Last week we finally ‘stepped’ into Maine and it started with us arriving at Stony Brook Recreation Cabin and Campgrounds. We pulled into the Campground and I realized when I checked in that the site I had booked was a no-go for us. It was recommended to me to take a drive up in the car and look at it. So Ron and I ventured up the hill and yes it was a steep site that was also too short.
But as luck would have it the women in the office worked their magic and with some changes, they found a very nice spot for us to camp out in for 6 nights. After all that hoopla we decided to have lunch at the restaurant there before setting up and this is how I ended up having my very first Lobster Roll with melted butter. Yummy 😋
The following day I drove to Rumsfort to pick up our Mail and resupply our groceries. It was a beautiful drive and I enjoyed sightseeing along the way.
Then my highlight came in taking a full day to hike in the Grafton Notch State Park. I chose to take Oliver with me as Keetna has been having some issues with his front knees.
We explored the Screw Auger Falls, Moose Cave, and the Cataracts. The last one was a tough one to find as the GPS guided us off-road, over a bridge that was sketchy and labeled ‘dangerous’ but we found the trailhead (after a drive through Andover that had a festival going on) and completed the hike. All hikes were stunning and magical and when we got back I was told by two fellow campers that I missed another great hike. The Step Falls Preserve Hiking Trail. So the next morning I decided to take Keetna and complete at last hike with him. He loves hiking so much and to recall how many hikes we took together in the last 6 years could create a book. We climbed mountains together and not having him by my side really is a hole in my heart. Grafton Notch State Park is also part of the Appalachian Trail and the trail head there was so busy with hikers. It was pure joy to watch them.
I think everyone carries some regrets in life and mine most likely will always be not taking The Camino De Santiago with my sister 12 years ago. Life got in the way and then health/cancer caught up with us.
All the things I like to talk about, the one subject I be the most convinced about be DO NOT wait to do the things you dream of doing! Do not utter the words ‘when I retire’ OR ‘when the kids are older’. I can tell you from experience the waiting game does not always pay off. Yes maybe for a very selected few, like lottery winners. Trust me the majority of us are not it. Illness or death will cross everyone's path and put stops to dreams in a blink of an eye. I feel strongly I learned my lesson, and with the incredible support of my husband I am now soaking up life to the fullest. We are now 18 months into our travels and we are both fully aware it could all stop if one of us got seriously sick but for now we are going full speed ahead as we also are fully aware no one can take the experiences of the last 18 months away from us either. Our dream is doing this for many more years. We actually met two women who full-time traveled for 13 years together. Granted they started out younger than us.
Anyway, this first stop in Maine was a full success. We met wonderful people and enjoyed beautiful scenery.
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