We have arrived at the Blackwoods RV Camp inside of Acadia National Park on Thursday. We got here at 5:57 p.m. and were the last people to register for the day on Wednesday. We got our pull through spot – and parked in the dark, aided by flashlights. The trailer is level, the truck is unhooked and Sheryl prepared dinner – it was yummy. There isn't much CELL SERVICE in Acadia - we did manage to make a call to our son from the dump station this morning. There is excellent cell service in Bar Harbor but not at our camp sight. It is really quiet, except for the rain. Even though I’m thankful for the Walmarts and Pilot Travel Centers that let us park free, I don’t miss the diesel trucks running and cars going back and forth in the parking lots were have been parked in.
We got up this morning and pulled out onto the road by 7:30 a.m. We travelled north on I-95 through Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and into Maine. A video at the visitor center about lobster in Wells, Maine peaked Sheryl’s interest. It was only a little way off the interstate SO, off we went in search of adventure. The Maine Diner has been featured on Guy Fieri's “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” show on Food Network. We ordered their Lobster Pie special – their signature dish. It was okay – the lobster was a little tough but it was neat to do something special. The cup of chowder was yummy.
The map showed that we were within 10-12 miles of Kennebunk, Maine, which is close to Kennebunkport, Maine. With our tummy's full, we turned the rig to the land of the George Bush’s, just so we could say “we were there.”
Back on I-95 we discovered how poor the signage is for Acadia National Park, which is one of the most highly visited National parks. We see a sign on the freeway telling us the exit was coming in a few miles or at a certain exit number. But no confirming sign at the exit. There were MANY times we wondered if we were going the right way. Yes, I had my GPS but sometimes they make mistakes. We finally got off the interstate and there was a sign – “Acadia National Park 100 miles.” That was it until we were about 10 miles away. When it’s raining and starting to get dark, it would be nice if the National Park Service would put up enough signage on the main road into the park to let people know they are going the right way.
By the time we got there, the Visitor Center was closed. And it was raining pretty good as I stood there, outside the center, looking at a map and trying to figure things out. It didn’t take me long to discover that if I went the perimeter route in the park, I’d risk taking the roof off the trailer due to a low underpass. Great! It was then we noticed a park ranger running in the rain to the only car left in the parking lot. At Sheryl’s suggestion, I interceded with him for some information and I was sure glad we did. He told me what road to take. We took it and in spite of some VERY TIGHT TURNS in Bar Harbor, we found the campground and here we are, parked in spot A-50. We really don’t know what it looks like, ‘cause it’s dark and rainy. Maybe we’ll get a “lay of the land” in the morning.
I’m realizing that this is the “shake-down cruise” for the truck and trailer. We only drove it up to Sugar Springs, near Gladwin. So we’ve only now learning to only use as many lights as absolutely necessary, how long the battery will last, how much we can run the furnace, how much water to use or not use, how much propane will it take, etc.. it’s part of the camping experience. We can use the generator here in the park from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m and we did use it this morning.
With $10 we purchased our Lifetime Senior Pass for the National Park system which gives us a 50% discount on camping in most National Parks and National Forest Campgrounds. I read today that seniors on social security are being granted a social security cost of living increase of 3.6% starting in 2012.
Got up this morning to discover that the tire on the trailer that looked soft in the dark was FLAT in the daylight. Removed the flat tire and replaced it with the spare in the rain this morning. We discovered a severe leak in the skylight over the shower. That has got to be fixed tomorrow when the sun comes out.
Sorry we don’t have a lot of great pictures of driving into the park. We’ll get some before we go. It’s supposed to rain all day Thursday - today - but change to sunny weather on Friday. We're seriously thinking about early bird lobster at one of the many restaurants in Bar Harbor. Happy trails.
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