Tuesday, September 11, 2018 - Arriving at Mainstay Cottages & RV Park-Winter Harbor, ME; and Schoodic Peninsula Visit; Wednesday, September 12, 2018 - Exploring Winter Harbor and Final Visit to Schoodic Point

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 - Arriving at Mainstay Cottages & RV Park-Winter Harbor, ME; and Schoodic Peninsula Visit

As I mentioned in the last post it started raining last night, and it was still raining this morning.  We were moving to a campsite less than 40 miles away that should take us less than an hour to get there.  We did not plan to leave Bar Harobr before 11am as we cannot check in to the next campground until noon.  We kept watching the radar on the Weather Channel hoping we would at least get a break long enough to hook Bentley up to the truck, but while it did lessen some it wasn't enough to keep us from getting pretty wet before we left.  

The ride to Winter Harbor was uneventful with several opportunities for beautiful views, despite the rain.  We arrived very close to noon, having rained on us almost the entire way; although most of it was not too heavy.  The office was in the owner's home - set up in a sitting area off their kitchen, with local information available in an entry area just inside their back door.  Our host, Roger, assisted us and provided detailed information about the area.  You can tell they are proud of where they live and what the area has to offer visitors.  Had we not been wet and just ready to get out of these damp clothes we would have enjoyed visiting with him more.  

We quickly set up in our site with what we needed for the time being - electric and water;  then we just enjoyed being inside out of the rain until it stopped a few hours later.    The view out Bentley's back window was just amazing even if it was still raining outside.

1:34 pm - Pay attention to this view for others we will provide later.  

We were anxious to get outside to one of our very favorite spots - Schoodic Peninsula.  (Schoodic Peninsula is part of Acadia National Park.)   Our hosts provided us with a very nice hiking/biking guide they have prepared for their guests.  It pointed out particular information about Schoodic which was very helpful as we made our way through the park.   

Our first stop was at Frazier's Point, where there is a 40' pier and a public float that is often used for mackerel fishing.  

40' pier at Frazier's Point - the public float cannot be seen in this picture.

About a half a mile later we were able to view Ned Island and Mark Island Lighthouse (built in 1856, and deactivated in 1933).

If it had not been so foggy, a short distance away we should have been able to see Champlain, Door and Cadillac Mountain.

This is actually the light house - but you can see how thick the fog is behind it.

The rain was creating some little water falls along the way.

The sun is trying hard to shine through this fog.

It just kept getting thicker as we drove along the coast.

Our next stop was my favorite place, Schoodic Point.  This is the very reason I wanted to return to Maine after our first trip here12 years ago - almost to the day.  Dean told me his favorite place we have visited is both Winter Harbor and Schoodic Peninsula.  

I think both of us really enjoy the fact there are no crowds or commercialization.  Even the little towns with only locally owned stores and cafes feel like they belong in the area.  Yes, they look forward to the summer visitors to provide a living for them, but they seem to protect what they have and want to maintain that way of life.  I hope they are always able to do this and keep it as simple and beautiful as it is today.

Trying to get a good splash behind us.

Just avoe the water is what we think was a muskrat that was swimming across this water.  I had just closed my camera up - by the time I got it back out this was all I managed to get of whatever it was.

According to the time record on my pictures we spent close to two hours here at the point.  It was amazing 12 years ago, but today was beyond amazing.  The sea was angry today my friend.....   and, WOW did it put on a stupendous show!

After Dean finally drug me away, we stopped a short drive away at Little Moose Island where we enjoyed watching a few seals playing around in the calmer waters, before we completed the drive and returned to our campsite.

With all of the fog pouring into the area I had to take another picture from Bentley's back window - much different than the one when we arrived.

6:30pm

Despite the rain, it was a perfect day!




Wednesday, September 12, 2018 - Exploring Winter Harbor and Final Visit to Schoodic Point


Our view when we opened the back window this morning:

6:06 am!   What a difference from yesterday's picture.

This morning we decided to drive the loop at Schoodic Peninsula one last time.  As you can tell by the above picture it is a glorious day and we knew things would look different.

Here is a different view from Frenchman Bay than what we shared while we were on the Park Loop Road on Mount Desert Island.

The mountain to the right is Cadillac Mountain

This is Egg Rock light house - a little clearer today!  It looks a little rough in some places.

Just a pretty spot as we drove by.

 The pictures of Schoodic Point are much nicer today.  

How many people do you know that can catch a mosquito in their picture?  It looks huge, doesn't it?

Back at Schoodic Point

As we were getting ready to leave a pod of dolphins happened by.  I zoomed in and was trying to take pictures - hoping I was getting them in the frame.  I managed a few, all toward the bottom of the pictures below.

Bunker's Wharf - Decorations

I have never seen hydrageas as beautiful as what they are here in Maine.  Loved this home.

A Church on Church Street.  Love these old churches with the steeples.

Downtown Winter Harbor

Grindstone Neck Golf Course - Dean liked this.

Another old church.

I love these boats.

So many trees and lots of water!

We also took the time to walk over to look at a small whale museum that was nearby where I took lots of pictures to share with our grandson Jaxson when we return to Kansas.  He LOVES whales, so I think he'll enjoy looking at them.

We visited with both of our neighbors here in the park.  One couple comes up here every year from Massachusetts.  The second couple was from Virginia.  They are also new full-timers, only being on the road since August 31.  We enjoyed visiting with both of them.  It's amazing how easy it is to strike up a conversation with other RVer's.

We are moving again tomorrow but since it's a short two hour drive, we will not be in a hurry to head out before 10 or later.