Sunday July 23, 2000
An early morning start to the trip began by meeting at the Lake Erie Beach firehall at 6:30 AM. There all gear was packed into the four vehicles.
Officially by 7:30 the journey to Maine had begun. A stop at the Indian Castle Rest area
at mile marker 210 along the New York State Thruway was made for Lunch. From this point the trek was onto Massachusetts, then New Hampshire and finally,
the coast of Maine. By 8:00 PM that night we had made it to Beach Acres Campgrounds
in Wells Beach, Maine. Camp was set-up, a macaroni and cheese dinner along with sausage was prepared. After traveling 516 miles in approx. 12 hours,
lights out was early for all that first night.
Monday July 24, 2000
By 7:15 AM all was packed and on the road again, pushing north to Acadia National Park. By 12:00 were had arrived. After a quick Lunch in the
visitor center parking lot, a short movie on the History of Acadia was viewed. A visit to the gift shop was also made before moving on to Campsite
G2 in the Blackwoods Campground section of Acadia National Park. After setting up camp, it was off to hike 3.5 miles up Cadillac Mountain. At 1,530 ft, Cadillac
Mountain is the largest Mountain along the East Coast. Around every turn and over every hill was another breath taking view of Mount Desert Island,
Acadia, and all of its surrounding beauty. At the summit, was a small store/gift shop, and even-better our bikes, which were taken to the summit
for a ride down the steep winding road. Speeds of 45 mph were clocked coming down that mountain. Back at Camp a spaghetti dinner was had. Then
a Campfire where talk of the days events as well as those to come were the main topic.
Tuesday July 25, 2000
Kayaking and Canoeing on Echo Lake was the event of the morning. Everyone got a chance to experience the solitude of this lake in a single man
kayak as well as the canoes and a rented double-man Kayak. Mr. Pickard instructed the scouts on life-saving techniques including how to up-right
a tipped canoe. Many thought tipping the canoes and trying to up-right them more fun than padding the lakes shores. After Lunch, it was off to the
Oceanarium here we all learned various aspects of the Ocean's make-up and sea-life living off the coast. A very informative talk
by a Student Marine Biologist at the touch tank provided best information including a chance to touch, hold and ask questions about all the strange
and fascinating creatures. From here we were off for the treat of the day. A Lobster Dinner at Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard, Maine.
Many of the scouts learned something here...they did or did not..like Lobster. For those who did try and like it..there was plenty to go around. For those
who did not ..but at least tried it ..an all-american burger was available. Once back to camp it was time to relax..shower..or a short bike ride to enjoy
the view of the ocean. A campfire was had late into the night. A Meteorite shower was noticed by some of the scouts and satellites could be seen orbiting
the earth in the northern skies. Hours were spent discussing everything from the days events to the meteorites to each and everyones favorite
movie and movie star.
Wednesday July 26, 2000
An Early Morning Start was needed this morning, as we had to be in Bar Harbor by 8:30 AM to Board the Ship "Friendship V" a Jet Powered Catamaran for a Whale
Watching adventure. Our Three hour cruise took us 25 miles off-shore. Almost from the start sea life was everywhere seals and porpoise jumping and playing
all around us. Suddenly a minke whale was spotted..then another..and yet another. soon we came upon what is known as an "ocean sunfish" estimated to weigh approx.
400 pounds was a very rare treat to spot. These fish, we were told, are not normally found off
the coast of Maine but may have traveled here via the gulf stream from a more tropical location. Then Finally, what we all have been waiting for..a huge finback whale is spotted. As we waited, dive after dive this finback emerged from the sea again and again, spouting water high into the sky. Once back on shore, it was off onto the next leg of our journey..Camden Hills State Park,. At this campsite we were somewhat more secluded as we were the only campers in our small section of the park..(besides the girl scouts down the road),
another Campfire after dinner and another late night of talking persisted.
Thursday July 27, 2000
Today we all slept in.. once everyone was awake, a light shower began, the first rain we had seen on our trip. A hike to the top of Battie Mountain with bikes in hand was the
morning event. Unfortunately, once the summit was reached, a dense fog hung over the mountian..very little, if any view could be seen. The bike ride
down Battie was just as fun and Cadillac a few days ago although much shorter in length. By the time the bottom was reach the rain had increased. We all piled in
the vehicles for a drive to a wood carving museum, then to the Windsor Chairmakers factory. From here we were off to Rockland to visit the Farnsworth Art Museum
as well as the Farnsworth Homestead, a historic victorian residence. After this we strolled the streets viewing many gift shops along the way.
A walk along the Rockland Breakwall to the Rockland Lighthouse was made. Then back to camp in Camden Hills to dry our belongings around the fire. The rain still
light but steady from the morning lasted well into the night.
Friday July 28, 2000
Today we awoke at 7:30 for a pancake breakfast..then piled into the vehicles once again for a trek to Portland and a view of the Tall Ships.
From the moment of our arrival in Portland we watched the many ships enter the port...shoot thier canons..and lower there sails, before docking.
The Libertad, a 345 ft Full-rigged Ship from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first ship to open for visiting and we got in line quickly.
When the gates opened only a few were allowed in..then the gates closed. And stayed closed for quite a while..as past-president Bush was inspecting
The Libertad. A few of the scouts that made it in before the gates were closed had a chance to shake his hand as well as snap a picture.
Once The Ex-President left the gates were opened for good and we all were allowed to board the Labertad for a tour. Many talked with a few members
of the 300+ crew. Another ship, the Cisne Branco from Brazil was docked next to the Libertad, but unfortunately wasn't open for boarding. So we hurried
to the next dock down to get a glimpse of the Flagship of the OpSail2000 event The United States ship EAGLE a barque rigged ship of 295 feet. After
this we walked around Portland which was now transformed into a carnival with food stands, street musicians, and gift tents lining the streets.
Once back to our vehicles it was back to Camden Hills and our camp. Pizza was cooked in our dutch oven over hot coals. It was noted
that just over 1,100 miles had been traveled to this point. Another campfire was started and another night of talking and relaxing.
Saturday July 29, 2000
Packed-up camp immediately after breakfast and drove back to the summit of Battie Mountain (we couldn't leave without seeing the view the ranger
had told us about upon our arrival) and it was worth it! a spectacular view overlooking the ocean and surrounding area. On our way back to Wells,
we made a stop at the L L Bean Store in Freeport, Maine for some shopping and browsing. Once back in Wells, Maine it again was raining. We set up the
dinning tent and covered as much as we could with the tarps. The older boys took the kayaks to the ocean and "kayaked with the seals" while the rest
of us justed tried to stay dry and play games. Once the rain stopped we set-up camp and played basketball.
Sunday July 30, 2000
Up by 6:00 AM, packed up and on our way back home by 7:00 AM. Back at Lake Erie Beach Firehall, Angola, NY by 6:30 PM total
trip mileage: 1,832 miles.
