Head of Tide

Cannot wait to get on the road again…Willie Nelson (and us of course).

[Editor’s note: When I add a new post, I also try to upload pictures that are associated with that entry. Feel free to visit the bottom of the Photos page to see them.]

[Editor’s note: Also, I have added a few paragraphs to the In Search of Charles Herbert page.]

After a great visit in Colorado, we pointed the RV toward the East Coast. One of my ‘bucket list’ destinations was Maine. My great grandfather grew up there and I knew there was history to be mined so we chose that as our ‘final destination’ for the next leg of our adventure. We had made a reservation for a campground near Gardiner beginning the last week of August 2021 so we just needed to get there. Having never driven a thousand miles in one trip with a recreational vehicle, we didn’t know exactly what to expect. We were comfortable driving 250 to 300 miles per day but didn’t want to do that on too many consecutive days.  So, we identified places along the way to stop and explore, but also to rest and replenish goods. The reservations were made and off we went.

One has to make adjustments when living in an RV full time. The obvious adjustment is limiting the amount of stuff taken. Only so many shirts will fit into a small drawer and there are only a few small drawers. Other things like the number of cooking utensils and knives is limited too. You can take your favorite spoon for mixing sauces but you can’t take twelve. Storage all around is minuscule compared to a house. Not so obvious adjustments include where you park. If you are in a state park or boondocking (parking without water or electricity connections) on government land, the scenery may be picturesque, however, if you want some amenities (like wifi, TV reception, water, sewer, electricity), you need an RV campground. The downside to an RV campground is that the scenery may be limited to viewing the side of a trailer just a few feet away. RV campgrounds are composed of concrete, asphalt, or gravel. The nicer ones have a lot of grass and trees but they are usually more expensive. Campgrounds make money by having a lot of campers and green space doesn’t always translate to additional income. While traveling we see great countryside….just not always where we park. To compensate for the variability in campgrounds we attempt to use tools like street view maps, pictures, and reviews on various websites. This takes time and we have experienced mixed success. 

The first extended stop along the way ended up being in Northeast Ohio. We stayed at the KOA Andover/Pymatuning Lake location which is near the border with Pennsylvania. The campground turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We parked next to a big shade tree and the campground was not overly crowded. The weather also cooperated. Temperatures were moderate for late July and early August. From this location, we visited several covered bridges, took tours of Lake Erie, saw several lighthouses, and stopped at numerous roadside stands (including those operated by Amish).

We also spent a day on a long drive to Niagara Falls. At the falls, we walked the park but avoided the Maid of the Mist boat ride and other ‘touristy’ things to avoid the crowds (2021 COVID). We were just glad to be outside. The weather was delightful and worth the drive.

From Ohio, we moved across the U.S. and spent a couple of days in beautiful Vermont and New Hampshire. Both states have a lot of natural beauty and we enjoyed the few days we spent in each. Driving our 38-foot RV on narrow New England roads, however, was a bit of a challenge but we made it safely.

The cross country jaunt lacked issues, which we like, and provided for a great trip.

Next: MAINE!!