Arriving at Bar Harbor

Today we traveled north and east from Thomaston, Maine to Bar Harbor, Maine.  It was pouring down rain as we left and the wet weather never let up during the three hour drive with the coach nor for the rest of the day.  We traversed a one lane, low bridge (13’ 3”) as we got on the road with the assurance of the campground owner in Thomaston at the RV park where we had stayed that all of the coaches that come and go to her park have no problem with the bridge.  I held my breath as we passed over it anyway.

The small bridge over part of the St. George River

We traveled through Camden, ME and saw the “French & Brawn Market Place” (the only full service grocery store in downtown Camden) which was established in 1868!  They will “steam lobsters to order as well as cater to boats and summer cottages” to name just a few of their specialties.  The establishment dates of businesses and the construction time frame of homes here continues to amaze me.  I favor the old brick buildings and narrow streets of some Maine towns we pass through.  I don’t know why these streets sing to me but they do-maybe my childhood growing up in just such a place.  I walked on a similar Main Street then with a “5 & dime” variety store, the A&P market and a butcher shop.  Then there was even a stationary store devoted only to selling cards and the most divine sheets of stationary for writing beautiful letters.  Packaged in gorgeous boxes worthy of saving, the sheets of paper and envelopes came tied together with a satin ribbon.

French & Brawn Market Place

Main Street of Camden, ME

Amazing bridges seemed to be the order of the day when we also crossed over the Penobscot River on the Penobscot Narrows Bridge with its Observatory in the center of the bridge (which rises 420’ above sea level and can only be accessed through nearby Fort Knox) near Prospect, Maine.  The observatory is actually part of the bridge.  The construction of this bridge was amazing to see and it has only been open since May, 2007.  The highway passes on either side of the suspension wires from the center of the bridge to the observation tower.  The Fort was built from 1844-1869 on the western bank of the river to protect the lumber rich city of Bangor had been invaded by the British during both the American Revolution and the War of 1812.  The fort is worthy of a trip back during a clear day because it is one of the best preserved fortifications on the New England seacoast and has many architectural features unique only to itself.  We could not see the fort from the highway as we passed, but definitely want to go back on a sunny day and then I'll get better photos of the whole bridge.

Once we got settled into our new RV park with the coach, we drove over to Bar Harbor and had an early dinner.  Afterward we took a peek around the town to the extent possible while dodging the continuing rain drops.  I want to go back and try another restaurant in Bar Harbor before we leave called “Testa’s” for my birthday.  I experienced cuisine at their other location in Palm Beach some years ago, where they are known for their strawberry pie and Italian food.  In Palm Beach the restaurant is a watering hole for the rich and famous who sit at open air tables along the sidewalk enjoying the tropical air and people watching.  Since strawberries are now in season here, it seems like a perfect opportunity to try the northern version of this wonderful restaurant.  I always knew they “went north for the summer season” but did not put two and two together until I saw them here.  We saw one of two Post Offices on Mount Desert Island (Bar Harbor) as well while here at Salisbury Cove.  It looks like it is located in a tiny little house.

 
There is an old car parked along the road in Bar Harbor that was too intriguing not to photograph and the Harbor itself contained a four masted schooner which warranted a photo even though it was too misty to really see the schooner well (just in case it sails away before we get back over there.)  We saw boats in the harbor piled high with lobster traps and looking back toward town you can see the multitude of buildings (many of which are lodging options) climbing up the hill above the harbor. 

Sign on the car reads "Funeral No Parking"!?

Four masted schooner in Bar Harbor amid the fog and rain.

Bar Harbor, ME

Lobster traps on a fishing boat.

Kayaks at Bar Harbor

Snoopy's Corner:

We are trying to keep the the laundry done around here with all this rain.  I am busy helping Mom except she doesn't want me to climb into the washer to arrange the clothes for her.  It sure looks like fun though from up here in the "coat closet."