHwEJf_8A0rMRBpFMpPrNUveg6hknUmidK8ArPus07lFtAjWf2dd2lNylI4miwEa4HLPr9GPmd6kCY0mzsYLmsN4vRGqp6n4PzbDlowVynRLEuDehObpwOIcfCWl12HRSvargiDU54BFhK_QMPm19FUfF2gF9bv3aIlMc6vUyUQ/w640-h480/20230704_124842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>The island has four hiking trails that criss-cross the island and are well-worth the time to explore. We recommend taking the first boat over to the island in the morning to maximize your time to explore and avoid the midday crowds. Some trails offer sweeping views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and across the bay to the mainland. Seals are plentiful and, of course, so is the bird life. Near the ferry landing are historic homes, a cemetery, and other buidlings housing interpretive exhibits and a restaurant. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KdQMdpmCFAEkYozzwc64FEtN448WHV1iDMDQzWsYlWSoz8PI1XnfpBW6_JkSrIxBN_1bngXp619-u2pavTB2Hd-I2x9sLmVMivc3b4iw8RraoRVM7kBce3M00me7FhTmDI-RvEoEhOilFHc_neBJZ7at6ZFQ13zH5mokoJNCY5mG2tWwY7DaaV0pKD0/s4000/20230704_101134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KdQMdpmCFAEkYozzwc64FEtN448WHV1iDMDQzWsYlWSoz8PI1XnfpBW6_JkSrIxBN_1bngXp619-u2pavTB2Hd-I2x9sLmVMivc3b4iw8RraoRVM7kBce3M00me7FhTmDI-RvEoEhOilFHc_neBJZ7at6ZFQ13zH5mokoJNCY5mG2tWwY7DaaV0pKD0/w640-h480/20230704_101134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If whales are your thing, take to the water in one of the whale
watching tours. Some of the more common sightings
are humpback, fin, minke, blue, and endangered right whales along with plentiful
numbers of harbor and grey seals, porpoises, and dolphins. Land lovers should check out the The Percé
UNESCO Global Geopark which is great for geology buffs, hikers, and thrill
seekers. There is an indoor playground,
miles of hiking trails (included guided ones) with great views, a glass
platform suspended over 650 feet high, and <i>Tektonik</i> – a multimedia
experience taking you on a virtual journey through 500 million years of
geological history. </div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our last stop in the Gasp<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>sie was the southernmost town
of Campbelltown, situated on the south bank of the Restigouche River (in New Brunswick).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Restigouche River is world-renown for its
salmon sport fishery and the town lets you know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the river is a beautiful path perfect
for walking or jogging which is adorned with interpretive panels enlightening
the interested visitor about the town’s history and bountiful fishery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The highlights of the waterfront are the
salmon statues that take center stage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZNGtJVs3nCvpQzY3yaD8HsIV1_1TbZjZOJgwB2DJ2KUWocV-LZm4WfPFG20UkNVLugeKnJ0pE2Ff64qizNmr4KmZNl9Ugwo67A5pzxMq9xE4IPur_gANUJIwg4cXgRqAusxjr04ATaSKbVi2e6KRnoMulTwqjKdrhWhSy5b_gmhGbmHFl_t2N2h3diA/s4000/20230707_094636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZNGtJVs3nCvpQzY3yaD8HsIV1_1TbZjZOJgwB2DJ2KUWocV-LZm4WfPFG20UkNVLugeKnJ0pE2Ff64qizNmr4KmZNl9Ugwo67A5pzxMq9xE4IPur_gANUJIwg4cXgRqAusxjr04ATaSKbVi2e6KRnoMulTwqjKdrhWhSy5b_gmhGbmHFl_t2N2h3diA/w640-h480/20230707_094636.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoptvm-m08b9K8XJKhU-2kdJfba31D2sKAM5W9oVD9Ql-YlOKudnhp6OmL1qElh9TZD9I8eCxGXUMS52HOyWBqbljgWpG11RKfIwK1V5vyMGgNTYCQ2dXryDfmdudSvVhy2IBMcxKnyTwCIitiEZwnH3rPK08vncmXVCmcoHVIDyzL5PhdnckZ_itFR4/s4000/20230707_094230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoptvm-m08b9K8XJKhU-2kdJfba31D2sKAM5W9oVD9Ql-YlOKudnhp6OmL1qElh9TZD9I8eCxGXUMS52HOyWBqbljgWpG11RKfIwK1V5vyMGgNTYCQ2dXryDfmdudSvVhy2IBMcxKnyTwCIitiEZwnH3rPK08vncmXVCmcoHVIDyzL5PhdnckZ_itFR4/w640-h480/20230707_094230.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We
stayed at the county park along the river and enjoyed the view of the river and
the J. C. Van Horne Bridge linking Qu<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>bec and New Brunswick. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Onsite is the Restigouche Interpretation
Centre where you will learn about the river and discover the life cycle of the Atlantic
salmon, the nations that inhabited the area, and the areas' rich fishing history.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0mV_EoItaRk_GOg9EubbUBgaAdEIsZF8bnQo6popJlzscSUorfECL9C6UUJf-qEe5noRGMsyTqanNr_67ThGMFxM06fVEXB3Ej73zDuBPSvAhW3pK0M9cvQU_Juh3z2W7fre-64yGxcPISE1irq1TZPzDPF3a_mYUP00aWMdvcxX9BusWxBn2zgxzjA/s4000/20230707_130324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0mV_EoItaRk_GOg9EubbUBgaAdEIsZF8bnQo6popJlzscSUorfECL9C6UUJf-qEe5noRGMsyTqanNr_67ThGMFxM06fVEXB3Ej73zDuBPSvAhW3pK0M9cvQU_Juh3z2W7fre-64yGxcPISE1irq1TZPzDPF3a_mYUP00aWMdvcxX9BusWxBn2zgxzjA/w640-h480/20230707_130324.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Gasp<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span> Peninsula is a stunningly beautiful
area of Qu<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>bec.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our route was along the coastline but the mountainous
interior of the peninsula looks equally beautiful and, given more time, we
would have ventured inland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found the
people very warm and hospitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While French
is the official language of the province, most people spoke very good English
and all restaurants had menus printed in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Our trip was only two weeks, but we felt like we could have spent more time exploring. </span>A trip to the Gasp<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>sie will not be disappointing
and we’d go back in a heartbeat and stay longer. Au revoir </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gasp</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">é</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">!</span><o:p></o:p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-39713010873442743572023-07-09T13:37:00.001-05:002023-07-10T04:57:56.194-05:00North Lake Superior Circle Tour <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We loved our month-long visit to Canada last summer so much
that we decided to go back and explore more of our beautiful northern neighbor. This summer, we wanted to travel the northern
portion of Lake Superior and finish the <i>Lake Superior Circle Tour</i>. In
2017, we visited the southern portion of Lake Superior hitting coastal towns
along Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota that are part of the circle tour. We were cautioned that the northern portion is
composed of smaller towns, less development, and a much chiller pace with a lot
less attractions than the southern towns in the U.S. Well, guess what? That was fine for us.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxibVWoamM6GNR1CcqWVoXAAgFgTuo6w1jr1V7zMUyrMEuYaCMVIHGRqnY7yyL3YB_jhSxRJAFOxt49jZCHJs1B04jw57rrZ4jmsRjYE4AFIxoHsdCcnFziNyYappiexY3UStVKJurbODyAtet5s0VMmmbxc6A2sLRUybwkAMWrhmwIoHk83cp_V7I800/s4000/20230602_203629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxibVWoamM6GNR1CcqWVoXAAgFgTuo6w1jr1V7zMUyrMEuYaCMVIHGRqnY7yyL3YB_jhSxRJAFOxt49jZCHJs1B04jw57rrZ4jmsRjYE4AFIxoHsdCcnFziNyYappiexY3UStVKJurbODyAtet5s0VMmmbxc6A2sLRUybwkAMWrhmwIoHk83cp_V7I800/w640-h480/20230602_203629.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg418pBWnxf_Wz6npOdUGF0Zqgr0kOO9gfUHcEGrlIj5rGSRjklacbmmEqSGm1EQ3mDSepP_KXmXFsQkngRpsM7ce8t4v0x0SXuZp7uPhwK5pikgdFXcyYoQgz_9KFdL9NJfZEQoPxmvZvrf1IUH32yV8WihUZnLHPrFgQGWjMqxKmekHnXSQoDzDMZ1Ug/s4000/20230526_112623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg418pBWnxf_Wz6npOdUGF0Zqgr0kOO9gfUHcEGrlIj5rGSRjklacbmmEqSGm1EQ3mDSepP_KXmXFsQkngRpsM7ce8t4v0x0SXuZp7uPhwK5pikgdFXcyYoQgz_9KFdL9NJfZEQoPxmvZvrf1IUH32yV8WihUZnLHPrFgQGWjMqxKmekHnXSQoDzDMZ1Ug/w640-h480/20230526_112623.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Before crossing into Canada, we spent two days in Grand
Portage, the northeastern most town along Lake Superior in Minnesota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grand Portage is just a hint of the town it used
to be in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s when it was a vital hub of the fur
trade in North America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJnKN5zdfk9hqlALUYouNPSHqwVg_PriiX_N1Ts0yeG8ok-LBG11LkELmX01zkp9Ll2_hSVoGOicQOfHur5V1m9xqLi6UcJGFkuWZO-1Lw8bdODrODyiqBhBvnyZ6D4A4jr5WmQseiQp4Phe-r-hUuKdCh3s9Ua0NBj0epqhP9g5Yl8ptk1UtGodkxt0/s4000/20230526_105848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJnKN5zdfk9hqlALUYouNPSHqwVg_PriiX_N1Ts0yeG8ok-LBG11LkELmX01zkp9Ll2_hSVoGOicQOfHur5V1m9xqLi6UcJGFkuWZO-1Lw8bdODrODyiqBhBvnyZ6D4A4jr5WmQseiQp4Phe-r-hUuKdCh3s9Ua0NBj0epqhP9g5Yl8ptk1UtGodkxt0/w640-h480/20230526_105848.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Trappers traveled
for thousands of miles by canoe to meet at Grand Portage for the annual <i>Rendevous</i>
- a three-month long period in which trappers and traders would gather to
socialize and trade their array of furs for other goods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those traveling from the interior had a
massive obstacle to overcome before reaching Grand Portage - High Falls (the
highest waterfall in Minnesota).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
bypass the falls, an 8 ½ - mile portage was required of the hefty travelers who
ported ninety pounds of goods and canoes around the falls to reach the rendezvous
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And again, when they returned
home.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcjzO4iD6VPGpF9OiiIJCvpWwdtS-8f9klA0F3_FOZ-0UwGVMZqXta8GwZoWH74Sij2bNMsEghim46_mrxWOiulzFTJZLx6RjaqPNRRFPc3GWYjJSas4iPzBkpOuec_GLWX2r8PPEBsOVAf1NDW69-6WWi7aE3ngXIeyrRIlXXoSNd4ygo-2CfbZr3nM/s4000/20230526_120244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcjzO4iD6VPGpF9OiiIJCvpWwdtS-8f9klA0F3_FOZ-0UwGVMZqXta8GwZoWH74Sij2bNMsEghim46_mrxWOiulzFTJZLx6RjaqPNRRFPc3GWYjJSas4iPzBkpOuec_GLWX2r8PPEBsOVAf1NDW69-6WWi7aE3ngXIeyrRIlXXoSNd4ygo-2CfbZr3nM/w640-h480/20230526_120244.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the biggest attractions in Grand Portage (other than
the casino) is Grand Portage National Monument (NM).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Designated in 1958, the monument lies entirely within the boundaries of
the Grand Portage Ojibwe Indian Reservation and is co-managed by the tribe and the
National Park Service. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recently
constructed Heritage Center features exhibits and a film about Ojibwe culture
and the fur trade industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adjacent, is
the reconstructed depot in which volunteers and park staff dress in
period attire and explain and interpret what life was like at the trading post
at the turn of the 18th century.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuTHXw3LFY8UMXl921RbawJTKHrL5IgAVf-vr6pCwjwyhIPLFdvcQwE6a4rcs7hs4hX9eX8law2X07xckv6XzYPqI1y2uy7Yx6XFMWNYvqEUSrqtCF9MYwYfl5RDEKQEafTTNqyQv9P-4eu8MaNaPuKiYt5Fmj5iuQ1nLwiBQljCxGW_qxwFqZnH9aWU/s4000/20230527_120241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuTHXw3LFY8UMXl921RbawJTKHrL5IgAVf-vr6pCwjwyhIPLFdvcQwE6a4rcs7hs4hX9eX8law2X07xckv6XzYPqI1y2uy7Yx6XFMWNYvqEUSrqtCF9MYwYfl5RDEKQEafTTNqyQv9P-4eu8MaNaPuKiYt5Fmj5iuQ1nLwiBQljCxGW_qxwFqZnH9aWU/w640-h480/20230527_120241.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK2US0S72DJ6M_ufYjq3nafuNZykNvZOTmud31XT9Sl1l7ZHBv-SAgBCSEE6oowW0dS3dMmVst20FW6ExET-I8K7YQANsgyJDzcRnrxQqR-tgQtFFoumX4ShwBqeMyCxXeuWJYN5FZftkCOWJIRhG1TS4n4XnE2yg28fmksurDGKDvCTnO993x_UsRmw/s4000/20230527_112603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK2US0S72DJ6M_ufYjq3nafuNZykNvZOTmud31XT9Sl1l7ZHBv-SAgBCSEE6oowW0dS3dMmVst20FW6ExET-I8K7YQANsgyJDzcRnrxQqR-tgQtFFoumX4ShwBqeMyCxXeuWJYN5FZftkCOWJIRhG1TS4n4XnE2yg28fmksurDGKDvCTnO993x_UsRmw/w640-h480/20230527_112603.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thunder Bay is 45 minutes north
of the U.S. border in the Province of Ontario.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We put Thunder Bay on the itinerary because of the cool name (que the
lightning bolt and crack of thunder).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>O.k.,
so the town didn’t turn out to be as cool as we thought and was more of a run-down,
sketchy, industrial town than we were expecting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we did find some interesting
attractions that made us glad we visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About twenty-five minutes from downtown Thunder Bay is Kakabeka Falls
Provincial Park which has a large campground and an even bigger waterfall so
that is where we chose to park the RV. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
a towering 130 feet, the falls is considered the second highest vertical
waterfall in Ontario (we think you know what the first is … Niagara).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Viewing decks are positioned on both sides of
the falls and a bridge across the top provides great views of the rushing
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdrPNzjkl9LLg8S1M2csF_bPy0PvgKj2F3UF6vtLs6Uha_E-X97LYK7tGw5hrb3OumY68WmdHoW1mj_u7BO-hbwBO8sKnCe196puvJss-jaGvOk-IAu9qz3k_oFBRbJGv8hqiTyNS4ong_wtRs7qTe8FYeD2m8qb84zoe44b8GD3u8SRwSWgq3hkvceA/s4000/20230528_153849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdrPNzjkl9LLg8S1M2csF_bPy0PvgKj2F3UF6vtLs6Uha_E-X97LYK7tGw5hrb3OumY68WmdHoW1mj_u7BO-hbwBO8sKnCe196puvJss-jaGvOk-IAu9qz3k_oFBRbJGv8hqiTyNS4ong_wtRs7qTe8FYeD2m8qb84zoe44b8GD3u8SRwSWgq3hkvceA/w640-h480/20230528_153849.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeZecLnLMvIh8ThPH90Qxd0L76e0vzQok34w8PkFjJ5BGpOs0EigHZp9Hg8Ekl8Fg9LfcVbF1zR_W6TaM1NQyYMptrIgoqxZ3_s_yYspdASwqdr0oAsbc80vUUUO8o1fIbBzeL7SAA5TJmpCdBz4_wIONsrtjev15BryTp_7QNx5dnTqQ8-2NGmKSDVg/s4000/20230528_152807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeZecLnLMvIh8ThPH90Qxd0L76e0vzQok34w8PkFjJ5BGpOs0EigHZp9Hg8Ekl8Fg9LfcVbF1zR_W6TaM1NQyYMptrIgoqxZ3_s_yYspdASwqdr0oAsbc80vUUUO8o1fIbBzeL7SAA5TJmpCdBz4_wIONsrtjev15BryTp_7QNx5dnTqQ8-2NGmKSDVg/w640-h480/20230528_152807.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 1802, the border between Canada and the United States was
settled and the British-owned North West Company left Grand Portage and moved
their operations to Thunder Bay to avoid paying U.S. imposed taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fort Williams became an even larger trading
complex than Grand Portage which eventually ceased in 1804.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_KIekU0Tosf8DvxO6pweKWUzatYLkt1YA_GuUMG8_i6iPV2caZqyjZNCnhUezz4CJgRobdyAhRCj9KfeLr-87KwWse9ZKOkK9Oo20zVA0sOnbJqQ1HI_0bHPJK2vWHHYvO5l3eqX117E5W0meSf1fiuyL1BEzy5cssyr4C1maI1QvMfEm7Kdsz5HV9k/s4000/20230529_114848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_KIekU0Tosf8DvxO6pweKWUzatYLkt1YA_GuUMG8_i6iPV2caZqyjZNCnhUezz4CJgRobdyAhRCj9KfeLr-87KwWse9ZKOkK9Oo20zVA0sOnbJqQ1HI_0bHPJK2vWHHYvO5l3eqX117E5W0meSf1fiuyL1BEzy5cssyr4C1maI1QvMfEm7Kdsz5HV9k/w640-h480/20230529_114848.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The fur trading history of Thunder Bay is interpreted at Fort
Williams Historical Park – a 250-acre complex living history complex which is
one of the largest in North America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fort Williams is similar to Grand Portage NM but on a much grander
scale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A visit to the park will take you
back in time so you can experience history of the world’s largest trading enterprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Costumed historical interpreters in character as good actors guide you through
numerous historic buildings to show the range of the post and portray life at Fort
William in the year 1816.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ4R9OsAX4A67HcMAf4gLa2hMabTXp1K67_Sp_3GoZ1kAji2ihk5n01EOLOVhWm3gQBCubFSwJ9bk5RKBr2Y2TJHIkgdjrpNC9Q_f7NYBiISYB72g8589eRVkiY1DqPOWAFh25EDOCQVwiAGmaNVRPYNTyU9MtaRxNBrnD-EUdInQYt2gL1PjTbqlBR4/s3724/20230529_115129b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2793" data-original-width="3724" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ4R9OsAX4A67HcMAf4gLa2hMabTXp1K67_Sp_3GoZ1kAji2ihk5n01EOLOVhWm3gQBCubFSwJ9bk5RKBr2Y2TJHIkgdjrpNC9Q_f7NYBiISYB72g8589eRVkiY1DqPOWAFh25EDOCQVwiAGmaNVRPYNTyU9MtaRxNBrnD-EUdInQYt2gL1PjTbqlBR4/w640-h480/20230529_115129b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjKQcJ2IOlv-Kq0w0RHypSlbSTCIXSC_r73HE0R-hb-rq9zrGNd8cdssFwv-Nsxf8yXIyHenmuUQwhi_wHOBcoQdGdM3bEbzBcyomigF7hy4VzCGxac74zvl7izT2VqotUX0NLeWvR1-YgtSYFFqEv917TgMFdDD_J-_LTCozGU9OR55npyYrG2RAvaI/s4000/20230529_113652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjKQcJ2IOlv-Kq0w0RHypSlbSTCIXSC_r73HE0R-hb-rq9zrGNd8cdssFwv-Nsxf8yXIyHenmuUQwhi_wHOBcoQdGdM3bEbzBcyomigF7hy4VzCGxac74zvl7izT2VqotUX0NLeWvR1-YgtSYFFqEv917TgMFdDD_J-_LTCozGU9OR55npyYrG2RAvaI/w640-h480/20230529_113652.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Fort Williams was a pleasant surprise for us and we spent
the better part of a day there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tour
guide was excellent, the exhibits interesting, and the $15 (Canadian dollar) admission
was well-worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to tours of
the fort, the park offers many educational programs, live music events, has an
astronomical observatory and there is a campground onsite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Gazing east across Thunder Bay, you will find the rugged
Sibley Peninsula rising high above the water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As your eyes wander to the southern portion of
the peninsula, a large craggy rock formation that resembles a sleeping giant becomes
apparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The land around this strange formation
is a 94-square mile provincial park and was our next destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fWgCptBp1ARTtjsfWBYDOCKVGA2bnFx-cV1dkgb2xx_LqEKx1wY9NKt7ZEIhfZjjex68wo0vfwUeRcaxnEL_3oh-O0Irt2mBNZaI28qNmKi3S_7huKObDoeL-E4jK_8kS4-NciV4JPCKpc_wiEloXbj88jPuuT0KGe6e0k8e2oxmUBG_OsuLRTyW0C4/s4000/20230531_140211%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fWgCptBp1ARTtjsfWBYDOCKVGA2bnFx-cV1dkgb2xx_LqEKx1wY9NKt7ZEIhfZjjex68wo0vfwUeRcaxnEL_3oh-O0Irt2mBNZaI28qNmKi3S_7huKObDoeL-E4jK_8kS4-NciV4JPCKpc_wiEloXbj88jPuuT0KGe6e0k8e2oxmUBG_OsuLRTyW0C4/w640-h480/20230531_140211%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The legend of Sleeping Giant ties to the Ojibwe
people living in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nanna Bijou,
the Spirit of the Deep Sea Water, decided to reward the Ojibwe people for their
industrious and peaceful way of living by showing them a tunnel that led to a rich
silver mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He warned the Ojibwe never
to tell the white men of the mines' location or he would be turned to
stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ojibwe soon became famous for
their beautiful silver adornments that were desired by others, especially the Sioux tribe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Desperate to know where the silver
came from, Sioux warriors used torture and death to try to force the Ojibwe to
reveal the location of the mine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally,
a cunning Sioux scout disguised himself as an Ojibwe and learned the location of
the mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When two white men discovered
the Sioux knew the whereabouts of the mine, they filled him with “firewater”
and convinced him to take them to the location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A terrible storm erupted and the white men drowned, the Sioux was found in
a crazed state in his canoe, and the appearance of a great sleeping figure
appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nanna Bijous warning had come
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mine is said to be the richest
silver mine in the northeast and, over the years, white men have repeatedly
tried to pump out lake water that leads to the mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their efforts have repeatedly failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2544" data-original-width="3392" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFOOdWshCrYcP7bmqJBfhR0xqFwSLY52x5EpKM0gjdtum4rmjj9Pnjs8CwYWmazG90tfptQKOEhge9OmTcxqkoTQlmNNBISTW5pdRmEJ2LBlMa-fxTzmKsDv0yekuav6bnnzKhtFRSpUJyjLXo_39rm3bPGBRfrFDSCUJpPTKQof0r9ARuPn2_FdeQR8/w400-h300/20230531_141940%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></span>Maybe it is the curse of Nanna Bijou. We were just glad Nanna Bijou didn't wake up while we were there. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We settled into our beautiful waterfront campsite at
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and were enamored with the view and spacious treelined
private yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent our mornings exploring
the parks hiking trails, the afternoon paddling the beautiful lake waters and
the evenings relaxing at our wonderful campsite. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park’s trail network is extensive,
covering over 60 miles, and offers hiking options spanning all levels of difficultly.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of our favorites was the Sea Lion
Trail which rewards hikers with beautiful views of the unique rock formation
that once looked like a lion (before time took over and changed its appearance
forever).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38cAnyVeQxrNcRyd9gfpuSo_QkAgRrwubhHXZzhhyJ7auwZwpTQoIU8XrKsp5wNbgKGGCjWOh4u4HoPu40LcFXx7ylGZJ32-ddJjacRea8qeOnsDeOAGx2aU1AssHx4kHiJ77sDM6WbndiFg4qmnI43cITVZa-MYISyY9Ivy_fkBkZK6vJt3AZrO9Kuw/s4000/20230531_100559%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38cAnyVeQxrNcRyd9gfpuSo_QkAgRrwubhHXZzhhyJ7auwZwpTQoIU8XrKsp5wNbgKGGCjWOh4u4HoPu40LcFXx7ylGZJ32-ddJjacRea8qeOnsDeOAGx2aU1AssHx4kHiJ77sDM6WbndiFg4qmnI43cITVZa-MYISyY9Ivy_fkBkZK6vJt3AZrO9Kuw/w640-h480/20230531_100559%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRGA9QTHX4K8DtOxVcQ4DITPcdQWqICf2_vTtljyoyx2l3nTWuR0-iSzfpNB_E4GjzX_IQE5IS9VMjeVpWL0_b6IHeIDp_BoY3JcQkrcWan4flY3ZGnLeIVasfenJvIxxsQ_VoNpq6l7VIhE0RqeasrZ_WUPIM_g6F2MI7qpve74rXetw62wZiByR-Sw/s4000/20230530_212004%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRGA9QTHX4K8DtOxVcQ4DITPcdQWqICf2_vTtljyoyx2l3nTWuR0-iSzfpNB_E4GjzX_IQE5IS9VMjeVpWL0_b6IHeIDp_BoY3JcQkrcWan4flY3ZGnLeIVasfenJvIxxsQ_VoNpq6l7VIhE0RqeasrZ_WUPIM_g6F2MI7qpve74rXetw62wZiByR-Sw/w640-h480/20230530_212004%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Continuing along the north shore of Lake Superior was a
beautiful drive as forested green mountains cascaded into the beautiful blue
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were stunned with the beauty
of this drive which reminded us so much of the scenic drives in Maine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rainbow Falls Provincial Park was our next
stop and, again, we scored a pretty campsite with a water view. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The campground lacked the trees and shade of
Sleeping Giant but the views of Lake Superior and the enveloping mountains were
gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The campground has a nice sandy
beach which morphs into a rocky shoreline with shallow clear water that was
great for paddling swimming if you dare dip in the cold water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNKVTCRxjMJTT9HoD_AspSavEksd8BFnD3XnhDs9eA4VK8FRIXfZ4WeIufW80S_hV8nVQk_vzvJz7ta0GVjYahoTAHOcAQPUC5VYgOJWx1nkqQvSlkqTUC26DAwlTO5sW_Oi5h-R8ul6tR5y10GEAQZ-nUV7viEOq5MYY8bGenh0InXSzsOZUeT3CUdI/s4000/20230603_154818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNKVTCRxjMJTT9HoD_AspSavEksd8BFnD3XnhDs9eA4VK8FRIXfZ4WeIufW80S_hV8nVQk_vzvJz7ta0GVjYahoTAHOcAQPUC5VYgOJWx1nkqQvSlkqTUC26DAwlTO5sW_Oi5h-R8ul6tR5y10GEAQZ-nUV7viEOq5MYY8bGenh0InXSzsOZUeT3CUdI/w640-h480/20230603_154818.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCG3sibta84W4cisIwfPq5G9MkD48Og5aq1cPbuXLec3__c2haacdjnpdCF6oEa4_uMgdyooIImQ28fuaEG_c5kcW2zuunTlK1NGt9Ea0HqqO2Y_nZW7MrvL1WoOmrKD4CmACaJ2wmPuh4Gd4td8322wL4X1Ik5Fv927gOogDBlv9yHTLYzKnrM4XOUM/s4000/20230603_154441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCG3sibta84W4cisIwfPq5G9MkD48Og5aq1cPbuXLec3__c2haacdjnpdCF6oEa4_uMgdyooIImQ28fuaEG_c5kcW2zuunTlK1NGt9Ea0HqqO2Y_nZW7MrvL1WoOmrKD4CmACaJ2wmPuh4Gd4td8322wL4X1Ik5Fv927gOogDBlv9yHTLYzKnrM4XOUM/w640-h480/20230603_154441.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2q3Py-3jdRUHEQSk6wvH9G8OwUf9ZSZjiheASXUBhbTbk9DZoF-LdFHQHu7Xd9OzV4w2v8BYKbZExS5vkDAsVHDNVqLsSxPLOJG2g045XmDbzcCDRhj5V_nmfDizQLsL0Qi4sEf94h5IzUilj4KmBYLbOuGj5NAiACBxDvqwt5tqspOHh_tF7h9nTk4c/s4000/20230602_202639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2q3Py-3jdRUHEQSk6wvH9G8OwUf9ZSZjiheASXUBhbTbk9DZoF-LdFHQHu7Xd9OzV4w2v8BYKbZExS5vkDAsVHDNVqLsSxPLOJG2g045XmDbzcCDRhj5V_nmfDizQLsL0Qi4sEf94h5IzUilj4KmBYLbOuGj5NAiACBxDvqwt5tqspOHh_tF7h9nTk4c/w640-h480/20230602_202639.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We set off to find the waterfall which gives the park its
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A short hiking trail leads you to the
cascading waterfall with multiple viewpoints and a narrow suspension bridge
completed the view from overhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Above
the falls is Whitesand Lake with beautiful vistas, nice beaches, and another
great place to paddle (the park rents canoes and kayaks if you do not have your
own).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxAAsbk0Ioj72egxbsUxX9WI3WBnnKU1cPGVVV4kxYh18CPBmfyixrmQHStlcy_Z6wcZa2MPJLHzfmCuiEFE4t2nqHn88n0lCjWuVcsnSclt5OrdE0UCmSOOWYEWgzpf24PEpYzMsHpPMiTYZl_C52oUbXA53hCtMhDNbOfnJGqntXhWjUHVjw6OxDSw/s4000/20230603_085453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxAAsbk0Ioj72egxbsUxX9WI3WBnnKU1cPGVVV4kxYh18CPBmfyixrmQHStlcy_Z6wcZa2MPJLHzfmCuiEFE4t2nqHn88n0lCjWuVcsnSclt5OrdE0UCmSOOWYEWgzpf24PEpYzMsHpPMiTYZl_C52oUbXA53hCtMhDNbOfnJGqntXhWjUHVjw6OxDSw/w640-h480/20230603_085453.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xSDx48sI5Mw7uiW6XjuKIlGm-JOmczcrOI5hLPCQzq2HoM8BlIW7JXiRJKm-Qh1-kpSKwOUtffziaEJbtNDNHKuWJ8O2XG_gyy0tGwb-XTHj-NQldIgeSORqaaHYhiKRaTpA-gqqFLhnfkuin55dv__dnfUUBC3Y64LJA3e88MQ-Bkh-MYXTNyW8XYs/s4000/20230603_085931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xSDx48sI5Mw7uiW6XjuKIlGm-JOmczcrOI5hLPCQzq2HoM8BlIW7JXiRJKm-Qh1-kpSKwOUtffziaEJbtNDNHKuWJ8O2XG_gyy0tGwb-XTHj-NQldIgeSORqaaHYhiKRaTpA-gqqFLhnfkuin55dv__dnfUUBC3Y64LJA3e88MQ-Bkh-MYXTNyW8XYs/w640-h480/20230603_085931.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Casque-Isles portion of the 33-mile
Voyageur Trail runs through the park so there are plenty of miles for you to hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a short drive are the towns of Rossport,
Schreiber, and Terrace Bay which are little coastal villages where you can get
a bite to eat, catch a ride on a charter fishing boat, grab a souvenir from a local
artist, and enjoy some great views including another waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Ontario is a waterfall lovers paradise.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrNBX-NBIoYm_NI5HFMgfLvfQZ-smVEjmYcLWivpJovs75iAZtIAdxctAkp2erWB-Gl1RCXgn8lctmRGJCU5WWIFNR86v9MHLE3npzeBajaXlJjEK3aUkZz-JsoVaD_0ui9DUUoYkjzH7wq9y4JdBA55XthiaeWX5moUClmpH52ihzh0sswDAGSy-6KQ/s4000/20230603_111712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrNBX-NBIoYm_NI5HFMgfLvfQZ-smVEjmYcLWivpJovs75iAZtIAdxctAkp2erWB-Gl1RCXgn8lctmRGJCU5WWIFNR86v9MHLE3npzeBajaXlJjEK3aUkZz-JsoVaD_0ui9DUUoYkjzH7wq9y4JdBA55XthiaeWX5moUClmpH52ihzh0sswDAGSy-6KQ/w640-h480/20230603_111712.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you drive the Circle Tour, keep an eye out in the town of
White River for the Winnie-the-Pooh historical marker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winnie-the-Pooh is a beloved fictional
character that has warmed the hearts of generations of children that was inspired
by a real black bear from White River, Ontario. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry D. Colebourn was a Canadian veterinarian
and soldier with the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps who purchased a bear
cub after a hunter shot the mother in White River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colebourn named the cub “Winnie” after his
adopted home town of Winnipeg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
Colebourn was shipped oversees, he took the bear with him and the gentle bear became
the unofficial mascot of their cavalry regiment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winnie was kept at the London Zoo during
Colebourns' deployment and he visited her as often as possible and intended to
take her back after his deployment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After seeing how much she was liked by zoo visitors, he donated Winnie to
the zoo where she lived for the remainder of her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at the London Zoo that A. A. Milne and
his son Christopher Robin Milne encountered Winnie. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christopher was so taken with her that he
named his teddy bear after her, which became the inspiration for Milne's
fictional character in his books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCibrE6IotrdhQTQBXRvg1RP5xpTN51Ea_57fzxoUMf2QhCqp5USg-90KKP_YwEWoGvK88p-BBtCIv8hFkD3FtP8qkKsiyPiPoZdG3MOa4LedUCpPbzS_WdGXl49Te-j274yeZm3dkoJ4J_BVoQj1cF_2vjK3Gd652nSGx1RMVg0uxKO6J97yVsEoBRY/s4000/20230605_130119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCibrE6IotrdhQTQBXRvg1RP5xpTN51Ea_57fzxoUMf2QhCqp5USg-90KKP_YwEWoGvK88p-BBtCIv8hFkD3FtP8qkKsiyPiPoZdG3MOa4LedUCpPbzS_WdGXl49Te-j274yeZm3dkoJ4J_BVoQj1cF_2vjK3Gd652nSGx1RMVg0uxKO6J97yVsEoBRY/w640-h480/20230605_130119.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wawa is a Lake Superior town with a funny name that has a
big tourist draw which actually relates to that funny name (which means wild
goose in native tribal language). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wawa
is the location of the last link in the Trans Canada Highway to be completed
along Lake Superior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new road meant
more tourists would be driving by and a local businessman set out to attract
attention to his town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His idea was to
erect a large monument of a Canada goose high up on a hill that would catch people’s
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must have worked because some
say (probably the towns' people) that it is one of the most photographed
landmarks in North America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-maGvMPDP_aG0_hzymK8z69hcMecCmQ_g7n61mmFPNxSfc31DvkddndAkWDsrxY7FIlbYi59rcdOIRDBUYA_WY3ff2onE2EYaEoG-jUDI5oUkYsvFmD60MQ9KZxSpFmvXDFZPhrr4CNsXH2_L-E6Ty2k9SIrnazzRuH1f8aK90hUwS4mpYqgyhYMZWuI/s4000/20230606_105228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-maGvMPDP_aG0_hzymK8z69hcMecCmQ_g7n61mmFPNxSfc31DvkddndAkWDsrxY7FIlbYi59rcdOIRDBUYA_WY3ff2onE2EYaEoG-jUDI5oUkYsvFmD60MQ9KZxSpFmvXDFZPhrr4CNsXH2_L-E6Ty2k9SIrnazzRuH1f8aK90hUwS4mpYqgyhYMZWuI/w640-h480/20230606_105228.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The original goose (circa 1963) was made of plaster and did
not last too long so a new one was erected in 2017 after residents and businesses
raised the funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The striking steel honker
stands 28 feet tall, is 22 feet long, and has an impressive wingspan of 20 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A note about Canada Geese – yes, they are
everywhere and there is the Wawa goose, but they are <i>not</i> an official
symbol of Canada, only the beaver and maple tree have cultural status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wawa is an outdoorsy town located on beautiful Lake
Wawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fishing, paddling, cycling, ATVing
and snowmobiling are all popular activities in this four-season town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a nice waterfront park with hand painted
chairs for you to sit and admire the beauty or you can check out the heritage walk
to learn about the towns' past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great hike
takes you from one beautiful waterfall to another and offers scenic views. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSM1c2koCb30M5feHJphCkz5Lad532-9gnv7HbdUOqp5DzP7wB8QuXzb-NFFZvTebcdn_bWGMl7OWip9ZDWajWHSEGAT8M8hwV8h-rBcZVJ-vE212KgTuxCqrGTkqxL3JgE4YakqUhdvttpsB13YQjKtD7fYBSw1SJBt09rZhJKQ0GvjSie8buLpxgEH0/s4000/20230606_130056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSM1c2koCb30M5feHJphCkz5Lad532-9gnv7HbdUOqp5DzP7wB8QuXzb-NFFZvTebcdn_bWGMl7OWip9ZDWajWHSEGAT8M8hwV8h-rBcZVJ-vE212KgTuxCqrGTkqxL3JgE4YakqUhdvttpsB13YQjKtD7fYBSw1SJBt09rZhJKQ0GvjSie8buLpxgEH0/w640-h480/20230606_130056.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The drive along the Trans Canada Highway across Lake Superior
is spectacular!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The towns are small and charming with not too
much to do but just enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
shortage of hiking and paddling opportunities which will keep you busy and are
a great way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the north shore of Lake
Superior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XLb7pGcm2PBAw-Qx6uukn3gsGET3CcbmodkF1VFJUYXIeLp2V_qmtRS6ayjBil0hVYjTU99fPSnTIuH2q6rPzeN-K42jwGVhuzHX258O-dPO6EICVr-ed9QBYwueAy6Nm1q4fAeZ08XUCGvBVPVy4GCoh_O1cnTyVwCDrfr1MOXlBzHz6Wb1VIES_bQ/s4000/20230604_125526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XLb7pGcm2PBAw-Qx6uukn3gsGET3CcbmodkF1VFJUYXIeLp2V_qmtRS6ayjBil0hVYjTU99fPSnTIuH2q6rPzeN-K42jwGVhuzHX258O-dPO6EICVr-ed9QBYwueAy6Nm1q4fAeZ08XUCGvBVPVy4GCoh_O1cnTyVwCDrfr1MOXlBzHz6Wb1VIES_bQ/w640-h480/20230604_125526.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span><p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-3418827408869638902023-06-14T06:19:00.000-05:002023-06-14T06:19:24.798-05:00Bayfield and the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 2017, we spent the summer traveling along the southern shoreline
of Lake Superior thru Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota and loved being along
Lake Superior and visiting the small coastal towns. One area we missed on that trip was the Apostle
Islands area in Wisconsin. This year, we
decided to visit this area on our way to Canada to complete our Lake Superior “Circle
Tour.” Our friends, Heidi and Dr. Nancy,
recommended we camp in the little town of Bayfield (year-round population of
500) which was centrally located and a nice little town to spend a few days. So, off we went! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">About twenty miles south of Bayfield we made a quick stop at
the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (in Ashland). The facility is a shared visitor center between
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest
Service. Knowledgeable employees are on
hand to answer questions and provide information about the extensive acres of
public lands in the area. Inside you
will find many exhibits that convey the rich history and heritage of Lake
Superior and the human cultures that interact with the area’s natural resources. Exhibits are both static and interactive, very
interesting, and geared for all ages. The
upstairs has a great observation deck and serves as an art gallery displaying
works from local artisans. Outside are
hiking trails perfect for stretching your legs after a long drive (and they are
pet-friendly). The center offers many
free public events like guided walks, talks from professionals in varied wildlife
fields, and kid’s activities. The center
is free and has ample parking for RVs, so if you have the time, check it
out. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pmZ6xt8GM6Tg305XbfgabXbE-LZRQNGmGaqUfYsbGI3KNckwzA8eTHQa-Z8wZUCsMgKEvQfZiTD7hTXXsBxUoHLI4Y1Zobjj9VMJQz_S8vScsnzg4NLvE1eYYFELcnMnru7cAZFdnA_pzx9XbTa284SyX1W5IUxhhbwV_KGp1E-bhqCTtSSMOX1a/s3438/20230520_114029a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="3438" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pmZ6xt8GM6Tg305XbfgabXbE-LZRQNGmGaqUfYsbGI3KNckwzA8eTHQa-Z8wZUCsMgKEvQfZiTD7hTXXsBxUoHLI4Y1Zobjj9VMJQz_S8vScsnzg4NLvE1eYYFELcnMnru7cAZFdnA_pzx9XbTa284SyX1W5IUxhhbwV_KGp1E-bhqCTtSSMOX1a/w640-h480/20230520_114029a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The city of Bayfield has undoubtedly garnered its share of
accolades – “Gateway to the Apostle Islands,” “Smallest City in Wisconsin,” and
as one of <i>Conde Nast Travelers</i> “Best Places to Go in 2023.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty impressive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unspoiled beauty of Lake Superior and the
rugged Apostle Islands certainly have turned this small fishing city into an attractive
spot for tourists, including us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bayfield
stretches along the waterfront and climbs up a hill offering panoramic views of
Gichigami (the local Ojibwe Tribes’ name for Lake Superior) and the Apostle
Islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t look for any big box
stores here, you will only find locally-owned shops and galleries, historic
buildings, and artisans whose work reflects the natural surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdWOAUOn8lCJSXZFSj6SkcR7AZj50TETkjBBc61JNconj7kytB_4mZBPLGQHvhWnnS4uKRhOepuDQ-FhSZuWJZcFmOv6b0eQdcfswjTSCGLtvO8qLZY9dWB6lQ13K3-JWm58VL7uBiCn-8NYQoBjusumItSuga6LqNkqQE63o4Japl3CbDJVbb9PQ/s4000/20230522_124810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdWOAUOn8lCJSXZFSj6SkcR7AZj50TETkjBBc61JNconj7kytB_4mZBPLGQHvhWnnS4uKRhOepuDQ-FhSZuWJZcFmOv6b0eQdcfswjTSCGLtvO8qLZY9dWB6lQ13K3-JWm58VL7uBiCn-8NYQoBjusumItSuga6LqNkqQE63o4Japl3CbDJVbb9PQ/w640-h480/20230522_124810.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our friends recommended we hitch a ride on the ferry from
downtown Bayfield over to Madeline Island and check it out. They volunteered as work campers on the
island at Big Bay State Park and thought we would really enjoy the scenery and hiking
trails. Madeline Island stretches fourteen
miles long by three miles wide so we decided to take the car to see as much as
possible. The ferry cost was $63 for the
car and the three of us (of course, Spirit came too), but you can opt to go as
a pedestrian, cyclist, or take your RV (if you want to camp at the state park). The ferry makes numerous daily trips and is a
quick twenty-minute ride across the channel.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtbqUJ6CLohT6hGCEGU1GBjA8Nm3dDjhLoIoqyUNjmw_5eLu6ET7Y8BAQUvaqrxv46i-sn9_9fcBX9B_XBEpJFmX7l4GH-WFWCdieO5KXDu_Q-SdmTqnuiidzkY1ZplDmtQQ9Fxdq8quqwaRKVBiPdlxvCC1xcRRjaq2URoDtyMjedDA0DFvxspIB/s4000/20230522_123130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtbqUJ6CLohT6hGCEGU1GBjA8Nm3dDjhLoIoqyUNjmw_5eLu6ET7Y8BAQUvaqrxv46i-sn9_9fcBX9B_XBEpJFmX7l4GH-WFWCdieO5KXDu_Q-SdmTqnuiidzkY1ZplDmtQQ9Fxdq8quqwaRKVBiPdlxvCC1xcRRjaq2URoDtyMjedDA0DFvxspIB/w640-h480/20230522_123130.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Madeline Island is the only Apostle Island that is inhabited
and not included in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (administered by the
National Park Service).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a
year-round population of 430 which swells to 2,500 during the summer season as
summer island life gets into full swing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tiny downtown of La Point is your landing spot and when you depart
the ferry you can’t help but feel the laid-back island vibe where time does not
seem to matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People come to the
island to stroll the sandy beaches, paint, sail, kayak, and just relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people are drawn to the island to indulge
in their artistic passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Madeline
Island School of the Arts is ranked as one of the top five arts and craft schools
in the country and hosts workshops in painting, quilting, photography, fiber
arts and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep your eyes out for
local galleries and boutiques that sell “Made in Madeline Island” goods crafted
from local artisans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to our friend’s
recommendation, we had a great hike along the shoreline of Big Bay State Park which
led up to <i>The Point</i> – a beautiful spot to enjoy the expansive views and
stunning scenery. Note the haze in the sky due to the Canadian wildfires.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0tg0JuOd7SYCGHZEyZoUovnqBySGKUwghBN-HjJKWjU--ulJECbgWvYNG7PGIsT-iwgkM79VtmhzhaIHFPvF-B_rdluqKjJkKEjsQs4hewpKGP1tIjfJzs7JnhD8-QUP-1mCpDjGg4kQWJz8ZKASad0Lp2_AcrN1hc5fSlAe_BT6q0Bc0PBqEbdO/s4000/20230522_102748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0tg0JuOd7SYCGHZEyZoUovnqBySGKUwghBN-HjJKWjU--ulJECbgWvYNG7PGIsT-iwgkM79VtmhzhaIHFPvF-B_rdluqKjJkKEjsQs4hewpKGP1tIjfJzs7JnhD8-QUP-1mCpDjGg4kQWJz8ZKASad0Lp2_AcrN1hc5fSlAe_BT6q0Bc0PBqEbdO/w640-h480/20230522_102748.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FPpRsXC_ZOrkf0rswJVN29GpwXwtLREe8KjQfHqdGbm67g0TESJWV2fmjLTytxX-Q_I16iOjItrNGpTE_Kr1kMChk-_u3a2YTMNeJxqLOwn_H1-4iqfsq2RteG-ausSNju8DxbQldyp87GAJZxZpNpNcAjtAHgLnPXuM4NPqTecsxTFQVYkNszNF/s4000/20230522_085722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FPpRsXC_ZOrkf0rswJVN29GpwXwtLREe8KjQfHqdGbm67g0TESJWV2fmjLTytxX-Q_I16iOjItrNGpTE_Kr1kMChk-_u3a2YTMNeJxqLOwn_H1-4iqfsq2RteG-ausSNju8DxbQldyp87GAJZxZpNpNcAjtAHgLnPXuM4NPqTecsxTFQVYkNszNF/w640-h480/20230522_085722.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Just up the road from Bayfield is Apostle Islands National
Lakeshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park spans 69,000 acres
along Lake Superior and includes 21 islands that dot the blue-green waters exposing
magnificent sea caves and red rock topped with towering trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within the park are miles of hiking trails,
campgrounds, historic lighthouses, sandy beaches, and a couple of visitor
centers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park is recognized for its
sandstone sea caves that formed over centuries as freezing, thawing, and wave
action shaped the shoreline into its famous appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hiked a trail from Meyers Beach so we
could see the caves for ourselves and marvel at their unique beauty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After our hike we hung out at Meyers Beach to
relax and let Spirit relish in the cold waters of Lake Superior (which clocked
in at a frigid 34 degrees F). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our plan was
to paddle along the shoreline the following day to see the caves from a
different perspective, but unfortunately, time and windy weather ruined those plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lake Superior can be dangerous when it’s
angry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_uR_WXHeXLCDVucCZcqS3EK9Zg8YovOJj6YH5reXXPjHzJiK6DJEThXDqCnF-_KLf8syjWVaHxTb5t9d8WXJmoINfjKZFzZypB254PYlHii18J30DM0XOL1MMnAmMabhTd8uWAFDWN5_0Gzw32TepS6yH3bgUuGh9vYaMWaO8yagsKrAsDgUlWbT/s4000/20230523_095930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_uR_WXHeXLCDVucCZcqS3EK9Zg8YovOJj6YH5reXXPjHzJiK6DJEThXDqCnF-_KLf8syjWVaHxTb5t9d8WXJmoINfjKZFzZypB254PYlHii18J30DM0XOL1MMnAmMabhTd8uWAFDWN5_0Gzw32TepS6yH3bgUuGh9vYaMWaO8yagsKrAsDgUlWbT/w640-h480/20230523_095930.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaB5DkK8TMII2J3l188sGe1YJ6dW8a3YbF3iOMm7g9Oc0IjHoxpE1YOhLfckeFgXSHGJH5b0i5JSOxmEAFz1qXuUehXTsUrfvuwxfR219EeO15wkc4foXvqr0yy0-afg_8gfVnMYiQRcUn-_RzQYJ09aOTTGQ0Og0dE-vVG7jzdHBJfUOvRZs6jmA/s4000/20230523_094140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaB5DkK8TMII2J3l188sGe1YJ6dW8a3YbF3iOMm7g9Oc0IjHoxpE1YOhLfckeFgXSHGJH5b0i5JSOxmEAFz1qXuUehXTsUrfvuwxfR219EeO15wkc4foXvqr0yy0-afg_8gfVnMYiQRcUn-_RzQYJ09aOTTGQ0Og0dE-vVG7jzdHBJfUOvRZs6jmA/w640-h480/20230523_094140.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We visited Bayfield in late May before the summer season
really starts so many tourist activities were not up and running yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But camping spots are easier to find and
there are not many people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you visit in
the summer, Bayfield and the surrounding towns have lots to keep you busy and
entertained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bayfield is well-known for
its fruit production and has a “Fruit Loop” which guides you to the nearby
farms where you will find bountiful harvests of blueberries, raspberries, and
strawberries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder Bayfield is
called “The Berry Capital of Wisconsin!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Big Top Chautauqua hosts summer concerts drawing big name acts like
Brandi Carlisle, Tanya Tucker, and the Temptations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In July, the Anishinaabe culture is on full
display as the Red Cliff Annual Pow Wow celebrates their culture and traditions
through song, dance, demonstrations, canoe races, and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bayfield has a flourishing arts and craft
scene and hosts an annual Festival of Arts to showcase the local and regional
artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers will be rewarded as
the shallow waters of the Apostle Islands are the perfect breeding and nursery
grounds for sport fish like whitefish, trout, and herring and there are local
charter companies who can lead you to the fishing hotspots. One of the best
ways to see the islands is by boat – whether it be a sea kayak or the comfort
of a narrated boat cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaQuw8sCOxarfI5OP1H4wZNugJVgs5LFK-auAjaiDGdCeD_6yJGBExoKwc8W5ODpUXwZzGnRxM2uxTgb6utNXsD0uTL6_BMVjeCIdujDCS83KxyvD9vSc5xbl8pwkB6T-JgwcWmzussw8QXm693scmlpPVOeTrwrzf1Xh8GIJZDfATNAIPzr7iBYq/s4000/20230522_100416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaQuw8sCOxarfI5OP1H4wZNugJVgs5LFK-auAjaiDGdCeD_6yJGBExoKwc8W5ODpUXwZzGnRxM2uxTgb6utNXsD0uTL6_BMVjeCIdujDCS83KxyvD9vSc5xbl8pwkB6T-JgwcWmzussw8QXm693scmlpPVOeTrwrzf1Xh8GIJZDfATNAIPzr7iBYq/w640-h480/20230522_100416.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If you come to Bayfield, be ready to immerse yourself in the
wonderful outdoors of Lake Superior in a quiet, laid-back place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From boat rides to kayak trips to hiking
trails, this area will be sure to satisfy your sense of outdoor adventure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thoroughly enjoyed our short stay in this
area and are so glad our friends recommended it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks Heidi and Nancy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-86975553523121671922023-06-06T08:54:00.000-05:002023-06-06T08:54:05.789-05:00Sights and Sound in Wisconsin<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Spring Green, Wisconsin is the site of two famous homes –
Taliesin and The House on the Rock – one built by a well-respected
professionally trained architect and the other by a visionary with no formal
training who just started building. Both
dwellings center around the rocky outcroppings that dot high bluffs and
overlook gentle lush green valleys. The
House on the Rock was the reason we found ourselves in the tiny town of Spring
Green in southwest Wisconsin. Years ago,
an architect friend of Betsy’s told her she “had to” visit The House on the Rock
at some point – his recommendation and description of the house filtered to the
back of her mind but never went away. As
we started to plan our summer route, we decided it was time to finally see The
House on the Rock.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But there was another house in Spring Green that we could
not let go unseen – Taliesin – the 800-acre estate of famed American architect
Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright first came to
southwestern Wisconsin to visit his grandparents who settled in the area being
drawn to the lush green pastures and hills that reminded them of their Welsh
homeland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fond boyhood memories brought
Wright back as an adult and he decided to settle in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taliesin includes numerous buildings that
spanned his career from 1896 until 1959 and include his 37,000-square-foot
home, Hillside Home School, and Drafting Studio (Hillside), restaurant,
theater, windmill, and barns.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLB3eRLLON1JkxO76LzGCxIo89FZ5DOf-DtN-c4PPp2ut_OxNGkaygctEkTMgld-FgRD-XoOffhRrWB5sxku7czsVzhIjLQ8iQF6CM3EMDA7177wGelZ0K9ytbWTTjfqs3AV5dirGejEQnebTa4l4L-dX8VgcEH_yMMqdfYzXrH_cQxjTT0rwBE5h/s3567/20230515_082430a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2431" data-original-width="3567" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLB3eRLLON1JkxO76LzGCxIo89FZ5DOf-DtN-c4PPp2ut_OxNGkaygctEkTMgld-FgRD-XoOffhRrWB5sxku7czsVzhIjLQ8iQF6CM3EMDA7177wGelZ0K9ytbWTTjfqs3AV5dirGejEQnebTa4l4L-dX8VgcEH_yMMqdfYzXrH_cQxjTT0rwBE5h/w640-h436/20230515_082430a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Taliesin is open for guided tours appealing to the interests
of the casual to serious enthusiast. We
booked the “2-Hour Highlights Tour” which took us through the Hillside school
and studio and into his private home. The
tour started at Hillside where we gazed at the expansive assembly hall, dining
room, drafting studio and theater – all of which were designed by Wright and
opened to students who came to learn under his tutelage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSIYjGCNDTsEE69HpnuPFPqia9MlXjFP0ApKeTL-DFimd9bUjx3aG_KPoew7toqwASxYBVrw71EFKxEMaf2mw2xdY-rQ1XZ0korZn9dZiJvp2MMkdxNY3Clzrn0jgzJvcDAVmqOPhciYbtp7zlR0DEZnkzcMbFXyQzFim4tQEqwuqohwf_5JNtE9r/s4000/20230512_105130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSIYjGCNDTsEE69HpnuPFPqia9MlXjFP0ApKeTL-DFimd9bUjx3aG_KPoew7toqwASxYBVrw71EFKxEMaf2mw2xdY-rQ1XZ0korZn9dZiJvp2MMkdxNY3Clzrn0jgzJvcDAVmqOPhciYbtp7zlR0DEZnkzcMbFXyQzFim4tQEqwuqohwf_5JNtE9r/w640-h480/20230512_105130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_oO4HhVzR0Jn6yP46gKrTaJHkw2K9Xnb4gD_mi7JPl9kKE-2j71dHgHdxGmlxgpXoSF2_9HwfxhLMqjhS1PJyaqX3EKnoGpQZWDfbs9Q_JU4X1_ZGfe0CA4BR60hFpYLQ13nEGIFiGK42AHGj4mrkecoR5dIBQR5spv8WqCndO47cf8bD2Yl-4VO/s4000/20230512_104215a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_oO4HhVzR0Jn6yP46gKrTaJHkw2K9Xnb4gD_mi7JPl9kKE-2j71dHgHdxGmlxgpXoSF2_9HwfxhLMqjhS1PJyaqX3EKnoGpQZWDfbs9Q_JU4X1_ZGfe0CA4BR60hFpYLQ13nEGIFiGK42AHGj4mrkecoR5dIBQR5spv8WqCndO47cf8bD2Yl-4VO/w640-h480/20230512_104215a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After visiting the studio, we took a shuttle bus over to
Wrights’ house where we spent time wandering through his personal studio,
living room, bedrooms, and gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wright’s
Prairie Style shines through as natural materials and seamless transitions bring
the outdoors in and the indoors out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Taliesin typifies Wrights’ building style with long flat structures,
overhanging eaves and covered porches and an open and flowing floorplan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide
was very informative and enthusiastic and we came away with an appreciation for
Wrights’ architectural innovativeness, unique style, and haughty personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0KWiJrdvDAfyOeEbqRszEpQGirWNsKmvA9QbO76eIwqauPAdaRnpLCuQYeGQ2CqXH_g5G4ugLNM0qeLNiB_wMAbA5rMrzoFG1LlEuCf4xMc2BQHr9zH8whI4pgEOS6c0fpNw3lYifeYApmbT6P36OQiW0wo6yPl5jCtvm8VFKnxoq3bpWqTu6rp2/s4000/20230512_120703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0KWiJrdvDAfyOeEbqRszEpQGirWNsKmvA9QbO76eIwqauPAdaRnpLCuQYeGQ2CqXH_g5G4ugLNM0qeLNiB_wMAbA5rMrzoFG1LlEuCf4xMc2BQHr9zH8whI4pgEOS6c0fpNw3lYifeYApmbT6P36OQiW0wo6yPl5jCtvm8VFKnxoq3bpWqTu6rp2/w640-h480/20230512_120703.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MND9KTqUu0oVSKVolkT5IQcR88f_C7jEnl3FO5Ksk9vw51-phkaRbVQ_SDxKlVHEXHOWoggyVsmpUx0H5zoVsGGUSUKG91rrj1M4Z8HcOOUDgWvAxrYlt0F9wvGbkt3ZbwNTGT8WR2NfReYS5Yksx2se2fhyk7Q7X1OT64QF-r4CzJIzJwN1FCv2/s4000/20230512_114534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MND9KTqUu0oVSKVolkT5IQcR88f_C7jEnl3FO5Ksk9vw51-phkaRbVQ_SDxKlVHEXHOWoggyVsmpUx0H5zoVsGGUSUKG91rrj1M4Z8HcOOUDgWvAxrYlt0F9wvGbkt3ZbwNTGT8WR2NfReYS5Yksx2se2fhyk7Q7X1OT64QF-r4CzJIzJwN1FCv2/w640-h480/20230512_114534.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7M7B79h9kgd96wRiGYugkkFy7SrqUV9R2IcmBFZrSItjfqaRSk8PFy5lpe-RGctKunMI8Ak3yuIkgGohmwsA99BhrnH9b_WAK6P2xo1M5KDTJaOPTb0_nDV-s6BUBRG2xgxhq11gAb063pIALCpV3ZyQIZriqIYBG8cuWamQq6l74IHV9j5Sp1VZE/s4000/20230512_114250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7M7B79h9kgd96wRiGYugkkFy7SrqUV9R2IcmBFZrSItjfqaRSk8PFy5lpe-RGctKunMI8Ak3yuIkgGohmwsA99BhrnH9b_WAK6P2xo1M5KDTJaOPTb0_nDV-s6BUBRG2xgxhq11gAb063pIALCpV3ZyQIZriqIYBG8cuWamQq6l74IHV9j5Sp1VZE/w640-h480/20230512_114250.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 1976, Taliesin was designated as a National Historic
Landmark and gained the prestigious designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 2019. Taliesin is open for guided
tours seasonally and offers a variety of experiences ranging from a 4-Hour
Estate Tour ($93) to a 1-Hour House Tour ($37). </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBohCmgNYAwyi08O0aGIWzpClNaX2l6wp-LZiSGNg1y_3Gcz4ZJnDXa4P5-E5_gaWEzQHVyZAGUMAjE7TF-9XOeGZrPsUVbfehLZOq1HuICeRAVCKeXmlV8js-qE89kq5BmalIN2h61oJ3ouZ7-Vt2A2aZWDhaafu0vbHbIGv_SBDCopXkxBGrHGZm/s4000/20230512_121439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBohCmgNYAwyi08O0aGIWzpClNaX2l6wp-LZiSGNg1y_3Gcz4ZJnDXa4P5-E5_gaWEzQHVyZAGUMAjE7TF-9XOeGZrPsUVbfehLZOq1HuICeRAVCKeXmlV8js-qE89kq5BmalIN2h61oJ3ouZ7-Vt2A2aZWDhaafu0vbHbIGv_SBDCopXkxBGrHGZm/w640-h480/20230512_121439.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The House on the Rock began in 1940 when Alex Jordan started
building his simple hilltop retreat – a “shack” as he called it. Over time, it morphed into a sprawling complex
of eccentric collections and became a tourist attraction. Not quite the small private retreat he first
imaged!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jordan picnicked at Deer Shelter Rock as a young boy and
loved the stone formation and expansive valley views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In adulthood, he purchased the rock and
surrounding land and started building his private getaway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unsatisfied with his first structure, he tore
it down and started again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Jordan’s
second attempt, the “Winter Room” emerged and became his private space where he
relished his love for music, books, and sculpture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3ZIT2ExqekH2fze69vcUnEWE-VqfkHARbgQUELaFZklyCh60NWQihd0kIJkPKIMqVyKlUHU726cvy7mJFTrIUucqq4a1fb63sQM4pLrDJrHAIKH7qSgexG5QnXoMobAUxZP6VYqMA4CqHCli0RaMcZVkgPohI-ArPIMIK8IfcuCI3TnBeNN1t4Ru/s4000/20230511_095834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3ZIT2ExqekH2fze69vcUnEWE-VqfkHARbgQUELaFZklyCh60NWQihd0kIJkPKIMqVyKlUHU726cvy7mJFTrIUucqq4a1fb63sQM4pLrDJrHAIKH7qSgexG5QnXoMobAUxZP6VYqMA4CqHCli0RaMcZVkgPohI-ArPIMIK8IfcuCI3TnBeNN1t4Ru/w640-h480/20230511_095834.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Mind you, Jordan was not a trained architect and, unlike
Wright who drafted formal plans in a studio, Jordans’ plans were all in his
head and he never put the pen to paper. But,
similar to Wright, Jordan wanted the house to embrace the rock and natural
landscape. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He literally built the house
around the rock and, in some instances, around trees that are still growing through
the house. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBmZ3RQGqS2n-EjaQPVUkJ8O4Lr9OMYfc8ZL5Xf2Vik_KXMYX96kh2MNb36nYXfy6dWRk5ysSnbhYejZSq3S-yalaBdV7Z504rdcHMpKBr8-jQo8JS9HtNSdSAS8sRXwbDt4Erjzx_2ohcUL3CxBx8ZuDuSPBTFFvnA-BcvBADUZuMtFs3ziuYMdn/s4000/20230511_095533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBmZ3RQGqS2n-EjaQPVUkJ8O4Lr9OMYfc8ZL5Xf2Vik_KXMYX96kh2MNb36nYXfy6dWRk5ysSnbhYejZSq3S-yalaBdV7Z504rdcHMpKBr8-jQo8JS9HtNSdSAS8sRXwbDt4Erjzx_2ohcUL3CxBx8ZuDuSPBTFFvnA-BcvBADUZuMtFs3ziuYMdn/w640-h480/20230511_095533.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But Jordan was restless in his retreat and started adding
rooms and features onto the house – like the infinity room – a cantilevered
indoor skywalk that jutted out over the pine trees for an amazing view and an
interesting perspective of space.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbwoi_hogJH_Q8ND7KRflUJaokRwHcQ1GbME1ww_g0Lo3MT9vwpfvutUW0Q49JiSZNDPUROHwun_DK_0ftn_nZHG8OWPhMQjvsF2yTZYHZrCvgN-8vHc6Uy6ZJUnwswK0eFTDfoUkGegoVHhdX2tEstFYoCzBg0hRFjV68iqhnAhQ-dV-lVRn3AXV/s4000/20230511_100203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbwoi_hogJH_Q8ND7KRflUJaokRwHcQ1GbME1ww_g0Lo3MT9vwpfvutUW0Q49JiSZNDPUROHwun_DK_0ftn_nZHG8OWPhMQjvsF2yTZYHZrCvgN-8vHc6Uy6ZJUnwswK0eFTDfoUkGegoVHhdX2tEstFYoCzBg0hRFjV68iqhnAhQ-dV-lVRn3AXV/w640-h480/20230511_100203.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Word got out among the locals that something interesting was
taking shape outside of town on a rock face.
Curious onlookers made the trek to see what was going on. Jordan recalls, “They’d holler up, ‘Can we
see your place?’ One day we were picnicking, and I said, ‘By golly, I’m going
to charge 50 cents apiece!’ And you know they paid it gladly. Thanked me even more when they left. We drank real Scotch that night!’” The private retreat Jordan envisioned was now
a tourist attraction and all the money he received was used to build more parts
of The House on the Rock. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, visitors experience three sections of the house,
starting with an exhibit outlining the foundation of Jordans’ vision, the
original house, and outdoor gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Section two leaves the unique architecture of the house and moves into imaginative
contents and creations stemming from Jordans vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One particularly interesting exhibit is the
Heritage of the Sea – which has a massive 200-foot sea creature swallowing a
whaling boat all of which is surrounded by three catwalks with nautical
exhibits and model ships. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNRVbZCUOb545S-bmKBP1Mq1MY2DIvip3pWzqEJRvoMDg0vdnwubSDF-qCV5zl7w8JEn0D79ZIEbh5j5RUDRjwIHCxg4hDaLHDWac1OJNnD5mnlEOcvSRXGITsze6gPXAYt3626x6RJ6tE3_zt-dqgsovEf19xxep5JBdu0Es1fCnWb-FniBCtPFt/s4000/20230511_104850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNRVbZCUOb545S-bmKBP1Mq1MY2DIvip3pWzqEJRvoMDg0vdnwubSDF-qCV5zl7w8JEn0D79ZIEbh5j5RUDRjwIHCxg4hDaLHDWac1OJNnD5mnlEOcvSRXGITsze6gPXAYt3626x6RJ6tE3_zt-dqgsovEf19xxep5JBdu0Es1fCnWb-FniBCtPFt/w640-h480/20230511_104850.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Section three focuses on Jordan’s varied and eclectic
collections which range from miniature circuses, room-size music boxes that you
can hear by depositing a token, doll houses to the over-the-top massive
creations of animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most
impressive sight comes from the energy generated by the lights and sounds of “The
Largest Carousel in History” comprised of over 20,000 lights, 182 chandeliers, and
269 animals standing 35 feet high and 80 feet wide. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls alongside are adorned with thousands
of carousel carved horses and flying lady things.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I4IfIjy4frIgtjD8uUmZAan5RMTHKmAjwxf8A5WjtYUPfatDuhIpPWjX-faAPbBNAAxJIQufBAY1unuXGuP-KnIFO8yRhZVy8fyOKSZ_FLODjxpoYzA1LE9_fMUklJgQEHQivrNbv3FBWNp4Je2z-M3FBci1L2Hxc52Ydmx6snVsZmwbF9Vilejx/s4000/20230511_124615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I4IfIjy4frIgtjD8uUmZAan5RMTHKmAjwxf8A5WjtYUPfatDuhIpPWjX-faAPbBNAAxJIQufBAY1unuXGuP-KnIFO8yRhZVy8fyOKSZ_FLODjxpoYzA1LE9_fMUklJgQEHQivrNbv3FBWNp4Je2z-M3FBci1L2Hxc52Ydmx6snVsZmwbF9Vilejx/w640-h480/20230511_124615.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0AhtG2OB32y09yzRUzZKJ0oQtzoU_ys6FgtHTL-K_LFCA0Nh8O3V0B9DdKIlZzpdDaKPdkwqQe63i8naD4AP0Ee5tM18mRr-j8Yg2iHTPPq9aTLUxkd2w6W7Z4aB7rNXnXJXtn7ylwJSXpiHjkBjUJ40agH48xp_-i-XOmszKer9pw8EGL1rXb5Q/s3562/20230511_114349a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2755" data-original-width="3562" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0AhtG2OB32y09yzRUzZKJ0oQtzoU_ys6FgtHTL-K_LFCA0Nh8O3V0B9DdKIlZzpdDaKPdkwqQe63i8naD4AP0Ee5tM18mRr-j8Yg2iHTPPq9aTLUxkd2w6W7Z4aB7rNXnXJXtn7ylwJSXpiHjkBjUJ40agH48xp_-i-XOmszKer9pw8EGL1rXb5Q/w640-h496/20230511_114349a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There is a room filled with massive stills surrounded by
extra large band organs, reproductions of England’s Crowned Jewels, a
collection of medieval armor, meticulously furnished and crafted doll houses,
vintage automobiles, a charming recreation of a 19<sup>th</sup> century downtown
street, and much, much more.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YB1LOL3YORk" width="320" youtube-src-id="YB1LOL3YORk"></iframe></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeYex2XPPWnGFVK07shO-15t7tGoPKQHCex9pw8_enj3wvgUEJ9wcQ3z7zypPwKG7j7LGqRrB6xXNHZXV0xKcpl8lX76rzHoUdMWP3Onf15gyFGbFmezGqWrOuaxd6FuMbOBJ9vCaIvDeuPnasQGBFgy2qPpFEvRauEZRQFM2SifUENr1_0LK-iLz/s4000/20230511_123645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeYex2XPPWnGFVK07shO-15t7tGoPKQHCex9pw8_enj3wvgUEJ9wcQ3z7zypPwKG7j7LGqRrB6xXNHZXV0xKcpl8lX76rzHoUdMWP3Onf15gyFGbFmezGqWrOuaxd6FuMbOBJ9vCaIvDeuPnasQGBFgy2qPpFEvRauEZRQFM2SifUENr1_0LK-iLz/w640-h480/20230511_123645.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLdXhDvnESrlE8gFMrsNfg_KHK95Hn101EHm-pqSvaxHwMTDJB7b7Xy1zNh6HSxFe3prqFeXkSl-bGfB7LCDgLCBOOaeyoArEPNgmqqIoxzKHiEpemF0reNViGMl300aIBsh04lTZsHxMQcswLejjktFQiOFQjAt4egWU5DQluKEzE7sAjAChiEbv/s4000/20230511_121654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLdXhDvnESrlE8gFMrsNfg_KHK95Hn101EHm-pqSvaxHwMTDJB7b7Xy1zNh6HSxFe3prqFeXkSl-bGfB7LCDgLCBOOaeyoArEPNgmqqIoxzKHiEpemF0reNViGMl300aIBsh04lTZsHxMQcswLejjktFQiOFQjAt4egWU5DQluKEzE7sAjAChiEbv/w640-h480/20230511_121654.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The House on the Rock is tremendously hard to describe so
you are best to see it in person. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admission
is $35.95/adult and is a self-guided experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent four hours enthralled by the
exhibits and nuances of this eclectic complex of sensory overload.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Betsy was so glad she kept the thought of
this place in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cXOXyqLPZ8g" width="320" youtube-src-id="cXOXyqLPZ8g"></iframe></span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Before leaving the area, we took a drive north to see the
International Crane Foundation (ICF).
During her professional career, Betsy worked with many endangered
species and rare cranes were part of the research so she often worked with the
ICF. The ICF started in 1973 by two Cornell
University ornithology students – George Archibald and Ron Sauey – who set out
to ensure the fifteen species of cranes around the world would survive through
education, research, captive breeding, reintroduction and conservation of the ecosystems,
watersheds, and flyways on which they depend. A lofty goal but one they have had much success
with. The 250-acre property includes live
crane exhibits, a visitor center, research library, breeding facility and
nature trails through a restored prairie.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbF1GpXJBDIniodYQACYAsrYsi2vkDZrmmJqLudKMFzXNuD1zg7nMaZRjLpTyDK5YKIsV_HUsQozkFNvnYJSNhXA468OO3DCPUcl0ww_BRTsV73tQVZFawv_StYI033K8WzTPGj1MN_mtmKDcZgQnnv1LKMxeXTpoQhn-EgiE-zH4LvTRMYgXNoLx/s4000/20230516_091110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbF1GpXJBDIniodYQACYAsrYsi2vkDZrmmJqLudKMFzXNuD1zg7nMaZRjLpTyDK5YKIsV_HUsQozkFNvnYJSNhXA468OO3DCPUcl0ww_BRTsV73tQVZFawv_StYI033K8WzTPGj1MN_mtmKDcZgQnnv1LKMxeXTpoQhn-EgiE-zH4LvTRMYgXNoLx/w640-h480/20230516_091110.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Archibald, who has been described as a little odd, spent three
years acting as a male crane (walking, dancing, and calling) in order to trick
an endangered female Whooping Crane named “Tex” into shifting her reproductive
cycle into gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The effort worked and through
artificial insemination and Archibald’s steady courtship the efforts were a success
and “Tex” laid a fertile egg which produced a chick and became an integral part
of the species survival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ICF also pioneered
several techniques vital in raising cranes in captivity including the use of handlers
using crane costumes to raise chicks so they would not imprint on humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the highly publicized use of ultra-light
aircraft to lead cranes on migration routes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYVkBE_azzTbI5Xt2nXoiKS4CcNwUNltwxMhIuAMT0EgqsEg87MWCAWWvvbqhJM3EjR8fwb7_OqW0mJ_rZKbK2ekeTlcSlLtWOR3Q6c50T03REiZLXVueAFl44FnXuRovWCM5SprDMx3sNA-OT7EZe853ZRHu-SwChLFIkJcl-VMy6GJ4aKyUgRI-/s2424/20230516_105352b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1764" data-original-width="2424" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYVkBE_azzTbI5Xt2nXoiKS4CcNwUNltwxMhIuAMT0EgqsEg87MWCAWWvvbqhJM3EjR8fwb7_OqW0mJ_rZKbK2ekeTlcSlLtWOR3Q6c50T03REiZLXVueAFl44FnXuRovWCM5SprDMx3sNA-OT7EZe853ZRHu-SwChLFIkJcl-VMy6GJ4aKyUgRI-/w640-h466/20230516_105352b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Your visit to ICF begins in a recently constructed visitor
center that is bright and welcoming. The
expansive windows allow you glance out at a native Wisconsin Prairie and into
the pens of majestic Sandhill Cranes. A
film starts your journey into the wild and wonderful world of cranes and the conservation
work center to ICF’s mission.</span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B4xDEAuyl8xy-nCW1XpdBBcB0eMqmVxI_HkblkWqTiPfZO424iwkTaGFSy4kGWtWqFNeNnwCuOi_4iT1LO_EMiNdQF-Uh01TZo90MlwRLQivETauYCkt3Yc7zZL7GpHqj-wnIKruU5H0Cou76bDGUnzrx8g2gw2Sd8Xv3pxMF3WjGHME38eaErBn/s4000/20230516_092931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B4xDEAuyl8xy-nCW1XpdBBcB0eMqmVxI_HkblkWqTiPfZO424iwkTaGFSy4kGWtWqFNeNnwCuOi_4iT1LO_EMiNdQF-Uh01TZo90MlwRLQivETauYCkt3Yc7zZL7GpHqj-wnIKruU5H0Cou76bDGUnzrx8g2gw2Sd8Xv3pxMF3WjGHME38eaErBn/w640-h480/20230516_092931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B5K64SI1WWg" width="320" youtube-src-id="B5K64SI1WWg"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The path from the visitor center leads you outside into the exhibit
area and you are greeted by the distinctive calls of cranes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then follow to the exhibit pod which gives you
a 360-degree viewing area of six different species from Asia, Africa, and
Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spacious exhibits are beautifully
adorned with murals depicting each crane species’ natural habitat and landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If time allows, plan on walking some of the nature trails that meander through native woodlots and restored
prairies. Adult tickets are $12.50,
Seniors are $10 and Youth tickets are $6 and are well worth the price. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ8iM_SdKBll7cURsVHciWAEm39cv1KPni09IjH9NWYgIHkN4met9wP9hpE4PakXUYOxQbinzVarSKrRoMNUbvNxnXMY9UFOMAdVshJobEwWql89JfZyhqVrPuJxrf7whp8LWauAw4tqRfyUFiar05rVMuSS53Uz88Uddx1mxKzcQNSa1m8Rq4ecL/s4000/20230516_095538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ8iM_SdKBll7cURsVHciWAEm39cv1KPni09IjH9NWYgIHkN4met9wP9hpE4PakXUYOxQbinzVarSKrRoMNUbvNxnXMY9UFOMAdVshJobEwWql89JfZyhqVrPuJxrf7whp8LWauAw4tqRfyUFiar05rVMuSS53Uz88Uddx1mxKzcQNSa1m8Rq4ecL/w640-h480/20230516_095538.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0J53-B0eojNLG8Gp2nIYrVgLvkTVX29dp-9TkgPPtAWCirziN4fKkShUYVXDuCCxzqz5FiepE2HZSAjzTmiYWtKDGTh6tDI2mBYfIcrB9dsY7Qr4QZLiXs-wARoS8M4XUYj45foM2Qe91oYS-aZ0cR9lYVzE1IU0L4zePoRLb1tqpSy42pUt3h5u/s4000/20230516_103304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0J53-B0eojNLG8Gp2nIYrVgLvkTVX29dp-9TkgPPtAWCirziN4fKkShUYVXDuCCxzqz5FiepE2HZSAjzTmiYWtKDGTh6tDI2mBYfIcrB9dsY7Qr4QZLiXs-wARoS8M4XUYj45foM2Qe91oYS-aZ0cR9lYVzE1IU0L4zePoRLb1tqpSy42pUt3h5u/w640-h480/20230516_103304.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you can imagine, the ICF was quite the switch from
Taliesin and The House on the Rock. The diversity
of things to do in the area makes this an interesting area of the country to
visit.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-31459756879317588872023-05-23T17:05:00.000-05:002023-05-24T14:24:25.416-05:00Under the Big Top in Baraboo, Wisconsin<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When it comes to the circus, no town is more steeped in that
rich history than Baraboo, Wisconsin. Baraboos’
circus history started in 1884 when five Ringling brothers (Albert, Otto,
Alfred, Charles, and John) from Baraboo established a circus and gave their
first official circus performance in a field under a 45 x 90 ft. tent. They entertained the crowd with a traveling
wagon and rented horse – it was a vaudeville-style show and nothing like the
spectacle that would morph into the<i> Greatest Show on Earth</i>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HXcd4mg-07X0Hq_mMYKS3dYarNpsfP-0UaNi1skRpEiYi56Ck0yUMPwdqJkJwrAFlepTBGYv5OOvGXF2qB9soeAWNBQ4JUAoQKR5AZVhijqYi_qeegmddElptAHxSMIERBI2HFP02vNxTX0tEg3-2QObMFIPGx7H7l2DYT1f3f0a838WfNowcB3D/s4000/20230517_130920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HXcd4mg-07X0Hq_mMYKS3dYarNpsfP-0UaNi1skRpEiYi56Ck0yUMPwdqJkJwrAFlepTBGYv5OOvGXF2qB9soeAWNBQ4JUAoQKR5AZVhijqYi_qeegmddElptAHxSMIERBI2HFP02vNxTX0tEg3-2QObMFIPGx7H7l2DYT1f3f0a838WfNowcB3D/w640-h480/20230517_130920.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Circuses grew in popularity in the late 1800’s and soon other
circuses popped up. In its heyday, Baraboo
was home to eleven circuses, and was appropriately dubbed “Circus City,” and with
an accolade like that, we thought Baraboo sounded like a pretty interesting
place to visit.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Circuses were portable and had to move to the people which
presented a couple of challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
things were needed for a traveling circus show – a place to perform and a way
to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1825, the portable tent
was invented and gave the circuses the theater they needed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next came the challenge of moving the circus
to town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning, wooden “circus
wagons” were used to transport animals, performers, and equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wagons, adorned with elaborate carvings and
eye-catching colors, paraded through town intending to spark intrigue and
attract audiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were band
wagons playing jovial tunes and animals had special wagons so they could be
seen and to accommodate their unique needs like an open-air cart for the giraffe
and those with shallow pools for the sea lion and hippopotamus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinrhCi-BRArtrV_jrl3fLX_vHUq7Lt9awHCdgWXs-QMUzT_0kYsxGmCAKweXrBOpZZOEqawrYLAqx3tEoXIvDRCrK0-FMtQgBclsnm_V6sFM6f5Fcp6OdthHCY9g7KdhA6OdT4XbhtWL38CBkwdxd0ryKXO3n_FzpLBnMngr_VAxTxaOFObyRihuF/s4000/20230517_143911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinrhCi-BRArtrV_jrl3fLX_vHUq7Lt9awHCdgWXs-QMUzT_0kYsxGmCAKweXrBOpZZOEqawrYLAqx3tEoXIvDRCrK0-FMtQgBclsnm_V6sFM6f5Fcp6OdthHCY9g7KdhA6OdT4XbhtWL38CBkwdxd0ryKXO3n_FzpLBnMngr_VAxTxaOFObyRihuF/w640-h480/20230517_143911.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpMk8EXJCM9yEEO7bL_roEgeu0kqG7hPIVXrN2iBCp_j1nNqPaQ9gQnwkZEprRvnpNnhY0uRa2NWD_ooOGbT1vjugsi_rTq0Hhytj2UOmyBSymgcLyjtlUywCxv58ER7v93uA8jG4ZsScUS2FZN7d-tnAOlaeN6bkwFKXe_oaemFbCVjbvASeG_zy/s4000/20230517_142725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpMk8EXJCM9yEEO7bL_roEgeu0kqG7hPIVXrN2iBCp_j1nNqPaQ9gQnwkZEprRvnpNnhY0uRa2NWD_ooOGbT1vjugsi_rTq0Hhytj2UOmyBSymgcLyjtlUywCxv58ER7v93uA8jG4ZsScUS2FZN7d-tnAOlaeN6bkwFKXe_oaemFbCVjbvASeG_zy/w640-h480/20230517_142725.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5f-6gZv6vQzJ0D9ECe-EEhMpjNNXgbeHoMKN1DlJq0pFNjyymOntNs9XIz9dVh_bu1V93Ze7B2J9QSindt35skvnSYdyJgDOTBnEPmA_oR58rm3qWnQtS079bhc29naTqKQKK84eEbkxG33toabW5YY6gwpGaSpjzqV9BbC5XxdBl7D99VIWoL5b/s4000/20230517_142656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5f-6gZv6vQzJ0D9ECe-EEhMpjNNXgbeHoMKN1DlJq0pFNjyymOntNs9XIz9dVh_bu1V93Ze7B2J9QSindt35skvnSYdyJgDOTBnEPmA_oR58rm3qWnQtS079bhc29naTqKQKK84eEbkxG33toabW5YY6gwpGaSpjzqV9BbC5XxdBl7D99VIWoL5b/w640-h480/20230517_142656.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">With the expansion of the railroad, the circus blossomed –
now they could move more performers, animals and tents and travel to farther
reaches of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 1914, the Ringling
Brothers had 1,000 employees, 335 horses, 26 elephants, and countless other
animals requiring 92 rail cars to move the menagerie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would pull into town, unload, perform, and
pack up and head to another city for the next show. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The operation was such a marvel of
organization that the U.S. Army studied one circus operation to learn how to
improve troop and equipment movement.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sO6-7akwf56V00LwCvFGo8Cc6Hd2aeb2k3zD9EqMuN4iUihqf_PdKiUVeHEN1cqVyp90mnTHSeGZ_eTnQyoKfmYJECFvHhuM9Cb8nHTx5M2cTnfFvdqyEnj7cue5L9xrDaplMFppqcYWTEHAJsESALDOJWjIGxD1EjEc1Oa-2W9wf_eVRG7GEZX-/s4000/20230517_141831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sO6-7akwf56V00LwCvFGo8Cc6Hd2aeb2k3zD9EqMuN4iUihqf_PdKiUVeHEN1cqVyp90mnTHSeGZ_eTnQyoKfmYJECFvHhuM9Cb8nHTx5M2cTnfFvdqyEnj7cue5L9xrDaplMFppqcYWTEHAJsESALDOJWjIGxD1EjEc1Oa-2W9wf_eVRG7GEZX-/w640-h480/20230517_141831.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The circus brought mystique of the natural world and magic
to towns large and small with never-before-seen animals, human oddities, death
defying feats, and entertaining characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But attracting audiences to the big top was no easy task, especially
with so many competing circuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter
the circus poster - that dazzling colorful display that sparked the interest of
onlookers and depicted some of the best acts a circus had to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Circus owners knew a picture could be worth a
thousand words and printed posters were the advertising trick they used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Posters garnered the attention of onlookers
with their illustrations of the circuses’ spectacles like ferocious tigers
snarling at trainers, a human cannonball, monkeys riding bicycles, and
elephants balancing on one leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could
these feats be real?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way to
find out was to buy a ticket and see for one’s self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuuMFihwjLfXdfxRWnUh4qGPi0tGjB3Faq2eXtCwpC2Yek3sGOatovRpq_F0fqgLx3ac6wBjJS8xfoU3WDPxbCPiQ2fODdNmRNAnm2LB6CRLnuczgLGbF5YwNNZowXRfyqPAR4Dgta_KcrEKoOlcOilb96GQVmohvHb9qdN3BdLkbxttSQgArvcxz/s4000/20230517_125903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuuMFihwjLfXdfxRWnUh4qGPi0tGjB3Faq2eXtCwpC2Yek3sGOatovRpq_F0fqgLx3ac6wBjJS8xfoU3WDPxbCPiQ2fODdNmRNAnm2LB6CRLnuczgLGbF5YwNNZowXRfyqPAR4Dgta_KcrEKoOlcOilb96GQVmohvHb9qdN3BdLkbxttSQgArvcxz/w640-h480/20230517_125903.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKc3gI4idKf_1cNroUfnblgjCcNmLmG-cSsIwVe8wizlBv9ygqde5YHIPUvTCBQDkI_nswx_kNp5yacFjrSUOfvoCsxIc4gk8IB3oU3-Yf7ki91_XmqannwRTO3BEDnySQOpqcOy04ouFmRfZLXtYS6H7HjCk7ZkLO0Cu9utqnfGCp05Xk8S6rEY-/s4000/20230517_130702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKc3gI4idKf_1cNroUfnblgjCcNmLmG-cSsIwVe8wizlBv9ygqde5YHIPUvTCBQDkI_nswx_kNp5yacFjrSUOfvoCsxIc4gk8IB3oU3-Yf7ki91_XmqannwRTO3BEDnySQOpqcOy04ouFmRfZLXtYS6H7HjCk7ZkLO0Cu9utqnfGCp05Xk8S6rEY-/w640-h480/20230517_130702.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another circus powerhouse, Barnum & Baily, had emerged
on the east coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ambitious
Ringling’s bought Barnum & Baily in 1907 after the economic hard times of
WWI put them in financial trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
two circuses remained separate until 1919 at which time they performed together
and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus became known as <i>The
Greatest Show on Earth</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was to
become the largest outdoor amusement enterprise the world had ever known.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Every winter until 1918, the circus returned to Baraboo to prepare
for the next seasons’ show, repair equipment, build new props and house their
animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Residents of Baraboo remember
the days when it was common to see camels, giraffes or elephants walking on
city streets, getting their exercise, or bathing in the Baraboo River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2017, <i>The Greatest Show on Earth</i> took
its final curtain call in NY and the long rich history of the Ringling’s circus
was over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The decision to pack up the
tent one final time was due to dwindling ticket sales and the high cost of
moving the circus around the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
earlier blow came to the circus in 2015 when they stopped using elephants in
live performances due to criticism by animal rights groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A longtime circus performer said not using
elephants is “like getting rid of Mickey Mouse if you’re Disney.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But, the long history and excitement of the circus lives on
at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Circus
World, which opened in 1959, is located at the original home of the Ringling
Brothers Circus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum complex is devoted
to all thing’s circus and is a delightful and entertaining place to be.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Historic buildings that once housed circus animals now
feature exhibits about the circus and memorabilia including sequined costumes, elephant
headpieces, circus posters, musical instruments, circus wagons, and much, much
more. If it is the excitement of walking
into the big top and live entertainment that you want, you will want to visit during
the summer when live performances are performed daily. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVN05dLpGpvkFPgnrW66RtScMbYENZxQ61hJ-TZQpDkJceN4YMsjLDOs6yylR2MnyBSxCzt7YODAcmXtGzk9ZGrO3jJ0-u_Yd_xbaO2p5zE_Pxn1saxxINKArd1BiU57DQ0upHdrzNsca_27J5gTDN8xA7UYejWOViP3FOhdcFIARz9we_UwZKW_1/s4000/20230517_131631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVN05dLpGpvkFPgnrW66RtScMbYENZxQ61hJ-TZQpDkJceN4YMsjLDOs6yylR2MnyBSxCzt7YODAcmXtGzk9ZGrO3jJ0-u_Yd_xbaO2p5zE_Pxn1saxxINKArd1BiU57DQ0upHdrzNsca_27J5gTDN8xA7UYejWOViP3FOhdcFIARz9we_UwZKW_1/w640-h480/20230517_131631.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINeyz00MYyf3xx4JCXp4ReQWBHwZE6ePhbgCf4Gq9cl-DNhFjwCd4YBqFCz4qw1OZk5ta1xH5cNJOHpnEYXlhevmL9toX7RNXvB290dvn04qk0BLJwAZ0_1JMtQAyxQxMjmo0YIleUfwqQD5yJ-C7shjymxTbIBan1lTmCo90rD1i0thqz7PoOeKx/s4000/20230517_133946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINeyz00MYyf3xx4JCXp4ReQWBHwZE6ePhbgCf4Gq9cl-DNhFjwCd4YBqFCz4qw1OZk5ta1xH5cNJOHpnEYXlhevmL9toX7RNXvB290dvn04qk0BLJwAZ0_1JMtQAyxQxMjmo0YIleUfwqQD5yJ-C7shjymxTbIBan1lTmCo90rD1i0thqz7PoOeKx/w640-h480/20230517_133946.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_QuNhGs1IcBcvJRrSCIvT2QUSOOTnfJChDbk-2Bx0WXcI8I9zl5HVIHtiqzxa9NNji1yWAJ2aKYTefxBLjwEFi3j9Oz6Z6fy1seL5Vs4DTkCxpRywa3tudiO74THY0PaP7pM3wlM9e05zWInFMh_Sg35MGJl-QHBs2L9ngQOScdC9N1AzrngPsuz/s4000/20230517_134823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_QuNhGs1IcBcvJRrSCIvT2QUSOOTnfJChDbk-2Bx0WXcI8I9zl5HVIHtiqzxa9NNji1yWAJ2aKYTefxBLjwEFi3j9Oz6Z6fy1seL5Vs4DTkCxpRywa3tudiO74THY0PaP7pM3wlM9e05zWInFMh_Sg35MGJl-QHBs2L9ngQOScdC9N1AzrngPsuz/w640-h480/20230517_134823.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XoCgMwbByaZR_eEhdNPtpVQy2r7EvAhuovhy7-Vsg1IUSWSmksYXh_jRKlCLVPz3wAq-97M4oMdvSlYibbr2f65fArIqade48ziU5vbcfExwO6hLVonPAPNE5t03qlBrsCAxn28JayoBW_8hd9oQEv7IhBzyFq6qeCUynjuRfwU8ExE0tPf2ukoN/s4000/20230517_140114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XoCgMwbByaZR_eEhdNPtpVQy2r7EvAhuovhy7-Vsg1IUSWSmksYXh_jRKlCLVPz3wAq-97M4oMdvSlYibbr2f65fArIqade48ziU5vbcfExwO6hLVonPAPNE5t03qlBrsCAxn28JayoBW_8hd9oQEv7IhBzyFq6qeCUynjuRfwU8ExE0tPf2ukoN/w640-h480/20230517_140114.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We spent four hours wandering through the
exhibits, reading the history, and were in total awe of the historic circus wagons. Our stay in Baraboo was early in the season
and the live performances had not started for the season. But needless to say, we are so glad we saw it
all and were totally entertained. This
meant that our ticket price was reduced but we missed out on lots of live
circus fun. When the season is in full
swing, you could easily spend a whole day here watching jugglers, trapeze
artists, clowns, listening to the band wagon, riding a carousel, eating cotton
candy, and all the splendor that is the circus. (A note about the elephants at Circus World: they currently have two elephants that perform in shows and give rides to the public. At the end of the 2023 season, they will be retired from performing and go to a facility that houses and cares for retired circus elephants.)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiO9_ClLv0mEhvlyN9PpOCoyibLSdeJ9YMTrWmpH1heGK69E7XcXfbLzdjv7hv7QgduHR4U2QW20paYskAYRFMSJDcVXUV-JzgCKKu3Jb3Z280yvG_8HBO523ywkcwILj3QNo7Gg4DkOL88IBrpZaqCiAoNgkgU3nNoEihyeFFF8zpzxxauJe8ISDI/s4000/20230517_145352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiO9_ClLv0mEhvlyN9PpOCoyibLSdeJ9YMTrWmpH1heGK69E7XcXfbLzdjv7hv7QgduHR4U2QW20paYskAYRFMSJDcVXUV-JzgCKKu3Jb3Z280yvG_8HBO523ywkcwILj3QNo7Gg4DkOL88IBrpZaqCiAoNgkgU3nNoEihyeFFF8zpzxxauJe8ISDI/w640-h480/20230517_145352.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What is a circus without clowns?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clowns have always been an integral part of
the circus, providing a source of amusement with their entertaining antics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For more about clowns and clown history, check
out the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center (ICHOF) while in
Baraboo. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The facility is dedicated to
the preservation and advancement of clown art and achievement and the ICHOF pays
tribute to outstanding clown performers, operates a museum of clowning with
resident clown performers, and maintains a national archive of clown artifacts
and history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pictures, videos, props,
costumes, posters entertain you while telling the story of the history of
clowning.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hAaNNUAobTUhRfbL8nLOWqF4vE2xUCvT0_cADAV7A1QTsavgfbTwZ21GH3m3zocOfFcsjMJxNZo2T21DcFvIa4YAlfx1DxIPxpLJnTLCEfzjYktTMec0Xlyke2jxjgqTrMQLVLF0nHrkVsxCCGHrrANUVs1KBFbsuLXw4w5GaVxu1O5kJj5O8q0E/s4000/20230518_134630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hAaNNUAobTUhRfbL8nLOWqF4vE2xUCvT0_cADAV7A1QTsavgfbTwZ21GH3m3zocOfFcsjMJxNZo2T21DcFvIa4YAlfx1DxIPxpLJnTLCEfzjYktTMec0Xlyke2jxjgqTrMQLVLF0nHrkVsxCCGHrrANUVs1KBFbsuLXw4w5GaVxu1O5kJj5O8q0E/w640-h480/20230518_134630.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The name Ringling is everywhere in Baraboo and it is
apparent the city is proud of its famous circus history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a Ringling Theater, Ringling bed and
breakfast, Ringling brewery, murals, and countless other reminders that the most
popular, longest running circus was born in this town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved walking around Circus Town which has
plenty of nice shops, restaurants, and historic sites to marvel at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKZq6GukjzzmWvBTsDVYe6Skj38ttnSMLovF7qjrpHtEzMC8zp5KfewBT0V-Waw-nrk-Nc_9YEooqTpRRzqX2yjhQ4vSmMN8feWffp6EheRl7gq8HlbPmpeVv410UGwkkrbxkxayxOyzuZ0AiTHfOccDLnle-GX2MJTj4zlMpscObE3xZdRHA7Bw5/s4000/20230518_142309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKZq6GukjzzmWvBTsDVYe6Skj38ttnSMLovF7qjrpHtEzMC8zp5KfewBT0V-Waw-nrk-Nc_9YEooqTpRRzqX2yjhQ4vSmMN8feWffp6EheRl7gq8HlbPmpeVv410UGwkkrbxkxayxOyzuZ0AiTHfOccDLnle-GX2MJTj4zlMpscObE3xZdRHA7Bw5/w640-h480/20230518_142309.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-22240738372513386122023-02-28T07:51:00.000-06:002023-02-28T07:51:22.347-06:00Chewy Soft Pretzels<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Chewy soft pretzels are a perfect game day snack or party
appetizer. This recipe brings the
distinctive taste and pillowy texture of pretzels that you would expect from a street
vendor or a bakery. Don’t be intimidated
by the thought of making pretzels, they really are easy to make and freeze well
so you can make them ahead of time and then enjoy any time. While
most recipes use lye to get the unmistakable taste, this version uses the
common ingredients of baking soda and water to achieve that flavor profile. For the pretzel purists, feel free to shape
them into the distinctive wrapped shape they are known for or simply cut them
into bite size pieces for a great party appetizer. These pretzels are delicious served plain or
with mustard, but for a really a scrumptious combination, add a side of melty cheese
dip. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEAdsJT5GX8k29W9orF2UkMkq0sHg0wIKkoS-Jkv-U-lLHEm0RYad54ravo1krZ7yq8i-SydUqZV-9Zu82Af0W9z7uq1PJIkwOkP6v_hZtBp4WfSvY8BrslxcHYq725mMmRUDyFEE-HA4jxEcjx6mqsWtm9yqzgoK-kjVI_9xx-1PUMxYJnT8V1cP/s3371/20220213_165529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2142" data-original-width="3371" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEAdsJT5GX8k29W9orF2UkMkq0sHg0wIKkoS-Jkv-U-lLHEm0RYad54ravo1krZ7yq8i-SydUqZV-9Zu82Af0W9z7uq1PJIkwOkP6v_hZtBp4WfSvY8BrslxcHYq725mMmRUDyFEE-HA4jxEcjx6mqsWtm9yqzgoK-kjVI_9xx-1PUMxYJnT8V1cP/w640-h406/20220213_165529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dough<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1 cup warm water<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2 teaspoon brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2 ½ cups all-purpose flour</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Baking Soda Water Bath<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">9 cups boiling water<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">½ cup baking soda</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Topping<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Coarse salt <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons melted butter <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Directions<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>In a large bowl, combine the water, sugar, yeast,
salt, and flour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Using instant yeast
means there is no need to let yeast bloom in warm water.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Mix thoroughly until a dough forms into a ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knead dough for 8-10 minutes until
smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If using a stand mixer, use the
dough hook attachment and mix on medium speed until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of
the bowl, about 4 to 5 minutes.) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover
with plastic wrap, and place in a warm place until the dough has doubled in
size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>While the dough is resting, prepare the water
bath in a large pot by combining the boiling water and baking soda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stir until the baking soda is dissolved and
set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Preheat your oven to 400°F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with
parchment paper or spraying it with vegetable oil spray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Transfer the dough to a lightly greased work
surface, and divide it into six equal pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>If making pretzels, roll the dough into 12"
to 15"-long ropes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make a U shape
with the bottom of the U facing you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Criss-cross the rope twice and fold it back over itself to make a pretzel
shape, secure the ends of the pretzels by pressing the ends into the bottom of
the U shape so it sticks together. (See photos at end of post.) If making bites, roll out the dough into a
rope of desired thickness and cut into pieces.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Place the pretzels (a couple at a time) into the
cooled baking soda/water solution for one minute, flipping them mid-way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Transfer pretzels to the prepared baking sheet
and sprinkle with salt. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10. </span></span>Bake the pretzels for 12 to 15 minutes, until
golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and brush with immediately melted
butter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11. </span></span>Place on a rack to cool. If you're not going to eat
them immediately, place in an airtight container in which they will keep for a
couple of days or freeze them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To reheat
frozen pretzels place them in a warm oven for five minutes until warm all the
way through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Cheddar Cheese Sauce<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons unsalted butter<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1 cup whole milk<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">¼ teaspoon garlic powder<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">¼ teaspoon
onion powder<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">½ teaspoon kosher salt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dash hot sauce<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dash Worcestershire sauce<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Directions</span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Heat a medium-sized saucepan over low heat and
melt the butter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Once the butter is melted, add the flour and
whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Add milk and whisk approximately 3 minutes until
thickened and no lumps appear. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, hot sauce,
Worcestershire sauce and whisk to combine and cook for 30 seconds. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> R</span>emove from heat and let cool for a minute. Add cheese and stir until melted. Enjoy!</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVhsW0sduloUS6ion61iFmYqHw7UsukaFON8TWpY1T6mE-4w4lqPwDDqWqFEOH_3PSnWMNR5Pbi4HeFNlEQjkAVhj60g3aEwZmCeotuxxR-eTW_JxDgWY3hJdftG9lgXV4QIINzHFO36vABkyZoejda8bbz3EkTq-HO-LvDjhffUbQMYTsb-5l8oG/s3019/20230227_145953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2265" data-original-width="3019" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVhsW0sduloUS6ion61iFmYqHw7UsukaFON8TWpY1T6mE-4w4lqPwDDqWqFEOH_3PSnWMNR5Pbi4HeFNlEQjkAVhj60g3aEwZmCeotuxxR-eTW_JxDgWY3hJdftG9lgXV4QIINzHFO36vABkyZoejda8bbz3EkTq-HO-LvDjhffUbQMYTsb-5l8oG/w320-h319/20230227_145953.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQJNQQrwJlt7f2FMRqywnvnzAdTxDe7zTVOVDOBnACRsOffvkApVF8ZBdYDXYuw89avDHs8WeBw6scYxGgHzwgFliLGmwAMbq5fndNZQX2NCyObTjSj48hx-Oy8dZVzTuquSZYsJ7h1UjPstjhHGDHQ6tHbvkB6Os-ae29FS_yUtKzz0bbpnojvb5/s2769/20230227_150011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="2159" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQJNQQrwJlt7f2FMRqywnvnzAdTxDe7zTVOVDOBnACRsOffvkApVF8ZBdYDXYuw89avDHs8WeBw6scYxGgHzwgFliLGmwAMbq5fndNZQX2NCyObTjSj48hx-Oy8dZVzTuquSZYsJ7h1UjPstjhHGDHQ6tHbvkB6Os-ae29FS_yUtKzz0bbpnojvb5/s320/20230227_150011.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-VXfWKOuivGgJUEn1BjHMO2GVjGrYKjMsJv9_YwH94D1GP0PgCPb7KZwab_GN2YKiXDZ1Qp8l7YDA7KjdcCLGs_s-LMWPBKicurEBj76IsDHPqUoz5K7VsrjHIy4GH8vjGDvLYv5s5CFzS8q_WQpyu4TXWxb68VIfEUmlS3bydKGadwj9ni8_4Gw/s2504/20230227_150023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2504" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-VXfWKOuivGgJUEn1BjHMO2GVjGrYKjMsJv9_YwH94D1GP0PgCPb7KZwab_GN2YKiXDZ1Qp8l7YDA7KjdcCLGs_s-LMWPBKicurEBj76IsDHPqUoz5K7VsrjHIy4GH8vjGDvLYv5s5CFzS8q_WQpyu4TXWxb68VIfEUmlS3bydKGadwj9ni8_4Gw/s320/20230227_150023.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" dir="rtl" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-11447655053654251172022-11-30T07:45:00.002-06:002022-11-30T07:45:11.121-06:00Seaside, Florida – A Small Beach Town with a Lot of Charm<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Seaside, Florida is a charming little coastal town in the
Florida panhandle known for its sugar white sand, emerald water, mom-and-pop
stores, and laid-back beach vibe. Most
Snowbirds only give the panhandle a passing glance on their way south in search
of warmer winter weather. But the
panhandle is as far south as we go since we have come to appreciate the milder
weather with daily highs hovering in the 60’s and lows in the 40’s.
These cooler temperatures also mean that the panhandle is less crowded than
more popular snowbird roosting areas in southern Florida.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvPWSlbcKi5YRIKTFB0GigwTdIeW9kukAzoKUXIwqUXL8GEO1tEothmm_DBTkY5UX0oMV0DNQoObBcQSrXJy3aIrlexdW83KWi6x1PryylnsTu32hJdTpz1gJ5ktgynpD_WkCxFmH06MvnlrI2JYqV1vcAjkmfoWXY80y2U5SrDb0xRHGFhe6oIv2/s2880/20180208_170922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvPWSlbcKi5YRIKTFB0GigwTdIeW9kukAzoKUXIwqUXL8GEO1tEothmm_DBTkY5UX0oMV0DNQoObBcQSrXJy3aIrlexdW83KWi6x1PryylnsTu32hJdTpz1gJ5ktgynpD_WkCxFmH06MvnlrI2JYqV1vcAjkmfoWXY80y2U5SrDb0xRHGFhe6oIv2/w640-h480/20180208_170922.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9kw0xao9Liti-EpEq2NM84Uauql3Elod7jcXGxlKDrx_iQukyKdr21LcOFpcVu31bURfPBNVwf3Vi-6E-SNZLHccC6aMBOIOvJufuk2XpDqsvWRPYZTTgFENnyeapNm7Kj0x6QFvH49x2DhmPA_8QCCuf6xz5XS8OR9X3b7XyXZkKold_k3PHKjv/s2992/211a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9kw0xao9Liti-EpEq2NM84Uauql3Elod7jcXGxlKDrx_iQukyKdr21LcOFpcVu31bURfPBNVwf3Vi-6E-SNZLHccC6aMBOIOvJufuk2XpDqsvWRPYZTTgFENnyeapNm7Kj0x6QFvH49x2DhmPA_8QCCuf6xz5XS8OR9X3b7XyXZkKold_k3PHKjv/s320/211a.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Seaside is located along a beautiful stretch of the coast midway
between Destin and Panama City but has a totally different personality than
those bustling hotspots. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town is
acclaimed world-wide as one of the iconic examples of New Urbanism where a
defined town center with shopping and dining are well within walkable distance
to homes, cottages and offices. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 1980s,
developer Robert Davis had a vision for a pleasant, harmonious beachside town
and made it happen on a quiet stretch of road called County HWY 30A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There's a town center which is the focal
point with businesses and restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Green
spaces and parks are prominent throughout the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>House fronts with inviting porches line these
areas where walking paths encourage mingling with passerby’s instead of
watching zooming cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less than 300
homes make up this town (many of them available as vacation rentals with kitschy
beach-themed names) and all have a colorful picket fence and charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town’s streets end in distinctive beach
pavilions providing access to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and white sugar sand
beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Downtown Seaside is full of energy and the town square is
where it’s at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the town’s activities
revolve around this large green space with an outdoor amphitheater where movies
are shown under the stars, music is played as the sun sets, kids kick the soccer ball with friends, and the farmer’s
market tempts your palate.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAP9Gz0b3aNOKGKHcNq9y7vGSGHqCDLg6AgX7162O375LJd8bPugCpVt0M6f03oZfldsJ-emhBUe7sjIM7AQgCPlmugYc-u857KABIxUZAV4DQiWNUnkDIPAN_0vv9swi32Csk5L2sOh4E7umLwWKkDoMw14Nt7jxWUfh2OdbBpTUI8brMA0UFyfn/s2992/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAP9Gz0b3aNOKGKHcNq9y7vGSGHqCDLg6AgX7162O375LJd8bPugCpVt0M6f03oZfldsJ-emhBUe7sjIM7AQgCPlmugYc-u857KABIxUZAV4DQiWNUnkDIPAN_0vv9swi32Csk5L2sOh4E7umLwWKkDoMw14Nt7jxWUfh2OdbBpTUI8brMA0UFyfn/w640-h428/DSC_0068.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRIQD1B9wdwSYcdLh0e_Prh6n-7RCuLUflnBwBs0qGFukO7qcI9AFowFBISbmVUDhssRux0ezZdZITN1mTuTPnEhtLbp_KDI_c8KhPEOAgce6Vu5dqpx-pFyaJE-scjiUtwbbHZ6e7riUxTCzqyHCeBIfWmpwedK0421-wPJZRS4gD4EiWz-YYigP/s2992/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRIQD1B9wdwSYcdLh0e_Prh6n-7RCuLUflnBwBs0qGFukO7qcI9AFowFBISbmVUDhssRux0ezZdZITN1mTuTPnEhtLbp_KDI_c8KhPEOAgce6Vu5dqpx-pFyaJE-scjiUtwbbHZ6e7riUxTCzqyHCeBIfWmpwedK0421-wPJZRS4gD4EiWz-YYigP/w640-h428/DSC_0057.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A prominent feature in downtown Seaside is the Airstream
food court where silver bullets serve up a myriad of food groups sure to please
everyone’s palate in your group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
strip plays centerpiece to hungry people in search of gourmet hot dogs at Wild
Bill’s Beach Dogs, Hawaiian shaved ice at Frosty Bites, and those looking for a
creative take on the grilled cheese at the Meltdown on 30A. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kVE79985CFVjmjkF8FSGV7PQjJidyOONR9_0FK7E8EqmFl01lVhaH9Kri7wsnstf02_DP3h6jNxzaqmoP05e9tG_CYZnhbpCzh9u3lZ4zrUEBg6bhOEIXhEhVV7kWIIVoPzqrN0UWScMfDsz9ucxuQVUHnP3vAUvr3_u3O7xtguwCeMPTIyoULB8/s2992/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kVE79985CFVjmjkF8FSGV7PQjJidyOONR9_0FK7E8EqmFl01lVhaH9Kri7wsnstf02_DP3h6jNxzaqmoP05e9tG_CYZnhbpCzh9u3lZ4zrUEBg6bhOEIXhEhVV7kWIIVoPzqrN0UWScMfDsz9ucxuQVUHnP3vAUvr3_u3O7xtguwCeMPTIyoULB8/w640-h428/DSC_0055.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-Eb7DE75atnXarTRoZEqnTPuc-Otjgp-ibu22c_11zglLuCBqf25xv3aUHb754hFc2j1Ryy9VfQLJrO64ZBWh-7h6GpVtLw6ykyx67_SGA_NwDo5mrkFlK8nU7C43aGArnLu3HKJmBNgVp6MpbFtOMWMqDgyPYu9DSQzdibKY9QshWo03R5UL9I5/s3264/019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-Eb7DE75atnXarTRoZEqnTPuc-Otjgp-ibu22c_11zglLuCBqf25xv3aUHb754hFc2j1Ryy9VfQLJrO64ZBWh-7h6GpVtLw6ykyx67_SGA_NwDo5mrkFlK8nU7C43aGArnLu3HKJmBNgVp6MpbFtOMWMqDgyPYu9DSQzdibKY9QshWo03R5UL9I5/w640-h480/019.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbAMPea4gHVbWTBQsrPPJ5W1g1_tL6BQhTPLt1OiS3JihN7-2Zt4zJOvsdQF7UvJD0MeqGmvL1GKeaGWs66ziTgdb4oMiA_TAoYMNJfjb8WPe60jb2EkM2IZUk1hN6UGf6PNkRHfJACArEEuT_jF0jO8bnHER4xw7LPZAT5Yv29dJA1xAouCy9bjF/s2133/DSC_0028a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbAMPea4gHVbWTBQsrPPJ5W1g1_tL6BQhTPLt1OiS3JihN7-2Zt4zJOvsdQF7UvJD0MeqGmvL1GKeaGWs66ziTgdb4oMiA_TAoYMNJfjb8WPe60jb2EkM2IZUk1hN6UGf6PNkRHfJACArEEuT_jF0jO8bnHER4xw7LPZAT5Yv29dJA1xAouCy9bjF/w294-h320/DSC_0028a.JPG" width="294" /></span></a></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But don’t think those are your only dining options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those looking for something a little more upscale with white table clothes and a stunning view check out Bud and Alley’s
– a long time establishment named after a dog and cat which serve as the town’s
mascots, and the best place to watch the sunset from their rooftop bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If casual is what you want, you are in
luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar serves
up a Neapolitan style pie while the Shrimp Shack fulfills your seafood craving.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One place that is a must visit for us is
Pickles Beachside Grill an open-air diner set in the middle of town for great
people watching and good food, including the fried pickle spears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Uf1rTUihpY_4ndZ72B0U6ZptG6C19w4lRDV-i7F_ewRB9dXdldrRzUCHA2lsQ8Dg1M_RXhUp2xfIYJhT6bkc27t8rKhynOsW4GKdJGoDWaiyuIR-qgoM_mWm-1WrCeyyuWjF_t8mjQ7oqYUIcK4NqSjDaMzeJRhhDK9vScHBW80NEcm996dIN-yK/s2992/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Uf1rTUihpY_4ndZ72B0U6ZptG6C19w4lRDV-i7F_ewRB9dXdldrRzUCHA2lsQ8Dg1M_RXhUp2xfIYJhT6bkc27t8rKhynOsW4GKdJGoDWaiyuIR-qgoM_mWm-1WrCeyyuWjF_t8mjQ7oqYUIcK4NqSjDaMzeJRhhDK9vScHBW80NEcm996dIN-yK/w640-h428/DSC_0054.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Early risers will find Amavida coffee that will
satisfy their fix for joe while Great Southern will fill their bellies with
their ever-popular Grits a Ya Ya.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Modica
Market is the town grocery store and definitely a favorite.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Take a grocery store, shrink it down and
stack food and other assorted items floor to ceiling and you have Modica
Market.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Gourmet snacks, fresh produce,
cheeses, wines, prepared dishes, fresh baked goods, sundries, and all the
staples are represented here.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVB4tw36Ey1Nsz-rNj67j7P57qxR0A8eTrmlFFW1XdEvF4mA7HBH8Hbci1hHeCR_Gh0G7o4ZullVHGgWaOjAc5fNFI4nfhex2pG1XMvwOwHhxjbqm5YiokgWCTntYEI0EMR2NhxB2tWSq1epzHyRzO_vtb8wzO5KA3QS_kClJAdYDO7s0SwzdgY-5/s3264/071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVB4tw36Ey1Nsz-rNj67j7P57qxR0A8eTrmlFFW1XdEvF4mA7HBH8Hbci1hHeCR_Gh0G7o4ZullVHGgWaOjAc5fNFI4nfhex2pG1XMvwOwHhxjbqm5YiokgWCTntYEI0EMR2NhxB2tWSq1epzHyRzO_vtb8wzO5KA3QS_kClJAdYDO7s0SwzdgY-5/w640-h480/071.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There is plenty of shopping to do in Seaside too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For bookworms and music junkies pop into
Sundog Books & Central Square Records where you may find you spend more
time than you think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This independently
owned joint caters to all whether you are looking for the latest bestseller or
a steamy romance novel to entertain your hours spent on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And step into the Seaside Style store for a
t-shirt bearing the name of what may have become your new favorite beach town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Per-spi-cas-ity is an open air shopping area
that lures you in with their bright and trendy women’s wear and jewelry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Art of Simple brings together home goods,
kitchen gadgets, kitchy decorations, smelly soaps, and cutesy napkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMNfDak2FElXLCw9KThQK0zDSGqOZRzNRABq2tISvWtHOR9655ei7G99FRHpzPWSaojjAraO_rHtrNfvcP74Cp3xcdf8Y_QAyOzGkByjklA4IADUqB4xxys9LxZuw79l9VtgeW3UXV0hb_siIevfWEvw4GIsmx7kVM4_BTa8t5B-V2eHHJRTPUuz1/s2992/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMNfDak2FElXLCw9KThQK0zDSGqOZRzNRABq2tISvWtHOR9655ei7G99FRHpzPWSaojjAraO_rHtrNfvcP74Cp3xcdf8Y_QAyOzGkByjklA4IADUqB4xxys9LxZuw79l9VtgeW3UXV0hb_siIevfWEvw4GIsmx7kVM4_BTa8t5B-V2eHHJRTPUuz1/w640-h429/DSC_0033.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwEfAtawDh7EpC3UsQUPOZ7x5IJpeCVCAgyNvhd06eNRBihnqlOtOTTKIPzPA27M3ENU4BvINTc_IQdPvoPsSXp1nSdYJTq1ZSOf3pz9GjD-CJmNT9gl80lY5TFDwuFwF2xfMmM9Kw_TheOouX994csKhP88vagxTttBhXl93tCU7icrzFnqpeoSO/s2992/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwEfAtawDh7EpC3UsQUPOZ7x5IJpeCVCAgyNvhd06eNRBihnqlOtOTTKIPzPA27M3ENU4BvINTc_IQdPvoPsSXp1nSdYJTq1ZSOf3pz9GjD-CJmNT9gl80lY5TFDwuFwF2xfMmM9Kw_TheOouX994csKhP88vagxTttBhXl93tCU7icrzFnqpeoSO/w640-h428/DSC_0047.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqtqm51aUD_LK_UGpzzlkwTHsEfu6iKVdjq74j3_vvj-SB02hvCrlaSOqI6L7zZcUqWOUi5kCOrarbPbYIOf6k7EcHEQoYL8ZxLsE3QK8tTMjev_UZYiSdWc1hC8W3AER8e2J6GkjbLjR_2y_aimqcd9dqKyiUYdmX_X1Hearw_pyzkuf-R-tJBom/s2992/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqtqm51aUD_LK_UGpzzlkwTHsEfu6iKVdjq74j3_vvj-SB02hvCrlaSOqI6L7zZcUqWOUi5kCOrarbPbYIOf6k7EcHEQoYL8ZxLsE3QK8tTMjev_UZYiSdWc1hC8W3AER8e2J6GkjbLjR_2y_aimqcd9dqKyiUYdmX_X1Hearw_pyzkuf-R-tJBom/w268-h400/DSC_0056.JPG" width="268" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Seaside remains true to its roots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Architects and developers should be proud
that their New Urbanism vision and movement has remained as they
envisioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are still no high
rises (covenants restrict building height to no more than three stories), no
chain restaurants, and it has maintained a clean and simple environment that
draws people for those reasons.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While Seaside is a totally walkable town, there are more options for stretching your legs and enjoying a nice walk in the woods. The Longleaf Greenway Trail is a 27-mile hiking and biking trail that winds through the piney forests, prairie wetlands, and sand dunes. Just a short distance away is Grayton Beach State Park which has miles and miles of great hiking trails which also connect with the neighboring Point Washington State Forest. And the Timpoochee Trail is a mostly flat, paved path great for walking and biking that winds thru Seaside and past picturesque coastal dune lakes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0vTtz37TmiMX4F_1TFbKFBecJa3M2BMEEp1tgANvPGk6eMv5TCZyKAcxCHaP9arnxBZdKL8BV68D231NbYiSSNiw2Tc6Za3J7EvmxCtjKIp62lQX26ta4XEv0WU207ie9BoPhpv3u__P4C4Ud-FC8afbH6UprY9LP1QyD6obr5j409MDW011-wXA/s2992/DSC_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0vTtz37TmiMX4F_1TFbKFBecJa3M2BMEEp1tgANvPGk6eMv5TCZyKAcxCHaP9arnxBZdKL8BV68D231NbYiSSNiw2Tc6Za3J7EvmxCtjKIp62lQX26ta4XEv0WU207ie9BoPhpv3u__P4C4Ud-FC8afbH6UprY9LP1QyD6obr5j409MDW011-wXA/w640-h428/DSC_0158.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The best option for camping is the nearby Grayton Beach
State Park which is within walking/biking distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The campground is relatively small so make
sure you book early as this is a popular campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About ten miles away is Topsail Hill Preserve
State Park which is another beautiful state park with camping for tents and RV's and one- and two-bedroom cabins for rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within about 15-20 minutes away are two private campgrounds – Camp Gulf
and 30A Luxury RV Resort.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GM3up1isxLKqj3i3PW6LY4UVlHKSMT3FYIs1XVpt62ahiDmiU-DbEGyF_iLWBl4q2XIKk7vURxYze1eL76YQb13bE7eVlOTXGJqn9K-oq7r1rLvkw7SP5-QWytR6uGgbCFsDlmGh7IKBKjHVLDuqtKMNGE8VJ7eD0b_Xjr7JNX1VmHdknFgoBWMx/s2592/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GM3up1isxLKqj3i3PW6LY4UVlHKSMT3FYIs1XVpt62ahiDmiU-DbEGyF_iLWBl4q2XIKk7vURxYze1eL76YQb13bE7eVlOTXGJqn9K-oq7r1rLvkw7SP5-QWytR6uGgbCFsDlmGh7IKBKjHVLDuqtKMNGE8VJ7eD0b_Xjr7JNX1VmHdknFgoBWMx/w640-h480/075.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Even on red flag days with dark clouds, Seaside is a pretty,
happy place to be.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">We’ve been visiting Seaside
for over twenty years and it still remains on our list of places we love to
visit.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_l7TFAA4OCs51GDyBajklYelzVVakY9o82a9WsI_wu9zUHaX4x407W5Lcx5iJWPfWNu6ABW-XE8ruMK5Zpl5BWxM9k3NS3eqqvSHg9HVIxMkVv_7rt30lBLNd2cnvRafEroAJkkrVWvB_RXMCgqI_DlUbCL0GrwZ5hc4a71RRNjNoGE3-o4j0gOL/s4032/20211225_065129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_l7TFAA4OCs51GDyBajklYelzVVakY9o82a9WsI_wu9zUHaX4x407W5Lcx5iJWPfWNu6ABW-XE8ruMK5Zpl5BWxM9k3NS3eqqvSHg9HVIxMkVv_7rt30lBLNd2cnvRafEroAJkkrVWvB_RXMCgqI_DlUbCL0GrwZ5hc4a71RRNjNoGE3-o4j0gOL/w640-h480/20211225_065129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9R1kuwd8-OKi4iYszay9U146s545F4RQfkasfQ1Fl6PXdj-kSHyGdJwbFKOpdSdPwrv_2lrMK-H_QQFt4kJqiun1FSAqDNz_bXSmWYhyM1EHRQHXZtgiUjkD_INGQOlGOo84nJOv-04gEd8PL-C1b6Qh-2kMyxTAlhsjY8lXg-XQUClcTZeubaNT/s4032/20220215_135329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9R1kuwd8-OKi4iYszay9U146s545F4RQfkasfQ1Fl6PXdj-kSHyGdJwbFKOpdSdPwrv_2lrMK-H_QQFt4kJqiun1FSAqDNz_bXSmWYhyM1EHRQHXZtgiUjkD_INGQOlGOo84nJOv-04gEd8PL-C1b6Qh-2kMyxTAlhsjY8lXg-XQUClcTZeubaNT/w640-h480/20220215_135329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br />RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-22264760045298173212022-08-30T10:17:00.002-05:002022-08-30T10:20:26.174-05:00Exploring Nova Scotia - Canada's Ocean Playground!<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Almost totally surrounded by water, Nova Scotia is admired
for its' rugged coastline, daily displays of the world’s highest tides, colorful harbors rich in maritime history, and boasts more
lighthouses than any other Canadian Province (a total of 160). No wonder they call Nova Scotia <i>Canada’s
Ocean Playground</i>! Nova Scotia is one
of the Canadian Maritime provinces (the others being New Brunswick and Prince
Edward Island) located on the North Atlantic Coast. The province is rich in exquisite natural
beauty and embraces its’ diverse cultural heritage. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDjXW8x3N85zBtq2qQ9GJC0EHaciuugUHtvtYUGWUt0wQ-KaCGpJ39y3yska8XRc1RMVhyBLwtEJiRxvDyksjWQUqLAMmJzSNshBfmA46pMutBNNnQGc44wYgRO4XDXV33EUALJsWhrdcFHizfTmgSTYJq-owFhnjii3EnneNVihhXD289B05pgSC/s4032/20220630_092428.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDjXW8x3N85zBtq2qQ9GJC0EHaciuugUHtvtYUGWUt0wQ-KaCGpJ39y3yska8XRc1RMVhyBLwtEJiRxvDyksjWQUqLAMmJzSNshBfmA46pMutBNNnQGc44wYgRO4XDXV33EUALJsWhrdcFHizfTmgSTYJq-owFhnjii3EnneNVihhXD289B05pgSC/w640-h480/20220630_092428.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our trip to Nova Scotia was part of a Fantasy RV 29-day Canadian
Maritimes Tour called "Your Way" and we got to visit all three Provinces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One advantage of traveling
with a tour company is that they decide the destinations and make the campground reservations for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And during the busy summer
travel season and with so many RVs on the road, this was a big advantage resulting
in a relaxed and stressless trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This blog post describes just a snippet of what we did in the Maritimes and what we did in Nova Scotia during our 29 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fell in love with
Nova Scotia and will definitely want to go back, revisiting some of the places
we've been and exploring new areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ_7wQ8YSHDgaeuRqrajY69nc8LzZKH7gUtoT7DnA9qxb516bB9X48w8VuHDYNsZ0IEy4_7rmLsUsZpYlzxLdaK4dlVtPR-Bx4X-Fk5HLpy5zeuXEjnG3OBZEHDxOzzEiaGPZp2uO6s3JAhHjEbdjzl0oN-gokRtE9MSoYr927-mkiCbaG9cvlDfo/s898/Untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="898" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ_7wQ8YSHDgaeuRqrajY69nc8LzZKH7gUtoT7DnA9qxb516bB9X48w8VuHDYNsZ0IEy4_7rmLsUsZpYlzxLdaK4dlVtPR-Bx4X-Fk5HLpy5zeuXEjnG3OBZEHDxOzzEiaGPZp2uO6s3JAhHjEbdjzl0oN-gokRtE9MSoYr927-mkiCbaG9cvlDfo/w640-h414/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Halifax</span></i></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlGoxGVBiObO-LOypfxl9duQOYFQmWFB0vlzOZvqHk-Uf5SawVbj_wRBKpZIKLRXWCu0TWiDTqGgSv8NQJ4MCBUAYsLVszX9qR9ErucOmhzOp0rmVUTZYhKsbuOqofUbdtJPNTJDMv31rpfENezUoZTaqyE4tD1dvp97roTrH350ZYHczAt2KV6AA/s4032/20220630_180740.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlGoxGVBiObO-LOypfxl9duQOYFQmWFB0vlzOZvqHk-Uf5SawVbj_wRBKpZIKLRXWCu0TWiDTqGgSv8NQJ4MCBUAYsLVszX9qR9ErucOmhzOp0rmVUTZYhKsbuOqofUbdtJPNTJDMv31rpfENezUoZTaqyE4tD1dvp97roTrH350ZYHczAt2KV6AA/s320/20220630_180740.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The capital of Nova Scotia is Halifax - a beautiful
waterfront city overlooking one of the largest natural harbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This harbor has played an important role in
military history being the base of operations for the British during the
American Revolution and a major port for trans-Atlantic convoys carrying
munitions and supplies to Western Europe during WWII.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downtown Halifax is vibrant and busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Head to the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, one
of the world’s longest downtown boardwalks measuring in at two miles, and filled
with lots of little shops and boutiques, and restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also downtown are two of the city’s popular
museums – the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Canadian Museum of
Immigration at Pier 21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One towering reminder of the city’s military history is the
hilltop fortress known as the Halifax Citadel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This National Historic Site takes you back in time when Queen Victoria
reigned and British Troops marched through the parade grounds, tunnels and
ramparts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Citadel was active for two
hundred years yet never saw battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After falling in disrepair, the site was restored and now is a major
tourist attraction featuring interactive exhibits, films, demonstrations, and
performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most popular
performances is “The Noon Gun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
day since 1856, a 12-pounder gun is fired to signal midday and can be heard all
over Halifax to the surprise of tourists!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TeTAAZFkhHgH0fujs9RaGQ3fOx7TJIyqCMXsv1sHmi8j7PGCNPLSRfNCO_Q56-6e_tcbKKhVZ61ozZDyMGp6L5JEWy_fga-UAvHi-VfucIjcUOis5qQ4bCZO58uQbBa9I_i6SyPGDZ8N4bg1NjfvAHbiRM_h2B5XIHFkXzIM3F1R36Am7quikthG/s4032/20220629_110520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TeTAAZFkhHgH0fujs9RaGQ3fOx7TJIyqCMXsv1sHmi8j7PGCNPLSRfNCO_Q56-6e_tcbKKhVZ61ozZDyMGp6L5JEWy_fga-UAvHi-VfucIjcUOis5qQ4bCZO58uQbBa9I_i6SyPGDZ8N4bg1NjfvAHbiRM_h2B5XIHFkXzIM3F1R36Am7quikthG/w640-h480/20220629_110520.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwexhY3-83RHcgMCo8mPzEt2Bk7zsct-bySvZyDk5aqIvl_tGcXyvjdb8IUIIareqTHHEkNfL1JAbFL0ceCabAjEBZRLgYFRzbMiSN4lT2EY7lqCThpJbBX-oN_4Ps2guYyHL5RajmkoNPbiHx_dM6Y40wPTKvPEV6P6OI2ugE2tFaxgzriqjjxgjg/s4032/20220629_141322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwexhY3-83RHcgMCo8mPzEt2Bk7zsct-bySvZyDk5aqIvl_tGcXyvjdb8IUIIareqTHHEkNfL1JAbFL0ceCabAjEBZRLgYFRzbMiSN4lT2EY7lqCThpJbBX-oN_4Ps2guYyHL5RajmkoNPbiHx_dM6Y40wPTKvPEV6P6OI2ugE2tFaxgzriqjjxgjg/w640-h480/20220629_141322.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rS2ZOrH0Afk1Rw4KIzHjGwLe7wEmWPsOaDs6taTtRT3xmsukd0Wn3zNbdQmAw2DVbzGcFQmQ19k3Pyi1LQ3pX8PaeSDTKduMum4fkvCh7MWVzD8q6xNNpVatj8hRmReAufXwg91VhwwZpULn6uq9HSGki0qcn9yQi5A0aXRN8S5kf6zgKJFZTBiw/s4032/20220629_105630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rS2ZOrH0Afk1Rw4KIzHjGwLe7wEmWPsOaDs6taTtRT3xmsukd0Wn3zNbdQmAw2DVbzGcFQmQ19k3Pyi1LQ3pX8PaeSDTKduMum4fkvCh7MWVzD8q6xNNpVatj8hRmReAufXwg91VhwwZpULn6uq9HSGki0qcn9yQi5A0aXRN8S5kf6zgKJFZTBiw/w640-h480/20220629_105630.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the provinces’ most anticipated events is The Royal
Nova Scotia International Tattoo - the largest indoor military Tattoo in the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This performance is unique among
other Tattoos in that it is more theatrical in nature with a mixture of both
military and civilian performers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
a two-year hiatus (due to Covid), the high energy celebration was back with
vigor and is one of the summer’s biggest events filled with music, dance,
military competitions, acrobatics, cycling and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, the Tattoo featured performers
from all over Canada as well as Europe and Jordan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing this was one of the nice surprises for us as part of this tour as we thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B65Py1tDCTK-Nfuzh2wGGDtHnTcSjetpoZxtKPYDH_J09Kiq7Hn7k0kKWvvoI7Ze50VjzhPjsliEd8ZGe63NBCkCHyqk4LIUN30FbU05KB283MEM7LfNMm9BBOCbFaVWaTO3B4cjLfRXblwr5vsjDzVwpc2Qd2asU-S4YjibIxPV27Zn3CVnpa_9/s3889/20220630_211816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2917" data-original-width="3889" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B65Py1tDCTK-Nfuzh2wGGDtHnTcSjetpoZxtKPYDH_J09Kiq7Hn7k0kKWvvoI7Ze50VjzhPjsliEd8ZGe63NBCkCHyqk4LIUN30FbU05KB283MEM7LfNMm9BBOCbFaVWaTO3B4cjLfRXblwr5vsjDzVwpc2Qd2asU-S4YjibIxPV27Zn3CVnpa_9/w640-h480/20220630_211816.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The connection of Halifax to the RMS Titanic is evident at Fairview
Lawn Cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cemetery is the final
resting place for one hundred and twenty-one victims that perished when the
famed ocean liner hit an iceberg and sank into the frigid waters in 1912.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within hours of the sinking, word reached
Halifax that the ship sank and bodies were floating in the water and cable
ships (which had large cargo holds) were dispatched to recover the bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halifax was considered an ideal location to
receive the victims because of its connections to other cities by rail and sea,
which facilitated the return of bodies to families who could afford it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the grave sites at Fairview are those
of unidentified or unclaimed dead marked simply by the date of recovery and
number in which they were found.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aybkQsaVmTMxvbzyoXBxrs4uk8ToJoQaR6yXZZ3hNtRoJjNSkFxD_5R9SUA7K-6X34eHnM_TSrFeMPnfpZh9-KWDacDsGAaRiofF6sn1LbhnhDoRVOAhRl2AQ0TRPVk8WS7h1wwPRnhLOwC-_zSEZPPaXMM2fpYrC5xaLSQypn0SNCnxXvEvhXkn/s4032/20220630_150803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aybkQsaVmTMxvbzyoXBxrs4uk8ToJoQaR6yXZZ3hNtRoJjNSkFxD_5R9SUA7K-6X34eHnM_TSrFeMPnfpZh9-KWDacDsGAaRiofF6sn1LbhnhDoRVOAhRl2AQ0TRPVk8WS7h1wwPRnhLOwC-_zSEZPPaXMM2fpYrC5xaLSQypn0SNCnxXvEvhXkn/w640-h480/20220630_150803.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Peggy’s Cove</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A short drive from Halifax is one of the prettiest little
harbors you will ever lay eyes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peggy’s Cove is a quaint little (and we really do mean little) fishing
village with arguably the most photographed lighthouse in Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvCvLZ2OnNenA8KDlwkMNhqFLB0kvCYvX6fFBrYLYbqHzQTi6WfOZc7_42__FuW4nj-2WaJCI56SpJqyY7F_z55t2nHdPMqsKSmROmEaBZ_UfSdmzXBBR3n0vLQT9AoQFFChSUYfHwer_F1OlaLhH8PxS1m7zFYMQaETWl0ObpGt5u2Vtg0WwHqqp/s4032/20220630_080545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvCvLZ2OnNenA8KDlwkMNhqFLB0kvCYvX6fFBrYLYbqHzQTi6WfOZc7_42__FuW4nj-2WaJCI56SpJqyY7F_z55t2nHdPMqsKSmROmEaBZ_UfSdmzXBBR3n0vLQT9AoQFFChSUYfHwer_F1OlaLhH8PxS1m7zFYMQaETWl0ObpGt5u2Vtg0WwHqqp/w640-h480/20220630_080545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Clapboard houses are perched along a narrow
inlet with colorful bobbing boats flanked by smooth wave-washed boulders overlooking
the Atlantic Ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unique
environment has been designated a preservation area and attracts visitors far
and wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After you have filled your
phones’ memory with pictures of the lighthouse and selfies, you may want to
stop for a bite to eat in one of the local restaurants or peruse the galleries
and boutiques selling the handiwork of locals. We recommend arriving early in the morning to
avoid the crowds and get to experience the town without hoards of tourists.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdRunMyXS5HUXdJB9DMdSBCKp2iQLkAHl_NmEoahmUazdanGZ4U3MsUFdJHonpRbAsu24B1n1IEOCgN5tJ5Wntcz2Jpbyg8XerprHr2vNbKipFn3Kjal-lZi6netWkL72oH8xHCAIpeS7YR-XQW8-DSiiG2YCg7R5Tk4r7_yyfRFpVlZ3GLE3_zds/s4032/20220630_082432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdRunMyXS5HUXdJB9DMdSBCKp2iQLkAHl_NmEoahmUazdanGZ4U3MsUFdJHonpRbAsu24B1n1IEOCgN5tJ5Wntcz2Jpbyg8XerprHr2vNbKipFn3Kjal-lZi6netWkL72oH8xHCAIpeS7YR-XQW8-DSiiG2YCg7R5Tk4r7_yyfRFpVlZ3GLE3_zds/w640-h480/20220630_082432.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Near Peggy’s Cove is the Swissair Flight 111 Memorial which
pays homage to the 229 victims who perished when their plane crashed into the
Atlantic Ocean on September 2, 1998.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
strange smell was reported in the cockpit and smoke appeared and then
disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pilots believed the smoke
was from a malfunctioning air conditioning system and did not pose an immediate
danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They changed course to Halifax which
was roughly fifty miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbeknownst
to the pilots, the smoke was generated from a rapidly spreading fire in the
ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fire shorted out the plane’s
controls causing it to plumet into the Atlantic Ocean just five miles off-shore
near Peggy’s Cove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The subsequent investigation
determined that faulty wires caused the plane’s flammable insulation to catch
fire.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWgXv7U1XXbbtdM-AElqCkZstG7BMYQmeRq_ztPafGNjvdOUNZG0ObxsvkANGKW0GfC-rSIc0n0QY9sQMmNOg1GAfeVsYVaUhNxKDZ4BTEscLB9prl8yBu4fbzpWzk3oaUeeHd4KWvIrdVzSugrCkrQNeYjBBlKh--ZRvcbTAjddIe8lcXnnorkXo/s4032/20220630_073916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWgXv7U1XXbbtdM-AElqCkZstG7BMYQmeRq_ztPafGNjvdOUNZG0ObxsvkANGKW0GfC-rSIc0n0QY9sQMmNOg1GAfeVsYVaUhNxKDZ4BTEscLB9prl8yBu4fbzpWzk3oaUeeHd4KWvIrdVzSugrCkrQNeYjBBlKh--ZRvcbTAjddIe8lcXnnorkXo/w640-h480/20220630_073916.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lunenburg</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A visit to Nova Scotia would not be complete without
stopping in the postcard-perfect town of Lunenburg known for their colorful
buildings, rich history in ship building and involvement in the fishing
industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old Town Lunenburg is one of
only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World
Heritage site where the original layout and seventy percent of the colonial
buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries still stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The downtown streets are lined with art
galleries, open air restaurants, antique shops, and museums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCCQUBXqeYECEJDjbxX2Yl_EGwr2wNYaonrsAdqLYIz_U45wNH013GOm2RnWiOhpZFzUkVHJ7i5xOCVGpCGhZsOWmEqy7Mp0ekUImPxpWb3sc1r2qbXnSh6RNIWw6LrN9U84w1cfPQHH50m_HYixgtqtQ4ZmZPNfl-q24yXVuL5FQhSAzRas22J2h/s3964/20220702_192212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="3964" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCCQUBXqeYECEJDjbxX2Yl_EGwr2wNYaonrsAdqLYIz_U45wNH013GOm2RnWiOhpZFzUkVHJ7i5xOCVGpCGhZsOWmEqy7Mp0ekUImPxpWb3sc1r2qbXnSh6RNIWw6LrN9U84w1cfPQHH50m_HYixgtqtQ4ZmZPNfl-q24yXVuL5FQhSAzRas22J2h/w640-h480/20220702_192212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite Lunenburg’s small size, there is a lot to do and see
and one of the most popular places to visit is The Fisheries Museum of the
Atlantic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum is housed in a
bright red building on Lunenburg’s waterfront and brings to life Lunenburg's
deep connection to the sea and the importance that the fishing industry has
played in its history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum houses
many comprehensive exhibits, a multi-film theatre, and a large aquarium that
holds species of fish that are commonly harvested off the coast of Nova Scotia
and the Grand Banks in Newfoundland and definitely worth a visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the museum looks small on the outside,
don’t let that fool you as the museum is quite large inside with lots of wonderful
exhibits.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS6eEcNKpIa7vcMSMax4Ouo7j3lfNIbJ_NIbTlBPDp001TNZQU7zBWfmVjv0vEEtepT31iyVCrC4F6O9-QRiktuukdvCJZze00XUyn_L4nwEHh9DslPrEVpRzuowU-mcdjC5FYtToET0q_1Jke2_ggXCnLIGlAl89IgyYyQm7jDlHenoT_yI1l0__/s4032/20220702_155135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS6eEcNKpIa7vcMSMax4Ouo7j3lfNIbJ_NIbTlBPDp001TNZQU7zBWfmVjv0vEEtepT31iyVCrC4F6O9-QRiktuukdvCJZze00XUyn_L4nwEHh9DslPrEVpRzuowU-mcdjC5FYtToET0q_1Jke2_ggXCnLIGlAl89IgyYyQm7jDlHenoT_yI1l0__/w640-h480/20220702_155135.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Gfts7puKfaeEvxp9iyKHjfMEZ8esmS57BcMjOMksCFbCw6E9hRqfWOoHjMTXaG1UkZtZAeqJ_EXR95TZpU9TsiWLtwBlcbiyhmLS6ExOTkKkU7gFhbzd0wjBwOMbP8mmx25-n5nq7B_dNxEqzkRIA688P1bTN6gbuTdq4SvdQOupZUCxRjpj01D/s4032/20220702_154322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Gfts7puKfaeEvxp9iyKHjfMEZ8esmS57BcMjOMksCFbCw6E9hRqfWOoHjMTXaG1UkZtZAeqJ_EXR95TZpU9TsiWLtwBlcbiyhmLS6ExOTkKkU7gFhbzd0wjBwOMbP8mmx25-n5nq7B_dNxEqzkRIA688P1bTN6gbuTdq4SvdQOupZUCxRjpj01D/w640-h480/20220702_154322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrWBtKwDaGX19ZaVg3l4Hpmq7idwKpbcqHmAs74PWiquSyl8_6w1eHXaktRjryL_kPKEHbtEAAKyHq5NTBEkHEbKSrHTc8NKyXHAyfkDiZvc1nwQfZYM3V-26mOw4oqx6glp1s0qHqXJeZZE7vK6ZLFdoVRCnfx0WmoLrCpgFUMhSkuJLFJjt3zTP/s4032/20220702_190301.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrWBtKwDaGX19ZaVg3l4Hpmq7idwKpbcqHmAs74PWiquSyl8_6w1eHXaktRjryL_kPKEHbtEAAKyHq5NTBEkHEbKSrHTc8NKyXHAyfkDiZvc1nwQfZYM3V-26mOw4oqx6glp1s0qHqXJeZZE7vK6ZLFdoVRCnfx0WmoLrCpgFUMhSkuJLFJjt3zTP/s320/20220702_190301.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The best views of Lunenburg are from the water and what
better way to see them than on the schooner Bluenose II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The original Bluenose, built in 1921, was
once the world’s fastest racing schooner in the world and retained her undefeated
title for 17 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bluenose is so
iconic and a proud part of the country’s identity that it graces one side of
the Canadian dime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A replica of the
schooner, Bluenose II, was later constructed in accordance with the original
ship and now acts as Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador and open for viewing and
sailing tours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Insider tip: another beautiful
view of Lunenburg is from Lightship Brewing Company across the harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brewery has a large outside patio with a
panoramic view, serves great beer and food, and is dog-friendly.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OQHIgyVovh1t1C3neeggy8XvKIyKoxmgG9JQSGxZybjt4JLh-RAhxLE9GhodeG_fWuzEDCPPyvaPhBB_vTAgbeYqvcLToC77GCeocr-KNsnAVUZVBUGHGfmuw5vGauEEO6EFBKx7DyReNiqlxRoueCjo6qD_AaJ314A1X8SbJbcQgAmb9BTKfQiv/s4032/20220702_185659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OQHIgyVovh1t1C3neeggy8XvKIyKoxmgG9JQSGxZybjt4JLh-RAhxLE9GhodeG_fWuzEDCPPyvaPhBB_vTAgbeYqvcLToC77GCeocr-KNsnAVUZVBUGHGfmuw5vGauEEO6EFBKx7DyReNiqlxRoueCjo6qD_AaJ314A1X8SbJbcQgAmb9BTKfQiv/w640-h480/20220702_185659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXLnJvvOOpIXhQxUK-xioZNo5z0s4SVnCp6dTU62aNIdA72PS9kRSFl3if9F_mtzRHMs9Zc3RKjn3GbBMez9HiICFTZjbGP4tlUkWz-IW_NAI4LrPyHcTIx0zJ3M_OZz0eTqz8mYPf9nn38_mipid1La7_csSX1V-I9E9_SwGMFB9GvyvXRQFIfFJ/s4032/20220703_153320.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXLnJvvOOpIXhQxUK-xioZNo5z0s4SVnCp6dTU62aNIdA72PS9kRSFl3if9F_mtzRHMs9Zc3RKjn3GbBMez9HiICFTZjbGP4tlUkWz-IW_NAI4LrPyHcTIx0zJ3M_OZz0eTqz8mYPf9nn38_mipid1La7_csSX1V-I9E9_SwGMFB9GvyvXRQFIfFJ/s320/20220703_153320.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Walking around Lunenburg is an enjoyment and a good workout
as the town stretches steeply uphill from the waterfront.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wandering around town is a great way to
admire the colorful wooden homes and buildings to the magnificent 19th century
churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are numerous guided
walking tours, carriage rides, and haunted tours to choose from or you can
venture out on your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you need a
break during your walk, step into the Ironworks Distillery, housed in a
renovated marine blacksmith's shop dating back to 1893, and sample some craft
spirits produced from local ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Annapolis Royal</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On the north shore of Nova Scotia is the vibrant artsy town
of Annapolis Royal which has a long rich history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1605 the area became home to some of North
America’s earliest European settlers and was the capital of Nova Scotia for
almost 150 years, until the founding of Halifax in 1749. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annapolis Royal is the smallest incorporated
town in Nova Scotia (population 530), yet boasts having one of Canada’s largest
National Historic Districts with 135 registered heritage properties.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-YryVLrS3tk-WcbxhyfSpuA_OyUEBW3J3jv04UO-_BRblY6G3D7SjlEpbQMaqyZ27hycwCJLVHjc07G9dG5nNj32s5XE0dSQRjnpIDCYrA4nOrkO7dt6QvFih7bfDYSeqzQedW782hfhhi89f-MQh9C4TPHdfYjaPFwznghFYPBOnYEeoQhqbV_v/s4032/20220707_085219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-YryVLrS3tk-WcbxhyfSpuA_OyUEBW3J3jv04UO-_BRblY6G3D7SjlEpbQMaqyZ27hycwCJLVHjc07G9dG5nNj32s5XE0dSQRjnpIDCYrA4nOrkO7dt6QvFih7bfDYSeqzQedW782hfhhi89f-MQh9C4TPHdfYjaPFwznghFYPBOnYEeoQhqbV_v/w640-h480/20220707_085219.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A prominent feature of downtown is Historic Fort Anne –
Canada’s first National Historic Site. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fort
Anne is one of the most hotly contested pieces of land on the entire continent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The site was the traditional homeland of the
Mi’kmaq yet in recent centuries, a succession of Scottish, French, and English
settlers clashed over this prize on the banks of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis River.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fort Anne was the site of thirteen
attacks and seven change of hands (eventually controlled by the British), more
than any other place in North America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today
the fort has been lovingly restored and the Officers’ Quarters is an
interesting museum and the grounds are a wonderful place to stroll around and
admire the interesting fortification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMDmJFMe4aYBDzdNMqnmsMF-RmOFQ-coZOKZUj7QPBTETRea9AO6MuNluruN6TaKJ-4urlPp5JXnxb1qMVHO5fQDCBRuYKOT5R0UleDtSWulPzWPYemzjRf3kU4YUOJGdBQs_Poe1MX1yJt9PxGvyQb6jVKLEHtMsuXnpcIxtu7N4rWlVSj-KrPQJ/s4032/20220705_140843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMDmJFMe4aYBDzdNMqnmsMF-RmOFQ-coZOKZUj7QPBTETRea9AO6MuNluruN6TaKJ-4urlPp5JXnxb1qMVHO5fQDCBRuYKOT5R0UleDtSWulPzWPYemzjRf3kU4YUOJGdBQs_Poe1MX1yJt9PxGvyQb6jVKLEHtMsuXnpcIxtu7N4rWlVSj-KrPQJ/w640-h480/20220705_140843.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOpRoG2pCis6U60HUnWeBBLDMtioEIkfb_60HIGmjC43DzXpsN51JpsrqwpPgvbofkhWq-Q1o8VtXSgVGErLbm59COUJPQvZzbBgVYntNeVRJ31RW8S-Wfh8kkyrJ_vwiGIjDIgAazjo8PY-tFCfx4uJZDSAZ_rDm2FKTUPEbVTEYj1HLPqMbtdsa/s4032/20220705_141914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOpRoG2pCis6U60HUnWeBBLDMtioEIkfb_60HIGmjC43DzXpsN51JpsrqwpPgvbofkhWq-Q1o8VtXSgVGErLbm59COUJPQvZzbBgVYntNeVRJ31RW8S-Wfh8kkyrJ_vwiGIjDIgAazjo8PY-tFCfx4uJZDSAZ_rDm2FKTUPEbVTEYj1HLPqMbtdsa/w640-h480/20220705_141914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpm1idOPEPgmWjtS2f87ObXkye_MnQbppXOyL2jVgZACwuCjpyYN5LKfSiV03uJdqoMAbyhLt-407o_YtQiX6m22AXtOdoLbZQ7QIQqLe74RklRzCtkEw3HhP_T_XtJ44H4UbEVIeC6ehKN_nKWoGaav2U_-P89WfnyK5NDP6ZQ_Glqv_ItDmuZS3/s4032/20220706_090914.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpm1idOPEPgmWjtS2f87ObXkye_MnQbppXOyL2jVgZACwuCjpyYN5LKfSiV03uJdqoMAbyhLt-407o_YtQiX6m22AXtOdoLbZQ7QIQqLe74RklRzCtkEw3HhP_T_XtJ44H4UbEVIeC6ehKN_nKWoGaav2U_-P89WfnyK5NDP6ZQ_Glqv_ItDmuZS3/s320/20220706_090914.jpg" width="240" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Downtown Annapolis Royal is a great place to spend an
afternoon venturing through galleries and boutiques, strolling along the
waterfront path, enjoying a pint at the local brewery or grabbing a bite to
eat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Self-guided walking tours are available which highlight the city's historic building and beautiful architecture. For you night owls, you many want to book a candelight graveyard tour. If you are looking for a bit of exercise, check out the 68-mile Harvest Moon Trail, a multi-use trail which travels along the Annapolis River through fields, orchards, and picturesque towns. The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens is a 17-acre site showcasing gardening designs, materials, and methods representing 400 years of Canadian History. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Cape Breton Island</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nova Scotia is divided into two parts - the mainland and
Cape Breton Island - separated by a causeway over the Strait of Canso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our visit to Cape Breton Island was widely
anticipated and everyone we previously talked to about visiting the Maritimes
said it was definitely on the “must see” list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stayed in the tiny coastal town of Baddeck which is a great launching
point of visiting the popular sites on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2k3n32N-EgI93RjhlQwEdSolCY-XM3oWeoqxZaMQOfhDdrUurwqTKlmb5Yu_Ekqsft4vEq88QiVMzdMwSmkQcu5wHCH6GQ8oZV6uKHj7mfJikidThgGShxeQE8fs9CM8acDBCDnmYDPmrz6IIB51CSQ8SskHZgPw-gTugv1S8hC9-raS-e7Ay2Dj/s4032/20220626_124058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2k3n32N-EgI93RjhlQwEdSolCY-XM3oWeoqxZaMQOfhDdrUurwqTKlmb5Yu_Ekqsft4vEq88QiVMzdMwSmkQcu5wHCH6GQ8oZV6uKHj7mfJikidThgGShxeQE8fs9CM8acDBCDnmYDPmrz6IIB51CSQ8SskHZgPw-gTugv1S8hC9-raS-e7Ay2Dj/w640-h480/20220626_124058.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-B_67At4u5Gqp9XkbXlywN5HfApx0-SgngPT-9wY9Jdwts7jGJBZ6QoF8zgexk2r0OoUkbII8cXlSBOO__b_Zgou7FT8t60iY7Rpsmv-K0haNZ5X9JsL7lagUYymAJWn3k3rCOJTmjLR7wYbDhplErBN_oCycA2CwdsFxtexvYvW3jq-Gd_77qRs7/s4032/20220626_124154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-B_67At4u5Gqp9XkbXlywN5HfApx0-SgngPT-9wY9Jdwts7jGJBZ6QoF8zgexk2r0OoUkbII8cXlSBOO__b_Zgou7FT8t60iY7Rpsmv-K0haNZ5X9JsL7lagUYymAJWn3k3rCOJTmjLR7wYbDhplErBN_oCycA2CwdsFxtexvYvW3jq-Gd_77qRs7/w640-h480/20220626_124154.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Baddeck is home to the Alexander Graham Bell National
Historical Site – a museum devoted to celebrating his creative genius by
exhibiting a wide array of his inventions and personal artifacts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bell, born in Scotland visited Nova Scotia
with his wife and fell in love with the climate and landscape so much that they
built a summer home in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although he is best known for inventing the telephone and founding the
Bell Telephone Company, Bell was a prolific inventor and was awarded 18 solo
patents and 12 he shared with collaborators. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His inventions included a metal jacket to
assist in breathing, the audiometer to detect minor hearing problems, a device
to locate icebergs, investigations on how to separate salt from seawater, and
work on finding alternative fuels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bell
died at his home in Nova Scotia in 1922. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two days later all telephone service in the United
States and Canada was suspended for a full minute at the precise moment when
Bell was lowered into his grave.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvh1xwzPQcgHEMvgEN55JUha6CpuOeMCTFechQw4RD07H1-nUvuGPBhhkKEyugUeBTXZEXCqGfJcNvWrltjwRFCrFRhIs2soqBRAEK5NqcMn3-D8I1F5cOqo81S8Kprg57cZNyCiiwkrb49GD8vteEFJ0r1zV-ua-qpcldI_IJ54DZmp6wt0-d7Xf/s4032/20220626_140104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvh1xwzPQcgHEMvgEN55JUha6CpuOeMCTFechQw4RD07H1-nUvuGPBhhkKEyugUeBTXZEXCqGfJcNvWrltjwRFCrFRhIs2soqBRAEK5NqcMn3-D8I1F5cOqo81S8Kprg57cZNyCiiwkrb49GD8vteEFJ0r1zV-ua-qpcldI_IJ54DZmp6wt0-d7Xf/w640-h480/20220626_140104.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2nxsa1y8RVCgALTZBVIKvt94emHmKaPmnHGCayhToGltQu9i6F5Ps6A7QYjHyMmhOa4JgjFdQx8UxzFaQe9NwiUHEh4WPqC3Q4x5mBKaySRwRV788nxdLxL2JhuvesUEsMsjX-p2gjQTf5F0lxSbZJFWOlVqHVm-0vl_H7lOziiygZdDZOyH1yEQ/s4032/20220626_133212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2nxsa1y8RVCgALTZBVIKvt94emHmKaPmnHGCayhToGltQu9i6F5Ps6A7QYjHyMmhOa4JgjFdQx8UxzFaQe9NwiUHEh4WPqC3Q4x5mBKaySRwRV788nxdLxL2JhuvesUEsMsjX-p2gjQTf5F0lxSbZJFWOlVqHVm-0vl_H7lOziiygZdDZOyH1yEQ/w640-h480/20220626_133212.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some of the most dramatic coastal scenery is found in the
northern part of Cape Breton Island along the world-famous Cabot Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cabot Trail weaves through 366
square miles of magnificent dense forested highlands, through rugged canyons,
and along the coastline with sea-side views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No wonder this 185-mile road has been coined “one of the best road trips
in the world!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is definitely
deserving of the accolade.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmP1Z7yGCAhZOZrmOdhgKQbGsnCNgsOOhbDuICca7yytFRTWCNhy46wAqZ-f0iiZOkbYYsCEHyysLf39Y4yGpOtVcU92jRwO_DmE3DBiB5ZiFstQvR12untHjr7c81W9oY1HVtfiBnI1gQKLMdjsqWiE-B2BYfeEh91gMwZTVAyuPsEYB5kwmY4tp/s4032/20220627_130549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmP1Z7yGCAhZOZrmOdhgKQbGsnCNgsOOhbDuICca7yytFRTWCNhy46wAqZ-f0iiZOkbYYsCEHyysLf39Y4yGpOtVcU92jRwO_DmE3DBiB5ZiFstQvR12untHjr7c81W9oY1HVtfiBnI1gQKLMdjsqWiE-B2BYfeEh91gMwZTVAyuPsEYB5kwmY4tp/w640-h480/20220627_130549.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B9mU5a7hFiP7MQ2mvF_dgqkihDLjhd9Gb1SJpazBOXBnOgR7KCy9LP9Tfpq94rQv8UYOcaTRX5Zm1B3VJB3ePWgXHylhGj0UJoA7GEUxRuo2VYu1NvIhMqwEda3u5TX2YJeWqtLBy8JQ1XJlcxfqnq4NALfNx-3A0ejfeTxo6yFztGB3z5epEt74/s4032/20220627_135554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B9mU5a7hFiP7MQ2mvF_dgqkihDLjhd9Gb1SJpazBOXBnOgR7KCy9LP9Tfpq94rQv8UYOcaTRX5Zm1B3VJB3ePWgXHylhGj0UJoA7GEUxRuo2VYu1NvIhMqwEda3u5TX2YJeWqtLBy8JQ1XJlcxfqnq4NALfNx-3A0ejfeTxo6yFztGB3z5epEt74/w640-h480/20220627_135554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2k27ssbciNgU_x7M9WUH3MUHiiaCRqt81TsFndlE714rR4faBfQmbUeiiuj2YnS6aoKn2XSic0HMcfV5NdXQ-wln-e0vrripbIEqB2jNO1Q2wp1H7WMYHBCQbw4CcwAVk0Z5m2re3NGx9ujXavMiQG6OFcqFrztSAP5ARwj07dIIcL06Gp52iL-S/s4032/20220627_093958.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2k27ssbciNgU_x7M9WUH3MUHiiaCRqt81TsFndlE714rR4faBfQmbUeiiuj2YnS6aoKn2XSic0HMcfV5NdXQ-wln-e0vrripbIEqB2jNO1Q2wp1H7WMYHBCQbw4CcwAVk0Z5m2re3NGx9ujXavMiQG6OFcqFrztSAP5ARwj07dIIcL06Gp52iL-S/s320/20220627_093958.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Approximately one-third of the Cabot Trail is located in
Cape Breton Highlands National Park which offers plenty of adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure you take time to stop at the
breathtaking scenic overlooks, take a hike through the forest, stroll along a
relaxing beach, or play a round of golf at the Highlands Links, dubbed the
"Mountains and Ocean" course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our Fantasy Tour was one of the “Your Way” tour versions
that Fantasy offers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These tours differ
from more traditional ones in that you have less scheduled events and more time
on your own to explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fantasy still
plans the destinations, makes campground reservations, and gives you driving
directions and suggestions of activities, but you are largely on your own to
explore and visit the tourist sites that interest you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next
time you are considering a new place to visit, grab your passport and check out the Canadian Maritime Provinces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-85455516873615676032022-05-10T08:07:00.000-05:002022-05-10T08:07:45.794-05:00Dutch Baby Pancake<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Looking for a breakfast dish that tastes as good as it looks
and will wow your guests? Then look no
further than the Dutch baby – a decadent blend of a pancake, crepe, and
popover. The simple batter is poured
into a piping hot skillet with melted butter and puffs to golden brown. When removed from the oven, the Dutch baby
deflates, but don’t be sad because what you are left with is a dish with crispy
raised edges and a center with a rich eggy, custard-like texture and flavor. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfda8CczyKKlaspyr9q-kz2X4ixXRpRL2fY7IMXOp9zJXbcIhtHM00lX04kUavg1EFl3nptjjpNuoyt4J1Hbv32UtU-USwI3gsSFVSWhpoT6EOSv9iorw6xsYAvIvLPozrbGdM6cRbGoeyBzsf1amKekPSa7dTfOjgyvfrs9fnKoUs_OwYWCDar5Cg/s2048/20220503_094621%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfda8CczyKKlaspyr9q-kz2X4ixXRpRL2fY7IMXOp9zJXbcIhtHM00lX04kUavg1EFl3nptjjpNuoyt4J1Hbv32UtU-USwI3gsSFVSWhpoT6EOSv9iorw6xsYAvIvLPozrbGdM6cRbGoeyBzsf1amKekPSa7dTfOjgyvfrs9fnKoUs_OwYWCDar5Cg/w640-h480/20220503_094621%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A Dutch baby originated in Germany and goes by many names -
German pancake (or pfannkuchen), Bismarck, Dutch puff, or Hootenanny, but no
matter what you call it, this puffy dish makes a delicious breakfast or brunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what’s with the strange name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out the name “Dutch Baby” originated
in a family-run restaurant in Seattle called Manca’s Cafe, owned by a gentleman
named Victor Manca from about 1900 to the 1950s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>History has it that Mancas daughter could not pronounce
‘Deutsch,’ the German word for German; and out of her mouth came Dutch and the
name stuck. "Baby" refers to the fact that the restaurant served miniature versions of the pancake. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A Dutch baby differs from pancakes in that they are cooked
in the oven rather than fried in a skillet and there is no leavening agent as used
in pancake batter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pancakes are also
thicker and fluffier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people think
a Dutch baby resembles Yorkshire pudding as they both puff up in the oven and
then deflate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only difference is
that a Dutch baby is cooked in one pan rather than portioned into individual
servings like Yorkshire pudding or popovers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While a Dutch baby is almost always served as
a sweet breakfast dish (traditionally topped with powdered sugar, fresh
squeezed lemon, and lots of butter,) they may be savory with a mixture of herbs,
meats, and cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, try serving the Dutch
baby for dessert with bananas sautéed to golden brown in butter and rum topped
with ice cream!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The simple recipe leaves
lots of room for creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ingredients: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3 large eggs, at room temperature<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">¾ cup all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">¾ cup whole milk, at room
temperature<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon sugar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1 pinch of salt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4 tablespoons unsalted butter<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lemon, butter, syrup, preserves,
confectioners' sugar or other toppings as desired</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Directions:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Preheat oven to 425 degrees.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Add eggs, flour, milk, sugar,
vanilla, and salt to a blender and combine for approximately 45 seconds until very smooth. Batter may also be mixed by hand.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Place butter in a heavy 10-inch
skillet and place in the oven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon
as the butter has melted (about two minutes) add the batter to the skillet and
return it to the oven and bake for 20 - 25 minutes, until the pancake is puffed
and golden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not open the oven during
the cooking process!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When golden brown,
remove from the oven and serve immediately with desired toppings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-22449872792845445432022-03-10T08:23:00.000-06:002022-03-10T08:23:56.698-06:00Into the Maine North Woods<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We’ve been full-time RVers since 2011 and have spent eight of those summers traveling around Maine, a state we absolutely love. But, we are still amazed at how many places in the state that we have not been too yet, including the remote northern inland portions of the state. When our friends, Pat and Debbie, suggested that we go explore the North Maine Woods (NMW) and stay in one of the legendary sporting camps for the true Maine experience, we were all in. The NMW is legendary for its abundant wildlife, rustic qualities, and remoteness which has beckoned anglers, hunters, explorers, trappers, and adventurers into this unspoiled wilderness for many years. And by “rustic” we mean there are no paved roads or towns in the NMW. You won’t see a convenient mart for miles and miles, just amazing views. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcQDaCaaEq5siQonGTS8qfuqyGkmK0DoPRs7ZMIld_1JixiqiFD27J38AgeLCsJ09tD8pdSKsvJcQ_H9R3OFjApzPlzVFSJIG-xiISVfWk34WPflyJTZJboNyPKvvf_wPnzELzimAwKhIEJWoX42hM278_BgSc12c68TAZuiuE3UnaC2R3mqP0j3zR=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcQDaCaaEq5siQonGTS8qfuqyGkmK0DoPRs7ZMIld_1JixiqiFD27J38AgeLCsJ09tD8pdSKsvJcQ_H9R3OFjApzPlzVFSJIG-xiISVfWk34WPflyJTZJboNyPKvvf_wPnzELzimAwKhIEJWoX42hM278_BgSc12c68TAZuiuE3UnaC2R3mqP0j3zR=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIUPClHR4hZVTBaMeErWuVD2HRBqT6WPHJ6Q2KWFxCmCR6E-0X39HZ4TDTGBVqZPiSssi9OxCs_ugj0kKBwhrI2zUFHDryDs-baTtlwjzFLRLEBz_gFNp71Wr2ulQ2NpcJNv2K886VVAZdnMxnL0DjbtDPd2S9oPTFqrMX54XwZlP1UwAb58UHdeSU=s495" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="495" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIUPClHR4hZVTBaMeErWuVD2HRBqT6WPHJ6Q2KWFxCmCR6E-0X39HZ4TDTGBVqZPiSssi9OxCs_ugj0kKBwhrI2zUFHDryDs-baTtlwjzFLRLEBz_gFNp71Wr2ulQ2NpcJNv2K886VVAZdnMxnL0DjbtDPd2S9oPTFqrMX54XwZlP1UwAb58UHdeSU=w400-h316" width="400" /></span></a></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But before we could go to the sporting camp, we had to find a place to park our motorhomes for a bit because there is no way our 45’ beasts would fit in the few remote campsites that exist nor did we want to drive for 30 miles on washboard logging roads. So, we decided to stay at Shin Pond Campground a couple of hours south but where we could also explore the northern portion of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and have a safe place to leave our RVs while on our sporting camp adventure. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is a magnificent span of scenic mountains, ponds and lakes, and forestlands covering over 80,000 acres managed by the National Park Service. The monument came into fruition thanks to Roxanne Quimby (co-founder of Burt's Bees) and her foundation (Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.). Starting in 2001, Quimby quietly began purchasing land in northern Maine near Baxter State Park with the dream of creating a national park. Quimby remained silent until 2011 when she formally announced their intentions to donate land for a national park. And while Quimby’s intentions and actions seem favorable, there was a large contention of state, federal, and private individuals who were opposed to the project. There was concern about federal intrusion into the lands of Northern Maine and that “traditional use” rights would be stripped from Maine citizens. One of the most vocal opponents of the park was Paul LePage (who served as the state's Governor) and who called the monument “unilateral action against the will of the people, this time the citizens of rural Maine.” <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ3vfcSmVL5-8bhCtmGZwC9fFxqf5HBfQ17Wfzlwr6xYj-grW7Na-oL4lCjbvXy_COi3YtoB1jGgSZtXk9S-WENXt-krPdbg1x-YHyxvGXtiNsAyQv8zS9ibVwYAi66s_54I8AKKtb_F_CmpZnZH9CCZW46MkprIjwigKcX-Ss_TXNacaqDpVW_zKV=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ3vfcSmVL5-8bhCtmGZwC9fFxqf5HBfQ17Wfzlwr6xYj-grW7Na-oL4lCjbvXy_COi3YtoB1jGgSZtXk9S-WENXt-krPdbg1x-YHyxvGXtiNsAyQv8zS9ibVwYAi66s_54I8AKKtb_F_CmpZnZH9CCZW46MkprIjwigKcX-Ss_TXNacaqDpVW_zKV=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Many environmental and conservation groups viewed the establishment of a national park as a victory for wildlife and land preservation in Maine. But the loud opposition created skepticism and doubt that there would be enough political support in the U.S. Congress to pass a bill in favor of establishing a national park. Undeterred, conservationists shifted their focus to creating a national monument which is achieved by a simple Presidential Executive Order (under the Antiquities Act) and the land would be managed by the National Park Service. And so, on the eve of the National Park Service centennial in 2016, President Barack Obama proclaimed 87,563 acres of land as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The day before, Elliotsville Plantation and the Quimby Family Foundation donated the land they had acquired (valued at $60 million) plus $20 million to fund initial operations and a commitment of $20 million in future support, to the federal government. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3X8iLWo03aGTktoqz8ZSqI0YtcddsPHwqWchakyQjsfz6Hq8rkRcv1q1_QBoqDoQdTaRVYmVCs1F_STSo-rnOCa2CkfE5SVwgQZNaX-n6A0fxlKA0atPsrLyVqA3pN2r7pxdnPzHANrwLnf7aTxD7KzQ1DGmDOCUoxCtIsydTKEt3ht3VSDyS6a1E=s2992" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3X8iLWo03aGTktoqz8ZSqI0YtcddsPHwqWchakyQjsfz6Hq8rkRcv1q1_QBoqDoQdTaRVYmVCs1F_STSo-rnOCa2CkfE5SVwgQZNaX-n6A0fxlKA0atPsrLyVqA3pN2r7pxdnPzHANrwLnf7aTxD7KzQ1DGmDOCUoxCtIsydTKEt3ht3VSDyS6a1E=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfhQyOtDuNQKwIjrnZ7Pgrx6BOtHHYRokNVGHbMoTBwtOewX2nv3XSTo8zNB-vWdW5OwRmDMUxw3is16DLfVa6kvb5picOe9rZjX7F6Xknm6lf0-dT3yYBBYgaLbGb8eGcnkq5YKFyu7mM7MLqu-OzBCs2WwGXf6LS1j6IA1u-Ia9XLgAaiYhuGQEe=s2992" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfhQyOtDuNQKwIjrnZ7Pgrx6BOtHHYRokNVGHbMoTBwtOewX2nv3XSTo8zNB-vWdW5OwRmDMUxw3is16DLfVa6kvb5picOe9rZjX7F6Xknm6lf0-dT3yYBBYgaLbGb8eGcnkq5YKFyu7mM7MLqu-OzBCs2WwGXf6LS1j6IA1u-Ia9XLgAaiYhuGQEe=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Katahdin is still in its infancy with very little infrastructure, staff, and visitation but definitely worth a visit. Because Katahdin is so large it is hard to explore from one location. You will find the more “developed” area and the Park Loop Road is in the southern portion of the park near the town of Millinocket. Shin Pond is located about 30 miles north of Millinocket and was a great location so that we could explore the northern part of the park which we had not been to before. We found beautiful trails through the woods, many of which led us to the East Branch of the Penobscot River, a prized fishing area and a gorgeous backdrop of towering trees starting to show their fall colors. One of our favorite views was of Step Falls a gentle cascade of short waterfalls that was as soothing as it was beautiful. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy5JHsLlLGKA3QZY49JX00Zwy3anSTn15L38XnU0K9WfbAukNMPvbBLuzfN8aergIwY7JAriDGJkK3wfRCigmwgENX_uypySRWM6RtxBn0iDQwOd8przn129t1MQOrMFa-JgDWdfDYEPR5W1f3_SDSGSjaQ3qNXFvkDl15KfNCNZ8s0lN0Y0ym08bi=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy5JHsLlLGKA3QZY49JX00Zwy3anSTn15L38XnU0K9WfbAukNMPvbBLuzfN8aergIwY7JAriDGJkK3wfRCigmwgENX_uypySRWM6RtxBn0iDQwOd8przn129t1MQOrMFa-JgDWdfDYEPR5W1f3_SDSGSjaQ3qNXFvkDl15KfNCNZ8s0lN0Y0ym08bi=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The closest “town” to Shin Pond Campground is the little town of Patten which has a grocery, gift shop, restaurant or two, gas station, and is home to the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum. The museum turns the clock back some 175 years and takes you down a road of logging history when horses, hand saws, and river drives were how millions of board feet of Maine’s timber were harvested. Maine is known as “The Pine Tree State” and that rich commodity was in high demand when our new country was developing and the demand for wood soared. The museum is a complex of buildings displaying tools and equipment interspersed with dioramas, videos, and interesting exhibits that tell the story of Maine’s rich logging history through the 19th and 20th centuries. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZV0JctrdNJLRtNMIsyujEn8GezqHWH6TUvjc42GAtksaCftKFUHJhZOBz2u2a4JvpmEjxjWUetHrDSfNiRoCA2Mt-7VvfzFAt_p0fTQq3R_ycFLwsxqmg0Mha6HAffU4HRF4096qCtha2obiBEFJoJUrZ25qHNHXpwkRb2BhuFVJ24hAFCahUBsdr=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZV0JctrdNJLRtNMIsyujEn8GezqHWH6TUvjc42GAtksaCftKFUHJhZOBz2u2a4JvpmEjxjWUetHrDSfNiRoCA2Mt-7VvfzFAt_p0fTQq3R_ycFLwsxqmg0Mha6HAffU4HRF4096qCtha2obiBEFJoJUrZ25qHNHXpwkRb2BhuFVJ24hAFCahUBsdr=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZV0JctrdNJLRtNMIsyujEn8GezqHWH6TUvjc42GAtksaCftKFUHJhZOBz2u2a4JvpmEjxjWUetHrDSfNiRoCA2Mt-7VvfzFAt_p0fTQq3R_ycFLwsxqmg0Mha6HAffU4HRF4096qCtha2obiBEFJoJUrZ25qHNHXpwkRb2BhuFVJ24hAFCahUBsdr=s320" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCy_0FwABMEEC2K33LaG4eh0n0Bhqcv8aiqHGd29bmvxJUx1wq-xPLRA3EHIwE8euDEXurPyMFAC_Szg84-hpX4TEjCvUzrzrxb5Zbqn3U1Jh8XyO1OdWJ9NjAsy7mIY9EIr_FaZ1yd2jqfsitckd3DbhEv1zk_XAta2swDlHTQ9PttKSXVrhKUHmM=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCy_0FwABMEEC2K33LaG4eh0n0Bhqcv8aiqHGd29bmvxJUx1wq-xPLRA3EHIwE8euDEXurPyMFAC_Szg84-hpX4TEjCvUzrzrxb5Zbqn3U1Jh8XyO1OdWJ9NjAsy7mIY9EIr_FaZ1yd2jqfsitckd3DbhEv1zk_XAta2swDlHTQ9PttKSXVrhKUHmM=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-2wIqKTSp3FhJJ5_M4_ZguBjhVtuZmI5ryI5fgSYVFijUFwbrNVrnzwbW6veqlMp3aoOMiualQlAGfsWSm-h7D32bs2fF9mFRQjix2dtTSpWTfOT3epOQT500J0_XgNj0Mrcsy3adrtbu4rYI0YdK7voczcdfpiZdcAEJl1kONoHhJVXwEZHv1tCx=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-2wIqKTSp3FhJJ5_M4_ZguBjhVtuZmI5ryI5fgSYVFijUFwbrNVrnzwbW6veqlMp3aoOMiualQlAGfsWSm-h7D32bs2fF9mFRQjix2dtTSpWTfOT3epOQT500J0_XgNj0Mrcsy3adrtbu4rYI0YdK7voczcdfpiZdcAEJl1kONoHhJVXwEZHv1tCx=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After a few days at Shin Pond, it was time to head into the NMW. The NMW engulfs 3.5 million acres of public and private lands. Many of the private lands are owned by timber companies who allow visitors to engage in “traditional uses” such as hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, etc. In the middle of the NMW is Debouille Public Reserved Land, a 29,000-acre expanse of state-owned lands ripe for outdoor enthusiasts to play in. Debbie visited Debouille a few years back on a hiking adventure and was certain we would find the area just as beautiful and ripe for exploring as she did. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj37K8k2IEWcw0DshPIzmRf3CiHVzNOZSvZs6wkFyXLyr_sJgiuFgMhQ4fkGCBEzXiJW4tsOdTnCX3wVvPgey4YoBoi4NLy-i7VBRghRegFDi9Efd8vLxX5wyklvl_0KuSPAPfxq__bmYqnTCTcT6fRW7VgGQGz-ondqAgw_RGPgpLONwZN_NX1LOh7=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj37K8k2IEWcw0DshPIzmRf3CiHVzNOZSvZs6wkFyXLyr_sJgiuFgMhQ4fkGCBEzXiJW4tsOdTnCX3wVvPgey4YoBoi4NLy-i7VBRghRegFDi9Efd8vLxX5wyklvl_0KuSPAPfxq__bmYqnTCTcT6fRW7VgGQGz-ondqAgw_RGPgpLONwZN_NX1LOh7=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We stayed at the historic Red River Camps (RRC) which dates back to 1886 when two wealthy men from Massachusetts followed their love of the outdoors to northern Maine. They discovered Island Pond and decided the island in the middle was a perfect place to build a cabin in this remote paradise. The men began spending more time at their “camp” and soon additional buildings followed on the mainland like a school, barbershop, wood shop, a lodge to gather in, horse barns, and sleeping cabins. In the 1920’s, ownership changed and the property was purchased for use as a sporting camp welcoming visitors. Over the years, RRC changed hands many times and today is owned by Jen Brophy (who literally grew up at RRC and purchased the business from her family a number of years back). By the way, that original cabin is still there and available for overnight accommodations. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx6Qs6Ix5KhDIk5777F5quC9PU_n8b65N6FlDLHTFlXAdov8fqK5na19ZHNKYUPHvqM-zoTMTFmps5JLGW0x1mN2agzYb0kqtBSBgxnYvDJqybqhMQu1P7oZQNxIHnASEObm3ORromqTbwHs9-yUd-iy3b52CPr2zvFXzBC28_GELY9e1WCx5Y8D0t=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx6Qs6Ix5KhDIk5777F5quC9PU_n8b65N6FlDLHTFlXAdov8fqK5na19ZHNKYUPHvqM-zoTMTFmps5JLGW0x1mN2agzYb0kqtBSBgxnYvDJqybqhMQu1P7oZQNxIHnASEObm3ORromqTbwHs9-yUd-iy3b52CPr2zvFXzBC28_GELY9e1WCx5Y8D0t=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHAzjN-tNZaoOYRZ_Xt-NkJ2kuSXizMJn0SQvsUdSrIEHb-aDqXM8nheWxavLgVI9VPYyNEefRUIaIKfgV06vLqVZOGK3I5bfIATb_gyvj3XJ0bT22qioo_8XIODQZtdGDYQ_f8UQ9BN8NBKfaNx1pHLOnJuhzHH6UY9sJbvhEFYLoghOMflUqK9ST=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHAzjN-tNZaoOYRZ_Xt-NkJ2kuSXizMJn0SQvsUdSrIEHb-aDqXM8nheWxavLgVI9VPYyNEefRUIaIKfgV06vLqVZOGK3I5bfIATb_gyvj3XJ0bT22qioo_8XIODQZtdGDYQ_f8UQ9BN8NBKfaNx1pHLOnJuhzHH6UY9sJbvhEFYLoghOMflUqK9ST=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFgWinZg-ZdZd3bVH9lixRSbm2uVBfKkIXBZpO7Z6ZYfG7czbdFYWo4cqdnSF3wfZmg2oWRsAD1HxW3kScHoKyJ4DPgwggkA-GCALiSJ4OCdRF2OSQ4MfJkSrGqwWH2bPHKi5qzqDvZ3iHPzesujLbCc7vQKE_MjYQeVrTgfpwmaddTQM3YGeZm74r=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFgWinZg-ZdZd3bVH9lixRSbm2uVBfKkIXBZpO7Z6ZYfG7czbdFYWo4cqdnSF3wfZmg2oWRsAD1HxW3kScHoKyJ4DPgwggkA-GCALiSJ4OCdRF2OSQ4MfJkSrGqwWH2bPHKi5qzqDvZ3iHPzesujLbCc7vQKE_MjYQeVrTgfpwmaddTQM3YGeZm74r=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We absolutely loved our waterfront cabin with its beautiful views, rustic charm, modern conveniences, and wilderness serenity. Our days were spent fishing, hiking, canoeing, relaxing in Adirondack chairs or on our porch swing, and eating some delicious home cooked meals. The morning breakfast bell rang at seven and we were treated to hot coffee, a range of breakfast dishes like omelets, pancakes, French toast, and warm freshly baked pasties. After breakfast, we were given a packed lunch with a sandwich, fruit, and snacks and left to go exploring. After a long day of outdoor activities, we adjourned in the evening outside the lodge with our friends and other guests and swapped stories. Dinner was always a treat served family-style and plenty of it. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFGYHkSQ5_NTJA6oyidGfGw6K5LO6qMCWy-FV5CS2u2LVynKi8GruO74jJQsV3ps0linck4-H5TNbBHWyREdhzvEj15ehn6H-qy_lXDHGb2AETKxDLfQ1tgerlOlvp1gRKY1biJsM5Dx2aWcUqQTQ4jqOCmmZB2ChiksUaxuV8_klnyopYg1iyeUOG=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFGYHkSQ5_NTJA6oyidGfGw6K5LO6qMCWy-FV5CS2u2LVynKi8GruO74jJQsV3ps0linck4-H5TNbBHWyREdhzvEj15ehn6H-qy_lXDHGb2AETKxDLfQ1tgerlOlvp1gRKY1biJsM5Dx2aWcUqQTQ4jqOCmmZB2ChiksUaxuV8_klnyopYg1iyeUOG=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There are 17 ponds in Debouille which can easily be explored by the many canoes that RRC has stashed along the banks. While fishing is a main draw for many, the hiking was what also lured us to Debouille and one of the “must do” hikes is up to the fire tower. Fire towers in Maine are legendary in the Pine Tree state and served a necessary function protecting forests from devastation wildfires. Some 53 of the original 144 fire towers still dot the Maine landscape and 15 are open to the public and are a fun addition to any hike. While Betsy and Pat went fishing, Debbie and I set out on a beautiful sunny day for the seven-mile round trip hike that took us across a large rock slide, along vast ponds, through the dense forests, over steep terrain, and up to the fire tower. The 48-foot fire tower provides amazing 360-degree views, if you are brave enough to climb the ladder. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8O19gjRxpqr_elahJflVuCHpmZVdj1M08YlJLnQo1jlNL--LGSbXnbdMby0etjcpsNu6EWp4HQkQFR6EnNgql5n75PfD_0RfATL-CSVIsQPS4jDlHGrX7J1rM6qWL_1502D5pRW0t_2faYWcbQ0HXZO9P3IjbCUmojg-O4NWGJDS4jji3sO10raMm=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8O19gjRxpqr_elahJflVuCHpmZVdj1M08YlJLnQo1jlNL--LGSbXnbdMby0etjcpsNu6EWp4HQkQFR6EnNgql5n75PfD_0RfATL-CSVIsQPS4jDlHGrX7J1rM6qWL_1502D5pRW0t_2faYWcbQ0HXZO9P3IjbCUmojg-O4NWGJDS4jji3sO10raMm=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our time exploring the NMW was so much fun and great to share with good friends. In all the years we have been traveling to Maine this was the first time we had been to that area and highly recommend it. There is just something about Maine that lures us back every sum</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">mer!</span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAvYl57KNibO7ZSppLaAAQq-YKFvBOIKhHXWTSA_qU2lud99OHcNWcUpv_-As1cSSTeQL-a9ejATfkvJ68pCVNnsWoD0ne4YKzlGlVYKuM9sxbmhApZfO4dvqnZJf8nZ55nLEm4P4_zXd0UkMn2gXjHO1k5DeO8brkFJ_h2SEwf6f_ppicZwSaL8r5=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAvYl57KNibO7ZSppLaAAQq-YKFvBOIKhHXWTSA_qU2lud99OHcNWcUpv_-As1cSSTeQL-a9ejATfkvJ68pCVNnsWoD0ne4YKzlGlVYKuM9sxbmhApZfO4dvqnZJf8nZ55nLEm4P4_zXd0UkMn2gXjHO1k5DeO8brkFJ_h2SEwf6f_ppicZwSaL8r5=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig3PGaYeJOToXOl8Vd4meQajjked9JqygR_pPijZWhkY0LNEy5TDg97jOHfBiGJ4Ld1RYRysvetueKlw1N2Pqf54wh4CW245jeGSFufX6O5OrEhK22xqyC5iE0FDtZYHHKtA6uUcM9fgVGdGAYngLdszLTXVb21bdmn6ReaNedfE6MbxOsyMSh6d3l=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig3PGaYeJOToXOl8Vd4meQajjked9JqygR_pPijZWhkY0LNEy5TDg97jOHfBiGJ4Ld1RYRysvetueKlw1N2Pqf54wh4CW245jeGSFufX6O5OrEhK22xqyC5iE0FDtZYHHKtA6uUcM9fgVGdGAYngLdszLTXVb21bdmn6ReaNedfE6MbxOsyMSh6d3l=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-42321650724990626172022-02-09T10:56:00.001-06:002022-02-09T10:59:23.586-06:00Flight 93 Memorial and Pennsylvania Attractions<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Last fall our travels took us through Pennsylvania on our
way from Maine to Michigan. We decided
to stop at a beautiful state park campground near Bedford which is a quaint
little Pennsylvania town sheltered between green forests, rolling pastures, and
the Allegheny Mountains. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The main reason for stopping in this area was to visit the
<a href="https://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm" target="_blank">Flight 93 National Memorial</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Flight 93
National Memorial is a 2,200-acre National Park that commemorates the heroic
actions of the 40 passengers and crew who prevented a terrorist attack on our
nation’s capital in 2001. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBidg835gpKCSzRpwfOTu8qvxS44nQ5EB4nhkSy2WRp5Rhqr56KNPT2Xm5RcPLM_h0IrReBLtZdciNkLWAiLOi1qZXlKu6fn0BZzF1XTzLAOJoke1rOPmgdBxOwA-A317IDHH106Tk47QEg82v6Dlzy3wm4gDM5GrUClvnAmwCYx-Q5hFhmNs4UGRu=s2992" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBidg835gpKCSzRpwfOTu8qvxS44nQ5EB4nhkSy2WRp5Rhqr56KNPT2Xm5RcPLM_h0IrReBLtZdciNkLWAiLOi1qZXlKu6fn0BZzF1XTzLAOJoke1rOPmgdBxOwA-A317IDHH106Tk47QEg82v6Dlzy3wm4gDM5GrUClvnAmwCYx-Q5hFhmNs4UGRu=w640-h428" width="640" /></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">On September 11th United Airlines Flight 93 departed Newark,
New Jersey at 8:42 a.m. enroute to San Francisco, California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plane was full of fuel and low on
passengers – conditions that were ideal for the terrorists that would hijack
the plane. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 9:28 a.m. hijackers
stormed the cockpit and the captain (or first officer declares) “Mayday” amid
the sounds of a physical struggle in the cockpit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 9:35, a flight attendant called United
Airlines officials using an Airfone and informed them the plane was
hijacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The passengers and crew were
aware that other hijacked planes had crashed into the Twin Towers and feared
their fate was similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They called
loved ones and said their goodbyes in person or left painful recorded messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After short deliberation, the crew and
passengers agreed to overtake the terrorists as their only hope for survival
and to prevent other deaths. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 9:55 am,
the Airfone operator overhears someone say, “Are you guys ready? Okay! Let’s
roll!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hijackers pitch the nose up
and down and rock side to side and move the plane violently to try and disrupt
the assault from the banded Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
harrowing attempt to thwart the hijacking failed and at 10:03 a.m. the plane
crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside inverted and at 563 mph. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5pePVCUcUbk2NXvPuG0yt3mB56GmJeFrpGDx8i9iBvghIPQOi9S9e4QJchBMC9O7s_zbP7SGe5oNt5XSk5q7kvLVWHelepn-M85Isy5Ug-I-Zu1_0mixKhMYXnl7er-mgbSk5GvNdHK3DQ8x7Oekl0L6EaA6hssRQoaXI2b6cWef9ALKGy8DLyw6h=s3901" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="3901" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5pePVCUcUbk2NXvPuG0yt3mB56GmJeFrpGDx8i9iBvghIPQOi9S9e4QJchBMC9O7s_zbP7SGe5oNt5XSk5q7kvLVWHelepn-M85Isy5Ug-I-Zu1_0mixKhMYXnl7er-mgbSk5GvNdHK3DQ8x7Oekl0L6EaA6hssRQoaXI2b6cWef9ALKGy8DLyw6h=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Flight 93 National Memorial is an amazing tribute with utmost
symbolism, dignity, and respect for the passengers and crew who lost their
lives that day in Pennsylvania.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">A long
gray sidewalk which is aligned with the flight path guides you from the parking
lot, past the visitor center to a viewpoint.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;">There your eyes gaze out over barren land (which was a former reclaimed
strip mine) and out to the Memorial Plaza and Sacred Ground where the plane
crashed.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The visitor center houses a
timeline of events that unfolded on 9/11 through videos, interactive displays,
mementos, audio recordings, artifacts, and informational graphics.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Among the most powerful are a series of heart wrenching recordings left by passengers and crew on answering machines for loved ones
that are relayed through audio wands.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOpAFkV6t_TaewFLOot4akNh4mVuhyJRupRKmIQOoqQPpYZF6-kZ6HJ0Pqum-B1A5gphnsFOEuYKZ6sZyhgVB8zKbqGNkZnF84SFIoyaAy0GJ3vdZqS4SDJUlvnWqAtxbtbl4bUkpO6klaRmNAkkO6VABhP7CX-qDLq-LopOFtpvQFfvSLpGuNoe0r=s3557" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1918" data-original-width="3557" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOpAFkV6t_TaewFLOot4akNh4mVuhyJRupRKmIQOoqQPpYZF6-kZ6HJ0Pqum-B1A5gphnsFOEuYKZ6sZyhgVB8zKbqGNkZnF84SFIoyaAy0GJ3vdZqS4SDJUlvnWqAtxbtbl4bUkpO6klaRmNAkkO6VABhP7CX-qDLq-LopOFtpvQFfvSLpGuNoe0r=w640-h346" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Memorial Plaza borders the northern-boundary to the
crash site and as you walk down the plaza your eyes lock onto a striking wall
of white polished marble stones which is the Wall of Names.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Each of the simple forty stones stands erect
and bears the names of the Americans that perished. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9nZqVdjPWRW9TW3NF62LGvZyp3HaKKNxx8HWc1j1prK3wXkuUGRMJazYdpfN2Hy7SGTY6g0KtUqnXrawMzp7lTfav8iUdkALK94sPcFFq3JzKvPDVffCqJTHi-R89PiMUEMow-8YIapuRud-HH2JNG2QyjQFTv0W9Qls_Logmvmv7KmrEIfDZqwUq=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9nZqVdjPWRW9TW3NF62LGvZyp3HaKKNxx8HWc1j1prK3wXkuUGRMJazYdpfN2Hy7SGTY6g0KtUqnXrawMzp7lTfav8iUdkALK94sPcFFq3JzKvPDVffCqJTHi-R89PiMUEMow-8YIapuRud-HH2JNG2QyjQFTv0W9Qls_Logmvmv7KmrEIfDZqwUq=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you follow the alignment of the walkway at the visitor center and the Wall of Names out to the wooded hemlock you will see a large sandstone boulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">During the 2001 crime scene investigation, the FBI
methodically excavated the impact site over the course of thirteen days. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">At the direction of the local coroner, the
crater was later backfilled and contains remains of the crash site.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The boulder signifies the impact site. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Today the impact site and hemlock grove are
closed to the public out of respect for the families who are allowed access to visit
this final resting place.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsd3C10GueKqgzpS6Lyr8F7-lwBCXxkHDPrxhMwtbYil6ZRpBW9zYeX-nmmoDIFRz3IpBMGF3IBJiR9fGUg_UADrlHMrPzTxJRTIGzkSidaS8OSJDfMTbIYxW5GswSeHx3lhXw-HnKuZCu67eseSpFCmqZuJJ4j-ofEXljnxaEh1dHq-63vMZ3yD-0=s2356" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="2356" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsd3C10GueKqgzpS6Lyr8F7-lwBCXxkHDPrxhMwtbYil6ZRpBW9zYeX-nmmoDIFRz3IpBMGF3IBJiR9fGUg_UADrlHMrPzTxJRTIGzkSidaS8OSJDfMTbIYxW5GswSeHx3lhXw-HnKuZCu67eseSpFCmqZuJJ4j-ofEXljnxaEh1dHq-63vMZ3yD-0=w640-h500" width="640" /></span></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCQ9UPJZNB5l-eL86t3kVRsqsQeATWUvqN2A91C_Nl69zWyS3hzyN2tzuP7MXBHbEthInGbbY9qkqrvi_w9BS9Bw7QnuWPwdKH3MUO2BuFL2sCrc8gT9nAmzsrJVYNOaq73I-1WnwZNSCo71ZEKgxgoAp84wn_wpAGEPWjDn_tWC5qDc3awTU-brPU=s2077" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2077" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCQ9UPJZNB5l-eL86t3kVRsqsQeATWUvqN2A91C_Nl69zWyS3hzyN2tzuP7MXBHbEthInGbbY9qkqrvi_w9BS9Bw7QnuWPwdKH3MUO2BuFL2sCrc8gT9nAmzsrJVYNOaq73I-1WnwZNSCo71ZEKgxgoAp84wn_wpAGEPWjDn_tWC5qDc3awTU-brPU=s320" width="300" /></span></a></div><p></p></div></blockquote><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">A dynamic feature of the Flight 93 Memorial is the Tower of
Voices which serves as both a visual and audible reminder of the heroism of the
forty passengers and crew of Flight 93.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tower is a ninety-three-foot-tall musical instrument holding forty wind chimes
(representing the forty passengers and crew members) and uses the wind to
produce a distinct musical associated with each chime representing forty people
who were individuals yet banded together as one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Memorial really touched our hearts.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">About thirty minutes away from the Flight 93 Memorial is
<a href="https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/ShawneeStatePark/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Shawnee State Park</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park has a nice,
large campground which was a perfect location for all the attractions we wanted
to see and had nice hiking trails. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
park dates back to 1951 and is a very popular destination attracting visitors
with its scenic 451-acre lake that is prime for fishing, boating, and
swimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are over twenty miles of
hiking trails (including a pleasant 3.4-mile trail which circumvents the lake),
a large campground, ball fields, a concession stand, watercraft rentals, disk
golf and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We settled into a
spacious full hook-up pull thru site #307 in Loop B of the campground. (If you plan on staying at the campground and have a pet, make sure you reserve a site in a section that allows pets because some sections do not allow pets)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The campground was full over the weekend, but
most campers left on Sunday and we were all alone, which was great!<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNopZaWsDgzv9V01RR4Ibc0m9jj0KX7EjZWGEWcmuf764oaq5kg1XLHZjjgoE0uk87DKexT--ZuaLWheqc0MSqHaWfpleCPzu3GkahXv07fM5PXMkeIiUNXpcni6rgq2QPsOH2tZIQ8PHC8ORRR2u55qoHljjc3Xm1r0Jr66wijh0q5P3oXjK5ncBb=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNopZaWsDgzv9V01RR4Ibc0m9jj0KX7EjZWGEWcmuf764oaq5kg1XLHZjjgoE0uk87DKexT--ZuaLWheqc0MSqHaWfpleCPzu3GkahXv07fM5PXMkeIiUNXpcni6rgq2QPsOH2tZIQ8PHC8ORRR2u55qoHljjc3Xm1r0Jr66wijh0q5P3oXjK5ncBb=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>The town of Bedford is about a ten minutes’ drive from the
campground and definitely worth a visit.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span>Downtown Bedford is a charming town with a lovingly restored historic
building housing quaint shops, galleries and restaurants interspersed with
grassy parks. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span>In yesteryears, visitors
flocked to Bedford to soak in the medicinal springs which were believed to have
healing powers.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span>Many stayed at the world-famous
Bedford Springs Resort, whose luxurious facilities have attracted 10 presidents.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span>Today, visitors still come to Bedford for the
springs, a few interesting museums, annual festivals, antique shops, and its' Pennsylvania
country charm. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRSeF1F3xyRzb1PnAwNm3aTo9bAP26XjcJNfMWJ1gUEIyCqzW79oglzKbjufmmWj0CRrPhV2lnySCcUh00zZMO0OFNsNIFLTqh_UQ8CtoRGMenejCNyUatZD-Zajo_9C7fy_Rb5XcPebQ9KYq5UatKrKzdt26B5LMzSqd17DkLpF8uox64edrMmnjg=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRSeF1F3xyRzb1PnAwNm3aTo9bAP26XjcJNfMWJ1gUEIyCqzW79oglzKbjufmmWj0CRrPhV2lnySCcUh00zZMO0OFNsNIFLTqh_UQ8CtoRGMenejCNyUatZD-Zajo_9C7fy_Rb5XcPebQ9KYq5UatKrKzdt26B5LMzSqd17DkLpF8uox64edrMmnjg=s320" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: medium;">On our way downtown we stopped at the <a href="https://www.myhornoplenty.com/" target="_blank">Horn of Plenty</a>
restaurant to sample some Pennsylvania farm to table fare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The restaurant is housed in a charming 1730’s
log and stone cabin with a wood fired oven that turns out delicious
dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The restaurant even has their
own “farm shop” and sells canned, dried, fermented, and baked goods and small
batch specialty gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The menu is full
of mouthwatering dishes, and we finally settled on splitting a roasted pork
shoulder sandwich on homemade bread and their “Award Winning” creamy mushroom
soup accompanied by fresh sourdough bread and soft butter that was delightful.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bedford is located along The Lincoln Highway (also known as
Route 30) that is one of the earliest transcontinental highway routes for
automobiles across the United States of America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Formally dedicated in 1913, the Lincoln
Highway runs coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City west to Lincoln
Park in San Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along The Lincoln
Highway were numerous kitschy roadside attractions designed to attract weary
travelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One such example is <a href="https://uncoveringpa.com/bedford-coffee-pot" target="_blank">Koontz’s Coffee</a> pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one-of-a-kind
18-foot-high coffee pot-shaped building was built in 1927 by David Koontz who
was trying to attract travelers to his gas station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building was originally a diner, then it
became a bar attached to a hotel, and later it served as a bus stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ironically, it was never a coffee shop.</span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxyXdjG_THfV-fKlvcsI-Jp5A4tF6WkVXfEwMgq4Hyc_5TdiR_VyH0J46CRDo26bAcAovguIvFl_NY7GYoC_ks9peIhYPQ5wcCXw9pqnU-axSVfnXCCshfb0ye_uJPMUCXIgML3mACv5lRNVuEZUOP-r_5Uyi1ja3w5n-wJ0YCtX_W_9bqujEkq84a=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over time, the lure of a stopping at an oversized metal
coffee pot for gas was replaced by sprawling convenient
marts with plenty of pumps, 32-ounce sodas, and fast-food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the people of Bedford were not ready to
let go of the symbolic coffee pot and wanted to give it one more jolt of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Local preservationists paid $1 to purchase it
and spent $80k to move the building across the street to the fairgrounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was restored in 2004 and stands as a
reminder to the day when automotive travel was a relaxing and fun way to
explore the country.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/dunkles-gulf-service" target="_blank">Dunkle’s Gulf Station</a> along the Lincoln Highway in downtown
Bedford is another throwback to the early days of American automobile
transportation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dunkle’s was designed to
be Gulf’s showpiece service station between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and is
remarkably similar in appearance today as it was when it opened nearly 90 years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shiny polychrome tile that
adorns the building is a common feature in art deco-styled buildings from the
1930s and one of the few remaining of such structures in the United
States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dunkle’s has stood the test of
time and still functions today as a gas station and automotive repair shop, and, an architectural statement.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtnFDvtBDGNE8TCM2QgeNOU_EwWDQ99AWtA6N6g5yyPo0pESClCRX7tgrNU_m6SQ_eQMWgznFE7HCzBWt6jhvzFnTN3Z-0yzbIp6jyd6q73JftUCxpP-DPnqH9Ei0Tx5X0PoWASUHlpymPS7-TbFmFmvXjNW2lfss-36z3xifuuBNxhSMdcTw3zAf8=s3566" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3566" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtnFDvtBDGNE8TCM2QgeNOU_EwWDQ99AWtA6N6g5yyPo0pESClCRX7tgrNU_m6SQ_eQMWgznFE7HCzBWt6jhvzFnTN3Z-0yzbIp6jyd6q73JftUCxpP-DPnqH9Ei0Tx5X0PoWASUHlpymPS7-TbFmFmvXjNW2lfss-36z3xifuuBNxhSMdcTw3zAf8=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">If you never thought old gas pumps could be considered art,
you are wrong.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The Lincoln Highway Pump
Parade came about as a means to promote the historical significance of the
highway and revitalize the communities along the Route 30 corridor.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Local artists painted vintage gas pumps to
reflect scenes of the region and celebrate their history.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The effort also features a combination of
murals and waysides containing historical information.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0eAeRdLWP84uHPKpIKTnz6Gxa5IB0J_Dl9djsNPykYg4-fZWfkH0zWQQbd4tip_qaK9ogqlLb9JzZUcF7KCGa95ACidjCTzJ9wlS2kTU9zdSumr-TMmR6Zk6zzt2vnI_RT5moOYo1NXknUZJsdZ8_9t73kRXkTTyQucVmsbvV68ZlrIFmHrcDAvkM=s3072" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="3003" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0eAeRdLWP84uHPKpIKTnz6Gxa5IB0J_Dl9djsNPykYg4-fZWfkH0zWQQbd4tip_qaK9ogqlLb9JzZUcF7KCGa95ACidjCTzJ9wlS2kTU9zdSumr-TMmR6Zk6zzt2vnI_RT5moOYo1NXknUZJsdZ8_9t73kRXkTTyQucVmsbvV68ZlrIFmHrcDAvkM=w391-h400" width="391" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3639" data-original-width="2880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6tb4tzRy7j5NEuwlzzTgq8AoD5vw69gISDhnxNe7OIWdh8ibOCtyzMwyeSXVEgrrskT8s6a4i1UxB8Bh1lnUKfCbvZPe5vxXlbKzTXq-2ZUCZoK7QIyNLCmbc2OPLAkEcmJ3HOPQuA6yX5kSJLpNv8VIvB8_5_Ye3El33_kuSz4cz87b7Tix6YY_E=w253-h320" width="253" /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">Another historical attraction that predates The Lincoln
Highway are the wooden covered bridges that span the county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are fourteen in all and each have their
own unique style and look. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All are set
in picturesque scenery, great for photos and for just marveling at the 100+ year
old structures.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of Bedford’s main attractions is the <a href="http://www.coverletmuseum.org/" target="_blank">National Museum of the American Coverlet</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum is housed
in an old 1859 schoolhouse which showcases antique coverlets from across the
nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We admit we never gave much
thought to the coverlet that drapes our bed (although it is attractive and adds
just the right touch of warmth on chilly nights) so when we learned there was a
museum dedicated to this little understood bedding article, we decided to pay
it a visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Upon entering the museum, you will be greeted by Laszlo
Zongor who, along with his wife Melinda, are the founders and curators of the
museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both used to work in the antique
textile industry and are very knowledgeable and passionate about their
collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laszlo explained to us what
a coverlet is, how they were made, the differences among manufacturing
techniques and the types of looms and weaving styles that make a coverlet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing you learn is what a coverlet
is and how it differs from the ever-popular quilt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A coverlet is defined as one layer of woven
fabric used as decorative bedding; whereas a quilt is comprised of several
layers of fabric stitched together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGYrEFnpyKImm3Eml21NdmaIg1iQMZArNSc_MbhbktB0YIxBBSrUzTH1Sb-11YGTxQE1CPHCqqKo_p_BBBBWWUVybDQllYRq6e2n2iZOGcph54zXE9dbdtubz3ltY7tPgr42R0WjkSdD-Oz7B8Yf7jh8iYdVBag_TFuU9MOvL5_LQ42GQZXLkgdS7_=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGYrEFnpyKImm3Eml21NdmaIg1iQMZArNSc_MbhbktB0YIxBBSrUzTH1Sb-11YGTxQE1CPHCqqKo_p_BBBBWWUVybDQllYRq6e2n2iZOGcph54zXE9dbdtubz3ltY7tPgr42R0WjkSdD-Oz7B8Yf7jh8iYdVBag_TFuU9MOvL5_LQ42GQZXLkgdS7_=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN-Lf3ZFZFIBLXc6hktus2J--TJDlalHxN7dAVf2KS1xxlh2WC4hmufzSBRkU-kLosSPtFBW_nmx-icdxVGRPg5m0YyGlBKPztadiKfPMxgLH647sWlg0a2KgZ4Je4qSpHB3aDRmZQpgduutFma4-rtm1Wkdxp-kPAfoAatsGGR9els73dS3XlcFFG=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN-Lf3ZFZFIBLXc6hktus2J--TJDlalHxN7dAVf2KS1xxlh2WC4hmufzSBRkU-kLosSPtFBW_nmx-icdxVGRPg5m0YyGlBKPztadiKfPMxgLH647sWlg0a2KgZ4Je4qSpHB3aDRmZQpgduutFma4-rtm1Wkdxp-kPAfoAatsGGR9els73dS3XlcFFG=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Currently, the museum’s collection includes over 1,000
coverlets made between 1771 and 1889.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The exhibitions change periodically and coverlets are beautifully
displayed on large walls with informational graphics providing a little bit of
history about each piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interspersed
throughout the museum are spinning and weaving equipment including looms and a
rare Jacquard head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent quite a bit
of time in the museum browsing the collection and getting all our questions
answered by Laszlo and Melinda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
museum is static with its exhibits but the Zongor’s forthcomingness to share
their knowledge and enthusiasm for the American Coverlets makes this museum
dynamic.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoyWcNdtCOBkPZaH4GXS3a3QVH7OQifE3rKqa0GW35euXcRmDobedz9W6qfyeAjR0KV2UtXD7vUoOyjYlPZEGKvCOzsIEFgthMgXtiohkS05FtwpGzY1WU1W9WdZViADLc9m23khAbBy_aL7WU1pmNjsXnRsteQGl42Yj-O2JyYxKCQ-ppe0QtifTs=s320" width="320" /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUI0xlYvArqZ_UB2z18xrbU532ZssBd3cDJAkI3S-qkgcv1QPZpYjeigq1F7p_DsluIHKCvh54LxyfsBGSmBUDKs-oCqHakPpeaMtJ4zIlpfZyVoUxC4UYzkxlWPpDtGk2--kuueraeBJ8eWBhsNQ4fgxgN54s06Z0Hlh51lOw4IjwEdv8QDM_W9GJ=s320" width="320" /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUI0xlYvArqZ_UB2z18xrbU532ZssBd3cDJAkI3S-qkgcv1QPZpYjeigq1F7p_DsluIHKCvh54LxyfsBGSmBUDKs-oCqHakPpeaMtJ4zIlpfZyVoUxC4UYzkxlWPpDtGk2--kuueraeBJ8eWBhsNQ4fgxgN54s06Z0Hlh51lOw4IjwEdv8QDM_W9GJ=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Upon learning there was a place nearby called <a href="https://www.gravityhill.com/" target="_blank">Gravity Hill</a>
where your car would roll uphill and water flows the wrong way, we were
intrigued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The website claims “It's a
place where gravity has gone haywire.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The directions led us to a road in a remote area on the outskirts (like
way outskirts) of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, there
are signs pointing you in the right direction otherwise Gravity Hill would not
be easy to find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know you have
arrived when you see spray painted words “GH End” on the road but keep driving
until you see “GH Start”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before you
decide to defy gravity, check to make sure there is no one behind you; after
all, you are in the middle of a public road. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If clear, put your car in neutral and take
your foot off the brake. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your car will
slowly pick up speed as you appear to roll uphill. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out Gravity Hill is just an optical illusion,
but it did have us wondering for a while.<o:p></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJwpW9R6uQkc-TqotvqB4rzjxYeX-1O4w8Kz4yipwjNpL7ZTbigzSSDc5PkePUm3-dW3PtSFK_uGbmqW_Uug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">So that sums up our time in the little town of Bedford,
Pennsylvania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our activities and the
attractions we visited were a myriad of American history, where one was very
solemn, heart wrenching and tragic and others quite comforting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p></div><br />RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-44260079992855123362022-02-03T13:48:00.001-06:002022-02-03T13:49:54.550-06:00RV Park Review – Southwoods RV Resort (Byron, New York)<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We stayed at <a href="https://www.southwoodsrvresort.com/" target="_blank">Southwoods</a> while visiting the Rochester, NY
area and exploring attractions in the area (click <a href="https://rvagogo.blogspot.com/2022/01/rochester-new-york.html" target="_blank">here</a> for blog post about our
visit). The campground is about 20-25
miles from downtown Rochester and located in a quiet rural setting surrounded
by farmland. The campground is quite
large and has separate sections for seasonal and transient campers and has a
variety of different campsites from back-ins to pull-thrus, 50 to 30-amps, and
full hook-up to water and electric only. The campground manager was very nice and helpful
when we checked in and was able to extend our stay thru the weekend without us
having to move sites. The park is gated
and very clean and well-groomed. Overall,
we enjoyed our stay at Southwoods and would stay there again if we were in the area.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmnQ5XdEiLK1jD_JjIunV_rCdyH9BflFpkm6pIfqK-BP3rAejHDCsTidKZD12PPNdvHZOr5XrGO7B1DaaKslaqulUzwgytrorzZJgG6s__VuK5NgLgg77B061w3OuHfb_7AtLckqZf8iOWDIh4ekFUpwMSMJ3OQgs9AxL-TP4KV5dhiNezNPymqMuR=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmnQ5XdEiLK1jD_JjIunV_rCdyH9BflFpkm6pIfqK-BP3rAejHDCsTidKZD12PPNdvHZOr5XrGO7B1DaaKslaqulUzwgytrorzZJgG6s__VuK5NgLgg77B061w3OuHfb_7AtLckqZf8iOWDIh4ekFUpwMSMJ3OQgs9AxL-TP4KV5dhiNezNPymqMuR=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCOsEQ0EmpdPNIBmG2KG1p8LEIZzphnM9DK7tyILl6XcJehNgBEvSd3cVFXvEc81EJHDjhcrrImoi645fWVj2QCTXiHAyu4fZ3WIf-CkEFTguWC7D-p11rpdcRIQU1QnaBvkt39hAxYb3zVZcGP8eXV1ntnefBENgU5F5ju5U0Bf6u0s3LeI69ECrW=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCOsEQ0EmpdPNIBmG2KG1p8LEIZzphnM9DK7tyILl6XcJehNgBEvSd3cVFXvEc81EJHDjhcrrImoi645fWVj2QCTXiHAyu4fZ3WIf-CkEFTguWC7D-p11rpdcRIQU1QnaBvkt39hAxYb3zVZcGP8eXV1ntnefBENgU5F5ju5U0Bf6u0s3LeI69ECrW=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkPi2sMakRHlggj7uKcvU7EPGT2eBsnqxwr3qHWBprGps-9etF8SxwggbYrc1I3IFJ0MSnqJtTVZKW1Tt10OU9_uq9xbgqDL2HMJifD02KJCrpb5kx34K7SvF1VBmObovhtqAB2whcJJtFqhIKRcXWN9Ttp-nBSlPI5eewu9JJlcRnB9o9kf0qyqw0=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkPi2sMakRHlggj7uKcvU7EPGT2eBsnqxwr3qHWBprGps-9etF8SxwggbYrc1I3IFJ0MSnqJtTVZKW1Tt10OU9_uq9xbgqDL2HMJifD02KJCrpb5kx34K7SvF1VBmObovhtqAB2whcJJtFqhIKRcXWN9Ttp-nBSlPI5eewu9JJlcRnB9o9kf0qyqw0=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsaG_GdhJ-fn9xK6MLRZmQfIsdE4NVlrw24jWj1T2bU28YOkiX2cls4Qi-T93tjXbhOwS-qAHxge1JtnN0HWeep39f4pb9qpRpmJPc_GEKnE3l7Y-LbgmPyIRSd7VyGNeZ54dWjI4QUiogNJxzpr0XmbTuG2fCy5CR19Ad05KoT-DC8gEf5iyY0l5D=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsaG_GdhJ-fn9xK6MLRZmQfIsdE4NVlrw24jWj1T2bU28YOkiX2cls4Qi-T93tjXbhOwS-qAHxge1JtnN0HWeep39f4pb9qpRpmJPc_GEKnE3l7Y-LbgmPyIRSd7VyGNeZ54dWjI4QUiogNJxzpr0XmbTuG2fCy5CR19Ad05KoT-DC8gEf5iyY0l5D=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We chose a back-in 50-amp full hook-up site (M28) at $42/night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the utilities were placed appropriately so
we didn’t need any extensions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water
pressure and electric were good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of
the roads in the park are paved with the exception of the pull-thru section in
the front of the park (N12-N25) which is gravel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All campsite pads are gravel except for three
long pull-thrus that are paved (M24-M26).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a fire pit and picnic table and there was nice grass between
sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was free WiFi which worked
well except during peak hours and over the weekend when the park was full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBz3Rj-Gz5neXR4J5Bg-xkdsyz_ZJRn5DcXElJBx4DY1JcPzyqiZDQpYzu2Uq2HyrIVUM_dwEPywdDGRweSrS2HUA4w8kYwBD-2_36eeol-bPfP_H8sRuo9j-qCPCVd9uNp6a4A1nkVb_xuMjgvMAmZc7abc44D5EBtg_W4RyrG-ECjz4H9evlWgm_=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBz3Rj-Gz5neXR4J5Bg-xkdsyz_ZJRn5DcXElJBx4DY1JcPzyqiZDQpYzu2Uq2HyrIVUM_dwEPywdDGRweSrS2HUA4w8kYwBD-2_36eeol-bPfP_H8sRuo9j-qCPCVd9uNp6a4A1nkVb_xuMjgvMAmZc7abc44D5EBtg_W4RyrG-ECjz4H9evlWgm_=w640-h480" width="640" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcjT9KHWQSrxIOke-aozbx-VBfBFiDBDG4rEDytDgZ_y5B8g_NGx-rh5v5v_l3NPaTP7MaXad_aagvDu0mZ29ngVvJ8mG3g2lVsN_I8_IH8KarXkVR7glXmuwg5Pj3MpG46p8KV6Xthu8t1vL6vMzjmFjGlVZ9aqR-7NIMX3iHWQOtICPLU1-uPL4M=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcjT9KHWQSrxIOke-aozbx-VBfBFiDBDG4rEDytDgZ_y5B8g_NGx-rh5v5v_l3NPaTP7MaXad_aagvDu0mZ29ngVvJ8mG3g2lVsN_I8_IH8KarXkVR7glXmuwg5Pj3MpG46p8KV6Xthu8t1vL6vMzjmFjGlVZ9aqR-7NIMX3iHWQOtICPLU1-uPL4M=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We stayed four nights (which included a weekend) and experienced
the park going from half full and quiet to packed with lots of music, all-day
fires, and big gatherings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the back
section of the park is a very large group/rally area with sixty sites and a
large pavilion for gatherings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All sites
in that section are on grass and water/electric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfKV0Z6E6J5JkDNjEoKewyOwJ8TGgrCYRPkguIR65uENntyJPMZS-KjJU673c_QnEJHIayv3Ti6QlhRa-k5ang0j0eEDOdHgCaxW8lRqH_FgP-uZP_PRGWP6Sd_B-mHZUFr_8dkeFfIz0Cc3ucUP3693f1PG7dFR-kWJby-F2AuwJ38CQTUrhQGWEm=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfKV0Z6E6J5JkDNjEoKewyOwJ8TGgrCYRPkguIR65uENntyJPMZS-KjJU673c_QnEJHIayv3Ti6QlhRa-k5ang0j0eEDOdHgCaxW8lRqH_FgP-uZP_PRGWP6Sd_B-mHZUFr_8dkeFfIz0Cc3ucUP3693f1PG7dFR-kWJby-F2AuwJ38CQTUrhQGWEm=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOdbwei8cguikigpmfrilJWv0knTG3VojmiAvNxXt2C4Z8BK-Zj3KJCMQb9m7yW_dmgl14dHA2nr4oOJNESzszfeUgS0ryRL3yKFV4sjBhf5d-bkPO2NZXm5h8FDuXZj29EEgagayqk01zYwgG7piqRAki5OYLtkETisXx0gxcFSdOEcgaqtiqNPF2=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOdbwei8cguikigpmfrilJWv0knTG3VojmiAvNxXt2C4Z8BK-Zj3KJCMQb9m7yW_dmgl14dHA2nr4oOJNESzszfeUgS0ryRL3yKFV4sjBhf5d-bkPO2NZXm5h8FDuXZj29EEgagayqk01zYwgG7piqRAki5OYLtkETisXx0gxcFSdOEcgaqtiqNPF2=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The campground has lots of amenities like two swimming pools,
nice camp store (with lots of food, souvenirs, and gifts), a large playground,
miniature golf, sand volleyball and basketball courts, large recreation hall/wedding
venue, bicycle track, and game room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a short nature trail through a wooded
area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a busy events calendar
throughout the year with lots of get-togethers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During our stay they had a closing weekend pizza and wings party with
live music for a small fee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chose not
to go to the party but went to a local historic steak house (The Johnson House)
and had delicious prime rib instead (which was very good) for a lot more money!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMIoNZp5Xo2oqYjVrU_vo81NjZ6kZxOm4Ja8lTorELgL2sa803HZL2Dpjioa0mXSYFp2Ay6FjaCklkGe1BvBHItTEQNhPLB0uRuwiVtg2OXMtis6OSJxOAE86ZImEcVD9dZfCr2M0PEA8F9QwffzNuzB8vXvZOv-GEYsg8OzSnXCs5pUBIhQOKqy2V=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMIoNZp5Xo2oqYjVrU_vo81NjZ6kZxOm4Ja8lTorELgL2sa803HZL2Dpjioa0mXSYFp2Ay6FjaCklkGe1BvBHItTEQNhPLB0uRuwiVtg2OXMtis6OSJxOAE86ZImEcVD9dZfCr2M0PEA8F9QwffzNuzB8vXvZOv-GEYsg8OzSnXCs5pUBIhQOKqy2V=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGMe_wjOIfeLb3TIHZXq5e9l4XNyc6tE3oJRI0dAPypcCNjI_4oEAYsiTZtE7zEh5IA9QRaB6RuIQKGbiCDudKhmtaDg9hFqB-UksBLadTYRm70W0sABh2GVE2y0kvOb3kxQBGKAurt8kfcR--QWyf8Q4RWGCcXxOOgqlIY85A5qIeeVlyp28DVS35=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGMe_wjOIfeLb3TIHZXq5e9l4XNyc6tE3oJRI0dAPypcCNjI_4oEAYsiTZtE7zEh5IA9QRaB6RuIQKGbiCDudKhmtaDg9hFqB-UksBLadTYRm70W0sABh2GVE2y0kvOb3kxQBGKAurt8kfcR--QWyf8Q4RWGCcXxOOgqlIY85A5qIeeVlyp28DVS35=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One downside of this park is that the sites are pretty close
and feel a little cramped when the park is full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a train track near the park which occasionally
is quite noisy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rochester is about a 45-minute
drive but the town of Batavia is about 15 minutes away and has groceries, fuel,
restaurants, shopping, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-26540362362832506942022-01-15T11:38:00.000-06:002022-01-15T11:38:00.566-06:00Rochester, New York<div class="separator"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Let’s face it, Rochester probably is not on your New York
state travel radar, especially when places like Niagara Falls and New York City
garner more attention. But, when we stumbled
upon some interesting attractions in the Rochester area we decided to pay the
city a visit and discovered that there was a lot of <i>Americana</i> represented there and
plenty for us to do for a few days, and more.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">One major draw for us was the <a href="https://www.eastman.org/" target="_blank">George Eastman Museum</a> which is
the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives
housing several million objects in the fields of photography, cinema,
photographic and cinematographic technology, and photographically illustrated
books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum complex encompasses
Eastman’s historic mansion and gardens, exhibit galleries, a theatre, a
hands-on discovery room, restaurant, and gift shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4Wxhm_66LS1Uh7xUnM4wF1hO7U0Aewp9Ik84l0tU_NL76RGQh6olW4Z-W0bldld5aPy58SLcdKNX6Kr-A4NAPDuNRzUe8MQW5TLwnjieDqfJVw2CAJuS3NUn4x03UZo0I3r8ORPHnQK8gvBjInGWOd46BZAioqhNUm4_fgHqwxG0MNW0IMDXa0wJQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4Wxhm_66LS1Uh7xUnM4wF1hO7U0Aewp9Ik84l0tU_NL76RGQh6olW4Z-W0bldld5aPy58SLcdKNX6Kr-A4NAPDuNRzUe8MQW5TLwnjieDqfJVw2CAJuS3NUn4x03UZo0I3r8ORPHnQK8gvBjInGWOd46BZAioqhNUm4_fgHqwxG0MNW0IMDXa0wJQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eastman was an American entrepreneur and inventor who created
the first dry, transparent, flexible photographic film roll in the late
1800’s. That invention was the game
changer and led to his next invention – the iconic Kodak Camera. The camera was designed with the amateur in
mind, a simple box design requiring no previous experience and adjustments. <i>"You press the button, we do the rest"</i>
was the tag line promoting a camera which took up to one hundred pictures, got
mailed in for developing, and pictures were sent back to the customer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRKM7y0mViSdrAStcgYK5aQ5i1ydaeUj4lgXNcNDLvKNP9wezMEYpiwnlaKNlJGeqxuE7l41o0GXnSmFoCiybWqvwXiL4XV3LkwsYU1we_mqOWP_RDsKqnkFMgoeneEPURej7fAY_jnedQEWbIIpk7M9ahMBcs_iXexFkw6zSQuBuMb-ZTqSboHZme=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRKM7y0mViSdrAStcgYK5aQ5i1ydaeUj4lgXNcNDLvKNP9wezMEYpiwnlaKNlJGeqxuE7l41o0GXnSmFoCiybWqvwXiL4XV3LkwsYU1we_mqOWP_RDsKqnkFMgoeneEPURej7fAY_jnedQEWbIIpk7M9ahMBcs_iXexFkw6zSQuBuMb-ZTqSboHZme=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eastmans inventions revolutionized photography
and expanded the amateur photographic industry making it portable and
affordable for many. Speaking of
affordable…have you heard of the Brownie Camera? This classic camera sold for one dollar and
got its name because it was affordable even for a young Brownie. </div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkyTuTD0IMeCBxM4b7klhlLqxXr3m5TM2kfyPdycDJHjW0iM-lPnmcB01cVhE76zSxAsApIn7J8jmEAz7lkY425jdbco6dj1dCPpvrGiGLfWH_paLUKsGI6d1rysbz-tTz4FVQKhO-xvUJLMQRz0UNdRKFOEy5R5SL7NhAWS0ZGG5cT5dEpciEUeBr=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkyTuTD0IMeCBxM4b7klhlLqxXr3m5TM2kfyPdycDJHjW0iM-lPnmcB01cVhE76zSxAsApIn7J8jmEAz7lkY425jdbco6dj1dCPpvrGiGLfWH_paLUKsGI6d1rysbz-tTz4FVQKhO-xvUJLMQRz0UNdRKFOEy5R5SL7NhAWS0ZGG5cT5dEpciEUeBr=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Eastman was one of the first American industrialists in the
United States to embrace and implement the concept of worker benefits and employee
profit sharing and gifted personal funds to each of his workers. Considered a progressive businessman he
promoted a woman to be head of the personnel department thus making her one of
the first women to hold an executive position in a major U.S. company.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Eastman eventually stepped away from daily management of his
company to focus on his philanthropy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
concentrated on institution-building and causes that could help people's health
such as medicine and dentistry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eastman is
recognized as one of the outstanding philanthropists of his era, donating more
than $100 million to various projects in Rochester including the struggling
Mechanics Institute of Rochester, which became the Rochester Institute of
Technology, as well as M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and two
historically black colleges Hampton and Tuskegee Institutes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eastman said, <i>"The progress of the world
depends almost entirely upon education."</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in life Eastman suffered from
depression caused by intense chronic pain caused from a spine disorder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the age of 77, Eastman took his own life in his lavish mansion and
left the simple suicide note that read, <i>“To my friends, my work is done –
Why wait? GE."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisvAuVDYQ0O-3JsKNsE-_GmY9bCsQFCvD2sDRMlDmji786q1O-pzf8lCf3QJtoYWPVLuiFZwjK9S_HsypmqKp6Irob4IvDKoIrHYupm1USMpLOkGCZjGusTFvbhlN4HBCdFoQIQ42u-Y1GDSLlgGBLmgYA0-ZORiBVxEe3pJ-O4D740fDLyazDQ3Sh=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisvAuVDYQ0O-3JsKNsE-_GmY9bCsQFCvD2sDRMlDmji786q1O-pzf8lCf3QJtoYWPVLuiFZwjK9S_HsypmqKp6Irob4IvDKoIrHYupm1USMpLOkGCZjGusTFvbhlN4HBCdFoQIQ42u-Y1GDSLlgGBLmgYA0-ZORiBVxEe3pJ-O4D740fDLyazDQ3Sh=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis_TROUCscWxvfqLWEwU0FApgVyPpq1V-lDu9vtMyckt_3lkHPk-rQ4vzUIFUZg5_p1Th1-W-761HMvRcmvBwhoJCk568CwkFCieyF32Me380eGroEoiAFZVeQ6n-jrLcST9ia0K81sFWzRjJB6jeVEC0Sb39vTLZAt1JznHpLhkfk8vrxjYvCJ7MF=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis_TROUCscWxvfqLWEwU0FApgVyPpq1V-lDu9vtMyckt_3lkHPk-rQ4vzUIFUZg5_p1Th1-W-761HMvRcmvBwhoJCk568CwkFCieyF32Me380eGroEoiAFZVeQ6n-jrLcST9ia0K81sFWzRjJB6jeVEC0Sb39vTLZAt1JznHpLhkfk8vrxjYvCJ7MF=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVfA8ocw-_VbUeCR0a8hisWkeR6danu8FBzwIIQ8Tm_PvCuDQS1A6HxW8UUwxIPQHAsM19S2JgVy_M_pVKiBPUIskKf11zAAeQO59NWqHtKniiUq12UxYfdbIzKg_YYCTzJdZsuVQuUdn4YtyOXi5GoWcJGYtCgl2jGs_6Ex_HL8sGPPJta1_Hoop3=w300-h400" width="300" /></span>Another American icon with ties to Rochester is Susan B.
Anthony. <a href="https://susanb.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAlfqOBhAeEiwAYi43F4WNjPITOC9XqWXAmxa4LTyFRhMt7S--Th5ENK7OkaDlhCi984fe5xoC49kQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">The National Susan B. Anthony
Museum & House</a> was the home of the legendary American civil rights leader
and the site of her famous arrest for voting in 1872 (before the 19<sup>th</sup>
Amendment was ratified). This home was
the headquarters and meeting place of the National American Woman Suffrage
Association when she was its president and where she died at the age 86. Today the historical house serves as a museum with
exhibits and artifacts related to Anthony’s life and work and offers guided
tours of the house interpreting her vision and story.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">From an early age, Anthony was inspired by her Quaker upbringing
and the strong belief that everyone was equal under God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She became a strong and outspoken supporter of
ending slavery after meeting abolitionists Fredrick Douglas and William Lloyd Garrison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an era when women did not give public speeches,
especially on such topics of slavery, she made many passionate public speeches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so dedicated to making change that
she never married and expressed frustration with her co-workers that married
and had children, which she believed, curtailed their ability to further the
cause of the already understaffed movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She declared, <i>“I never felt I could give up my life for freedom to
become a man’s housekeeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was young,
if a girl married poor, she became a housekeeper and drudge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she married wealth, she became a pet and a
doll.”</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDENkEEhfkIKC1LMZQ835JgigWaAK4plL1MEASPv1B2wwF4h93QWFhr2el6faA46O2aXOTxjN72uhW_nNHnBVabJuHE0nSs6T2IYB-HHfbDI6IMiVUJRm9_pG3mLKf4bKG04w0G69KXWC9KhRhentI0o_vTps4tkafIgjgFnvYOJS4yrQHi9rtNfOk=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDENkEEhfkIKC1LMZQ835JgigWaAK4plL1MEASPv1B2wwF4h93QWFhr2el6faA46O2aXOTxjN72uhW_nNHnBVabJuHE0nSs6T2IYB-HHfbDI6IMiVUJRm9_pG3mLKf4bKG04w0G69KXWC9KhRhentI0o_vTps4tkafIgjgFnvYOJS4yrQHi9rtNfOk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In 1851, Anthony met Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the two
became a formidable team and founders of the American Equal Rights Association.
The Association’s newspaper, The
Revolution, helped to spread the ideas of equality and rights for women. Anthony and Stanton became popular figures
and successfully fundraised and collected signatures for petitions promoting
the ideas of equality and rights for women. When Congress passed the 14<sup>th</sup> and
15<sup>th</sup> Amendments, which gave voting rights to African American men,
Anthony and Stanton were angry and opposed the legislation because it did not
include the right to vote for women. They pushed harder for a constitutional amendment
allowing women the right to vote. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9_uPQsmOaYMt3rbQGeQulsL_dny8boZwygNK18rRwL46-dYA_1OYOlt1ZqGeCkOQ32MXd6Td8XeBBlXIsotEYg0PP7-GdqeK-vl5M-_dGVC8twhGgbkO6kwqpOYQNvmPOTAsvIlQ0HLx4Zyqu6HAo-yB1tKMQJBLa2UBDiyPsnwcvIw8QQqezLx7u=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9_uPQsmOaYMt3rbQGeQulsL_dny8boZwygNK18rRwL46-dYA_1OYOlt1ZqGeCkOQ32MXd6Td8XeBBlXIsotEYg0PP7-GdqeK-vl5M-_dGVC8twhGgbkO6kwqpOYQNvmPOTAsvIlQ0HLx4Zyqu6HAo-yB1tKMQJBLa2UBDiyPsnwcvIw8QQqezLx7u=w240-h320" width="240" /></a>Anthony
pushed the issue and voted in the 1872 Presidential election on the legal basis
citing that the 14<sup>th</sup> Amendment reads: “No State shall make or enforce
any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United
States.” She was arrested, tried and
fined $100 for her crime which angered many and brought national attention to
the suffrage movement. Defiantly, Anthony
never paid the fine. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Anthony continued traveling around the country giving
speeches, gathering signatures on petitions, and lobbying Congress every year
for women’s rights. Anthony died in
1906, fourteen years before women were given the right to vote with the passage
of the 19th Amendment (in 1920) commonly referred to as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Just a short drive from Rochester (in the town of Le Roy) is
the <a href="https://www.jellogallery.org/index.html" target="_blank">JELL-O Gallery and Museum</a>, the birthplace of the iconic fruity jiggly
desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here you will learn about the
history of JELL-O through a short film and get to browse exhibits that walk you
through the timeline of how this product came to be the largest selling prepared
dessert and is world renown. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may think
of JELL-O as a simple dessert but in the 20th Century, gelatin desserts were
elaborate with complex jelly molds and considered the desserts of royalty and the
well-to-do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fruit, vegetables, whipped
cream, and even meats were added to JELL-O to make intricate and decorative
dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5C85JDRQPikWPCRIzSRNiGyXkvZG93AoR66UA_juh6ih6Y2gG56LjtVHPul_KlZvMNg84H5b35YpAdszly22AV_rAyKVwqsNVANsZxpMsB0eo9hyaol5hdXmYsU_QebviJdV6Ior4prb-lXnVJILBG6cT9CTJrb70T6UWfrHYdvuZhh5hYDDtqgLH=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5C85JDRQPikWPCRIzSRNiGyXkvZG93AoR66UA_juh6ih6Y2gG56LjtVHPul_KlZvMNg84H5b35YpAdszly22AV_rAyKVwqsNVANsZxpMsB0eo9hyaol5hdXmYsU_QebviJdV6Ior4prb-lXnVJILBG6cT9CTJrb70T6UWfrHYdvuZhh5hYDDtqgLH=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1VHryslnznISX8i_fcheumJ4AmCNW8qzXU_upvYKJ8rsF0FHWRfFRL_C5-oNdx_o9d62bVRNLrHUcSRA5MAMIBEGH1nCL8AS0tB6nEz_O4MnUxATGtzQ5cujGY3zECNNgjyiq0869LXqse3pcWSLYAM_sRgu5FiI_H0MrPHTVg1x8-DhauEe56Ls-=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1VHryslnznISX8i_fcheumJ4AmCNW8qzXU_upvYKJ8rsF0FHWRfFRL_C5-oNdx_o9d62bVRNLrHUcSRA5MAMIBEGH1nCL8AS0tB6nEz_O4MnUxATGtzQ5cujGY3zECNNgjyiq0869LXqse3pcWSLYAM_sRgu5FiI_H0MrPHTVg1x8-DhauEe56Ls-=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JELL-O dates back to 1897 when Pearle Bixby Wait and his
wife May trademarked the name for a product made from strawberry, raspberry,
orange, or lemon flavoring added to sugar and granulated gelatin (a protein
produced from collagen extracted from boiled bones, connective tissues, and
other animal products). Unfortunately
for the Waits, they lacked the funds and knowledge to properly market their
product and ended up selling the JELL-O formula to their neighbor, Orator
Francis Woodward for $450. Sales lacked
for Woodward until he launched the advertising campaign which touted JELL-O as “America’s
most favorite dessert.” Pictures,
posters, billboards, and magazine ads were used to distribute Jell-o recipes and were distributed to a wide audience. Over
15 million JELL-O recipe booklets were printed and distributed into American
households. Noted artists, such as
Norman Rockwell provided colored illustrations in these booklets to help make
JELL-O a household word. In 1904, the
JELL-O girl was introduced and would remain synonymous with JELL-O. </div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihQdyHgg7UfmaAAvlHuQqwG_wJB9ksjXPYRWdfznAXBhFTQhbG7avGmbh_z7WhLrmyIkwp3oE4gLANCSDdvrlwGR8-Wi0J1ytP-kdDLTg_hUa3-PmZbzEOuYhE4wSpQbEphVXU8eMBOs90baIHJb6JzB-m2Au5mKwdMOH2fT_CTlFbbjCAlEYlBYgi=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihQdyHgg7UfmaAAvlHuQqwG_wJB9ksjXPYRWdfznAXBhFTQhbG7avGmbh_z7WhLrmyIkwp3oE4gLANCSDdvrlwGR8-Wi0J1ytP-kdDLTg_hUa3-PmZbzEOuYhE4wSpQbEphVXU8eMBOs90baIHJb6JzB-m2Au5mKwdMOH2fT_CTlFbbjCAlEYlBYgi=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">Over the years, more flavors were added – some like lime and
watermelon were successful and remain to this day; whereas, others like
cola-flavored would flop.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The 1960’s saw
the launch of savory and vegetable flavors such as celery and Italian which
conjured up recipes using cabbage, celery, green peppers, and even cooked
pasta.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">It’s no surprise, the savory
flavors have since been discontinued. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">But, it was the 1950’s discovery of the alcoholic
version known as the JELL-O shot that many will never forget and will no doubt remain
as long as JELL-O does.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Downtown Rochester was a pleasant surprise with beautiful and
interesting architecture and natural features and green spaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most prominent feature downtown is High
Falls – an impressive 96-foot waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can enjoy great views of the falls from a pedestrian bridge that spans
the Genesee River or nearby at the rooftop deck of the Genesee Brewery.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgknsr7C4TqmsjTWnTYA9VZRj0Gv7rbtbc0yY18NBkh6xiyteecw6w9mNXMd0hMeVZad5IH2On4q39oC3zuvJzZCAwHAm4gaBn9gtoxJslL8q8XtLhockW2KOwTHMIBxtWIYoArGtVsap5VkTZNtHC1xobqDMLnsG5b4kJmahbq0AaOvxo9OCVGm5Xo=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgknsr7C4TqmsjTWnTYA9VZRj0Gv7rbtbc0yY18NBkh6xiyteecw6w9mNXMd0hMeVZad5IH2On4q39oC3zuvJzZCAwHAm4gaBn9gtoxJslL8q8XtLhockW2KOwTHMIBxtWIYoArGtVsap5VkTZNtHC1xobqDMLnsG5b4kJmahbq0AaOvxo9OCVGm5Xo=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>The <a href="https://www.geneseebeer.com/beer/genesee/" target="_blank">Genesee Brewing Compnay</a> is one of the largest and oldest
continually operating breweries in America dating back to 1878. In addition to a pub-style restaurant and numerous bars throughout you will find interactive
exhibits with historical artifacts and an impressive gift shop.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia34Kmn3-ZKZFPVFiCpmxwr9L5QfLN_akiTuSfkfHXAwVH0JkPZfUVNHkNGBxIxyReez1rvG3LMxDwrSnitFUv2OiktBYFECiIKyvKXAwvTt0LaKHo-s6BY_OU-yWxQCckjnPq6YpNSe_sFhjHv7QPxG50DmpzIHon15Oz4yphOi4KWu1voDrFXYo0=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia34Kmn3-ZKZFPVFiCpmxwr9L5QfLN_akiTuSfkfHXAwVH0JkPZfUVNHkNGBxIxyReez1rvG3LMxDwrSnitFUv2OiktBYFECiIKyvKXAwvTt0LaKHo-s6BY_OU-yWxQCckjnPq6YpNSe_sFhjHv7QPxG50DmpzIHon15Oz4yphOi4KWu1voDrFXYo0=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYPp2w6du940Ci8oF9x7BVzjtlrMxn6x3EdYJ1_sJY66UdUjiCSMYiF_cRNiLll3f9abONpcW6OvW_XbK574mgDjt3okvL2UHUpzl10fBGT_zvWJwiqRZf4EU232UOVoWnDOE00xlgdB5MXjsXvakiEjWTwFhQ-ljzPSNO_OdEhrGD_Tt-UuXiVVc4=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYPp2w6du940Ci8oF9x7BVzjtlrMxn6x3EdYJ1_sJY66UdUjiCSMYiF_cRNiLll3f9abONpcW6OvW_XbK574mgDjt3okvL2UHUpzl10fBGT_zvWJwiqRZf4EU232UOVoWnDOE00xlgdB5MXjsXvakiEjWTwFhQ-ljzPSNO_OdEhrGD_Tt-UuXiVVc4=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Another popular place to visit for tourists and locals alike
is the <a href="https://www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket/" target="_blank">Rochester Public Market</a> which has been serving the community since
1905.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year-round market swells to over
300 vendors on Saturdays during the summer months and offers a huge assortment
of fresh seasonal produce direct from area farmers as well as from around the
country, and world-wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring your
appetite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Our stay in Rochester was just a few days and we discovered
that there was more to do and we might have to come back. One of the most popular attractions that we
missed was the <a href="https://www.museumofplay.org/" target="_blank">Strong’s National Museum of Play</a> which is home to the largest,
most comprehensive collection of toys, dolls, games and video games. Housed at the museum are the National Toy
Hall of Fame and the Video Game Hall of Fame which recognizes electronic games that
have exerted influence on the video game industry and popular culture. </span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Known as the “Flower City,” Rochester has rich traditions in
floral cultivation and an international reputation for horticultural
excellence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re interested in
flowers and gardens, you may want to visit Rochester in May for the annual Lilac
Festival which features more than 1,200 bushes showcasing 500 varieties and has
been dazzling visitors for over 120 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The city has numerous historic gardens including Highland Park (a
Fredrick Law Olmstead design, think Central Park in New York City), Maplewood Park Rose Garden, Bausch and Lomb’s
Wintergarden, and many area farms open to visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Rochester was a nice surprise for us where we found a
diversity of things to do, from wandering
around downtown drinking a beer overlooking a waterfall to exploring some pioneering
and influential Americans. <o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-71158061136132177602021-11-11T15:26:00.000-06:002021-11-11T15:26:08.164-06:00Acadia National Park – Exploring the Crown Jewel of the Northeast<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It has been said that National Parks are one of our greatest
gifts the American people have been bestowed.
They span the country and preserve America’s amazing natural beauty and rich
cultural history. For many people, National
Parks are “bucket list” items and attract millions of visitors every year. One of our favorites (and the one we have
spent the most time exploring) is Maine’s Acadia National Park. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsc5WqMQ_JjuAaU3z2NQt5KGCORMDXwoowr2jQI7frlXYVU2i2G05ES57vTMqwRY5iX5tk3bTrWR8890eLT6MEj_3UmN-2LARTztGtVOjn28j7skktq3LE9TghYZiA9olzkHNq2OtW8Y/s2048/20210908_082635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsc5WqMQ_JjuAaU3z2NQt5KGCORMDXwoowr2jQI7frlXYVU2i2G05ES57vTMqwRY5iX5tk3bTrWR8890eLT6MEj_3UmN-2LARTztGtVOjn28j7skktq3LE9TghYZiA9olzkHNq2OtW8Y/w640-h480/20210908_082635.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Acadia encompasses 49,000 acres (on Mt. Desert Island and
the Schoodic Peninsula) which is small compared to the expansive giants like
Death Valley and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks weighing in at over 3
million and 8 million acres, respectively.
While Acadia may be small it really packs a punch and quickly you will
realize why it ranks as one of the Ten Most Visited National Parks in the
country. Named Lafayette National Park
in 1919 (and renamed Acadia National Park a decade later), the park was created
from privately owned parcels donated by local residents and wealthy summer
visitors who were concerned about the increasing development nearby and wanted
to preserve the beauty and laid-back way of life they appreciated. For over one hundred years, visitors have
come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, frolic on
Sand Beach, gaze at lighthouses, marvel at gardens, or just relax and enjoy the
iconic scenery. Whether you have a few
hours, days, or weeks, you will find that Acadia NP holds a treasure trove of
activities. There are many ways to see
and experience the park for all ages and activity levels.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Things to
do<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Explore by car. </b>The
crown jewel of the park is the 27-mile Park Loop Road. Take a leisurely drive down this road and you
will be in awe of the rugged beauty of the rocky coast, dramatic mountain peaks,
dark canopied forests, and sweeping views of the ocean and shimmering lakes. Along the way are numerous pull-offs where it’s
best to leave the car for a bit and walk amongst the granite rocks or wooded
trails to smell the salty ocean air and immerse yourself in the beauty. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHn-KaqD2L9k2_tjeF80Ysp8jMu7FRr-2wa-0a-SqVd_WT7_nDJY7OddxTr1bco_WxbmyASerTc6nhLRUTrXnNyCHPJ0JwaqAjc5ex8M_sLXUhLv9g8ETELu2NRBrpOUBvi-yt-Ve_84/s2992/220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHn-KaqD2L9k2_tjeF80Ysp8jMu7FRr-2wa-0a-SqVd_WT7_nDJY7OddxTr1bco_WxbmyASerTc6nhLRUTrXnNyCHPJ0JwaqAjc5ex8M_sLXUhLv9g8ETELu2NRBrpOUBvi-yt-Ve_84/w640-h428/220.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The most popular stop on the Park Loop Road is Cadillac
Mountain. Rising up 1,530 feet, Cadillac
provides breath-taking panoramic views of Frenchman’s Bay, Bar Harbor, and the
surrounding islands. The pink granite rock
is where you will find sunrise lovers as this is the place where the morning
sun first shines in the United States.
Be aware that during peak season you will need to make a reservation to
drive to Cadillac Mountain and pay a $6 fee, but it is well-worth it. For those who don’t mind hiking up the
mountain there are plenty of trails that will take you there and is free.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUc07I4FWqLJUKvUXyWqTbFlvjM1IY4ef3-FMfxSU1_3sG4TKRsEnBjv3KwAQPZFkG7fk4PdUN88wVBkddi8NE_RMp5ZKU2l5gn6Q1IByDndWKURC1Ro6o0QrZGcBqeceWtbhYWuWqCRI/s2048/067a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUc07I4FWqLJUKvUXyWqTbFlvjM1IY4ef3-FMfxSU1_3sG4TKRsEnBjv3KwAQPZFkG7fk4PdUN88wVBkddi8NE_RMp5ZKU2l5gn6Q1IByDndWKURC1Ro6o0QrZGcBqeceWtbhYWuWqCRI/w640-h428/067a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Continuing along the Park Loop Road, stop at Thunder Hole
which gets its name from the booming sound created when water rushes into this
chasm an hour or so before high tide and during wild storms. Just beyond Thunder Hole is Sand Beach, whose
lovely pink hue comes from pulverized shells.
This is a very popular spot on those warm summer days where the water is
inviting, but keep in mind, water temperatures can be in the low 60s even in
the dead of the summer.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If all of this exploring has made you hungry, stop at the
iconic Jordan Pond House. The Jordan
Pond House has been welcoming visitors since 1895 with their freshly baked
steaming popovers and strawberry jam served outside on the lawn with pleasant
views of Jordan Pond and Bubble Rock. To
complete your Maine dining experience, try their lobster rolls and blueberry
deserts. There is also a gift shop and hiking trails and carriage roads that crisscross
this area. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf81iB0c8wSr_b0wRG-3gaG0Z3KkdaegfATZjTjhRKd2h2xxf9Py5XVun-L80BUEBoizJAIN9LC6vpEQH2_XP0tU8hHGBNupJPAILhojoF3-4qBCLK3ZTvewJ9LRIZN1EMO8QeGws28eQ/s2992/246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf81iB0c8wSr_b0wRG-3gaG0Z3KkdaegfATZjTjhRKd2h2xxf9Py5XVun-L80BUEBoizJAIN9LC6vpEQH2_XP0tU8hHGBNupJPAILhojoF3-4qBCLK3ZTvewJ9LRIZN1EMO8QeGws28eQ/w640-h429/246.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">No trip to the park would be complete without stopping at
the iconic Bass Harbor Head Light. The
beacon has stood since 1858 and is one of the most photographed lighthouses in
the country. It was even featured on the
2012 <i>America the Beautiful</i> quarter coin.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVQM3pAuqK0nE3nNAD8LTyF-yi5DahlopRa2iwPSmZ2I07HFkUhbdqtsgokRGHN2U9w-rPikrijxcAPdALUKtDHMfRjeC3c2XxZSZaA7XkQkB7LwLLWMPT88e-zDCgDkYeCwNJY84p6w/s2048/135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVQM3pAuqK0nE3nNAD8LTyF-yi5DahlopRa2iwPSmZ2I07HFkUhbdqtsgokRGHN2U9w-rPikrijxcAPdALUKtDHMfRjeC3c2XxZSZaA7XkQkB7LwLLWMPT88e-zDCgDkYeCwNJY84p6w/s320/135.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Follow the short path down to the rocky shoreline and venture out on the
rocks to get the best photos, especially at sunset as the orange glow of the
sun reflects beautifully on the water and illuminates the lighthouse.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">During peak summer months, you may want to take advantage of
the free Island Explorer bus shuttle to get around as parking can be difficult. The bus service runs between most campgrounds
and various points of interest in the park and other areas on Mt. Desert
Island. The Island Explorer is pet-friendly
and can transport bicycles. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Explore by bicycle.</b>
Acadia is a cyclist’s paradise with the most popular routes being the
expansive network of carriage roads. One
of the parks biggest benefactors and influencer was philanthropist John D.
Rockefeller who was determined to keep some areas of Mt. Dessert Island free of
the noisy, polluting automobiles that were rapidly becoming commonplace. One of Rockefellers’ lasting legacies is the
45-miles of non-motorized gravel carriage roads and 16 stone bridges that
traverse the island offering sweeping views and timeless charm. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The bridges that span creeks, hillsides, and
waterfalls were constructed between 1917 and 1940 and are all uniquely
attractive and architecturally admirable.
Native stone was used in the construction and the stone masons became so
good that Rockefeller requested of them not to cut the facing too perfectly to
preserve the rustic look that he was trying to achieve. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfF6bK8GeVGkvUPgcBjA5XpwLiqJ3qmo6pHm7bnP2DbEqaKXmCWDhIZbh8hbTbh4hiK19C2JxKezfj1qttcq9em7Z6DzOQdmJqZL9CTurNN_Q1fmPq-cpKzZCQNtUQ8p-VGhHIl_R1xc/s1440/IMG_20210906_072329_920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfF6bK8GeVGkvUPgcBjA5XpwLiqJ3qmo6pHm7bnP2DbEqaKXmCWDhIZbh8hbTbh4hiK19C2JxKezfj1qttcq9em7Z6DzOQdmJqZL9CTurNN_Q1fmPq-cpKzZCQNtUQ8p-VGhHIl_R1xc/w640-h640/IMG_20210906_072329_920.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Explore by hiking.
</b>Hiking in Acadia NP offers something for everyone from flat winding
carriage roads to steep rock faces. The
park offers a myriad of easy and challenging paths for all to enjoy. The carriage roads offer pleasant walking
paths with sure footing and dry conditions.
For those seeking more thrilling experiences, there are mountain trails
that ascend over a thousand feet where you hang on cliffsides and traverse
metal rungs and ladders to complete the one-of-a-kind experience. Precipice and Bee Hive are two such trails
that offer an exhilarating experience with rewarding views while the Jordan
Stream Path is a pleasant walk along a calming stream winding through the woods
to the iconic Cobblestone Bridge. A
favorite trail of ours is Beech Mountain (which is relatively short at 1.2 miles)
and leads to beautiful mountain top views where an old fire tower still stands. Another favorite is Great Head with stunning
ocean views and an overlook of Sand Beach.
Make sure you have appropriate footwear and a good trail map as internet
and cell service in the park can be spotty.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixohibAdYWEmOJ_3hJkw7_IKrEo6QOnlv3i3jQKKGDmhcSICKvSKJoiEORphcCMM-SthHhY4LCKNjvu0xnVrSneil_07R8vceTlLzd1YqUclqnHMGhr8UiQv_Pvi3vIAbHdP6OfUNGNy4/s2048/20140623_114710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixohibAdYWEmOJ_3hJkw7_IKrEo6QOnlv3i3jQKKGDmhcSICKvSKJoiEORphcCMM-SthHhY4LCKNjvu0xnVrSneil_07R8vceTlLzd1YqUclqnHMGhr8UiQv_Pvi3vIAbHdP6OfUNGNy4/w640-h480/20140623_114710.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1HCC6ILb9_SNxXQtkfVz0lLpwBBCatk7vp76hyphenhyphenauS1SShcNf79K5kWeVrYIU8uZbwqG6BYxq18WBugko-rtei4oDiKN2g7n5RbJmAueUTfvARziAu6szTvWdX-U4NfckfHsu7tiEeZQ/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1HCC6ILb9_SNxXQtkfVz0lLpwBBCatk7vp76hyphenhyphenauS1SShcNf79K5kWeVrYIU8uZbwqG6BYxq18WBugko-rtei4oDiKN2g7n5RbJmAueUTfvARziAu6szTvWdX-U4NfckfHsu7tiEeZQ/w266-h400/119.JPG" width="266" /></span></a></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Explore by boat. </b>One
of the prettiest ways to see the area is by boat and there are a number of options. Whale watching and nature cruises are popular
as there is plenty of marine and bird life to observe. Many of the boat tours give you an up close
and personal look at some of the popular Maine lighthouses and outer islands as
they pass by lobster boats and buoys. We
highly recommend the two-hour LuLu Lobster Boat tour which is a fun way to tour
Frenchman Bay and learn about lobstering and the local wildlife. While on Lulu, you will feel like a true “downeast”
lobsterman hauling traps, measuring their size, baiting the traps and returning
them to the water. The tour takes you by
Egg Rock Island which is home to a lighthouse and teams with wildlife including
a large colony of harbor seals that frolic in the waters and casually bask on
the rocks. If you go early in the
summer, the seal pups are aplenty and curious enough to investigate the tour
boats. That is until their mothers reign
them in!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziPXBQoT4pZQ89O5ZX_PehY969rWhneSj5fYaE6U7eD87WAheEe55moQQAh78ZnAaDiXAceLF8unDT5OjYlU7_Vz5-vWsSPYtdrQLO1PcPQDSwke4SCvxhxILh_mqlx-hhPzw1BDNXNE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="2034" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziPXBQoT4pZQ89O5ZX_PehY969rWhneSj5fYaE6U7eD87WAheEe55moQQAh78ZnAaDiXAceLF8unDT5OjYlU7_Vz5-vWsSPYtdrQLO1PcPQDSwke4SCvxhxILh_mqlx-hhPzw1BDNXNE/w640-h406/070+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytRv2YKOj2EWIm_CB9WPKWTj7gayavG7uElueY32HkU-aC-T8DQ4VKpr40kLgSBzaHwrlEkNguKB__B_wkESghroH2LPCpXoeRPNWIL3PmpBwlB85_u9FtD2BVdmofCa4tijsrFFEZbI/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytRv2YKOj2EWIm_CB9WPKWTj7gayavG7uElueY32HkU-aC-T8DQ4VKpr40kLgSBzaHwrlEkNguKB__B_wkESghroH2LPCpXoeRPNWIL3PmpBwlB85_u9FtD2BVdmofCa4tijsrFFEZbI/w300-h400/20180609_155927.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A fun way to explore some of the nearby islands is by
hitching a ride on a mail boat to the Cranberry Islands. The islands are just a short 25-minute boat
ride which provides spectacular views of the harbors along the southern coast
of Mt. Desert Island and the mountains of Acadia National Park. On the islands you will find galleries,
shops, restaurants and a scattering of other interesting things like small
museums and churches. The islands are
very small (the longest being only two miles long) and most visitors get around
on foot or bicycle. The islands are very
charming and represent a peaceful, slow way of life in Maine. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Paddlers find an endless array of places to explore. Many of the lakes and ponds in the park have
canoe and kayak launches. Eagle Lake and
Long Pond are beautiful places to paddle and make you feel like a tiny speck
beneath the towering granite cliffs.
Ocean kayaking is also a great way to experience the area from the water. Just be careful of the 10-12 foot tides so
you don’t get stranded and keep in mind that weather conditions can change
rapidly. There are many canoe/kayak/ and
paddle board rental companies that will outfit you with all the gear you need
to paddle if you don’t have your own craft. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Explore by guided tour.
</b>Oli’s Trolley is a relaxing and informative way to tour Mt. Desert
Island and Acadia National Park. The
narrated tours last for 2.5 or 4 hours and include scheduled stops at some of
the area highlights like Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, and the Jordan Pond
area allowing visitors to disembark and take photos. Talented guides will keep you entertained as
you travel about the island and get a history lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wildwood Stables (just off the Park Loop Road) is where you
want to head for a horse drawn carriage ride that takes you back to yesteryear
and what used to be the popular mode of transportation along the carriage
roads. Narrated one and two-hour tours
are offered and take you to some of the most scenic cobblestone bridges in the
park and mountain summits for a view. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wWT2Nv1cZmY8gtBDDMpqAk7T2ICvL5JcVChlfimOXCUOE0LwAxDjQjdxioNjxf1fSFrfOPiqAbdhnbMGM4GoAn2keBaKIXAhSzkmfAJnqM61nBOsOCPxvUbbdAIfYUS2etXboKrQQ9Y/s4320/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wWT2Nv1cZmY8gtBDDMpqAk7T2ICvL5JcVChlfimOXCUOE0LwAxDjQjdxioNjxf1fSFrfOPiqAbdhnbMGM4GoAn2keBaKIXAhSzkmfAJnqM61nBOsOCPxvUbbdAIfYUS2etXboKrQQ9Y/w640-h480/007.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Museums. </b>Museums
are a great way to spend a rainy day. Wendell
Gilley, a resident of Mt. Desert Island, was a pioneer in the field of
decorative bird carving. The museum
which bears his name is one of the few repositories in the world devoted to the
art of bird carving. Established in 1981,
the museum not only showcases an exemplary collection of Gilley's works but
other such artists as well and presents art exhibitions and educational
programs focused on people, nature and art. The museum also offers classes on bird carving
for those wanting to learn a new skill.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ntEV95MfUX0cshgKyhbDwwuCZnZg4kb6312A-q_Kl3u7BvVm-ARH27kqkGf74SjuAC6xM7LHH1ADwW5dLe8zClEM-oDTGI7Nidwh5FDKApXoLO6RFApBHlrXuOAmaKgMwfJZJKX6vs/s4880/137+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3404" data-original-width="4880" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ntEV95MfUX0cshgKyhbDwwuCZnZg4kb6312A-q_Kl3u7BvVm-ARH27kqkGf74SjuAC6xM7LHH1ADwW5dLe8zClEM-oDTGI7Nidwh5FDKApXoLO6RFApBHlrXuOAmaKgMwfJZJKX6vs/w640-h446/137+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Abbe Museum celebrates the history and cultures of the
Native people in Maine, the Wabanaki. The
museums’ archaeological collections consist of more than 50,000 objects,
spanning 10,000 years of history and include artifacts such as projectiles
points, bone artifacts, hooks, combs, baskets, and a rare flute fashioned from
the bone of a swan estimated to be 3,000 years old. Visitors will find dynamic exhibitions and
activities interspersed with spaces for quiet reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ddk-REI9xRyFhCR0KThr67NAzJm0plSfY2XqgGsGXWlgxTcVMlSuxoKl6l8Nshnd4pPgJtUKZPKYMo6gwcxQ2zACKXUKR66jcWp2501aJK_v3m5wwC1Sl1uFNFGR4HyTFJo1ysrKTAA/s6000/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ddk-REI9xRyFhCR0KThr67NAzJm0plSfY2XqgGsGXWlgxTcVMlSuxoKl6l8Nshnd4pPgJtUKZPKYMo6gwcxQ2zACKXUKR66jcWp2501aJK_v3m5wwC1Sl1uFNFGR4HyTFJo1ysrKTAA/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of our favorites is the Maine Granite Industry
Historical Society Museum. What really
makes this museum interesting is the curator, Steven Hayes, who gives you a
comprehensive explanation of how granite was mined, types of granite found on
the island and their use in construction of significant buildings across the United
States.</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Seal Cove Auto Museum is one of the largest Brass Era
(1895-1917) automobile collections assembled.
Stroll through the museum and you will be delighted with dazzling cars and
motorcycles all while learning about the invention and innovation, design,
women’s rights, and social and economic changes attributed to the early
automobile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET2aAUOvyFGe87TYb58GzGjeOj1mMq4AmK4Do0zNyzWQfxrcRi81YizUZxDTtDyhJVHVoVQDU2rNTsL4j4rgWEx5oVZbiRtajwtjfuc3d_wQR2ytXSOuEbIAhm7dRP3-H6omvH7xdsBU/s4032/20210809_135110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET2aAUOvyFGe87TYb58GzGjeOj1mMq4AmK4Do0zNyzWQfxrcRi81YizUZxDTtDyhJVHVoVQDU2rNTsL4j4rgWEx5oVZbiRtajwtjfuc3d_wQR2ytXSOuEbIAhm7dRP3-H6omvH7xdsBU/w300-h400/20210809_135110.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Venture to the tiny town of Somesville where you will find
one of the Somesville Selectmen’s Building and Bridge, Museum and Gardens. Here you will see one of the most
photographed sites on Mount Desert Island and will undoubtedly snap a picture
of your own. The building was
constructed during the 1780s and has served as a cobbler’s shop, post office,
and town office. Today the building
serves as home to the Somesville Historical Society and a museum with changing
exhibits about the area. When we
visited, exhibits centered on climate change and its effects on the Gulf of
Maine and Mt. Desert Island based on scientific research.</span><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Where to
stay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There are over a dozen campgrounds on Mt. Desert Island and
nearby. They range the gamut from
independently owned small campgrounds to those owned by large campground
conglomerates like KOA and Encore. The National Park Service operates three public
campgrounds (Seawall, Blackwoods and Schoodic Woods in Winter Harbor) which are
a little more rustic. For those of you
who may be looking for a glamping experience, check out Terramor Outdoor Resort. Terramor offers luxury tents for sleeping
under the stars and amenities like swimming pool and hot tub, restaurant and
bar, and yoga in the morning. Campground
prices and amenities span the spectrum so decide what you want and need during
your stay. Keep in mind, you better make
your reservations early as 2021 was the record highest year for visitation in Acadia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We prefer to stay at Narrows Too Camping Resort owned by
Encore which is located just a few miles off the island in Trenton but is very
convenient to accessing all areas of Acadia and Mt. Desert Island. Narrows Too is big-rig friendly and offers
discounts for club memberships and discounted rates on monthly or seasonal
sites, thus making camping costs more affordable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Schoodic
Peninsula.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">About an hours’ drive from Bar Harbor is Schoodic Peninsula
which is home to 2,200 acres of Acadia NP and the only portion of the park
located on mainland Maine. This area is
more secluded and known as the “quiet side” of Acadia and attracts fewer
visitors but is no less beautiful and still offering sweeping views of the
wind-swept rocky coast, dense forests, and lighthouses. Here you will find similar amenities as the main
part of Acadia such as hiking trails, carriage roads, a six-mile one-way loop
road, campground, and visitor center. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDLNkXu0sJxJ-gT1zKa9s4murLoOuhhFQEyleYp-M9yp2j8fVzELalermUIlArj42tPmQKFT-psWd4-cf0GkqfSBRLoeSxpOCYH9_KHsjBhPd7s6DGJ_lM6HvG8_U7ddKd5MBJBUN56c/s4032/20211008_123452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDLNkXu0sJxJ-gT1zKa9s4murLoOuhhFQEyleYp-M9yp2j8fVzELalermUIlArj42tPmQKFT-psWd4-cf0GkqfSBRLoeSxpOCYH9_KHsjBhPd7s6DGJ_lM6HvG8_U7ddKd5MBJBUN56c/w640-h480/20211008_123452.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A trip along the Schoodic Loop Road will lead you to various
points of interest. The first stop is
Frazer Point which is the perfect place for a picnic as there are tables, fire
rings, restrooms, and drinking water.
Enjoy a leisurely picnic while taking in the nice views of downtown Winter
Harbor, the nearby islands and expansive water views. As you continue along the loop road take
advantage of the many pull-offs where you can focus your binoculars on the
abundant seabird life, explore the tidal pools, and snap a few photos of the
dramatic scenery. Next up, stop at
Schoodic Institute, a nonprofit organization partnering with the National Park
Service to advance science and education.
The historic Rockefeller Hall houses a visitor center and an access
point for short (but stunning) hiking trails.
The institute also hosts public events, workshops, seminars and art programs. Finally, if you are ready to stretch your legs
hike up to Schoodic Head (elevation 440’) which offers spectacular panoramic
views of Frenchman Bay and Mount Desert Island.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK4lLZwfwql_U-HSDXICsRQF8HmlZiXWq6UUqcOkLul8yvnJEBSit8YufnHiRmmcMi9jpMh0amxczQx1kW_DLQurTxbuR3D9Q4CZ4n6doclmH0RNCp25OJjXMhvPF2XZdeHXTd9VoPYs/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK4lLZwfwql_U-HSDXICsRQF8HmlZiXWq6UUqcOkLul8yvnJEBSit8YufnHiRmmcMi9jpMh0amxczQx1kW_DLQurTxbuR3D9Q4CZ4n6doclmH0RNCp25OJjXMhvPF2XZdeHXTd9VoPYs/w320-h320/image.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Schoodic Woods Campground (operated by the National Park
Service) is a very convenient place to stay while exploring this part of Acadia
and the Schoodic Peninsula and many hiking trails and carriage roads begin at
the campground. The campground is suited
for all types of campers from tents to big-rigs but be aware that there are no
shower facilities or full hook up sites. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">During the summer, there is a paid ferry service between Bar
Harbor and Winter Harbor which is a great way to visit Schoodic and get to spend
some time on the water. Once in Winter
Harbor, the Island Explorer bus service provides free transportation from the
ferry terminal to various points in the Schoodic section of the park.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Acadia is the only National Park in the northeast United
States and welcomes visitors with its natural beauty, architectural wonders,
and rich history. Stay awhile and you
will find there is so much to do and experience that you will wish you had more
time. Acadia has a way of luring us back
for more and you may just find it has that same effect on you. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdAKGHPf-EnIzZ5AX3qEmLLVZAihCnRE8x6OnK1210vk9GkV1zfO6Ok7YVyQHNj0yr94V-aiM803yG_3wvYuF0pmxvD7mtJP2LEHaPCsxgtDX47bVvr8ppX-bBmSgMERkBpYAmPAuyTw/s2992/614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdAKGHPf-EnIzZ5AX3qEmLLVZAihCnRE8x6OnK1210vk9GkV1zfO6Ok7YVyQHNj0yr94V-aiM803yG_3wvYuF0pmxvD7mtJP2LEHaPCsxgtDX47bVvr8ppX-bBmSgMERkBpYAmPAuyTw/w400-h268/614.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-68502669558964734472021-09-02T09:16:00.002-05:002021-09-02T09:21:17.843-05:00Lubec, Maine-a Gem in the Bold Coast <p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Lubec is the easternmost town in the United States perched on
a beautiful water bound spit of land in “Downeast Maine.” A thin ribbon of water, called the Lubec
Narrows, separates downtown Lubec from the Canadian island of Campobello. The Narrows is a virtual reversing river with
fast currents fluctuating with the massive Bay of Fundy tides, creating some of
the highest tides in the world at 25 feet. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgK5TrfrYpcKHZZlM29TzEl9yh5yQB7PEmWJNO9KRLVUQvY63y0GKktArmYp4u0vV_gs_njkjIK2E_I04M5Fk1FKgOsiMHTICY-P-uhqaUsbLLGHhhmAe0ZPqLNswLQpzPvr27ZIndTU/s4032/20210731_131355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgK5TrfrYpcKHZZlM29TzEl9yh5yQB7PEmWJNO9KRLVUQvY63y0GKktArmYp4u0vV_gs_njkjIK2E_I04M5Fk1FKgOsiMHTICY-P-uhqaUsbLLGHhhmAe0ZPqLNswLQpzPvr27ZIndTU/w640-h480/20210731_131355.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">By the way, this area is called "Downeast" because when ships would sail into the region they were heading </span><i style="text-align: left;">downwind </i><span style="text-align: left;">and in an </span><i style="text-align: left;">easterly </i><span style="text-align: left;">direction. Sailors shortened that to "downeast," a term still used today to describe the region. </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Some would wonder what there is to do in a tiny coastal town
in the far eastern corner of Maine away from the notoriety of Kennebunkport,
the charisma of Camden, and the ever-popular Bar Harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we admit, there was a time when we
wondered that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But over the years
and multiple visits, we have been swooned by this little fishing village and discovering
more of Maines’ “Bold Coast.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lubec is a
breath of fresh air far away from the summer crowds of southern Maine!<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtybRhE8tFDNIyZV-Z3VSFIkP6Gm5nUKZlA2H8w5K5sKIEOvQPocX0eaRfchxI2HaUXWxLi_ztu-XZ31LHi8z1yn5CkQiJWKa6ayi1NAVjmCQ-xVTyZj_9w2t9KhM2CSaEKf5528uaF8/s4032/20210803_145304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtybRhE8tFDNIyZV-Z3VSFIkP6Gm5nUKZlA2H8w5K5sKIEOvQPocX0eaRfchxI2HaUXWxLi_ztu-XZ31LHi8z1yn5CkQiJWKa6ayi1NAVjmCQ-xVTyZj_9w2t9KhM2CSaEKf5528uaF8/w640-h480/20210803_145304.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Lubec is a town of just over a thousand people but back in
its heyday it was bustling, thanks to the sardine industry. Sardine canneries, smokehouses, and can
companies lined the waterfront and contributed to the odorous distinctive smell
of the thriving fishing economy. From
the 1880s to the end of the 20th century, Lubec and it’s neighboring city of Eastport,
were the centers of this sardine industry and ideally located adjacent to deep and
ice free harbors. The sardines canned
there were really little herring and the same fish that was the basis of the
other thriving fishery industry in the area, smoked herring. Herring were a plentiful natural resource
that were a tasty and nutritious fast food and became a profitable business offering
gainful employment. In 2001, the last
cannery closed and today only the McCurdy Smokehouse buildings remains standing
along the water and serve as a museum interpreting the towns fishing past. Today, the local economy is driven by
tourism.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHNVaFhlK3l9Vj_qIq6IwEl0GXhxGiXJhm1mE_UYpxVzAlwVTWDGSPPLl-C5ISMaCZ5OYxOhtf6CS-K2BT3tnS_-wuKg1l7PNfPWagJrNi55jYu180R4IY0ii-_t_JPoT4L-cXHolPu0/s4032/20210731_131949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHNVaFhlK3l9Vj_qIq6IwEl0GXhxGiXJhm1mE_UYpxVzAlwVTWDGSPPLl-C5ISMaCZ5OYxOhtf6CS-K2BT3tnS_-wuKg1l7PNfPWagJrNi55jYu180R4IY0ii-_t_JPoT4L-cXHolPu0/w640-h480/20210731_131949.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Downtown Lubec is just a few blocks of historic buildings
housing shops, galleries, a coffee shop, and restaurants that provide life to
the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By far, the most social place
is the Lubec Brewing Company which attracts visitors and locals alike who
linger in the beer garden and chat with a craft beer in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dotted in between the waterfront buildings
are remnants of the old wharfs where canneries and smokehouses used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, those empty spaces provide a nice view
of Canada across the channel and a view of fishing boats buzzing by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuC-CuyCy2nmw3kvgNLnxwFoDMr5a6Y4Pk1kBolF_7sKMUS9uUxiLBezAZrd2CvFgPdhZ_F-ErFRjI7D9Fgb_y5RaoMBZRami0rO68c-nLjI9x0eTH8vIXnu0UEUnbjOzjKdEH8cJooc/w400-h300/20210731_132041.jpg" width="400" /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSOqiEYSZDpn1qodtEdzIUM0kceYSFSJ_ArQ2YRGIAuTls9_ATFGrtB4PIuNLVexF_O7qjymYxa-90r6Aqc4E7G6uXHBp28QoHxlY8VVE7_GmmCvgdF5OnZF2HLDz7EUw7q4ECAeqjyU/s320/20210731_132138.jpg" width="240" /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">For those interested in learning more about the region’s history
head over to the historical society. The
museum boasts that it has 200 years on display.
In addition to the exhibits in the museum, they also have talks, demonstrations,
and lead tours. To learn more about the
sardine industry pay a visit to the historic McCurdy Smoke House Museum in
downtown Lubec. During the peak of the
fish industry in Lubec in the 1920s, there were over 20 sardine canneries and
almost 30 herring smokehouses. By the
mid-1970s, McCurdy's stood alone, the last smokehouse still curing herring for
markets around the country. </span></div><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWqS3_N9Q4qcyhMtFN8pC7w5KFXKkOqJuDVX-PVKeXtUbgXTgT4-gs3i07lpb_KhEw0RLdgxRY0_PgL7UPBraZ_8PlPQQEVKCPMjZ1Tqa86Ryh9KIOUUsN_9LhR0PSahkAxYynIXEum4/s4032/20210731_130120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWqS3_N9Q4qcyhMtFN8pC7w5KFXKkOqJuDVX-PVKeXtUbgXTgT4-gs3i07lpb_KhEw0RLdgxRY0_PgL7UPBraZ_8PlPQQEVKCPMjZ1Tqa86Ryh9KIOUUsN_9LhR0PSahkAxYynIXEum4/w640-h480/20210731_130120.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">One of most interesting stories of Lubec’s past is also the
most scandalous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the late 1880’s, two
swindlers from Martha’s Vineyard came to the area and started the Electrolytic
Marine Salts Company. The men claimed to
have developed a method of using "accumulators" to extract gold from
sea water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They bought an old grist mill
and turned it into a factory and soon the scheme attracted a plethora of
investors who were all too eager to invest after being promised exponential
financial returns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a short time,
the crooks vanished with their investors’ money and the fraud was excitedly
exposed by newspapers across New England. There is a good book written about this scandel that we got from the local library and worth the read.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EWfyrQmNClqywoGYwfY489KHGgr1wcwoYb4rh0z4b-lZ4Zvu-GcHP5ZGMQoyeHRDNn_o4FvC2Wf69zlvUTKIL9MHITk3z3d4jqwMU26FDUtn-jF0F1XkYw5ZvxaD6Hr_fLD6lrobzhw/s4032/20210802_140524.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EWfyrQmNClqywoGYwfY489KHGgr1wcwoYb4rh0z4b-lZ4Zvu-GcHP5ZGMQoyeHRDNn_o4FvC2Wf69zlvUTKIL9MHITk3z3d4jqwMU26FDUtn-jF0F1XkYw5ZvxaD6Hr_fLD6lrobzhw/w300-h400/20210802_140524.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">No visit to Lubec is complete without wandering down to the water’s
edge and gazing up at the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With its distinctive and showy red and white
stripes, the light has been guiding mariners safely through the Narrows since
1808. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, the first floor of the
lightkeeper’s historic residence serves as a visitor center which has historic
information, interactive displays and a gift shop with unique art by local
artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No visit is complete without an obligatory
picture in front of the sign proclaiming that you are standing at the “Easternmost
Point in the United States.”<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The lighthouse is part of the West Quoddy State Park which
protects 541 acres of coastal habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Numerous trails run through the park offering dramatic scenery and wonderful treed paths of varying difficulty levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a picnic lunch and enjoy time sitting on
the rocks overlooking the ocean and watching eiders bob in the water and
lobstermen haul their catch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YcsH_Slsg7BrrmuFK61Y66uC0A4nDNpnJp7e2WNY3eTtkjktDmU08C1S0m0H-l6rkhR3PVnTs9TUzXLCDq82VZH9Wt0hqttEwMV4FAx1A8Vnpyum_-tFHOMAQaqrq5H6-qYcWgxEVe8/w300-h400/20210731_092558.jpg" width="300" /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lubec is rich in natural resources and jaw dropping beauty
and outdoor activities are a great way to immerse yourself in the splendors of
the area.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We quickly discovered the
local land trust, Cobscook Shores, which manages a dozen or so parcels of land
offering hiking, primitive camping, and paddling experiences.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our favorite trail was the Black Duck Cove
Preserve which is an out and back trail (5 miles round-trip) that leads you
though the gentle balsam woods with beautiful views of the water as you wander
the shaded tree-lined path.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The preserve
boasts 12,000 feet of shoreline and ends at the High Bluff Picnic Pavilion with
scenic panoramic views of the cove and South Bay.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YcsH_Slsg7BrrmuFK61Y66uC0A4nDNpnJp7e2WNY3eTtkjktDmU08C1S0m0H-l6rkhR3PVnTs9TUzXLCDq82VZH9Wt0hqttEwMV4FAx1A8Vnpyum_-tFHOMAQaqrq5H6-qYcWgxEVe8/s4032/20210731_092558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></span><p></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Another hiking gem is the Cutler Public Land Trust which is
a perfect specimen of the dramatic and impressive “Bold Coast.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here you will find some of the most typifying
views of the rocky coast this area of Maine is known for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t forget your camera or phone for this trip
and plan to spend time along the way to soak in the views and absorb the beauty
in front of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Maine in the
raw!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For serious hikers, there is a
network of trails that extend ten or so miles along the coast and in the deep
woods with three primitive campsites along the way for an overnight stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For day hikers and those that just like a stroll
in the woods, there are shorter options like an out and back that is three miles
and has great views at the terminus or a five and a half mile loop. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are in the area, Cutler Public Lands is
a must-see. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqYDTQNyNuXta1cawfMs1ZrTFhZzCgZOo39s_T7wqMeozy-wjHp2Uv7UUrwysVi1oE8G-djAhBuFGWJe44sx9RbAFq6zQ1hLF2omKWIZ6zbq-vAkM_dG0l1oRv924LbUExaCouKY3GNg/s4032/20210804_105158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqYDTQNyNuXta1cawfMs1ZrTFhZzCgZOo39s_T7wqMeozy-wjHp2Uv7UUrwysVi1oE8G-djAhBuFGWJe44sx9RbAFq6zQ1hLF2omKWIZ6zbq-vAkM_dG0l1oRv924LbUExaCouKY3GNg/w640-h480/20210804_105158.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">For bird watchers, the South Lubec Sand Bar is a barrier
beach whose extensive tidal mud flats are an internationally important
shorebird staging area. In the fall, tens of thousands of shorebirds congregate
at this site to feed and rest during their southern migration.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">One of Lubecs most famous places and biggest draws does not have
ties to fishing, hiking or anything truly Maine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a place called Monica’s Chocolates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monica is a Peruvian woman who landed in Lubec
and makes phenomenal hand-made chocolates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Step inside and you will be overwhelmed by the satiating smell of chocolate
and surrounded by packages of bon bons, truffles, turtles, caramels, needhams, chocolate
covered fruit and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is the
hot chocolate that has us walking through the door every day, literally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, there are some two dozen
ingredients (including butter) that make up this complex deliciousness that
fills you mouth with chocolate richness and leaves you totally satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFGtWiIhUpiSXV4nKDr6ZqOQsRvaM_nUimuW8UJ7jkBhsxDOXlqIYreBL_J5fPfhT5hE0qrwlscvkFwhrna0ASDIe0B59IgcBPiRzTrZlMhf-v38abo1avW6u5UHd9GeZzMHwCUiTgVo/s4032/20210731_123644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFGtWiIhUpiSXV4nKDr6ZqOQsRvaM_nUimuW8UJ7jkBhsxDOXlqIYreBL_J5fPfhT5hE0qrwlscvkFwhrna0ASDIe0B59IgcBPiRzTrZlMhf-v38abo1avW6u5UHd9GeZzMHwCUiTgVo/w400-h300/20210731_123644.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The longer we stay in Lubec the more we fall in love with the
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is lots more to do and see
in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring your passport so you
can cross into Canada and explore Campobello Island where Franklin D. Roosevelt had his
summer home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After touring the home, wander
around the Provincial Park where there are hiking trails, lighthouses, and plenty of beautiful
places to explore as you meander around the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For more information about
the nearby town of Eastport click <a href="https://rvagogo.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-visit-to-eastern-most-city-in.html">here</a>
for a previous blog and <a href="https://rvagogo.blogspot.com/2014/07/way-downeast-in-lubec-maine.html">here</a>
for details of our first visit to Lubec.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtH7QxlItsbjzlUOy_Jtmb66U8WTV1ebUfAyubsRcKRIIEDYpuav0zq83_uHNSEKuUqd2rLWHJ9yyNpGwIbtXierYBflhqZSw-SqnHXdww5wowdHoUYJTQFKnc2CzKcirrdFWRBd_BfCQ/s4032/20210803_200037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtH7QxlItsbjzlUOy_Jtmb66U8WTV1ebUfAyubsRcKRIIEDYpuav0zq83_uHNSEKuUqd2rLWHJ9yyNpGwIbtXierYBflhqZSw-SqnHXdww5wowdHoUYJTQFKnc2CzKcirrdFWRBd_BfCQ/w640-h480/20210803_200037.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-55392342716329560022021-08-13T10:12:00.002-05:002022-02-22T07:05:42.462-06:00RV Park Review - Moose River Campground (St. Johnsbury, Vermont)<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mooserivercampground.com/" target="_blank">Moose River</a> is a small family-owned and operated campground just a
few miles outside of St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
The campground abuts the Moose River which makes for a pretty backdrop
and wonderful place to dip your toes in the water. The shallow river is a clear flowing rocky
river. The campground is a mix of
seasonal and transient campers with sites large enough to fit big rigs. There is also a rental camper and cabin
available. There were tent sites but the
owner mentioned they may fade those out. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ERop8qkHt54Sy-t2YXdr2nr_3GbaTBdH3btQYbZxnFPeNepIYJ4R8gIr0ANLMUt6Mvn5PYzWwVwb5rWHpAskgGX1hGTskVVjh3k7Ch4uMHWH8S5Lbr_t7-UBh9Psaeqr3E_vZsDFd4g/s2048/20210707_100301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ERop8qkHt54Sy-t2YXdr2nr_3GbaTBdH3btQYbZxnFPeNepIYJ4R8gIr0ANLMUt6Mvn5PYzWwVwb5rWHpAskgGX1hGTskVVjh3k7Ch4uMHWH8S5Lbr_t7-UBh9Psaeqr3E_vZsDFd4g/w640-h480/20210707_100301.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We stayed in a large pull thru (well over 125’) full hook-up
site in the center section of the campground. (Site 27; $47/night). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The electric worked fine and the sewer was
easily reached with my 20’ sewer hose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The pad was gravel (as were the roads) and the patio was nice
grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cable television is available and
produced 32 stations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Verizon
hotspot and phone worked well.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHum8oEqrvx7ZiF3zJD5fNPkyBCApM0lzqsJbpVq1sf2i3JyYOUlb97ycdqXoGKOuleI41N8xk2pIIPqo8cxjk_KRM5Oj7dMt3oL23rZKKhsIBsItJXUCfa4-eTrORhpleHIzXCfnmjw/s2048/20210707_100552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHum8oEqrvx7ZiF3zJD5fNPkyBCApM0lzqsJbpVq1sf2i3JyYOUlb97ycdqXoGKOuleI41N8xk2pIIPqo8cxjk_KRM5Oj7dMt3oL23rZKKhsIBsItJXUCfa4-eTrORhpleHIzXCfnmjw/w640-h480/20210707_100552.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8coMHY9CDpbpiwRNWEpiV3xt0haxpWklHKiDTkHp1zC82cvtU-Yad_Nx-8OJ1Dil_3dm-iEgU5QnemN5NsHTmZHpwSj8CTeTHL6ZRMRfAHYPrpm_lY8F3clT1DG42Qhj4EJR2A5wakfM/s2048/20210707_100322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8coMHY9CDpbpiwRNWEpiV3xt0haxpWklHKiDTkHp1zC82cvtU-Yad_Nx-8OJ1Dil_3dm-iEgU5QnemN5NsHTmZHpwSj8CTeTHL6ZRMRfAHYPrpm_lY8F3clT1DG42Qhj4EJR2A5wakfM/s320/20210707_100322.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidntr8YW3_81o9GZByrtzOvGzCKy3yXnKo-_VGUbRJscf9nurA5tLhQKgrJCtmAqF4vzDGuW-n0hN7yvdaLfIAd_vwfU0HNgvChdxL87w-Nnf4Auz1eX-JRXWNxXRHnGq10tT3kiIPz8I/s2048/20210707_100021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidntr8YW3_81o9GZByrtzOvGzCKy3yXnKo-_VGUbRJscf9nurA5tLhQKgrJCtmAqF4vzDGuW-n0hN7yvdaLfIAd_vwfU0HNgvChdxL87w-Nnf4Auz1eX-JRXWNxXRHnGq10tT3kiIPz8I/s320/20210707_100021.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGM6zhHeQRalueKRW4Ab24gSs09B89-SxY2ZL_lRWykoYHbEihe0ddBF6ljHovJO0YMrAT7S9hzZ5Iwk94THQuFYueC56Bc2l5KkToq5-jhrjEIKGcVtmG6xnR0k4l0LGa3IBD7q4c28/s2048/20210707_095956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGM6zhHeQRalueKRW4Ab24gSs09B89-SxY2ZL_lRWykoYHbEihe0ddBF6ljHovJO0YMrAT7S9hzZ5Iwk94THQuFYueC56Bc2l5KkToq5-jhrjEIKGcVtmG6xnR0k4l0LGa3IBD7q4c28/w640-h480/20210707_095956.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt7o4iAG4ytnJYRLxfCLtmHRR2oro5TsIjcMKYlWM-h2rUlOvw7efxbm5HQT3i5KAMVm89jdcRDnOGnGyLJxa5soN1vsVcJe5BruLLEFJrh3oZyAMiwUfxEPBkbIjeVVvWG_CX6OFgX0/s2048/20210707_100053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt7o4iAG4ytnJYRLxfCLtmHRR2oro5TsIjcMKYlWM-h2rUlOvw7efxbm5HQT3i5KAMVm89jdcRDnOGnGyLJxa5soN1vsVcJe5BruLLEFJrh3oZyAMiwUfxEPBkbIjeVVvWG_CX6OFgX0/w640-h480/20210707_100053.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There are lots of activities at this park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like every week there was a community
bonfire where lots of palettes were set ablaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During our stay, there was a potluck dinner in which the owners supplied
prime rib and hosted us in a large covered pavilion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One evening they drove around the campground
offering free ice cream sandwiches or drum sticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some mornings they supplied free bagels or
donuts and always had free coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And,
there were people always on the porch playing cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amenities include river access, a decent size
dog park, large covered pavilion, bathhouse and laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you arrive, you are given a swag bag
with printed information about the surrounding area and businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a really nice touch because the reusable
bag can be used in the grocery store as plastic bags have been banned in
Vermont.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV86K4O6RkM6QL4QMyLDO2V_4ahaYvNOFeX8Rj6duEGtF401tNKM5DzfupQBw6h-LWuGlUl1NUy4hdqpFl7KPt93G3sTZUEg84U6lO-5zKWhQVy42wFS26ePxqgLRLzsQI1wvd1R7AEKM/s2048/20210702_191856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV86K4O6RkM6QL4QMyLDO2V_4ahaYvNOFeX8Rj6duEGtF401tNKM5DzfupQBw6h-LWuGlUl1NUy4hdqpFl7KPt93G3sTZUEg84U6lO-5zKWhQVy42wFS26ePxqgLRLzsQI1wvd1R7AEKM/s320/20210702_191856.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOhjZKCDj77Z-5_wtY6jUcw2AC8-3mmNB51dDpxBQ96muVliT81uG6BHaEobA17c72OBIA5h2Pog-1Sizl_YM5AmZ1dkUk8wnNReNjYRdjFVxl6hlSkhGoOpOF1_AIu5MPwa4JHfTw2o/s2048/20210707_100152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOhjZKCDj77Z-5_wtY6jUcw2AC8-3mmNB51dDpxBQ96muVliT81uG6BHaEobA17c72OBIA5h2Pog-1Sizl_YM5AmZ1dkUk8wnNReNjYRdjFVxl6hlSkhGoOpOF1_AIu5MPwa4JHfTw2o/s320/20210707_100152.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO2BuQ6caDLlQ4BGE5Oz-Tffb6l3sp4FX4pCxBykAFA0QtIx7JN-uEnWHSU4_3hqdOV0lKtlsiPUxlbHnLVwUu18uMscpZeV7l2NlV3KCxsXwCz2j7H-jMqerBp2nO-rRvJVtyQstO-8/s2048/20210707_100619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO2BuQ6caDLlQ4BGE5Oz-Tffb6l3sp4FX4pCxBykAFA0QtIx7JN-uEnWHSU4_3hqdOV0lKtlsiPUxlbHnLVwUu18uMscpZeV7l2NlV3KCxsXwCz2j7H-jMqerBp2nO-rRvJVtyQstO-8/w400-h300/20210707_100619.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If you can score a riverfront site those are nice to sit
outside and enjoy a fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pull thru
sites are very close on one side as each RV pulls in the opposite direction;
however, the sites are so long that if you pull up far enough you are not
looking at your neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your patio
opens to a neighbor but the sites are far enough away that it’s not a bother
and you don’t feel like you are on top of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Probably the nicest site in the park is #23 (pictured below) which is a back-in site with
your patio facing the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4yA4NRhHq_apLU4JvfaKfrhr06-lGXiV-_wulLPASGoVMNq29wl1vyl4XZXXyqWd23Chv5plfcuZGx7Dwyifptfa8qF8OVCidWMh2MQqYHTX-9yVBz1PBkm1WhGkKPFwcSsgM_cs9y4/s2048/20210707_100215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4yA4NRhHq_apLU4JvfaKfrhr06-lGXiV-_wulLPASGoVMNq29wl1vyl4XZXXyqWd23Chv5plfcuZGx7Dwyifptfa8qF8OVCidWMh2MQqYHTX-9yVBz1PBkm1WhGkKPFwcSsgM_cs9y4/w640-h480/20210707_100215.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The campground is in a good location, just a few miles from
downtown St. Johnsbury, just a mile or so from “Dog Mountain,” and about 15
miles from Littleton, New Hampshire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is a town forest just a few miles away that has some nice hiking trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The campground is pretty small so we were
happy to find places to hike with our dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-32768949999200233802021-08-06T05:38:00.000-05:002021-08-06T05:38:24.384-05:00The Quirky Side of Vermont<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Vermont is known for it’s iconic brands like Cabot Cheese,
Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, Orvis Outfitters, and Long Trail Beer. It draws nature lovers to its lush green
mountains, deep blue lakes, and bountiful streams. History buffs marvel at the classic covered wooden
bridges and classic architecture. As we spent a month traveling around Vermont we enjoyed all of those things but we also discovered
there was more to the Vermont experience than the typical guide book recommendations. Like every other state, Vermont has a unique
and quirky side to it and has its share of places that make it on the Atlas Obscura and Roadside America
lists. We found the quirky side of Vermont up in the "Northeast Kingdom" region of the state. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the middle of nowhere Vermont is a place, and a
movement, and a theater called <i><a href="https://breadandpuppet.org/" target="_blank">Bread and Puppet Theater and Museum</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Bread and Puppet is a theater company that
orchestrates productions with puppets, people, and conveys political messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sound intriguing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait until you go into the museum housed in an
old dairy barn with creaking floors, dusty rafters, and lights you turn on and
off yourselves because being in there in the dark would scare even the boldest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf4EX3mC7XCT3793AioYmkBHhjktCyx4eH_spB9OyGnCJVgnYIsWrzqBSSuqDp-IH9nqrN-3An9DmR0DdDLvQ8VduO-m2WE998gMx2s3qRNg8RusNPmRZMcLb5FYtxFM5J_jCIUtTjck/s4032/20210706_093801.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBhWAr3KCiWeYzCJcbyBI-IfWj84-j34pdzcz4LkADrdaTnFV7JIZ-l1_q9NAHK_LGfH7a-VDaHvHIKEu3yXteJ-5A-Tt2ZDB-auoF0F9qYlDzRhuNWib2fG5_KOYksXZASjnWeJq4XM/w640-h429/DSC_0202.JPG" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;" width="640" /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf4EX3mC7XCT3793AioYmkBHhjktCyx4eH_spB9OyGnCJVgnYIsWrzqBSSuqDp-IH9nqrN-3An9DmR0DdDLvQ8VduO-m2WE998gMx2s3qRNg8RusNPmRZMcLb5FYtxFM5J_jCIUtTjck/w640-h480/20210706_093801.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The museum houses past puppets used in theatrical
performances. Puppets of all sizes,
shapes, and depictions decorate every inch of wall space and stare back at you,
penetrating your mind and soul and making you think about the political causes.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GVIe2fqGqOM" width="320" youtube-src-id="GVIe2fqGqOM"></iframe></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The founder of the theater, Peter Schumann, moved from
Germany to the United States in 1961 in an attempt to bring folk motifs and
politics back into the arts. Bread and
Puppet Theater was formed in 1982 and is most well known for their incredible,
large puppets which have been seen in parades all over the world and have influenced puppetry at political protests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once garnering crowds of tens of thousands, the company now performs to
smaller crowds at their home in the town of Glover, Vermont and continues to travel throughout
New England, New York and occasionally other U.S. cities and abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The theater runs a program where apprentices
help produce and act in performances and locals join in during performances and help maintain the barn and grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why
the name Bread and Puppet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At each
performance, the cast serves the audience free bread and aioli, to demonstrate
the central principle art is as essential to life as food.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ai3EZm1eZy7MSP0tHxLCEsxV5nrTy1yJvv064qWhNBC8uUDZ-aquobe3JV6wZi3w1OYBlz7yL5u6GDuaLbmXBxcY8OJJ4A6POmHGg84khdeODT-L6zxH8oed69WygAmxxfucdz9fc64/s4032/20210706_100619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ai3EZm1eZy7MSP0tHxLCEsxV5nrTy1yJvv064qWhNBC8uUDZ-aquobe3JV6wZi3w1OYBlz7yL5u6GDuaLbmXBxcY8OJJ4A6POmHGg84khdeODT-L6zxH8oed69WygAmxxfucdz9fc64/w640-h480/20210706_100619.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">Across the street from the museum is a an old dilapidated schoolbus spray painted with the words "Cheap Art." But the red Bluebird looks more like a home to rats and racoons than an art gallery you would want to peruse.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Venture inside the bus, if you dare and be sure and watch your step so
you don’t fall through the floor boards, and you will find it filled with hundreds
of small pictures painted on scraps of masonite, cardboard and newspaper, and painted
slogans and statements about art and Cheap Art.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;">The guiding principle is that art should be and available to everyone.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Art does not only belong only in museums and the privilege
of the rich, it belongs everywhere to be accessible to everyone.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;">All the art inside the bus is for sale ranging in price from a couple of coins to a few bucks.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Just drop you money in the box and take your
treasure with you.</span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidi_N-tr2G1NC5htDn6UsYCQfQuf31esZJepeDvLQWSSFLCU2FGZNYCuxd2uOeEpN_qKek0F1KJv9Z567JA-IOJDGT24o63nCw43kHnsTDYOAhLIVdl-2sqPS2mkn8iYA7Y_5nwj37J2E/s4032/20210706_092357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidi_N-tr2G1NC5htDn6UsYCQfQuf31esZJepeDvLQWSSFLCU2FGZNYCuxd2uOeEpN_qKek0F1KJv9Z567JA-IOJDGT24o63nCw43kHnsTDYOAhLIVdl-2sqPS2mkn8iYA7Y_5nwj37J2E/w640-h480/20210706_092357.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCLhsCZW_rgy11cXrf9kVOUvdvmIuq7Voqfw3M9McUI3Dpguvdrn7vAM3ly04_e690V-WKBN8aBdNFhAEORxB5FZxKPOOSJRygTBJmVpDQluOk2eIERRXMA-1k4BZ-PoAIgUevSRM4M/s4032/20210706_092615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCLhsCZW_rgy11cXrf9kVOUvdvmIuq7Voqfw3M9McUI3Dpguvdrn7vAM3ly04_e690V-WKBN8aBdNFhAEORxB5FZxKPOOSJRygTBJmVpDQluOk2eIERRXMA-1k4BZ-PoAIgUevSRM4M/s320/20210706_092615.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2dS_cXI_53s_Cxiq840EDlJNAh8P3KnKMi6ZKiqWnC8olqdnB5hKZXTxKldnVbQGL-zfYPjQbvooPrRQItBsUS-Pv4yY_BSqp80ROH5DXBiJtVN-vEdP52HYcrs9wfjnt_jHi69ywLc/s4032/20210706_092752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2dS_cXI_53s_Cxiq840EDlJNAh8P3KnKMi6ZKiqWnC8olqdnB5hKZXTxKldnVbQGL-zfYPjQbvooPrRQItBsUS-Pv4yY_BSqp80ROH5DXBiJtVN-vEdP52HYcrs9wfjnt_jHi69ywLc/s320/20210706_092752.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Not too far from Bread and Puppet is the <a href="https://museumofeverydaylife.org/" target="_blank">Museum of EverydayLife</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum is housed in a run-down
barn that looks vulnerable to collapsing during the next strong wind or snowstorm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entryway is decorated with a wide array
of junk – gas cans, rusty farm tools, clanging cans, and an old pink toilet that
someone forgot to put the lid down on – and that is because the museum is a
collection of junk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Museum of Everyday
life chronicles and highlights the utilitarian, mundane, and insignificant
articles of our existence and puts them center stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clare Dolan, the museums founder, was cleaning
out her barn and realized that she had gadgets and gizmos galore, all of which
were worthy of display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fi-j3KB04UbbiwV5sWfm91qFnq6869Au2rl_Ym4AaNALHuABmJr__ZB1FEDE1Irwxwf2UM9ZKg2oyI8aWrKN5Hm_vU2yZAy1SR9glGiPu4kIUusdaVn9Eyh9Y2E4EBWhd-571KtfZJI/w640-h428/DSC_0243.JPG" width="640" /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sometimes the simplest
objects are the most important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the
first exhibit Dolan created – the match. The exhibit displays a collection of
matchbooks from across the globe, a roller coaster reproduction constructed of
paper matches, and a violin that a prison inmate made from wooden matchsticks (that
really plays). Other exhibits include the “Frayed Knot: The Human Art of
Tying and Trying,” which exhibits an assortment of knots big and small,
including a tangled knot of human hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was an exhibit on keys which either get thrown in a drawer and forgotten about
or are in our pockets everyday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The toothbrush
– an object that most of us use daily – takes a prominent place in the front of
the museum and displays objects like a his and hers alligator toothbrush holder,
travel toothbrush kit, and a politically incorrect antique toothbrush with a
man in black face. Recently the Smithsonian
Magazine named it one of the “<i>Eight Unusual Roadside Attractions Worth
Stopping For</i>.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly was “unusual.”</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QYN2GnXfnd2j-jUl7O_JmAAJccwI4C_ckelFIRkDoEm57kZd0UNMXkDLZio19EK43uToEHxMR5ejgFyOh5jDumzC1S0lJr7_Kueyb2cunzGd4flCgQ3Urt9Z9ZVsVD5ndt-0arWKQlI/s320/DSC_0237.JPG" width="320" /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo8AFksD2fvk8_CDrMhIe_dPoPFvz3HK0aPbkZIxwsaTvBJkYmvtDUwbCEC9t0ewIeBFhXV4_SD4D1X5qh9_vlT9Bue2JHA4VQSZGb8p_obSxGD7dc-7kcRJEHiw7yV52e_t6p634gTI/s2992/DSC_0229.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo8AFksD2fvk8_CDrMhIe_dPoPFvz3HK0aPbkZIxwsaTvBJkYmvtDUwbCEC9t0ewIeBFhXV4_SD4D1X5qh9_vlT9Bue2JHA4VQSZGb8p_obSxGD7dc-7kcRJEHiw7yV52e_t6p634gTI/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QYN2GnXfnd2j-jUl7O_JmAAJccwI4C_ckelFIRkDoEm57kZd0UNMXkDLZio19EK43uToEHxMR5ejgFyOh5jDumzC1S0lJr7_Kueyb2cunzGd4flCgQ3Urt9Z9ZVsVD5ndt-0arWKQlI/s2992/DSC_0237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymgMQcnjXQOH9G8pqscFzizwrQtDqjmTV37Zih_wNut8ia6YUUfTOSP_cXWyELeiIFoH6AqSIROdCT4HSN8w_6Pa8P61O0at2JQaqPqaENqptTtiQlzGHTXMIIGkf8C1apqAFszDE0jw/s2992/DSC_0238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymgMQcnjXQOH9G8pqscFzizwrQtDqjmTV37Zih_wNut8ia6YUUfTOSP_cXWyELeiIFoH6AqSIROdCT4HSN8w_6Pa8P61O0at2JQaqPqaENqptTtiQlzGHTXMIIGkf8C1apqAFszDE0jw/w640-h428/DSC_0238.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7I_XH4JVXrr0JDM43YwgGVZV5YKN7U1v8pRMZKo7G68Ia6ewGfvjceb-ywExmsF5ewYNBQavMp6zQ94qYFwHagWkpxQF1U-vsxSYjEJ5L1nuxTKR13WKCegT5JSsHYbt0WDgTx_54EGI/s4032/20210706_104124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7I_XH4JVXrr0JDM43YwgGVZV5YKN7U1v8pRMZKo7G68Ia6ewGfvjceb-ywExmsF5ewYNBQavMp6zQ94qYFwHagWkpxQF1U-vsxSYjEJ5L1nuxTKR13WKCegT5JSsHYbt0WDgTx_54EGI/w400-h300/20210706_104124.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In Vermont there is a place where dogs “are not just welcomed,
they are cherished.”</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Welcome to <a href="https://www.dogmt.com/Dog-Mountain.html" target="_blank">Dog Mountain</a>!</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The 150-acre Dog Mountain
property is a unique attraction that honors the healing power of “dogs, nature,
love, and art,” and preserves and celebrates the important artistic
contributions of Dog Mountain’s iconic creator, Stephen Huneck, a self-taught
hand-sculptor and author.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In 1994, Stephen suffered
from Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome after falling down a flight of stairs,
and it left him in a coma for two months. Though his prognosis was not good he
did wake up from the coma and began a long recovery which included learning
how to walk and sign his name.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Prior to
the accident, Huneck had been inspired to do a series of woodcut prints based
on his black Labrador Retriever Sally and later authored numerous childrens books. (Note how Spirit was showing off her carved wooden dog pose.)</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Huneck believed in the healing powers of dogs, nature, art, and love and
after this near-death experience, Stephen had a vision to build a Dog Chapel,
"a place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond they have
with their dogs."</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Today, Dog
Mountain and the Chapel are the most popular attraction in the town of St. Johnsbury.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are hiking trails, annual events, a
gallery of Hunecks work, and plenty of dogs running free.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EW7wkBH3PUUXfm24Ndik8-UdKM-c7hq5YbW2zCGzZo80Ce9wggXaoFPQ6zzTIvwpSJ8WTHO7LMm0YNjRVNfwlXppr68fHozF9dtUD-_38sBXp5JpW3nXRhuYBo0lR9Q_qXnv121YhBs/s2992/DSC_0165.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EW7wkBH3PUUXfm24Ndik8-UdKM-c7hq5YbW2zCGzZo80Ce9wggXaoFPQ6zzTIvwpSJ8WTHO7LMm0YNjRVNfwlXppr68fHozF9dtUD-_38sBXp5JpW3nXRhuYBo0lR9Q_qXnv121YhBs/w640-h428/DSC_0165.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweL3LFwyfonWJaSEA_vrtxDv_ocMRHAblTMLHwU-Y_UJpMiU5XMI70P9pAfIT3ZFRoL20FyCvXJHAsE2Y1AzgRoITtu-Q5i1TIJOfLcuBThiRrA1OShdhxDheFObozvVOEAfjOnUjQhw/s4032/20210704_122104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweL3LFwyfonWJaSEA_vrtxDv_ocMRHAblTMLHwU-Y_UJpMiU5XMI70P9pAfIT3ZFRoL20FyCvXJHAsE2Y1AzgRoITtu-Q5i1TIJOfLcuBThiRrA1OShdhxDheFObozvVOEAfjOnUjQhw/w640-h480/20210704_122104.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwHloqmXqk09tC1VZcayCoOMGERjFXCi1dCpXA1qQJwQVSW1QHeHhUm9RieiZSq9d946NLO8J3_jGYCtsg4XWZ3GiEPdmEe7SDlCCpuBmxwfNhmQoaDSp6p5X8qF43lG8BQmV5UYgWK0/s2992/DSC_0175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwHloqmXqk09tC1VZcayCoOMGERjFXCi1dCpXA1qQJwQVSW1QHeHhUm9RieiZSq9d946NLO8J3_jGYCtsg4XWZ3GiEPdmEe7SDlCCpuBmxwfNhmQoaDSp6p5X8qF43lG8BQmV5UYgWK0/w640-h428/DSC_0175.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmyke4l1_u-ulun3hMVklLV5aOQXp6cjvuEpxyYT5IXDLa-jYEUmwKtKQYgKIHpTt5nEGTmpc4GaNENH53cchZMvk7zyf9-koPMAwVw6xHwEoUVNY2k51LiOBmLXcufcIRaUA8LxK9q0/s4032/20210706_125401.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmyke4l1_u-ulun3hMVklLV5aOQXp6cjvuEpxyYT5IXDLa-jYEUmwKtKQYgKIHpTt5nEGTmpc4GaNENH53cchZMvk7zyf9-koPMAwVw6xHwEoUVNY2k51LiOBmLXcufcIRaUA8LxK9q0/w300-h400/20210706_125401.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We based our travels out of the town of St. Johnsbury. St. Johnsbury is a quaint little town that
lies in the valley of the Connecticut River dividing Vermont’s Green Mountains
and the granite of New Hampshire. St.
Johnsbury was put on the map by the Fairbanks family, specifically brothers
Thaddeus and Erastus who arrived in the early 1800’s with little more than a
wagon of personal items and innovative ideas.
The brothers ventured into the hemp business and shortly thereafter
realized there was a need for mechanical scales that would accurately weigh
large loads of hemp straw coming from farmers.
They designed and manufactured platform scales called the <i>Fairbanks Scale</i>
that allowed the accurate weighing of large objects. Their company – Fairbanks Scales – grew internationally
and helped St. Johnsbury become one of the most prosperous towns in the Northeast.</span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Fairchild’s were very generous with their fortune and founded
numerous institutions dedicated to education and the arts for the people of St.
Johnsbury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of which is the <a href="https://www.fairbanksmuseum.org/visit" target="_blank">Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium</a> in downtown St. Johnsbury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Franklin Fairbanks opened the museum in 1889
so New Englanders could see exquisite examples of natural science and artifacts
from around the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum is
housed in a stunning Victorian building that is amass with a dazzling array of dead animals and artifacts, dolls and tools, shells and fossils, ethnographic
materials and much more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The associated planetarium
is Vermont's only public planetarium, opened in 1961 and continues to offer
guided tours of the cosmos every day.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME2br1vqCoMSsyqTRFHla3VE3iV3-400snQzo1GTyKExys96omo732i9LMlG_t68maoOlyyZV9mwW1jC9wNFrYpsS_SsMPdI_xzwoXNcXGj10Ck_qMpG91_Y3VrRhrhahn1Y2VYFiho4/s4032/20210706_124402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME2br1vqCoMSsyqTRFHla3VE3iV3-400snQzo1GTyKExys96omo732i9LMlG_t68maoOlyyZV9mwW1jC9wNFrYpsS_SsMPdI_xzwoXNcXGj10Ck_qMpG91_Y3VrRhrhahn1Y2VYFiho4/w640-h480/20210706_124402.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDe0swlbeegXUkn2camVm1BCZ3bmdulIiI8sb1Dkx6vTNjm_mKJCU3gs4iAZx9dXUaVAqzQRghIvYsH3rf3L_apdz5sOItyHKFHzTWMODbMhYGsgiWgeQjN9oJJu1wj6WYxf5gbX_ovE/s4032/20210706_122034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDe0swlbeegXUkn2camVm1BCZ3bmdulIiI8sb1Dkx6vTNjm_mKJCU3gs4iAZx9dXUaVAqzQRghIvYsH3rf3L_apdz5sOItyHKFHzTWMODbMhYGsgiWgeQjN9oJJu1wj6WYxf5gbX_ovE/w640-h480/20210706_122034.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont beats to a slower pace than
southern Vermont and embraces the unusual. We were glad to get to
explore the area and take a little diversion off the beaten path.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br />RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-38598841740329945832021-07-26T15:36:00.000-05:002021-07-26T15:36:33.190-05:00RV Park Review - Mountain View Campground (Morrisville, Vermont)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When we first pulled into <a href="https://www.mountainviewcamping.com/" target="_blank">Mountain View Campground</a> and saw how close
our site was to our neighbors, we were a little dismayed. But, it turned out we had a really pleasant stay
at the campground and came to like all the amenities and people and thought it
was a nice campground. The campground is
located right on the Lamoille River so you can wade, tube, fish, admire the
view, or let your dog cool off. While
the sites are pretty close keep in mind there is a big weekend crowd and we
found that a number of people seemed to clear out on Sunday. </span></div><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZizIoG5gItjFMQM7HlNwylXu12UzZrYge3TPsrwXgAedO_ZDCv6l_KZw46bjxen4fanAuK1YOn_IIEVLv8DidJSYn7gWCTTT4BAUAhBFpOX-GVL132h32yndhswPruvw12tk5RphMnRU/s2048/20210629_095746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZizIoG5gItjFMQM7HlNwylXu12UzZrYge3TPsrwXgAedO_ZDCv6l_KZw46bjxen4fanAuK1YOn_IIEVLv8DidJSYn7gWCTTT4BAUAhBFpOX-GVL132h32yndhswPruvw12tk5RphMnRU/w640-h480/20210629_095746.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our site (#103) was long enough to fit our rig but we had to squeeze the car in front. The site was level and all the hookups were well-placed and worked fine. Despite the really hot weather and our need to run three air conditioners, we did not have any power issues. We tended not to sit outside because of the heat which was fine because your patio is really close to your neighbors RV. There was no room for our firepit in our patio so it was at the back of our site and was not very appealing to sit around because it looked at tall grass and a rental house on the property. In front of us was a big grassy field so we did not have to look at another RV out our front window</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1nNKzuJE4h6210cVtgwhDscZZoPR1CTPZBnKlflaAFtBX9N5lkWVdfd7b7Tf856A1tvQVI_0Iho8F7xGP_570uLJaAcyhd5I7GGSGcAITBIiW6MaWZgMe149SHmhoz7wqxOotSkjaUs/s2048/20210629_095733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1nNKzuJE4h6210cVtgwhDscZZoPR1CTPZBnKlflaAFtBX9N5lkWVdfd7b7Tf856A1tvQVI_0Iho8F7xGP_570uLJaAcyhd5I7GGSGcAITBIiW6MaWZgMe149SHmhoz7wqxOotSkjaUs/w640-h480/20210629_095733.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3C-wyYp81hvVIr5Lbw217D2_xf0BayYsJd6Ww8pF82dgx0jOaGG7z7r6FY9KP-Y6WNpNdUyX67skKKO-b5fg7JW7q1-RJttmB133G1tl20coe1m5WikVAkKYA64YNy7LJyYhMoBi-Rc/s2048/20210629_095817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3C-wyYp81hvVIr5Lbw217D2_xf0BayYsJd6Ww8pF82dgx0jOaGG7z7r6FY9KP-Y6WNpNdUyX67skKKO-b5fg7JW7q1-RJttmB133G1tl20coe1m5WikVAkKYA64YNy7LJyYhMoBi-Rc/w640-h480/20210629_095817.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqfaZ-1RTfRohNWxSnMqPIQL_M12fY5EUQstqO-gHYbDi2zgUIBW8tRyd8FYVJAJUlop5f5bHV7rLZS0tGWN50nnJ_Q5yA9Eoj_kyl0TcIsuRUGpcedBBEG14NB9NSleY9vm1DZquAs4/s2048/20210629_095849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqfaZ-1RTfRohNWxSnMqPIQL_M12fY5EUQstqO-gHYbDi2zgUIBW8tRyd8FYVJAJUlop5f5bHV7rLZS0tGWN50nnJ_Q5yA9Eoj_kyl0TcIsuRUGpcedBBEG14NB9NSleY9vm1DZquAs4/w640-h480/20210629_095849.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Amenities in the campground include a playground, two
swimming pools, hot tub, outdoor picnic pavilion, horseshoe pits, propane fill,
well-stocked camp store with a great selection of local beer/cider, free 9-hole
mini golf course, and 2 shuffleboard courts. One of the most popular amenities is the river
access. You can rent kayaks and tubes
from the store or bring your own and float down the river. There are multiple spots where you can put in
and float down a little way before reaching the other access point. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRwLQygD9Xn-qxv_K8zOH4nd914b7ARIl5_yhx3pokQw8cMA1TldpRd77MdbGqYQBw1f2EwT4mDDo98d3LZkJI81w-AlNv1Hjctx6gYM6XwZJgQSFtXjhHrYtIWb40ltoFuuNNbxC4Ug/s2048/20210629_100016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRwLQygD9Xn-qxv_K8zOH4nd914b7ARIl5_yhx3pokQw8cMA1TldpRd77MdbGqYQBw1f2EwT4mDDo98d3LZkJI81w-AlNv1Hjctx6gYM6XwZJgQSFtXjhHrYtIWb40ltoFuuNNbxC4Ug/w640-h480/20210629_100016.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSQRI3pcDTMqxuIVzcYU5tJzVQxlN6oSVlIHgZ9ErFxPtn6dviYwhtk1jMr3boiOxrVxvQdYiMhepLuRJC3yugpsJPsjUPgSm4TvcHrAhkAKJxGuZRWmjz0VsxeXGW1O8QnuabWvgR_E/w640-h480/20210629_105107.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipx024y8U3-BCSIJn-uDgQ4raVFmoEpzeMMbGHvvL0PmTWbZxKlfAX1Pw83GLrFzJO_EL6PZ711N3lgt_w7ePq9Fi77k2926zdtVQ1lO1Bt0aZCxSfJQSTpyrpkJBA9CtBouoguPSPFGI/s2048/20210629_105133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipx024y8U3-BCSIJn-uDgQ4raVFmoEpzeMMbGHvvL0PmTWbZxKlfAX1Pw83GLrFzJO_EL6PZ711N3lgt_w7ePq9Fi77k2926zdtVQ1lO1Bt0aZCxSfJQSTpyrpkJBA9CtBouoguPSPFGI/w640-h480/20210629_105133.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdaUg5c4oV1_E31tJaHsyMW3wvLPx064s8D7PVRGtbUTFEUOcziWjD8gPuatexYoOANwOHDcPLRu8XcxVgMpX3b-juto-ToV3U0KSvylrLi8s3tg3Tl3JyhqHuGQwmMzy67FzjSsrrE4/s2048/20210629_105140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdaUg5c4oV1_E31tJaHsyMW3wvLPx064s8D7PVRGtbUTFEUOcziWjD8gPuatexYoOANwOHDcPLRu8XcxVgMpX3b-juto-ToV3U0KSvylrLi8s3tg3Tl3JyhqHuGQwmMzy67FzjSsrrE4/w640-h480/20210629_105140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">The campground is very clean and well-kept. They were finishing a new bathouse when we were there and all the buildings looked nice with beautiful gardens. Even the maintenance area was tidy and didn't have junk laying around. We loved the pool because it was very clean, it was hot and we like to swim. Actually there are two pools, one very small more like a dip pool and another larger one. </span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The campground is located near the interstate for easy in
and out but there are no pull-thrus so you will have to unhook no matter how
long you are staying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are also close
to the popular tourist towns of Stowe, VT and Littleton, NH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nearby town of Morrisville has three craft breweries, one
of which (Lost Nation) is located on the Lamoille River Trail which is a
90-mile rails-to-trails path great for walking/biking.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The owners are very friendly and helpful and we appreciated all of their information about the area. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-42084758403035471092021-07-17T10:37:00.001-05:002021-07-18T05:28:55.788-05:00Stowe, Vermont Area <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Stowe is often touted as one of the prettiest towns in
Vermont. So, with that accolade, we had
to go and see for ourselves! Downtown
Stowe is very attractive and quaint with New England charm and an attractive backdrop
brought to you by the Green Mountains.
Surrounding Stowe are other charming little towns and gorgeous mountain
drives where, along the way, you will find the iconic Vermont covered bridges,
dairies, and maple farms. Which, by the
way, Vermont has more covered bridges per square mile than any other U.S state
and is the top producer of maple syrup in the country. Oh, and we can’t forget about the mega Vermont
craft beer scene.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7RWyLyQBL5K1ZXsqw_loofID4_eHVKh4LCmQvC0Dpao3nrNElLkDuPllQx8nadcn7dOPqymNstMtJ9UXYbpz1A6Blw0RBkyDUQMy2bIJ5CpM0kgYXVqeYPRSQk-46np28_VTfcRYctQ/s4032/20210628_110950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7RWyLyQBL5K1ZXsqw_loofID4_eHVKh4LCmQvC0Dpao3nrNElLkDuPllQx8nadcn7dOPqymNstMtJ9UXYbpz1A6Blw0RBkyDUQMy2bIJ5CpM0kgYXVqeYPRSQk-46np28_VTfcRYctQ/w640-h480/20210628_110950.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We set out one beautiful day to see the highlights along the
Green Mountain Byway. From our
campground in Morrisville, we headed west to the town of Johnson where we found
the Johnson Woolen Mills and the classic red and black checkered plaid jackets that scream lumberjack. Johnson Woolen Mills dates
back to 1842 when they began producing fabric from the wool of local sheep. The harsh Vermont winters required strong,
warm, and comfortable clothing and the mill began producing woolen shirts,
jackets and pants to accommodate the local community. Word got out about the quality and warmth of
the clothes the Johnson Woolen Mills was producing and local ice harvesters
quickly realized the water-resistant properties of woolen clothing. Today, their products are just as popular
especially since the rugged wool and flannel look is part of today’s modern
fashion scene. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCz8vxyzol6G_UDCTnovRIfmISCXKpBPkket9QKCWUPEmb5XXIkO7LiDCCnR81d-1S1QCMnrp3jKZlmMswC91exdDRNnjiyaiMEhmiCJAl4wePmdrwwnMdaFa5RmF1x7mKOG_YkCozkS4/s2048/20210626_130257%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCz8vxyzol6G_UDCTnovRIfmISCXKpBPkket9QKCWUPEmb5XXIkO7LiDCCnR81d-1S1QCMnrp3jKZlmMswC91exdDRNnjiyaiMEhmiCJAl4wePmdrwwnMdaFa5RmF1x7mKOG_YkCozkS4/w640-h480/20210626_130257%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Moving right along to the next town of Cambridge Junction is
the Smugglers Notch Distillery which won the USA Today 10BEST Readers’ Choice
Awards as one of the top ten vodka distilleries in the USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also produce other spirits including
bourbon, gin, rye whiskey, rums and maple cream liqueur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Right around the bend from the distillery is </span>the <a href="https://www.vermontmapleoutlet.com/">Vermont Maple Outlet</a> where you can get maple everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Head south on Route 108 towards the town of Stowe and in a
few miles, you will find the Grist Mill Covered Bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bridge spans a total of 84.5 feet with a total
width of 17.5 feet and is one of only nine covered bridges in Vermont which are
supported by the timber Burr arch trusses. Covered bridges were built to span a small stream or creek and about 14,000 were built in the United States, mostly between 1825 - 1875. Once common, only about one of ten covered bridges survive today and while still functional bridges many are just admired by onlookers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adjacent to the bridge is a small park with picnic tables and a pretty stream
to wade in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0u7Mgo9tfHXmoWAsz-qDS2qNJOIsJ2LwClmuFJpBtndKQehBuIA_5-d38CDVWQt5CA9ECs_rCIV2NTBnxljkk7dS-9q43C4KJWLSub_yOSEgRijFxxQF7ra7UH7IrvkNaxbH5Rg2hZo/s2048/20210628_102951%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0u7Mgo9tfHXmoWAsz-qDS2qNJOIsJ2LwClmuFJpBtndKQehBuIA_5-d38CDVWQt5CA9ECs_rCIV2NTBnxljkk7dS-9q43C4KJWLSub_yOSEgRijFxxQF7ra7UH7IrvkNaxbH5Rg2hZo/w640-h480/20210628_102951%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_dOrf3V5ffGbTwMOLvbOAHZI_hXkb0S60iIqmVD5BEFFw95oysBLe843iK6JQTaLvLMR9eyK-Vx-zbpRds8kBoAPCvxEuAB0QSTXfpUOGe5tZAAYREvlwEH8sqmpRWqmGqtSoCtjTzs/s4032/20210628_103114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_dOrf3V5ffGbTwMOLvbOAHZI_hXkb0S60iIqmVD5BEFFw95oysBLe843iK6JQTaLvLMR9eyK-Vx-zbpRds8kBoAPCvxEuAB0QSTXfpUOGe5tZAAYREvlwEH8sqmpRWqmGqtSoCtjTzs/w640-h480/20210628_103114.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Route 108 through Mount Mansfield State Forest is a
beautiful drive. You will find yourself on a gorgeous twisty, turning road
snuggled through the mountains. This is
a popular place to get out of the car and jump into nature on one of the many
hiking trails which offer mountain vistas and rushing waterfalls. Be forewarned: do not attempt to take an RV
on this road – it narrows to one lane in spots and has very tight turns between
unforgiving boulders. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y0r7I5yLmtYa-VUlyA9iIAsHcxjUs7obDsJaqUDkccveNT0ywmrJcecqj1Te41qMllSNuPYfeYrkT7fhGAMVgVm8anWTScB-bF9wsbZZTSWzJNiJXZqEIoqtQyWPN3jxZBlmyZFXPl0/s2048/20210628_104651%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y0r7I5yLmtYa-VUlyA9iIAsHcxjUs7obDsJaqUDkccveNT0ywmrJcecqj1Te41qMllSNuPYfeYrkT7fhGAMVgVm8anWTScB-bF9wsbZZTSWzJNiJXZqEIoqtQyWPN3jxZBlmyZFXPl0/w640-h480/20210628_104651%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you drive around the lush green mountains of Stowe and
gaze out at the vistas you might want to break into song and proclaim, “<i>the
hills are alive</i>…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you did,
that would be most appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
late 1930’s the von Trapp family (who were the inspiration for the movie <i>The
Sound of Music</i>) relocated to Stowe after fleeing their homeland of Austria due
to Nazi occupation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stowe reminded them
of their beloved Austria and they built a chalet for the family of ten overlooking
a beautiful valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The von Trapp family
became famous as a singing and dancing family that toured the country in a
school bus and performed to great fanfare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the summer of 1950, the family began welcoming guests to a rustic,
27-room family home/lodge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a fire
in the 1980’s destroyed the original building, a 96-room alpine-themed lodge was constructed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, the <a href="https://www.trappfamily.com/von-trapp-story.htm">Trapp Family Lodge</a>
is a popular year-round resort destination that sits on 2,500 acres. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited not for the yoga or tennis lessons
but for the brewery which featured a delicious Austrian-themed menu and a
beautiful patio overlooking the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4ChWkvWnAtCzEHYddCK-Nf_9kdisjF3HKP4hpyfigvWo-PC_asU44wyvxsZruYSjJIY8i-wDlX_gmHm_0-Rs6Aop7i1nzhvQlziH2c997ia46LNIJVafvHsoS63NZVphxlZJ4N1qZT4/s2048/20210627_111639%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4ChWkvWnAtCzEHYddCK-Nf_9kdisjF3HKP4hpyfigvWo-PC_asU44wyvxsZruYSjJIY8i-wDlX_gmHm_0-Rs6Aop7i1nzhvQlziH2c997ia46LNIJVafvHsoS63NZVphxlZJ4N1qZT4/w640-h480/20210627_111639%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IrObdhrAVwqbm4iat_4QdLsxQDcXyI98Tuaykpye-DWJ8AZ7fuA-MeJeJFvOIiLb44TuGEfAmf8B9io9a5Mb4vOuRWxuQcA7pZ3Qljy2l8aDBWouEq5q-lLrGpbUGHGQnJ3Uc2Gb2MY/s4032/20210627_124554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IrObdhrAVwqbm4iat_4QdLsxQDcXyI98Tuaykpye-DWJ8AZ7fuA-MeJeJFvOIiLb44TuGEfAmf8B9io9a5Mb4vOuRWxuQcA7pZ3Qljy2l8aDBWouEq5q-lLrGpbUGHGQnJ3Uc2Gb2MY/w640-h480/20210627_124554.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Before heading back up north to our campground, we ventured
a little farther south toward the town of Waterbury Village where the famed <a href="https://www.benjerry.com/waterbury">Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream</a> awaits
hungry travelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This iconic Vermont
based ice cream parlor is famous for their creative names and whacky flavor
combinations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The founders, Ben and
Jerry, started making ice cream in 1978 in a renovated gas station near
Burlington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They quickly gained a following
and more scoop shops popped up across the state and their pints showed up in stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years, the company has garnered
respect for their social </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedR2YIrMqk7wNfPXqcG_-My6VmYe5xFtfdfy3RZCtbEr8rr6rTeOnrB_ePvYhRyau0Fr4tA2Jovmtl8-lXf_l5HV4TNQPKoThmpC7InCPeF66COEvZpjmQK98pvDeJzvzWx3HXcAAX_c/s320/20210628_132519.jpg" width="320" /></span>activism which includes encouraging exercising ones
right to vote, LGBTQ rights, protesting against drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,
and supporting the campaign to label all food products containing genetically
modified organisms. Their location in
Waterbury is a fun family place to visit as they offer tours of their
manufacturing plant and have plenty of ice cream for you to sample. There is also a gift shop, playground, and
the Flavor Graveyard. Believe it or not, some flavors just don’t
make it. “Peanuts, Popcorn” was a flop
not even lasting a year. Others, like “Devil’s
Food Chocolate” lasted five years before being retired. But don’t worry Cherry Garcia is still around. The graveyard is a whimsical place which
demonstrates the humor the founders are known for. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVgXmqjE4R6K2REkPRe10bSzzRxkcQ85Ibo_YgU_3ByiDwniua6JnAcu0lVLx_3kpv3qty8LBlAl77yXLt7KA9CLf3cmJedEqQLyCCWd3AnnkjlJFDVdLfe8UVizLW8o1CEPpBHPz_rM/s4032/20210628_131939.jpg" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVgXmqjE4R6K2REkPRe10bSzzRxkcQ85Ibo_YgU_3ByiDwniua6JnAcu0lVLx_3kpv3qty8LBlAl77yXLt7KA9CLf3cmJedEqQLyCCWd3AnnkjlJFDVdLfe8UVizLW8o1CEPpBHPz_rM/w640-h480/20210628_131939.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciAo36Bp4JKui5M0Lt4jcfH7pGoXpEBK4j1UfneNKq7r2IbCn_fjiJf8KNse2AKO5khC3Pkwg4qCzPEU0s_pqRlKR3MnJMWVgTvF3l1EKKmRO77xTlKPU2zUt1B6w2-pViW2gQeXCK1I/s4032/20210628_132006.jpg" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciAo36Bp4JKui5M0Lt4jcfH7pGoXpEBK4j1UfneNKq7r2IbCn_fjiJf8KNse2AKO5khC3Pkwg4qCzPEU0s_pqRlKR3MnJMWVgTvF3l1EKKmRO77xTlKPU2zUt1B6w2-pViW2gQeXCK1I/w640-h480/20210628_132006.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If you are still hungry after all the ice cream you devoured,
stop at the Cabot cheese farm store and Lake Champlain Chocolates for some more
Vermont yumminess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farther up the road
is the Cold Hollow Cider Mill where you can pick up apples, freshly made cider,
baked goods, jellies and jams, apple cider donuts, and hard cider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a self-guided tour of their working
cider mill where you can see apples being processed the old-fashioned way on a
rack-and-cloth press and get a free juice sample.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If time allows, visit the tasting room where their
hard cider awaits thirty visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We always recommend bringing a cooler along on these trips
because there are lots of farms stands for you to pick up fresh vegetables,
produce, and dairy products like Vermont’s famous cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWWkWHqOWHgpjY-hGlNluYwJib58sbYVeodvD4XYUWfaFHcoebZHutQDwjv_-k06OkuTQ58Ktfagj4umMrClCIGxtDXzocOdA22d-izFMgpTDn-7AUXInoG2LjT6UMPvZhM0wO97QZ1o/s4032/20210627_133616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWWkWHqOWHgpjY-hGlNluYwJib58sbYVeodvD4XYUWfaFHcoebZHutQDwjv_-k06OkuTQ58Ktfagj4umMrClCIGxtDXzocOdA22d-izFMgpTDn-7AUXInoG2LjT6UMPvZhM0wO97QZ1o/w400-h300/20210627_133616.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The little town of Morrisville where our campground was has
a nice downtown with a couple of cute shops and restaurants. As we wandered around town, we noticed a plaque with the name "Dewey K. Hickock." Turns out this Morrisville resident was the inventor of the wash machine. He stated his invention was to "aid the operator and relieve him ... of the tiresome labor of operating the machine." Everytime you are doing laundry, you can thank Mr. Hickock for the engine he developed, thus making the tiresome chore much easier. By the way, he also invented the clothes dryer. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We discovered the Lamoille River Trail which
was a rails-to-trails path that extends about 90 miles through Vermont.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great for walking Spirit and seeing
more of the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Low and behold, adjacent
to the trail is <a href="https://lostnationbrewing.com/">Lost Nation Brewing</a>
which produces European style ales and lagers and serves up good grub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZJsaP7Vmg7wzoosTpJHFDJ_pS-yiHomwML5cCKQ6Gp2i5VbD2Oda8tqfF74Op5AS04oz9E13VIcnZKihCmIm3IngU83JuZyhiBpq33MFMYHvApAU3BGp8X7rRx69ABmYFseaqGDyCtA/s4032/20210626_121411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZJsaP7Vmg7wzoosTpJHFDJ_pS-yiHomwML5cCKQ6Gp2i5VbD2Oda8tqfF74Op5AS04oz9E13VIcnZKihCmIm3IngU83JuZyhiBpq33MFMYHvApAU3BGp8X7rRx69ABmYFseaqGDyCtA/w400-h300/20210626_121411.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We had a great time exploring this area of Vermont and being
surrounded by the beautiful Green Mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There is lots to do and see in this area.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgnI4yoArOk9CYR053shtV2qw3v-JYcYaE8DoWBphDzQVzxkYhh3mcDBGnegXMbSX0PkZrdZMGQS4w0LsZZSFpE9JLexTOCLFXQJxKKz-PTliPus2yi7EIpvSaOFj8qNchMbHdcCHU8Y/s4032/20210629_055403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgnI4yoArOk9CYR053shtV2qw3v-JYcYaE8DoWBphDzQVzxkYhh3mcDBGnegXMbSX0PkZrdZMGQS4w0LsZZSFpE9JLexTOCLFXQJxKKz-PTliPus2yi7EIpvSaOFj8qNchMbHdcCHU8Y/w640-h480/20210629_055403.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span><p></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-13266238123339684202021-07-13T06:20:00.006-05:002021-07-13T06:23:40.830-05:00RV Park Review - Apple Island Resort (South Hero, Vermont)<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.appleislandresort.com/" target="_blank">Apple Island Resort</a> is a huge campground with great sites and
wonderful views of Lake Champlain. The
front sections of the campground are where most of the transient RVs parked (and
have the views of the lake) whereas the back section of the campground has a
mix of transient RV sites and seasonal park models but no views. Most campsites are in the open with a lack of
shade or privacy. If you visit in the summer
you may want to make sure your patio is on the shaded site. It was in the 90s when we were visited and
our patio was not shaded so we spent little time outside until sunset. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XekLj2v2HzLg95s-52Bz0JKt4j0a_O2mUQ7jN3kJqdPaI613MiXZS3PU1HKvhT17ri8hK65t_lSMaa7X_ZbSkv08eyLZogUk9HUrrxf3ag1zaxcfMQIJz0Ap5ep23fJF8FrmBvgXQ2s/s4032/20210618_082859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XekLj2v2HzLg95s-52Bz0JKt4j0a_O2mUQ7jN3kJqdPaI613MiXZS3PU1HKvhT17ri8hK65t_lSMaa7X_ZbSkv08eyLZogUk9HUrrxf3ag1zaxcfMQIJz0Ap5ep23fJF8FrmBvgXQ2s/w640-h480/20210618_082859.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The sites with the best views are the Platinum Plus which are
also the most expensive. Some Platinum
Plus sites are in the first row with unobstructed views; whereas, our site was
three rows back. Not sure why they
charge the same when our site was overlooking two rows of RVs. If there is no one in front of you it is
great but otherwise you will have a partially obstructed view. Luckily the rows in front of us were not full while we were there. The rows are terraced and they do offset sites
on each row which is good. Our site was
pricey at $94/night that includes taxes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zbSz0hYE4KblkAA6_tmYojZN1f8Oyql2kxZRZJtlGiubm1hgF7dEIVU0sAPjUtV53TsRaAOfxYYekMiK18jnU6t-h51RiEFKWimH5JQNEPwkzvp3UvmyxZMVKaE_LTlGezJxHStjymE/s4032/20210623_210828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zbSz0hYE4KblkAA6_tmYojZN1f8Oyql2kxZRZJtlGiubm1hgF7dEIVU0sAPjUtV53TsRaAOfxYYekMiK18jnU6t-h51RiEFKWimH5JQNEPwkzvp3UvmyxZMVKaE_LTlGezJxHStjymE/w640-h480/20210623_210828.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The hook-ups at our site (11AD) were well-placed but the
sewer pipe was high off the ground which did not let it drain even with a “slinky.” The cable yielded a number of channels but
was not HD. Campground Wifi was good and
our Verizon phone and hotspot worked well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There is a nice pool with plenty of chairs and umbrellas. The pool opens at 9am for adult lap swims for
an hour which we took advantage of daily. It was crowded with four of us trying
to swim laps and people trying to do water aerobics. The large clubhouse hosts
a variety of events like bingo, ice cream socials, dinners, etc. There is also a large library and decent fitness
center. The store is very well stocked
with nice gifts, lots of craft beers, abundant food items, and a café. There is a short trail on the property which leads
to a large open grassy area with a great view of the lake and area where we
threw a ball for our dog. There is a
9-hole par-3 golf course with putting green. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhhyphenhyphenwQfU0KJUiLXSwAuS8LUDlINgRQtXldMq6TdmNVIfJwWZOdcmM1tLriH3-Lrgf_msbgxOSIr-xIEyIa0WaS7bbETST-zYx_StZ710Gjjq-kh9a74OM4jg4hqom_XSQxgFfHHhb5BA/s2992/DSC_0147+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhhyphenhyphenwQfU0KJUiLXSwAuS8LUDlINgRQtXldMq6TdmNVIfJwWZOdcmM1tLriH3-Lrgf_msbgxOSIr-xIEyIa0WaS7bbETST-zYx_StZ710Gjjq-kh9a74OM4jg4hqom_XSQxgFfHHhb5BA/w640-h428/DSC_0147+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDqlYSufCA0KM29267rf63IsuOvPryG3rSzZihCcqoTdZKYqDGn4fyERHUknDjkTpq83xpjcRACfkXQbLAwZFCMjLntkqy0TSQdCdDOamVZXSWry_6svMMhHy38u1V0TvecKiNJmxtxk/s2992/DSC_0144.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDqlYSufCA0KM29267rf63IsuOvPryG3rSzZihCcqoTdZKYqDGn4fyERHUknDjkTpq83xpjcRACfkXQbLAwZFCMjLntkqy0TSQdCdDOamVZXSWry_6svMMhHy38u1V0TvecKiNJmxtxk/w640-h428/DSC_0144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of my complaints was that the grass in some areas really
needed to be cut. At our site the weeds
got super high and were sharp and prickly which was annoying to us and our
dog. During our two-week stay they never
cut the grass in our section. Some areas
of the park are left in a natural state which is great but it seems the grass
and weeds at campsites should be cut. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfgEn1guohoJ-gq0We-2VZBtLSNVH-ZIS8gV3gehKoT8h0njVoOrFOQLd-MQkxnlLC5HzlsciiVX3-wzaFp7RWhcQgR4zgaibrexbY6YEoKI0tKXmuRXhEceCYw1igLpSt1klNjKfuVU/s2992/DSC_0140+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfgEn1guohoJ-gq0We-2VZBtLSNVH-ZIS8gV3gehKoT8h0njVoOrFOQLd-MQkxnlLC5HzlsciiVX3-wzaFp7RWhcQgR4zgaibrexbY6YEoKI0tKXmuRXhEceCYw1igLpSt1klNjKfuVU/w640-h428/DSC_0140+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">They
have garbage pickup at your site which is not our preference. We prefer to take it out after dinner because
we don’t like smelly garbage in our coach all night but they said we could not
access the dumpsters. If the garbage wasn’t
immediately picked up after being put out the seagulls and crows went to town
and left garbage scattered everywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Most of the waterfront sites are nose-in and suited well for
motorhomes. Sometimes they would park a
towable next to them and if they backed in there would be a shared patio which
works out great if you want a buddy site but not if you don’t know your
neighbors. Some of the sites were pretty close and the office seemed to cluster campers together instead of spreading them out and giving campers more room. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7Gmi7TmsMIBqYOOkbMyGaQxqgowDAiHf92U2Jq3lZWxFNSi1ICO1WiWhtYPcoWFdESxKV_oS1OL16u0Hv-8gHoZ2k0kKivPge-virrmncxLIGYk69z6jeryOoalFshETA1m9s2FhdsY/s2992/DSC_0149.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7Gmi7TmsMIBqYOOkbMyGaQxqgowDAiHf92U2Jq3lZWxFNSi1ICO1WiWhtYPcoWFdESxKV_oS1OL16u0Hv-8gHoZ2k0kKivPge-virrmncxLIGYk69z6jeryOoalFshETA1m9s2FhdsY/w640-h428/DSC_0149.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfCW2zrYl8dDW8S5HZOUNLRjqMZj6_QvZe3OtRMDqjH5DjteaT7eeHxTbehcHGZ3rXioP1KQ8MSinn3qH6QDHnGPckDQ-j3DC4nR58LaGhH2BAEZUiGSOasTaC4Xyuj2SN8N66QnWbGQ/s2992/DSC_0141+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfCW2zrYl8dDW8S5HZOUNLRjqMZj6_QvZe3OtRMDqjH5DjteaT7eeHxTbehcHGZ3rXioP1KQ8MSinn3qH6QDHnGPckDQ-j3DC4nR58LaGhH2BAEZUiGSOasTaC4Xyuj2SN8N66QnWbGQ/w640-h428/DSC_0141+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Across the street is a marina with rental boats/kayaks and a
boat launch. We launched our paddleboard
and kayak there but it was pretty mucky getting in and out of our boats. We were allowed to leave our kayak locked on
a rack at the marina so we didn’t have to take it back to our campsite every
day. </span><div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nearby are a few nature preserves with short trails and
within a mile is a swimming beach and free access to the water for exploring
the marshes and the abundant birdlife.
Close to the campground are a winery, brewery, plenty of restaurants (we
loved Wally’s for bagel sandwiches), and a small grocery that has everything
(including liquor) you might need (Keeler’s Mkt.) South Hero and Grand Isle have nice farmers
markets with a good selection of items. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here are a few more campground pictures.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RqOooR46brKOmSqhesLkO62JZlEO4BTdYbCqGS6cAXgLgFQ9Txha54If4jmP8R0WZro7EBETlh_l-L8YQHbsa2W31L3JVBDxWEwNrZ3DAmrhn2n4IEjY1WSsCF6SHII4PFYUZYWw6cg/s2992/DSC_0150+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RqOooR46brKOmSqhesLkO62JZlEO4BTdYbCqGS6cAXgLgFQ9Txha54If4jmP8R0WZro7EBETlh_l-L8YQHbsa2W31L3JVBDxWEwNrZ3DAmrhn2n4IEjY1WSsCF6SHII4PFYUZYWw6cg/w640-h428/DSC_0150+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKyh6aFafZblO6fM8w1-_t-NXPagZmQRdmxGjjAr-5vqp2bPx6EAgUtcdxYd62GFy4LxPQEhIB3YDYbYhjypmgniCdfk6z7BIjBbkKTBU97FQL0alvCaZumz3reVLDgMszz9_X9ktLTg/s2992/DSC_0151+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKyh6aFafZblO6fM8w1-_t-NXPagZmQRdmxGjjAr-5vqp2bPx6EAgUtcdxYd62GFy4LxPQEhIB3YDYbYhjypmgniCdfk6z7BIjBbkKTBU97FQL0alvCaZumz3reVLDgMszz9_X9ktLTg/w640-h428/DSC_0151+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mSwrgxUidxwkir6Yck7d3EF2muwXCTDlcZtm93o8wesI3iTTnOMCELd0h_v6AHJH6CefvrqOT3qqeLamuclfcvi6YO8P8w7X7ty7IZKN-fdEENxJvLmMbPcQkBqTqxq5dtOwC8pHGow/s2048/20210611_175145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mSwrgxUidxwkir6Yck7d3EF2muwXCTDlcZtm93o8wesI3iTTnOMCELd0h_v6AHJH6CefvrqOT3qqeLamuclfcvi6YO8P8w7X7ty7IZKN-fdEENxJvLmMbPcQkBqTqxq5dtOwC8pHGow/w640-h480/20210611_175145.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxzKc2p-8Fn7eCllZp7YZo8yrnZ-L4XVsOx_oSCXCY0ZwGizd5nZv4_SOoDeA5Ko81BzVT4pG8cUahufA7z0oMjAu9s348z_MrjGQDU4dS1_WJUgyy0wOQRnIQ_8eLtqMMRWk6MJwM8s/s2992/DSC_0155.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxzKc2p-8Fn7eCllZp7YZo8yrnZ-L4XVsOx_oSCXCY0ZwGizd5nZv4_SOoDeA5Ko81BzVT4pG8cUahufA7z0oMjAu9s348z_MrjGQDU4dS1_WJUgyy0wOQRnIQ_8eLtqMMRWk6MJwM8s/w640-h428/DSC_0155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cgb05R9gPITByTl-iChSjbTj9wlkBW2cs9ECL99hr9WTukYw6oJVpn_ksRnGHwEV5KfC8W-isMwyd-TnN0u_eh91-IsGtbviaqMlEBPxjbofUgIWeRFJW4XkTUwiZpdUxN7T7uFa4Po/s2992/DSC_0157+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cgb05R9gPITByTl-iChSjbTj9wlkBW2cs9ECL99hr9WTukYw6oJVpn_ksRnGHwEV5KfC8W-isMwyd-TnN0u_eh91-IsGtbviaqMlEBPxjbofUgIWeRFJW4XkTUwiZpdUxN7T7uFa4Po/w640-h428/DSC_0157+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f9EDHdS5m0j2HIc5JONebcgCzMF64itTqixj3B7uVEsKNyd9C-I3XYMyyCvHcFPJFSiH4KIYrqb2rvYB1MH4YzTfbLRj38eytULmeTAc3HjBELixFOFwe7fgnZLghv7sp6o0iyrLZrI/s2992/DSC_0159+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f9EDHdS5m0j2HIc5JONebcgCzMF64itTqixj3B7uVEsKNyd9C-I3XYMyyCvHcFPJFSiH4KIYrqb2rvYB1MH4YzTfbLRj38eytULmeTAc3HjBELixFOFwe7fgnZLghv7sp6o0iyrLZrI/w640-h428/DSC_0159+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p></div>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-15198228512073793762021-07-04T15:02:00.000-05:002021-07-04T15:02:49.373-05:00Exploring the Islands of Lake Champlain, Vermont<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lake Champlain stretches more than
100 miles south from the Canadian border and creates a partial northern boundary between New York and Vermont. In the far northern reaches of the lake
are a series of picturesque islands. The Lake Champlain Byway winds through the islands with a series of bridges passing through quaint towns offering batches of history and fun. The
islands are fairly flat scattered with cow pastures and hay fields which create beautiful views of expansive water and the islands. Flanking both sides of the islands are the Adirondack Mountains in New York and Vermont’s Green Mountains which rise up to create a beautiful backdrop. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JnU0To1CQvVxvzTKjDa1pO6aF2tWTbOjmlq5w5RNtutiFEecYhJSjzLZp-lPX4QOD-Bx9JUsq5BjyKlM_WdzzJzSkrGID3RTVQXVCw-WrX3IW-kZp6mzBOE7vp4jHZXFiJw_LtZXhGM/s2992/DSC_0003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JnU0To1CQvVxvzTKjDa1pO6aF2tWTbOjmlq5w5RNtutiFEecYhJSjzLZp-lPX4QOD-Bx9JUsq5BjyKlM_WdzzJzSkrGID3RTVQXVCw-WrX3IW-kZp6mzBOE7vp4jHZXFiJw_LtZXhGM/w640-h428/DSC_0003.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEididZUX-K0BduZ3dJ8khXClIE9QJVPGF_Pp2dUSxiQVO3jh2IznQ4PO2Rg-KUWdrCRlDHdSCf2eVNI9CL2fc9zKTC5oS6ItXHSNnZD2NC-GtMIGfb3THbRu4RDKgG7B16mo6q8WJnuwz4/s4032/20210616_153428.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEididZUX-K0BduZ3dJ8khXClIE9QJVPGF_Pp2dUSxiQVO3jh2IznQ4PO2Rg-KUWdrCRlDHdSCf2eVNI9CL2fc9zKTC5oS6ItXHSNnZD2NC-GtMIGfb3THbRu4RDKgG7B16mo6q8WJnuwz4/s320/20210616_153428.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We settled into <a href="https://www.appleislandresort.com/" target="_blank">Apple IslandResort</a> (in South Hero) to use as our base while exploring the islands and
Vermont’s largest city, Burlington. Pretty
soon we came to know our new town of South Hero pretty well. We discovered there were a few small nature
preserves in the area with hiking trails that made for pleasant walks and especially liked the trail that led us to Lake Champlain and a refreshing spot for Spirit to cool
off. Just a five-minute drive from the
campground was a <a href="https://www.snowfarm.com/summer-concert-series/" target="_blank">winery</a> with beautiful outdoor seating which was nice to enjoy
a wine flight. The winery is also
popular for their free evening concerts. We found a great local grocery store that was well-stocked, a delicious <a href="http://www.wallysplacevt.com/" target="_blank">bakery </a>which made tasty sandwiches, a fun thrift store, and many farm stands. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A fellow camper told us about the
<a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/birdhouse-forest" target="_blank">Bird House Forest</a> located at nearby Whites' Beach. The history of it is when two neighbors
became fed up with biting mosquitos they went to battle. After a bit of research, they discovered that
tree swallows naturally found in the wetlands near their homes are capable of devouring
an impressive number of flying insects, especially mosquitos. So,
the two neighbors got busy building bird houses. Their wives came up with the idea of painting
them bright and cheery colors with red roofs and the locals started calling them the “Jelly
Bean Suites.” The birdhouses were a
success and soon every one of them was occupied. What started as twenty birdhouses hanging on trees has now swelled to over 400
colorful houses dotting the woods of South Hero. Local contractors and hardware stores donated paint and supplies to the neighborhood war on mosquitos which is now a tourist attraction. The bird house building neighbors also turned into business entrepreneurs
and sell their birdhouses along the roadside ($25). We didn't have anywhere to hang one!</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8UrVfgt8KWnOTTwG-i4_tvuiZVdOUPuGDDzIWfDgNQGHyBdR-m2I1EiUP19nuNFo04P4iLK0A4z8Vv4dnZSAfMNDWGsB4a2EIIjKhZfs0-zK63q_zh0E-pdpcpki0brETbIUWIc3u38/s2992/DSC_0006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8UrVfgt8KWnOTTwG-i4_tvuiZVdOUPuGDDzIWfDgNQGHyBdR-m2I1EiUP19nuNFo04P4iLK0A4z8Vv4dnZSAfMNDWGsB4a2EIIjKhZfs0-zK63q_zh0E-pdpcpki0brETbIUWIc3u38/w640-h428/DSC_0006.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GHflLHQ7UP5g9eabFt2wnjiPFKQT68tDNkJ8oWSZSTErnw1xAIoi_nmkmw6PcpLQRW0orEBgGGrLYilPfqvRq92MUN6C2-G59wxYHSZZdTnohEsvwuzXqPkuu0KSI9WrbrIUw-SOU7Y/s2992/DSC_0127.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GHflLHQ7UP5g9eabFt2wnjiPFKQT68tDNkJ8oWSZSTErnw1xAIoi_nmkmw6PcpLQRW0orEBgGGrLYilPfqvRq92MUN6C2-G59wxYHSZZdTnohEsvwuzXqPkuu0KSI9WrbrIUw-SOU7Y/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The charming village of Jericho was
of interest to us for a couple of reasons, there is an old mill and a museum about a man
named Wilson Bentley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before exploring the mill and museum,
we sat down for lunch at the <a href="https://www.jerichocafeandtavern.com/">Jericho
Café and Tavern</a> where we shared a delicious fried chicken sandwich, hand
cut French fries, and a cold beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The most prominent feature in the town is the “<a href="http://www.jerichohistoricalsociety.org/the-old-red-mill.html" target="_blank">Old Red Mill</a>” which claims to be one of the
most photographed sites in the northeast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Officially known as the Chittenden Mill, the building stands tall above
a gorge in the Browns River and has an art gallery, craft shop, hiking
trails, picnic area, and the <a href="http://www.jerichohistoricalsociety.org/snowflake-bentley-exhibit.html" target="_blank">“Snowflake” Bentley Museum</a>.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Remember your first time playing
in the new falling snow when you heard the statement “no two snowflakes are
alike?” We have a man by the name of
Wilson A. Bentley to thank for that. Bentley,
a farmer by trade, pioneered the technique of photomicrography and became the
first person to capture a single snowflake on a glass plate in 1855 at the
young age of 19 and photograph it. “Snowflake” Bentley, as
he became known, went on to photograph over 5000 snowflakes, never finding two
alike. Bentley published numerous
articles in publications such as National Geographic, Scientific American, and
garnered world-wide attention for his photography techniques and discoveries. The museum that bares his name houses some of his original equipment and many pictures of
snowflakes he took over the years. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhCtohkV34CBT7wcL6RRnIajcSZwiiYlqMC7Cn-mIwj72-24b-vxHw2OoHJCoeDl8WL0uE-4LI2T4YHHsqc8WliMvKngccExWQWetRWkUDA467KLvox5RYF1HHDyAribFDw8V6Jyl1k0/s2992/DSC_0122.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhCtohkV34CBT7wcL6RRnIajcSZwiiYlqMC7Cn-mIwj72-24b-vxHw2OoHJCoeDl8WL0uE-4LI2T4YHHsqc8WliMvKngccExWQWetRWkUDA467KLvox5RYF1HHDyAribFDw8V6Jyl1k0/w640-h428/DSC_0122.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWw1hb6ogtzJePrdyzAJpPu2-VAQW1jZmKyJO3A7mky1wWmgIPMcQVdvG9T6CwLba97HUGP31l21m7CCWlhwDWOKgwX08-YipGSwRrkAQs0leCJxXBtkFsFbm91OlMVsulK_oCzGbyhZM/s2992/DSC_0119.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWw1hb6ogtzJePrdyzAJpPu2-VAQW1jZmKyJO3A7mky1wWmgIPMcQVdvG9T6CwLba97HUGP31l21m7CCWlhwDWOKgwX08-YipGSwRrkAQs0leCJxXBtkFsFbm91OlMVsulK_oCzGbyhZM/w640-h428/DSC_0119.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqCd2hr4F1qL_bc6SQS1Kni6G62OZGdKSi0i1t3biqInDekRydqvmkO5eRU9zKAkqXrFkG1su7jG9df5QiATZFkxmPcHH4-KjtXvrdcSVJXb7Mg-SePtomUfPZIIXZSnT52kwjWiYmJ0/w150-h200/20210623_124543.jpg" width="150" /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>For those of you with a sweet tooth, head over to </span><a href="https://www.snowflakechocolate.com/">Snowflake
Chocolates</a><span> for some homemade deliciousness or pop into </span><a href="https://palmerlanemaple.mybigcommerce.com/">Palmer Lane Maple</a><span> where
you can get maple candy, syrup, and other maple specialties. Palmer Lane also has a Vermont original - a</span><span> “creemee.” </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span>What’s a creemee, you ask?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span>It looks like soft serve to the out-of-towner and esentially is but it has a higher butterfat content thus making it creamier.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> C</span><span>reemees come in many
different flavors like other soft serve ice creams but since you are in Vermont why not get a maple creemee?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span>We tried the maple and red raspberry
swirl.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span>Delicious!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>One of the more northern islands in the chain is Isle La Motte. </span><span>Isle La Motte was established in
1666 as the first French settlement in Vermont. The most prominent features that
draw worshipers near and far is the <a href="https://www.saintannesshrine.org/" target="_blank">Saint Anne’s Shrine</a> which has become a
popular pilgrimage destination featuring daily outdoor masses in summer. The shrine dates back to the middle 18</span><sup>th</sup><span>
Century and is located on expansive grounds that have a tranquil feel. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sGCgSAt7oX7duJOXnwhMkJLBIHd2r3Y9hnWNeDGho0h8Xpnyv8AfS-MqZHX1LhCEUNuzMsTWT7f0m-21cEbLxKUsFfF2YJJUBguFP-soO_igODGjB7UrIi8rObNnjTe2Htcmu8O3CQA/s2992/DSC_0040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sGCgSAt7oX7duJOXnwhMkJLBIHd2r3Y9hnWNeDGho0h8Xpnyv8AfS-MqZHX1LhCEUNuzMsTWT7f0m-21cEbLxKUsFfF2YJJUBguFP-soO_igODGjB7UrIi8rObNnjTe2Htcmu8O3CQA/w640-h428/DSC_0040.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hQYnjeh4pZpkGsrz0P48M9H7uJ7DC5GRz-oxSNEl5DTdsDWDxsJ0-zeg6awDNpZXf1P1Fg6E1ygsrvMXTajK8Tj7aFLwm33W7nzkjTXyk4GJ-VgAMq7cwyNHTdQvQYw5qnj4BFYYvAM/s2992/DSC_0030.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hQYnjeh4pZpkGsrz0P48M9H7uJ7DC5GRz-oxSNEl5DTdsDWDxsJ0-zeg6awDNpZXf1P1Fg6E1ygsrvMXTajK8Tj7aFLwm33W7nzkjTXyk4GJ-VgAMq7cwyNHTdQvQYw5qnj4BFYYvAM/w268-h400/DSC_0030.JPG" width="268" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The island is home to the Chazy
Reef which is the world’s oldest known diverse fossil reef formed approximately
480 million years ago. The reef is
protected by the <a href="http://www.lclt.org/fisk-quarry-preserve/" target="_blank">Fisk Quarry Preserve</a> and the <a href="http://ilmpt.org/wp/preserves-2/" target="_blank">Goodsell Ridge Preserve</a> and has
also been awarded a National Natural Landmark status. Remnant fossils and rock formations are open
for the public to view and you’ll find a museum and education center and
outdoor trails letting you explore the quarries and fossil formations. One of the trails is a <i>Walk Through Time</i>
which has some 80 colorfully illustrated panels set up along a 4,600 foot trail
that teach visitors about the history of life on Earth. After walking the
trails we settled down at one of the few picnic tables for a lunch I
packed. There are not many, if any, places to eat on Isle La Motte so plan accordingly.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlpj33W90-sHefwmBzxG4LophPWlzAqBCoJ_pi6qFZicVblX5yiQqpa0UzMFBISIw9iW2j5mJPi75DNF52PH3G21HXZ-YhT1RnCu5lY_zYEgDQGcTpiHDeO2u7b5reb01NohD3MMsFag/s2992/DSC_0056.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlpj33W90-sHefwmBzxG4LophPWlzAqBCoJ_pi6qFZicVblX5yiQqpa0UzMFBISIw9iW2j5mJPi75DNF52PH3G21HXZ-YhT1RnCu5lY_zYEgDQGcTpiHDeO2u7b5reb01NohD3MMsFag/w640-h428/DSC_0056.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Driving around the island we noticed a sign for an "Art Barn." The studio was located at the historic <a href="http://fiskfarm.com/">Fisk Farm</a> and is a place where local
artists can display their crafts in the historic horse and carriage barn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farm was visited by three U.S. Presidents
including McKinley, T. Roosevelt, and Taft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the site where then Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was
visiting the Vermont Lieutenant Govenor when he received the news that President McKinley was shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farm is still inviting guests today to
view local art, listen to live music, sleep in a rental cottage, and
celebrate weddings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-r0wLh2xVBySOGHoZj6pT4PpuA0BNZdfflrA45Z9MyXckZRCppII8Yg1y-U2KLvofqOYjiafoH3ZW5jc8jzhj5hia45_8FrNe8dCMaCwVzlOyQ2_boVHFQgjPGj6jepUkNk7K0DH0Aw/s2992/DSC_0048.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-r0wLh2xVBySOGHoZj6pT4PpuA0BNZdfflrA45Z9MyXckZRCppII8Yg1y-U2KLvofqOYjiafoH3ZW5jc8jzhj5hia45_8FrNe8dCMaCwVzlOyQ2_boVHFQgjPGj6jepUkNk7K0DH0Aw/w640-h428/DSC_0048.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Before leaving the
island you may want to stop at <a href="https://www.happybirdpoultryfarm.com/our-chicken.html">Happy Bird Poultry
Farm</a> where they have all kinds of poultry products, smoked meats, various fresh produce, and, shockingly, 65-day dry aged beef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
our way back from Isle La Motte, we stopped alongside the road to admire a beautiful log cabin built
in 1783. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This South Hero attraction is
often cited as the country's oldest surviving log cabin in the country.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQfMylA_yHeLhCrEzDNOGfyWg4ul-tE-Eui5Ka959VF6PgJeMR8_Y8k0PbbJ_CXYkm0OYtL_NA6yoG3XFPaKVqNaPe5C6X-5cFLdkY5QCTXryXpBA0t32EhpV29iMEFOBo0w_rtrwh6I/s2677/DSC_0060+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="2677" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQfMylA_yHeLhCrEzDNOGfyWg4ul-tE-Eui5Ka959VF6PgJeMR8_Y8k0PbbJ_CXYkm0OYtL_NA6yoG3XFPaKVqNaPe5C6X-5cFLdkY5QCTXryXpBA0t32EhpV29iMEFOBo0w_rtrwh6I/w640-h428/DSC_0060+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEupDbOHQ4VB5GJ2zU_4f0pmc7BKgmr7-YDPxXa5zY7WA0OQT1Ls33YbjBVHCZEVc9fKE44B2acu6ZOSnTssfA_ffVEXvDfEoC_93SA-9ALStHKUaEdVx3djFPlddq4vCsKLN02OlSHSU/s2992/DSC_0011.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEupDbOHQ4VB5GJ2zU_4f0pmc7BKgmr7-YDPxXa5zY7WA0OQT1Ls33YbjBVHCZEVc9fKE44B2acu6ZOSnTssfA_ffVEXvDfEoC_93SA-9ALStHKUaEdVx3djFPlddq4vCsKLN02OlSHSU/w400-h268/DSC_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Downtown Burlington is only about twenty minutes from the
campground and is a fun place to wander around, shop and have lunch. Church Street is a popular pedestrian street
which is the center of town and hubbub.
The street is lined with cafés and restaurants with attractive outdoor
seating and scrumptious food. The farmers market is also a great place to get a bite to eat and pick up some
items for a later meal at home. The market
has an array of vendors selling fresh produce, meats, flowers and more. A couple distilleries and a brewery have
stands and there are many artisan craftspeople selling their goods. We ended up chowing down on a “famous”
scallion pancake, a pork burrito, beef taco, baklava, and fresh bread. Needless to say, that was our lunch.</span><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another cute town between South Hero and Burlington is
Winooski. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a great Vietnamese
restaurant (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PhoDangWinooski/" target="_blank">Pho Dang</a>) that we visited a couple of times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downtown has a few other restaurants and some
nice stores in refurbished buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is the <a href="http://www.themillmuseum.org/">Heritage Winooski
Mill Museum</a> located in one of the renovated old mills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small museum displays exhibits and
equipment used in the textile mills and has a great view of the river and the
falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhrgtGrUaiVN91gbyA6u2Uu1QrltO1P13yHavhhdD9QOX_GJ1U9h74B46YxLK3wpzk55-DBNc4i9-OUV_M9cXF9bLZMbfPa4gqwu5nJf0bKf3jtwsiMFbuz61KZNKwsfImXgffPcGlNI/s2992/DSC_0131.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhrgtGrUaiVN91gbyA6u2Uu1QrltO1P13yHavhhdD9QOX_GJ1U9h74B46YxLK3wpzk55-DBNc4i9-OUV_M9cXF9bLZMbfPa4gqwu5nJf0bKf3jtwsiMFbuz61KZNKwsfImXgffPcGlNI/w640-h428/DSC_0131.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkn-WsSWPu77tTzGV1JrjQhuDW19gYfr-JUXwQAIpZvPBWpG5-SveMvU709f0bVUttOthoiu4ak2zcasensBZZU3pelMr0gO2a-bn5o3Pl7A1yCEhA1DTltvwkLV-Zs5cyNaSi0nXGLU/s4032/20210623_135114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkn-WsSWPu77tTzGV1JrjQhuDW19gYfr-JUXwQAIpZvPBWpG5-SveMvU709f0bVUttOthoiu4ak2zcasensBZZU3pelMr0gO2a-bn5o3Pl7A1yCEhA1DTltvwkLV-Zs5cyNaSi0nXGLU/w640-h480/20210623_135114.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Lake Champlain Islands were a beautiful introduction to
our month-long stay in Vermont. The area
has a pastor setting with all its farms and lake views. As you drive through the islands, leave time
to pull over at the many farm stands, general stores, art galleries, breweries,
parks and other interesting places along the way. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYkyFJIqWsDt9NTkU3YF-PxE8dTG3zhIjz-LbDUkSGGYHYkOrLZZmleCfZQlqLuv96J9AAjTkRwXJ0vKPsrW1tmJH8j7xXQe2n6sTM4hx5gzxELbs8qLY5vLONrLajsu9DQw8e_R7MWQ/s2992/DSC_0015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYkyFJIqWsDt9NTkU3YF-PxE8dTG3zhIjz-LbDUkSGGYHYkOrLZZmleCfZQlqLuv96J9AAjTkRwXJ0vKPsrW1tmJH8j7xXQe2n6sTM4hx5gzxELbs8qLY5vLONrLajsu9DQw8e_R7MWQ/w640-h428/DSC_0015.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p></div>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-78022193499844142902021-06-30T05:01:00.001-05:002021-06-30T05:01:39.191-05:00RV Park Review - North Pole Resorts (Wilmington, New York)<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There are two distinct sections of this campground – the
“Resort” section and the “100-Acre Woods” section which is located across the
street. We stayed in site #73 in the
100-Acre Woods section and would highly recommend this area as opposed to the
other. 100-Acres Woods has tall shade trees and much more space between sites. We really liked how large and shaded our site was ($58/night includes tax). Click <a href="https://rvagogo.blogspot.com/2021/06/two-weeks-exploring-beautiful-lake.html" target="_blank">here</a> for our blog post about our time spent in the area.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXNt83wDZexLQl2ygmwZkDMppebTn5fbOHaP6SUQQzIRIK0cUXEGooqFS2E1d3URbIdDe4FowwqXxf5O4XlezZBayYfdvKC1jsjMz-vp5UTUoB2INRVu1VrqF7wzUy24T9aWZXNOTvCk/s2048/20210528_160821+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXNt83wDZexLQl2ygmwZkDMppebTn5fbOHaP6SUQQzIRIK0cUXEGooqFS2E1d3URbIdDe4FowwqXxf5O4XlezZBayYfdvKC1jsjMz-vp5UTUoB2INRVu1VrqF7wzUy24T9aWZXNOTvCk/w640-h480/20210528_160821+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sites in the resort area are very close such that sites have their fire pit located behind your RV and there is barely enough room for a picnic table. The majority of the amenities like the store, playground, volleyball, swimming
pool, horseshoes, kayak launch, etc. are in the resort section. Both
sections have their own bathhouses, laundry, and game rooms. There is also a motel on-site if you are
traveling with friends who do not have an RV or tent. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOm36X6T_Ks_cKXkElsP6PF341a_qRvn_MSFnnu1QAF0d-xxX-gYeUPKfJb3sWNV6LrqJyM11t1qzaf926B1i2ebpiEAuMLjuRFz2jihJQ9x-bm1HRgDI0K8pTyUdYHgC3bWIvuP2zeA/s2048/20210528_155912+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZKOiL3m1LmApfkrP2o9C0pYrsJCNtdZ2sHsQh7OmkX6Ofb2CbWw2T5BLx6W2lUVm4AbWZmmWvQs1t4SFfUvuXzikcOz8tPNKTjR5IH1HeNXPrbxp_iE9Uzg861OxDxkSxHaWaFXU55M/s2048/20210528_155854+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZKOiL3m1LmApfkrP2o9C0pYrsJCNtdZ2sHsQh7OmkX6Ofb2CbWw2T5BLx6W2lUVm4AbWZmmWvQs1t4SFfUvuXzikcOz8tPNKTjR5IH1HeNXPrbxp_iE9Uzg861OxDxkSxHaWaFXU55M/w640-h480/20210528_155854+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Resort" section</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOm36X6T_Ks_cKXkElsP6PF341a_qRvn_MSFnnu1QAF0d-xxX-gYeUPKfJb3sWNV6LrqJyM11t1qzaf926B1i2ebpiEAuMLjuRFz2jihJQ9x-bm1HRgDI0K8pTyUdYHgC3bWIvuP2zeA/s2048/20210528_155912+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We stayed in a full hook-up site that was plenty long enough
for our 45’ RV and tow car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water
spigot at our site broke when I was hooking up the water which created a geyser.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately called the office and a staff
member was really prompt at coming out and shutting off the water and getting
it fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other than that, we didn’t
have any trouble with the hook-ups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was cable at our site which received 32 channels; albeit, they
were not HG so the picture quality was not great. There is free WiFi in the park and it worked well at our site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roads in the park are gravel and got very
dusty with the lack of rain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrdbMy-JX5206mQwMHYRE7Mbo38K0whpaaJSZhgr8RhPnHYPRMlgkt9zIDVznzvnSGBaen26hUJ2w9lTqaQgbMXtcTAgE3AIRVCyFO3k142CPTHZ7RD81zJ0UT8Jyi6O4UdGLYV60oJY/s2048/20210528_160809+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrdbMy-JX5206mQwMHYRE7Mbo38K0whpaaJSZhgr8RhPnHYPRMlgkt9zIDVznzvnSGBaen26hUJ2w9lTqaQgbMXtcTAgE3AIRVCyFO3k142CPTHZ7RD81zJ0UT8Jyi6O4UdGLYV60oJY/w640-h480/20210528_160809+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One bad thing about this park is that you have to pay high
fees for visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day passes for adults
are $12 and $6/kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overnight fees for non campers are
crazy high at $15/adult, $8/kid and $7/car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were camped with friends and glad they had a campsite and didn’t have
to pay $24 for the two of them to come to dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another ding for us was that there were lots
of tree limbs that needed to be trimmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maneuvering through the park is pretty tight for big-rigs and we had go really slow and back up in one instance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I mentioned tree trimming to the employee who led us to our site and he said they were going to work on that but never did during our two-week stay. </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBffVorh56esjjPRvDaYhJbyB9oKBJMT7SVuHQ5atl0kSP8qaQfHwuTbHtGuVbllh9pALs1YYf8ZYiZT9fn8-88pTUo-3LMNBBbS7Y8cyhdBN0HqIWTeFrG1OF4Eqfn3GY1wcUTZj80Zo/s2048/20210530_085834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBffVorh56esjjPRvDaYhJbyB9oKBJMT7SVuHQ5atl0kSP8qaQfHwuTbHtGuVbllh9pALs1YYf8ZYiZT9fn8-88pTUo-3LMNBBbS7Y8cyhdBN0HqIWTeFrG1OF4Eqfn3GY1wcUTZj80Zo/w640-h480/20210530_085834.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We stayed over Memorial Day weekend and were surprised that
the campground was not full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing
we noticed was that all the campers were clustered together while they could
have been spaced out so there was an empty site between us and our
neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There were plenty of open spaces but it seems the office workers don't care that RV's are clustered together. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Behind the 100-Acre section are trails that wind through the woods on campground property and a public trail that leads to
Whiteface Mountain. There is plenty of room to hike at the campground without having to get in your car and drive somewhere. Our dog loved running through the woods and
there were a couple of small streams where she could get a drink of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> These are all things we really liked. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You are about 12 miles north of Lake Placid so we didn’t go
there as much as we thought we would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One great find is the Adirondack Chocolate store about one mile up the
road from the campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also
an A&W Rootbeer, a dairy bar, and a brewpub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a liquor store adjacent to the camp store which is convenient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camp store has loads of items from food
to souvenirs and lots of local beers, even some on tap. Just up the road a bit is the town of North Pole where you will find Santa's Workshop and a Post Office to mail your Christmas wish list. A short drive past that takes you to the auto tour road leading up to Whiteface Mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">More campground pictures.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTI2SvjebDwWBVe1h441qnFmkp_QD9qxgYAjFAmsl5CagyCIG8SvXE7MNOjj_kuFrV8kEQlCu4vcHMSYC0Kj5zmRNGaazLSDc0n63QPd2oFhTcaY0xuhb0djZikINpJ-1dc9ysT6MwYY/s2048/20210528_155932+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTI2SvjebDwWBVe1h441qnFmkp_QD9qxgYAjFAmsl5CagyCIG8SvXE7MNOjj_kuFrV8kEQlCu4vcHMSYC0Kj5zmRNGaazLSDc0n63QPd2oFhTcaY0xuhb0djZikINpJ-1dc9ysT6MwYY/w640-h480/20210528_155932+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Typical site in the Resort Section</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-urLddoGJu1c_2qFIrBEzWx69HBDn7oAr0Wnh_4mnKhKj_MqvIcddzFziPRgN2neYLmZhuHJbyw_OUT8omnMUdqgmjuYHeDtaPnpnsph3lzBWfFQVO-P0PjzMwIAENOlBxvhz1rsAbfY/s2048/20210528_160006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-urLddoGJu1c_2qFIrBEzWx69HBDn7oAr0Wnh_4mnKhKj_MqvIcddzFziPRgN2neYLmZhuHJbyw_OUT8omnMUdqgmjuYHeDtaPnpnsph3lzBWfFQVO-P0PjzMwIAENOlBxvhz1rsAbfY/w640-h480/20210528_160006.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Boat launch</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5GiwTckeVvQdRw0EGOVyoFBGqblZwSh_yxAusBfMg6dY54YgaHuqRachWXSseXIZpUa6ynENPmGYkDw02HFj2SpIMjEVwje_HMNKHQ7crQsC2MW2TfyoNZ2_ITVIqBQAQ01xUWtVA5A/s2048/20210528_160025.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5GiwTckeVvQdRw0EGOVyoFBGqblZwSh_yxAusBfMg6dY54YgaHuqRachWXSseXIZpUa6ynENPmGYkDw02HFj2SpIMjEVwje_HMNKHQ7crQsC2MW2TfyoNZ2_ITVIqBQAQ01xUWtVA5A/w640-h480/20210528_160025.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tent site on the water</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCI4ermXgiMjOfdNmOtQPnw2O6laG-_8LDoI_ZKRbzgYP1WZw2yXlI-MAPxdk2172l10YxzHF3pQ5quGoyugy-2JeSKSpCVBPkZIHMpIxCVd_055Q6Qi9x0WwLY9pT1huiXJwQzTU3ZE/s2048/20210528_160144+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCI4ermXgiMjOfdNmOtQPnw2O6laG-_8LDoI_ZKRbzgYP1WZw2yXlI-MAPxdk2172l10YxzHF3pQ5quGoyugy-2JeSKSpCVBPkZIHMpIxCVd_055Q6Qi9x0WwLY9pT1huiXJwQzTU3ZE/w640-h480/20210528_160144+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rental cabins</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs_XtYLaCXW2Pm0_rysgXqcOhDxP-55Mrpycyo6SmYCn2ouspQw0QWGOYqa46mQt0c3DYDpXsmxVWF6X9drCH6PhgAdOEYcEHg5RYB9Gmkk1USYr95LQFzOCbT8v8nJfkUuDF1nx2T2w/s2048/20210530_084156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs_XtYLaCXW2Pm0_rysgXqcOhDxP-55Mrpycyo6SmYCn2ouspQw0QWGOYqa46mQt0c3DYDpXsmxVWF6X9drCH6PhgAdOEYcEHg5RYB9Gmkk1USYr95LQFzOCbT8v8nJfkUuDF1nx2T2w/w640-h480/20210530_084156.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the more open sites in the 100-Acre Woods</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSQbxfbavcKPjKqfKhIhz4j9FCavxh8a4KvEKUsj5-6hXyIMvqGKV87MS22L4C1bVT0YJryqeSAzohyphenhyphenaxiBrAkYrrqOP6cqOS5wRZ08wDkbZ5jgPRizfgSRLVYYB3oz1SAw7uJqjmT10/s2048/20210530_084332.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSQbxfbavcKPjKqfKhIhz4j9FCavxh8a4KvEKUsj5-6hXyIMvqGKV87MS22L4C1bVT0YJryqeSAzohyphenhyphenaxiBrAkYrrqOP6cqOS5wRZ08wDkbZ5jgPRizfgSRLVYYB3oz1SAw7uJqjmT10/w640-h480/20210530_084332.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Game room</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z6ghkc37V-BPpVZCP5Dg20utmww-FxRFCPsfsASw3RyNYcOVPv802ozWSEHJlXVpo7vmnR7QJ2qm7jDGE95D0o89WopHOQoDaPL_Kz14ZCqoaPZvumtiqJEsBpLJy14rG534pS0wG78/s2048/20210530_085740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z6ghkc37V-BPpVZCP5Dg20utmww-FxRFCPsfsASw3RyNYcOVPv802ozWSEHJlXVpo7vmnR7QJ2qm7jDGE95D0o89WopHOQoDaPL_Kz14ZCqoaPZvumtiqJEsBpLJy14rG534pS0wG78/w640-h480/20210530_085740.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Premium site with a covered picnic table</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-44422457394835931182021-06-25T15:30:00.002-05:002021-06-25T15:30:50.335-05:00Two Weeks Exploring Beautiful Lake Placid, New York<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our two-week stay in Lake Placid went by really quickly and we had a tinge of sadness when we left.
The lure of green mountains, scenic rivers, placid lakes, notable
Olympic history were the initial draw to the area. During our stay, some friends from New Orleans
(Ginger and Nancy, who summer in Vermont) joined us in our exploring of the area. Lake Placid attracts visitors year-round
because of the abundance of outdoor recreation activities and while we were
there the weather was perfect for being outdoors – cool mornings in the 50’s
and afternoons in the low 70’s. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tzH0mvBmiuICyYX8h5UWlWjRSu2vUQKbmx4E5qYdl4tLs_if2vKs21T9db-nYwe6XVZhyphenhyphenfOk2K2YUKr2mvZDtTldTkHL0uRX8KKRqeLbv0MkBKBEslXpi22IXxssAv4KMKMQ2aJDsBk/s4032/20210604_151541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tzH0mvBmiuICyYX8h5UWlWjRSu2vUQKbmx4E5qYdl4tLs_if2vKs21T9db-nYwe6XVZhyphenhyphenfOk2K2YUKr2mvZDtTldTkHL0uRX8KKRqeLbv0MkBKBEslXpi22IXxssAv4KMKMQ2aJDsBk/w640-h480/20210604_151541.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lake Placid sits in the scenic Adirondack mountains in
upstate New York and is most famous for hosting two winter Olympics in 1932 and
1980. The 1980 games are etched in
memories of sports fans because of the famous gold medal hockey game between the
underdogs, United States, and the favored team, Russia. The game was dubbed the “Miracle on Ice” when
the U.S. won the game and shocked the world.
They even made a movie about the game.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hiking in, and around, Lake Placid is great; after all, you
are in the Adirondacks! The Adirondacks encompasses six million acres of
beautiful mountains, pristine lakes, and majestic quiet places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once in the ADKs (as locals call them), it won’t
be long before you hear of the term “46” which refers to the forty-six high
peaks in the Adirondacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are a
“46’er” that means you have climbed all 46 peaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty impressive, but not on our to-do list
while we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did a bit of
hiking while in the area but leaned towards the walk-in-the-woods side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a list of the hikes we did and
enjoyed and would recommend.</span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://wildadirondacks.org/henrys-woods-trail.html">Henry
Woods</a> – This is a community Preserve with a number of multi-use trails just
outside of Lake Placid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trails vary
in difficulty and are a great way to enjoy nature without climbing up a high
peak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed this walk with our
friends that has some attractive views of the surrounding mountains and Lake
Placid, water for our dogs to enjoy, tall trees for shade and an array of
flowering plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/adirondacks-silver-lake-bog-preserve/" target="_blank">Silver Lake Bog Preserve</a> – This 2.5-mile (round-trip) trail wanders
through a Nature Conservancy Preserve that traverses a bog and swamp via a
boardwalk and then meanders through a cedar swamp, hardwood forest, and finally
to a pine ridge which provides a nice view of Silver Lake.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH7iEQB9jLixygg-RtmD0vlO1IYbSTsxyM33aEdacY30ZlgoS7itSEGgUzEnNCaGeErLOHd02sW2EZ5q6JgU7mxl4yFtlUQFz26v16hoEzw3gtGN8KrWKjLwCpZRVYWBGsfEeNBv5NrE/s4032/20210601_101326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH7iEQB9jLixygg-RtmD0vlO1IYbSTsxyM33aEdacY30ZlgoS7itSEGgUzEnNCaGeErLOHd02sW2EZ5q6JgU7mxl4yFtlUQFz26v16hoEzw3gtGN8KrWKjLwCpZRVYWBGsfEeNBv5NrE/w640-h480/20210601_101326.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pureadirondacks.com/blogs/adirondack-hiking/silver-lake-mountain" target="_blank">Silver Lake Mountain Trial</a>– Don’t let the “easy” rating of this
trail fool you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing easy was
finding a parking space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trail is an
out-and-back and only 2.0 miles (round-trip) but the climb is pretty steep with
nearly 1,000 feet in elevation change in one mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the top is an open rocky ledge and
outstanding views of a few surrounding lakes and Catamount and Whiteface
Mountains.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7NX12h7TpGM70GPwZ6zJpnA8eXyEgu0izXfFlK0FTkPpxxwIN2319nkE3M2h7STLhi68RuFOCvt3IwBaV0oVHAyYWPCjWkGRpvU2mSZuiYX3ImxApF3ljpBZIhTSIUlpKQL6ENujYi8/s4032/20210601_113320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7NX12h7TpGM70GPwZ6zJpnA8eXyEgu0izXfFlK0FTkPpxxwIN2319nkE3M2h7STLhi68RuFOCvt3IwBaV0oVHAyYWPCjWkGRpvU2mSZuiYX3ImxApF3ljpBZIhTSIUlpKQL6ENujYi8/w640-h480/20210601_113320.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pureadirondacks.com/blogs/adirondack-hiking/flume-trail-system#:~:text=The%20main%20trailhead%20to%20The%20Flume%20Trail%20System,and%20the%20trailhead%20is%20immediately%20on%20your%20left." target="_blank">Flume Trails</a> – This was one of our favorite places to
hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a series of trails
ranging from easy to difficult and you can string many trails together to vary
the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One trail follows the
Ausable River and delights you with the sounds of water rushing over rocky
boulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the river are many
accessible spots for fly fishing or if you just want to get in the water to
cool off, or, if you are a black lab who just can’t seem to stay out of the
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of course, we had to explore the dining scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we found was a great mix of casual
joints to more upscale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are lots
of breweries in the area, many of which serve food so we definitely tried one
of those.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4Y_CagV7idvtektZk3GHjKhUljA5MA7v6unJ6mzgQtzWiKmtmJ2Gh5kEc05sSs-ccK6Lcog1Izmh1QxoC92BoA0vOpgVCVZMH5QVR0bH-X0bd8QXFKUu6nN9zfDcuHoVF4L8HIYk3gk/s4032/20210609_121110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4Y_CagV7idvtektZk3GHjKhUljA5MA7v6unJ6mzgQtzWiKmtmJ2Gh5kEc05sSs-ccK6Lcog1Izmh1QxoC92BoA0vOpgVCVZMH5QVR0bH-X0bd8QXFKUu6nN9zfDcuHoVF4L8HIYk3gk/s320/20210609_121110.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Redneck-Bistro-BBQ-Grill-400182310087343/">Red
Neck Bistro</a> – Ok, so their name is not really appealing when used in the
context of food, but our meals were delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some of the best beer battered onion rings we have had in a long time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered a Cuban sandwich which was
absolutely delicious and I still crave the succulent tender pork, melted
cheese, salty ham and tangy pickle in that sandwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Betsy ordered the fried chicken sandwich that
was so crispy and moist it was definitely drool-worthy just looking at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our food was 10/10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://adirondackbrewing.com/">Great Adirondack
Brewing Company</a> – The first day we were in Lake Placid it was cool and
drizzling so a cup of clam chowder and pint of porter hit the spot. The food was great and we loved the
atmosphere and beer. It is located
downtown Lake Placid, so when you need a break from shopping this is a great
place to eat and drink.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://hungrytrout.com/dining/hungry-trout-restaurant/">The Hungry Trout</a>
– This restaurant has a beautiful setting overlooking the Ausable River and a
cozy rustic lodge feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a name
like Hungry Trout you can expect a few trout dishes on the menu. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does trout seared with fresh shallots,
house smoked bacon and "guide" seasoning or trout with seasoned panko breadcrumbs
and brushed with a delicate Grand Marnier butter sound?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went with our friends Ginger and Nancy and
enjoyed a lovely evening talking and catching up and enjoying delicious food.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.icejaminnadk.com/">Ice Jam Inn</a> – Betsy
and I went for an early dinner and were surprised by how popular this little
restaurant was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the patrons were
locals which we always like to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Inn has a pastoral setting in the countryside flanked by mountains and a classy
rustic interior which is reflected in their menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We highly recommend the cider brined roasted
chicken with new potatoes, asparagus, and a delicate pan sauce and the pork
chop with apple kraut, cider Brussel sprouts, and herb potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Betsy and I were highly satisfied with our entrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> BUT</span> THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT WAS NO LIQUOR
LICENSE SO NO COCKTAILS OR WINE! Oh well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k-r8cNuzN88zFi0KVGg3Xj6Aeg2ph3EiLHgvU67xjkgp2-7EURhcCdDCbKNR14gTmvwReb1t5dD9KlZuGH8HGq-1JiBxOKm64qtpMFo-n6BLLWSSFyualn1SeP4Y9lBO6YR0wQ2rD5w/s4032/20210607_171608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k-r8cNuzN88zFi0KVGg3Xj6Aeg2ph3EiLHgvU67xjkgp2-7EURhcCdDCbKNR14gTmvwReb1t5dD9KlZuGH8HGq-1JiBxOKm64qtpMFo-n6BLLWSSFyualn1SeP4Y9lBO6YR0wQ2rD5w/s320/20210607_171608.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.rudyschaletwhiteface.com/menu">Rudy’s
Scar Bar and Grille</a> – Rudy’s sits below an inn and draws locals and tourists
alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a restaurant with a
laid-back bar feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tables are a
miss-match, there is a pool table in one room, an odd assortment of pictures on
the wall, and a live music stage in the corner, and cozy little bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place is a little funky but we liked it
and would definitely go back and order the delicious fish and chips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.fortysixer.com/about-forty-six-keene">Forty-Six</a>
– This restaurant is located in one of the cutest little towns, Keene, located
just a little west of Lake Placid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
restaurant has an attractive woodsy themed interior and lovely outdoor dining
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food is inspired by the area
and this farm-to-table restaurant features local, sustainably sourced
ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped in after our
visit to the Keene farmer’s market and shared a delicious fried chicken
sandwich, crispy hand-cut fries, and a bowl of gazpacho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was wonderful.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In between hiking or eating, there is much more to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attractions vary from quaint museums telling
an important piece of history to those that offer spectacular views. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Olympic Venues – Obviously, the Olympic history is keystone
to this town and there are reminders of it everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right downtown is the <a href="http://www.lpom.org/" target="_blank">Olympic Center</a> which is
home to the ice rink and a museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, the facility was undergoing renovations during our stay
but they did have a small exhibit area with interesting memorabilia like Eric Heidens’
speed skates, various medals, a goal from the gold medal hockey game, and the
Ralph Lauren clothing worn during the opening and closing ceremonies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5nqB2UWstbBNc2bLZUwpStWNN-734QNCJGZWmoD_cFngPTsjhNLoWha1e8f32DEwd9vvTC60YGsTxgThnEvdWv0Hs_ZdDukFUFnm7Xb7SNig_3f2OPmk67JpyrfZnxaRhoyp59zXGaM/s2992/DSC_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5nqB2UWstbBNc2bLZUwpStWNN-734QNCJGZWmoD_cFngPTsjhNLoWha1e8f32DEwd9vvTC60YGsTxgThnEvdWv0Hs_ZdDukFUFnm7Xb7SNig_3f2OPmk67JpyrfZnxaRhoyp59zXGaM/w640-h428/DSC_0208.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the most prominent features you will notice in Lake
Placid is the <a href="https://lakeplacidolympicsites.com/olympic-sites/jumping-complex/" target="_blank">Olympic Jumping Complex</a> – home to the 90 and 120-meter ski jump
towers. For a fee, you can take a
gondola ride and glass elevator to the top and stand where daring ski jumpers
stand. Adventure seekers may opt to ride
back down via zip line. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6sTAsbwhI2XIfp3powMdRfIHAuu1LofWLKSRDc3pI8ZrI66OpkQlMIA1ZKgC6pljg0-a1FVmZPA4MkmE7-nj37xBvOBfNmoGqmXBjEGcWXaGb468k9di5vDciPhijQWgU-KgYwmxD3Q/s4032/20210609_124910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6sTAsbwhI2XIfp3powMdRfIHAuu1LofWLKSRDc3pI8ZrI66OpkQlMIA1ZKgC6pljg0-a1FVmZPA4MkmE7-nj37xBvOBfNmoGqmXBjEGcWXaGb468k9di5vDciPhijQWgU-KgYwmxD3Q/w640-h480/20210609_124910.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Other Olympic Venues include the 1980 cauldron (located at the fairgrounds) and the <a href="https://lakeplacidolympicsites.com/olympic-sites/mount-van-hoevenberg/" target="_blank">Mt. Van Hoevenberg Center</a> which hosted the bobsled, luge, skeleton, and nordic skiing events. The center has the longest mountain coaster for visitors to enjoy. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiteface_Mountain" target="_blank">Whiteface Mountain</a> – One of the most popular things to do in
the area is visit the summit of Whiteface Mountain home to the Alpine skiing
events during the Olympic games and still hosts numerous skiing competitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have the time and energy, you can hike
up to the top of the 4,867-foot high mountain which is 6.5 miles one-way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, you can open your wallet and pay to drive
up the mountain – which we did. Pricey at $60 for four of us! You still have a quarter of a mile scramble up a rocky face to get to
the top viewing area (unless the elevator is operating and then it's just an easy
push of a button. It wasn't working on our visit).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited on a
beautiful sunny day and the seemingly endless views were spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word to the wise: wear appropriate clothing
and shoes because it is difficult being there on a very windy mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One visitor in front of us had on pretty
shoes that were not designed for climbing rocks and a very short dress that was
fluttering in unflattering ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
she needed one hand to hold onto the railing, she could not keep her dress in its
appropriate position and her underwear were on constant view. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like a Victory Secret show. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We quickly passed her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kGD5OOj_8xXrihd73fqN_yYhQX2WAmJlEF7H9WzTdiqUsnINGu-oumh7EB32p3qQ9dM6hwIVPzG6TSkSV26IL9Yl4EgAlCForlbqPU7_NkODIgIYvBrxHdN6lQBdTpdMwrDAQY8c8KY/s4032/20210604_151433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kGD5OOj_8xXrihd73fqN_yYhQX2WAmJlEF7H9WzTdiqUsnINGu-oumh7EB32p3qQ9dM6hwIVPzG6TSkSV26IL9Yl4EgAlCForlbqPU7_NkODIgIYvBrxHdN6lQBdTpdMwrDAQY8c8KY/w640-h480/20210604_151433.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKyVNaHjeYA9Gf4wSV2Jx15DZxU-Ys76q4rY7G1zyWv3AH_FJCwItZqa7320OdGDlEX7LClJPMXaBQ7eY7uLB-9sHYDrGZlRe0uqg190II4zcl7VBccaQ6r1yDwabGg1-lv5UR_AFaUc/s4032/20210604_150136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKyVNaHjeYA9Gf4wSV2Jx15DZxU-Ys76q4rY7G1zyWv3AH_FJCwItZqa7320OdGDlEX7LClJPMXaBQ7eY7uLB-9sHYDrGZlRe0uqg190II4zcl7VBccaQ6r1yDwabGg1-lv5UR_AFaUc/w640-h480/20210604_150136.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJgf2hdX_mRFcfazI-j_cVsSAJf42zRhqUDrbz9jGW4bBQE6KlV7Q_sNvwu0ofyEIeMhg2oqpzC27Yjb5KAFhWxi7WMoRKfZlNomjrCo-p9xAba7zL8Cuk3viQ0NeQnP4kQaLB0cf_Wk/s4032/20210604_152955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJgf2hdX_mRFcfazI-j_cVsSAJf42zRhqUDrbz9jGW4bBQE6KlV7Q_sNvwu0ofyEIeMhg2oqpzC27Yjb5KAFhWxi7WMoRKfZlNomjrCo-p9xAba7zL8Cuk3viQ0NeQnP4kQaLB0cf_Wk/w640-h480/20210604_152955.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/29/details.aspx">John
Brown Farm Historical Site</a> – This was the home and is the final resting
place of the famous abolitionist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brown was
hanged for treason after he and his supporters raided the U.S. Arsenal at
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia after which his wife moved his body back to his
Lake Placid farm for burial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brown’s house
is now a museum with guided tours, the barn houses an exhibit on the
Underground Railroad, there is a visitor center, hiking trails, and his
gravesite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Historical Site is free.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5tNF6X_jsrW_DfhyldY_D1a3fUFSCY08X_XN2R8pAY7KiX_P5X7b6t-_7i2ip8JoS5cGPkAP2UCe-GSi2bK2bf3XBVZfx1vOYGPCwJzu5FXZO9R5pS8wkzkLE3reqj9gS7b60dCeJJY/s4032/20210609_103141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5tNF6X_jsrW_DfhyldY_D1a3fUFSCY08X_XN2R8pAY7KiX_P5X7b6t-_7i2ip8JoS5cGPkAP2UCe-GSi2bK2bf3XBVZfx1vOYGPCwJzu5FXZO9R5pS8wkzkLE3reqj9gS7b60dCeJJY/w640-h480/20210609_103141.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One day we took a drive over to the nearby town of Saranac Lake
to check out the farmer’s market, have lunch, see the wooden carousel, and visit
the <a href="https://www.saranaclake.com/attractions/saranac-laboratory-museum" target="_blank">Saranac Laboratory Museum</a>. The
Saranac Laboratory, founded by Dr. E.L. Trudeau, was built in 1894 and is the
first facility in the United States devoted to tuberculosis (TB) research. Thousands of TB patients from all walks of
life came to Saranac Lake seeking Trudeau’s “fresh air cure.” They stayed at sanatoriums in the area and at
private homes that had “cure cottages” which had porches for patients to sit
outside and breathe in the cold fresh air.
Many cure porches are still visible today on older homes. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, the historic building is a museum which has self-guided
exhibits interpreting TB research, patient care, and Saranac Lake’s history as
a world-wide center for TB research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
stone and steel laboratory looks very much like it did when Trudeau and
scientists were conducting his research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The museum was fascinating with interesting exhibits, short films, and an
audio tour and we highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5YxTSDKoawlllkGeq2BXvWrEDA14b-W12z1vlJXAQ5w6nNRTL7Q4FhyIHhIXQRXHxEXNd2LBuvePpgwvy9B5NRz3hjjW202zWxUKF_CQGh34OJaBJ-R9rNAdB54yfHQvRLiHVtPpZUY/s2992/DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5YxTSDKoawlllkGeq2BXvWrEDA14b-W12z1vlJXAQ5w6nNRTL7Q4FhyIHhIXQRXHxEXNd2LBuvePpgwvy9B5NRz3hjjW202zWxUKF_CQGh34OJaBJ-R9rNAdB54yfHQvRLiHVtPpZUY/w640-h428/DSC_0194.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Despite all the sight-seeing, hiking, and eating, we did
find time to paddle and cast a line or two in the water for the prized
Adirondack trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ausable River is highly regarded for its trout fishing and beautiful scenery and there are many
access points for wading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just across
the street from the campground is a public launch which provides access to Lake
Everest and a slack area of the West Branch Ausable River which is great for an
easy afternoon paddle which has a self-guided nature trail and for catching trout.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPb9_zEWrT2hyphenhyphenkmpPl-imTJdn7oPw3Juje4IORgIcrk6jIrYZdu0MGnJFZGDx7BfTEmLYJDZQQL4Cp8AhbX6Ku6t8HpW1zIiOtOmMlZOyuAZ-cMAZRqNRwB0A5X9qs7HlEIiQoYJcEds/s4032/20210610_133858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPb9_zEWrT2hyphenhyphenkmpPl-imTJdn7oPw3Juje4IORgIcrk6jIrYZdu0MGnJFZGDx7BfTEmLYJDZQQL4Cp8AhbX6Ku6t8HpW1zIiOtOmMlZOyuAZ-cMAZRqNRwB0A5X9qs7HlEIiQoYJcEds/w640-h480/20210610_133858.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the best attractions of the Adirondacks is the
beautiful scenery and views. And, that is FREE!
Take an afternoon and drive south-east from Lake Placid along the High Peaks
Scenic Byway (HWY 73) from Lake Placid to Keene. Stop in at the <a href="https://cedarrunbakery.com/">Cedar Run Bakery and Market</a> for a cup of
coffee and muffin or coffee cake and take a few minutes to browse <a href="https://cedarrunbakery.com/">Darth Rustic Goods</a> which has beautiful
rustic furniture, home décor, and gifts.
Next, head north along the Ausable River on Route 9N for more scenic
views with the Sentinel Range Wilderness to the west and the Jay Mountain
Wilderness to the east. When you reach
the town of Jay, head west towards Whiteface Mountain and Wilmington and take a drive up the
mountain if you haven’t already been. It
is definitely worth the trip. Before
leaving Wilmington, stop in at <a href="https://www.adirondackchocolates.com/">Adirondack
Chocolates</a> to browse their extensive selection of hand-made chocolates and
pick up something for the ride home. We
highly recommend the chocolate covered espresso beans. From Wilmington, drive south on the Olympic
Trail (HWY 86) along the west fork of the Ausable River. There are many pull-offs along the road
allowing access to hiking trails and views of Monument Falls and the High Falls
Gorge (entry fee required). As you enter
the town of Lake Placid off to your left rising high above the trees are the
prominent ski jump towers. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblZ5fuOgh1ToLHlTYz60A4qyqwA55I3uoVidL2AIisc_gzfvYzAeT4VPtlCAZg5Qh8j9m1XWCRPIFDCHAEE5TYbc_2caslJ5bldMh0LyXcHUXoDsc8KH_gbFLetVGiCRsL9qW7HmwwXc/s4032/20210603_150311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblZ5fuOgh1ToLHlTYz60A4qyqwA55I3uoVidL2AIisc_gzfvYzAeT4VPtlCAZg5Qh8j9m1XWCRPIFDCHAEE5TYbc_2caslJ5bldMh0LyXcHUXoDsc8KH_gbFLetVGiCRsL9qW7HmwwXc/w640-h480/20210603_150311.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We stayed in the 100-Acre-Woods section of the <a href="https://northpoleresorts.com/" target="_blank">North Pole Resort</a> in Wilmington which suited us very well. The location was convenient to all our adventures and our site was nice and large in the shade of the woods. One of the best aspects of this campground was the miles and miles of hiking trails owned by the campground that are right out your doorstep. We started wondering why it was called the "North Pole" and that there were candy canes and snowmen around every corner. Turns out just up the road is the hamlet of North Pole where you will find Santa's Workshop and the ever popular post office which each year receives hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to Santa Claus.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1plkWyo9vNd9x8NstHE-Aun8TRV7eIyEj7iUs__NVEt1CzkKhTNIUxrdkDaLcZOCtCF4L-7N-E7Zb0KOvSrEtXPxS7PMpUWrY8jX1pLBQJami1tyUrUvZrxYrQijs1yAQpwm01Lc3x3Y/s4032/20210609_132207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1plkWyo9vNd9x8NstHE-Aun8TRV7eIyEj7iUs__NVEt1CzkKhTNIUxrdkDaLcZOCtCF4L-7N-E7Zb0KOvSrEtXPxS7PMpUWrY8jX1pLBQJami1tyUrUvZrxYrQijs1yAQpwm01Lc3x3Y/w480-h640/20210609_132207.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It seems the longer we stay in an area, the more we find to
do and Lake Placid was no exception.
There were still more Olympic venues, hiking, museums, and other
attractions that we didn't have time to visit despite being there for two weeks. Our time here was made even more special because our friends, Ginger and Nancy and their two Corgis, joined us. Lake Placid is just a taste of the
Adirondacks and we will be back. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWqU22QPicRTTBzx7w150j2Q9jf3B2rqg9dsPYmX2dkHGL0lFrC_vT2yKAk602nkQMg6HgZYrUp9cFwlTBKN4wQo8b177hCjaxsDQJYVpT2BPNw1QWgi8iiPy37AOLZMJGYfb9Yc0jSg/s4032/20210603_145919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWqU22QPicRTTBzx7w150j2Q9jf3B2rqg9dsPYmX2dkHGL0lFrC_vT2yKAk602nkQMg6HgZYrUp9cFwlTBKN4wQo8b177hCjaxsDQJYVpT2BPNw1QWgi8iiPy37AOLZMJGYfb9Yc0jSg/w640-h480/20210603_145919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div>RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93239947780910571.post-34925987516970478422021-06-20T14:59:00.002-05:002021-06-20T14:59:46.859-05:00RV Park Review - Swan Bay Resort (Alexandria Bay, New York)<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We’ll start by saying <a href="https://swanbayresort.com/" target="_blank">Swan Bay Resort</a> is a busy, family-oriented
campground. We arrived on a weekend (in
May) and it was pretty busy but things got a lot quieter during the week when
everybody left to go back to work and school. Our site (#38) was a Passport America site so
we got a great nightly rate of $42 which is half of the regular nightly rate. And we were able to use it for our entire 6-night
stay (which included a weekend). Our
site was a “standard site” near the pool, boat launch, activities, and Tiki Bar
which surprised us because sites close to activity hubs are usually desired and
not offered as discounted sites. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZdF3vxQ3HR6v5BnbaehPBlkB9MEhFGdBbR25lhGowyEPiGdW7KYmd06mEYzxZwA0UbVbaPkNnlPl_CJA90hwbYIsAZLw9cbvHg0I9wWp0lukA9pEpJUPpnOW1Vk9rTjdEf39pAGu0J8/s2048/20210527_164839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZdF3vxQ3HR6v5BnbaehPBlkB9MEhFGdBbR25lhGowyEPiGdW7KYmd06mEYzxZwA0UbVbaPkNnlPl_CJA90hwbYIsAZLw9cbvHg0I9wWp0lukA9pEpJUPpnOW1Vk9rTjdEf39pAGu0J8/w640-h480/20210527_164839.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNLtbpQmZFMKtePJwra43zs_RYWIlL8mBaQakDywDRzyGxM7xXX3UzNaAxrNu4FmmdB4n862wkLxV0Pr7A-diupHzaKbYkuLqiZcgrPl6IVfgZwDF2Kn5W7LjjXatODTZ5InBVLQZfFE/s2048/20210524_195145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNLtbpQmZFMKtePJwra43zs_RYWIlL8mBaQakDywDRzyGxM7xXX3UzNaAxrNu4FmmdB4n862wkLxV0Pr7A-diupHzaKbYkuLqiZcgrPl6IVfgZwDF2Kn5W7LjjXatODTZ5InBVLQZfFE/w640-h480/20210524_195145.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The campsite
price depends on whether you get a waterfront (which is $95/night even in the
off-season), water view, pull thru, or standard site. Most sites do not have
shade but they added a new section that does have some old mature trees and
sporadic shade. All the sites are the same in that they have paved parking
areas with gravel in front, pavers for a patio and full hook-up. There are lots
of rental park models and cottages close to the pool and Tiki Bar. Within
walking distance of the campground is a Price Chopper Grocery, Dollar General,
gas station, and wine and liquor store. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYx0JDjtLfsjMBDp2SBXAECh_RUSLqd5T2jnYonbJvlcQYdQ9bqRmLGSujj1KYvgqebGu9NqVlsT6HjYK9-vDvczM-D02ZXoSkikQSlj24wGEflNcI3_LUFUj4DHm2yEMssFrhTu5DpY/s2016/j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYx0JDjtLfsjMBDp2SBXAECh_RUSLqd5T2jnYonbJvlcQYdQ9bqRmLGSujj1KYvgqebGu9NqVlsT6HjYK9-vDvczM-D02ZXoSkikQSlj24wGEflNcI3_LUFUj4DHm2yEMssFrhTu5DpY/w640-h480/j.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The campground is on the St. Lawrence River so conveniently
there is a boat launch (which you can use for free) and boat slips (not sure if
they are free) for guests. We were
hoping to spend a bit of time paddling the St. Lawrence River but soon realized
it is extremely windy and found very few windows to paddle. Our neighbor (who has camped here seasonally
for the last four years) mentioned that he lost three awnings to the wind. Duh!
Reminder - don’t leave your awning out when you leave your camper and
beware of winds if you venture out on the water. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bfjEPV9uR7ns1SQ50MW6W0X48TJLZUR40Ip4ouRPrKm_2gzrnHYh4lSZORgrA8dYeNfBfISJ4i6EkBvb92mdECtiw73gL9rdLGq02IJQ-sLD8uRASiQD8vVubCSGDY3G8d9aph19Ny4/s2016/0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bfjEPV9uR7ns1SQ50MW6W0X48TJLZUR40Ip4ouRPrKm_2gzrnHYh4lSZORgrA8dYeNfBfISJ4i6EkBvb92mdECtiw73gL9rdLGq02IJQ-sLD8uRASiQD8vVubCSGDY3G8d9aph19Ny4/w640-h480/0.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVrTDMkwCuSEB9zzEPmna1rhxLVFz1PnP83K0NECbP6VkoiJV-bPZaTvmbnp-0rJVgVDPNd_jlQrRQcmcW2a-nHGVfWXqW9hbA5uvmLyWBpKK-mqZDzz_sGYKf-h_o5shUVhPr9Ko-S0/s2048/20210524_195317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVrTDMkwCuSEB9zzEPmna1rhxLVFz1PnP83K0NECbP6VkoiJV-bPZaTvmbnp-0rJVgVDPNd_jlQrRQcmcW2a-nHGVfWXqW9hbA5uvmLyWBpKK-mqZDzz_sGYKf-h_o5shUVhPr9Ko-S0/w640-h480/20210524_195317.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Check-in was quick and easy.
The campground is gated so you get a gate card to enter the park. You
also get a BOGO card to use at the Tiki Bar which has daily specials (like
margarita Monday, bucket of beer, bloody Mary’s, etc.). The pool and Tiki Bar
were not very busy when we were there.
There is a second pool but it was not yet open for the season. In between the pools is a community fire pit
with nice Adirondack chairs so you can have a nice gathering someplace other
than your site. The playground is
awesome and huge with lots of cool features for kids to explore. The dog park is very nice and a decent size
to throw a ball for your dog. It also
has potable water for drinking, which, for some reason, did not work during our
stay. There are gobs of activities for
kids and adults. Plenty of rentals too –
ranging from boats, kayaks, golf carts, etc.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH33d5Mcp1foXDX2Y0_tBmN03Cfkep9WrF-cbka7Zc8BZgIMANoveyIT2aCfzkryoe94jciEPeJTYbdVfhTMe0IkceqOMJT7RIG7EHg3Imycug_tl9cP5H50KBPbxj_Af95aNYcZ3S9M/s2048/20210527_165134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH33d5Mcp1foXDX2Y0_tBmN03Cfkep9WrF-cbka7Zc8BZgIMANoveyIT2aCfzkryoe94jciEPeJTYbdVfhTMe0IkceqOMJT7RIG7EHg3Imycug_tl9cP5H50KBPbxj_Af95aNYcZ3S9M/w640-h480/20210527_165134.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some of the downsides of this campground are the price
(unless you get a discount like we did), sites don’t have much privacy, the
park gets crowded and noisy, and there was lots of noise from the construction
work within the park. If you are in the
back of the park, you get some road noise from Route 12 and the refrigerated
truck at the neighboring Price Chopper is very loud. Overall, we liked this park during the slow
season and during the week when there were not kids running around and adults
playing loud music and drinking constantly.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Click <a href="https://rvagogo.blogspot.com/2021/06/new-yorks-thousand-island-region.html" target="_blank">here</a> to see our post regarding visiting the Thousand Islands area of New York.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br />RVAGOGOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727824191725031949noreply@blogger.com3