Back in Canada exploring the New Brunswick Coastline

There was little difficulty clearing Canadian Customs at the border crossing from Maine. They said our bear spray canister wouldn’t be allowed into the province. No problem as it was purchased in 2003 for Alaska and more than likely had expired anyway. We discovered the quaint little town of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea on a peninsula to hang out for a few days. It is located in the southwest corner of New Brunswick on scenic Passamaquoddy Bay. Founded in 1783 by loyalists and settled after the American Revolution, the town still retains much of its old world charm. 

Loyalist blockhouse fortification

Fairmont Algonquin

We found a campground right on the oceanfront with full hook-ups, Wi-Fi, and a great view. Lots to see and do in spite of coastal fog lingering during our stay. Sightings of several beautiful birds peaked our interest for photo opts. 

Finally a red cardinal moment....hooray!

Biking lead us in search of a Celtic memorial cross erected for the Irish immigrants once quarantined on Potato Island across the bay.

Watching the extreme tidal changes in the Bay of Fundy and driving the Jeep over the ocean floor on a gravel bar at low tide to Minister Island was great fun. Getting on to the island required being part of a guided car caravan where we to saw the remains of an old manor. 

In 1890 Sir William Van Horne purchased the island and constructed a summer residence and agricultural farm maintained by thirty field hands and household servants. Having been the driving force in the construction of the Canadian railway from sea to sea, Van Horne's pockets were bulging and what better place to splurge than on his own secluded island. Of course getting to and from the island required maneuvers based upon the tides. 

An old cottage on the island

Windmill and gas house powered energy to the property

Dutch tiled fireplace in the main house

The bathhouse overlooked a swimming pool down by the bay

Carriage house for the vehicles of the day

Just a "little" barn for the island's cows and horses

Best of all, later on at low tide we found a spot to put on our mud boots and chat awhile with a clam digger in the mudflats.

Blitzing across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine May 24-25, 2011

The drive northeast through Vermont to a rest stop at Dixieville Notch State Park in New Hampshire clicked off 160 miles of lush green countryside, farmland, and rolling hills making for an easy travel day in spite of a few very bumpy rough roads. 

 Moving on through New Hampshire we crossed the Maine state line and stopped for two short hikes along Grafton Notch. Auger Screw Falls flowing through a glacial carved gorge was a nice change of scenery. 

A moose near a shallow pond and a wolverine scurrying across the road were each a surprise to see as we pushed on toward Bangor, Maine. There we load up with a bag full of Maine travel brochures for exploring the coastal region in mid June. 

The weather was sunny both days as we make our way eastbound approximately 320 miles through Maine’s central mountain region of dense forest.

Lots of logging trucks zoomed by in the opposite direction loaded full of timber logs. 

A tall statue of Paul Bunyan with his axe confirmed we’d made it to the great north woods. 

 

Hooray, we are both excited to be back enjoying the great outdoors away from city life.

A Wagon Ride Adventure at Shelburne Farms, Vermont

In 1886, Dr. William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb began acquiring Vermont land on the Champlain Lake region in hopes of creating a model agricultural estate. To that end, they recruited two of the era's most prominent planners — landscape designer Frederick Olmstead creator of Central Park in NY and architect Robert Robertson — to design the grounds of what became the 3,800-acre Shelburne Farms.

What a great place to visit and see a farm operation still thriving today. Five types of cattle are raised, fresh vegetables grown to supply the Inn, and a full scale cheese making operation booms.

 
The property features a hackney horse breeding facility and an elegant Big House, whose Gilded Age "excess" included centralized heat, electric lighting, and indoor plumbing.

Inn at Shelburne Farm overlooks Lake Champlain, Vermont

Overlooking the palisade from the gardens

Shelburne Farm Inn "The Big House" long ago

Gardens overlook Lake Champlain

Today, the manor home serves as a popular inn, and the estate itself is not only one of the area's leading tourist attractions but a model of conservation and stewardship.

Coach Barn serves as an environmental ed center and cheese factory today

Little mouse looking for cheese perhaps?

Great frog sighting by JR

 Taking a wagon through the Shelburne Farms we saw where recent heavy rains have encroached flood water over the banks from Lake Champlain onto part of the farm property. Five days earlier we would not have been able to get across the road leading into the property.

Lake Champlain on the right over flowed the dirt road onto Shelburne Farm land

Flood water receded along the road path

Lake Champlain rose five feet over the road days prior.... whew lucky us... wagon ho

Yes another adventure bit the dust. And look what greeted us back at our campsite upon returning.

Mr. Woodpecker himself