It rained in the night, but fortunately I was awake dealing with an upset stomach- too good a dinner, I guess- so I was able to close the roof vent before it soaked the rug for the umpteenth time. It was raining off and on in the morning, temp in the low 60's, cooler than recently, while we packed up and headed for the bridge to Lubec, Maine.
Campobello Island is Canadian soil, but it takes most of a day to reach it from mainland New Brunswick, via two ferries. When you do get there, it's a beautiful island with seacoast scenery, but there's not much economy except a little fishing, a little tourism, and the Roosevelt Park complex. As a result, it is a backwater community, not at all prosperous. There are a few spectacular homes built on cliffs overlooking the sea, but otherwise it's trailers and little houses, and not many people. Most of the island is undeveloped. On the other hand, the island is easily accessed from the U.S. side by a bridge from Lubec, Maine, a decent sized town. The border crossing into the U.S. was quick and easy. The agent seemed glad to have someone to check through.
It's good to be back in the U.S. where the liquor is half as expensive and the gas is $2.40/gal vs. $3.20 equivalent in Canada. Also easier communications with loved ones. Also easier to post blog updates. The blog is worth doing so we'll remember the trip, though I doubt if anyone else- even S- suffers through reading it. If I'm wrong, I'll send ten dollars to anyone who asks for it.
Rainy driving over to U.S. 1 and turning SW. We didn't have any destination in mind for the day. We've roughly allowed 10 days for the Maine coast, but in bad weather there's no reason to gunkhole. By about 1 p.m., with the assistance of the hour gained by moving from Atlantic to Eastern Time, we reached Mt.
Desert Island and Acadia National Park. We set up camp in clearing weather, so when we set out for the visitor center, we were fooled into not wearing warm clothes. The area has an extensive system of free shuttle buses, thanks to a grant from L. L. Bean. We took a bus to the visitor center to get oriented and another bus around the park's 22-mile Loop Road. Spectacular rocky seacoast, with today's wind kicking up good-sized seas to break on the rocks. Old hat to us after 2 months of following the seacoast but still impressive and beautiful. It will make a good bike ride. Meanwhile, a steady rain returned, with fog and a light wind. We were not dressed for that so we skipped plans to wander around Bar Harbor and took the first bus back to the campground. Back at camp, my stomach is feeling enough better that I can risk an evening cocktail and a bland dinner.
We'll be at Mt. Desert Island for two more full days, and if the forecast fair weather eventuates, we'll get in some good cycling and canoeing, and maybe some hiking, too.
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