Maine Ho!

Joe and Ned With Eartha

Bright and early Friday Morning we left Cape Cod for Maine. After dropping Mary off at Boston's Logan Airport and a tearful goodbye full of "We'll miss you"s we promptly took a wrong turn and ended up heading south through the Ted William's Tunnel and then turned around heading for New Hampshire. Using the GPS we managed to find our way back on route.

On entering Maine we stopped at Yarmouth to visit DeLorme's map shop. They have a giant, three story globe there named Eartha, the World's Largest Globe. The boys enjoyed it a great deal. We were sorry to leave Yarmouth without stopping for the Clam Festival but we still had many miles to go and a stop in Freeport.


Ned Looks out Over Eartha's Version of Africa

Freeport is the home of L.L. Bean. For those who have not visited they have a complex of stores and the whole town is full of outlets. I bought some hiking boots. The rest of the way to Acadia National Park we took Route 1 along the coast. It is a bit slower than the interstate but it is much more picturesque. We stopped quickly in the town of Rockland for a bite to eat and found a town worthy of a return visit when more time would be available. We finally reached our destination, Blackwoods Campground in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island on the coast of Maine at 8:30 pm. We ended up setting up camp in the dark but we managed it and went to sleep quickly.


Osterville, MA to Acadia National Park, ME, 354 miles 7 hrs 58 min

Our Last Days on the Cape

Joe Shows the Proper Technique for Using a Touch Pool

Thursday and Friday were our last days on the Cape. Mary had to do some work so the boys and I dropped her off a the local community college to use their wireless connection.

On Thursday we headed to Falmouth and Woods Hole. We did some shopping in Falmouth and on the way to Woods Hole we stopped at the Nobska Light. In Woods Hole we visited the aquarium. It is a small aquarium but it packs a lot in.

On Friday we hung out at the house and in the evening after Mary got back we went out for a last boat ride. The ospreys were out and with the sun setting we made a last visit to crab beach. Then we headed back to the house to pack our things for the trip to Maine.


The Nobska Light


Woods Hole Has a Ships Coming Out of the Walls

Ned and Joe Viewing Fish


A 35 Year Old Lobster is Nearly as Big as Ned

Cape Cod National Seashore

Mary, Joe and Ned Brave the Fog at the Nauset Light

We spent Wednesday exploring the Outer Cape. We went to the Cape Cod National Seashore to visit some lighthouses and to let the boys get their Junior Ranger Badges.

The weather started fine but as the day wore on it began to rain and fog rolled in. On the way to the park we stopped at the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory and did the tour. We left smelling like potatos.

The park service changed the requirements for the Junior Ranger Badge that made it hard to get them in one day and on a short scehdule. We did get to visit the Nauset Light and take the short hike to see the Three Sisters Lighthouses. Afterwards we drove to Chatham to see the Chatham light and take the tour. Because of the bad weather the tours were cancelled.

Ann and Bill were visiting friends in Chatham and they invited us to stop in. They have an indoor pool and the boys spent the rest of afternoon swimming. On the way back to Osterville we stopped at Four Seas for our daily dose.


Joe and Ned Lounging in Front of One of the Three Sisters Lights



Joe, Mary and Ned (far right) in Front of Four Seas

Days of Beaches and Museums

Capt'n Ned the Scourge of Cape Cod

This week on the cape has been a busy one. We spent Monday at the beach and in the evening went on Uncle Bill's boat to do some fishing. Though we only caught one fish and Ned and I got a bit seasick it was fun.


Ned Digging at the Beach


Ned, Joe and Mary Enjoying an Evening of Boating and Fishing


Henry and Aunt Ann Admire Henry's Catch

Tuesday we went to the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, MA. They have an exhibit on pirate life in New England, A Short Life and Merry: Pirates of New England, that we wanted to see. The museum grounds are famous for their rhododendrons and daylilies. They also have an extensive collection of antique automobiles, the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame, collections of americana, and a fine carousel.


Joe Gallops Away on the Carousel


Ned and Bobby Race to the Finish


The Dread Pirate Captain Henry Finds a Moment to Rest


Hey Joe! What's a Pirate's Favorite Letter?


Gary Cooper's 1930 Duesenberg J Derham Tourster


Ned and Henry Driving a 1913 Ford Model T?

First Day on the Cape

Ned and Mary Take a Rest at Crab Beach

Saturday, July 14, was our first day on the Cape. We got up early had breakfast and went to crab beach on Uncle Bill's boat. The day was beautiful and the water was very warm. Crab beach is on Cotuit Bay and there is a little pond between it and the ocean. We dug for clams and Uncle Bill did some fishing. We found enough clams to make chowder and steamers and Bill caught a few fish though none keepers.

Mary Pulling Joe Through the Water


Uncle Bill With One of the Fish He Caught

After we returned to the house we headed to Four Seas for our daily dose of their ice cream.

Henry, Ned, Joe, and Bill Out in Front of Four Seas

The Drive to Cape Cod

Ned Works the Locks at the National Canal Museum

We left Carlisle for Osterville, MA where Mary's sister has a house on Cape Cod at 8:00 am. On the way we stopped in Easton, PA to visit the National Canal Museum and the Crayola Factory. The National Canal Museum is a very nice museum showing the canal phase in America's history. Easton is a the junction of the Delaware and Lehigh canals. They are very kid oriented with a displays that allow you to float a canal boat through locks, harnass a mule, buils bridges and design a canal.

In the same building is the Crayola Factory. Instead a factory Crayola has set up "a hands-on discovery center." They have a room that does show you how crayons and markers are made and then there are areas to make art. You can mold clay, paint with hot wax and create puppets.


Joe Takes His Canal Boat Back Through the Locks


Joe Presents his Alien


Ned Shows Off His Model Magic Snake

After Easton we headed on and stopped for a late lunch in Brewster, NY at the Red Rooster. This place has great burgers and my favorite, egg creams (chocolate only please.)

Only one more stop found us in Mystic, CT for a late dinner at food shack overlooking Mystic Seaport. We could see some of the ships and made a note to visit the museum when it was open. We arrived on the Cape about 10:00 pm. Mary's sister picked Mary up at the airport (thank you, Ann) and they arrived about 11:00 pm.

The Red Rooster in Brewster, NY


Carlisle, PA to Osterville, MA 482 miles 10 hrs 11 min