Fort Knox; at Bucksport, Maine that is!

While I was working on a Blog Sunday afternoon, Gary went down the highway to check out Ft. Knox which was a fort constructed in 1844 with the granite foundations and walls of the central building beginning construction in 1853. It was used during the Civil War. But it's greatest use was for the Spanish-American War. Gary got there too late to see the reenactment and the Observatory was close already. So he was bummed! He did get some good photos to show you. And while I was working on the Blog, this is what I was watching come into Pumpkin Patch Campground!! They haul an auto and motor cycle in the trailer. This week a second unit like this came into the park. Guess there are motor homes and then there are MOTOR HOMES, BIG SCREEN TV and all! We also took another day to take more photos and also wanted to check out Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor which employs 1200 locals. They raise mice and rats that are used for research around the world. This laboratory was destroyed during the fire in Acadia in 1947 also. The research labs around the world helped replenish Jackson's supply by sending back one or two of each male and female. These animals are said to be 85% the same as a human in genetics and how they react to disease. We stopped at Antique shops again .Don't know why, as we sure can't collect! But it is fun and interesting . I would guess that these people heat with wood ? We see a lot of tree top log businesses here for heat. On the way to Acadia National Park we are always passing this car shop and think that it is interesting enough to warrant taking a couple photos . Maybe good for some art work?? This is Bar Harbor Grand Hotel and some of the local homes in that area . Today we took the Jeep in to a dealer because of a sound that we had noticed when all was running quietly. We found out that the transmission is going to need replaced! Seems they have been having problems with these. Since we do not tow four down, we will go on south before we have the work done, to avoid bad weather. It will take them time to order the parts and this way we get a second opinion. Thank goodness for warranty! Now to finish what started out as a casual day--- we also have a damaged awning arm. We were preparing for the rain and possible wind that is to come from Kyle this weekend, by putting the awning up, when it jammed. So now we are wondering how quick we can get it repaired in order to be able to head south. When it rains it pours, or as Gary says, it is his luck!

Acadia Nat'l Park, Maine - Oli's Trolly Tour

We love to take a bus tour or boat tour for the benefit of the narration about the area. Thus the Oli's Trolly Tour of Acadia National Park ! We can then go back to see anything from that tour at length to take more pictures. This tour took us up Cadillac Mountain which is Maine's highest coastal mountain. The fall foliage is changing color more , with a difference from the coast trees and bushes to those further inland . In the valley below Cadillac Mountain the colors are on their way out. From the top of Cadillac Mountain and the winding road leading to it, you can see many different homes and things including, other mountains in the park, Bar Harbor and Frenchman's Bay with all of the boats ,ocean cruise ships and the three porcupine islands . Along the road was an infusion of lava from thousands of years ago, which is the black rock forced up between layers of pink granite. There was an island you could see with a lighthouse, but the distance was too great to see it well. We also saw men repelling the side of one of the cliffs, which is used for a local climbing school. Some of the rock formations along the coast had people climbing over many of the rocks . Note the man in an opening in the rock formation. You can also see the only 18 link golf course of the island. Then there is the only house on the island that survived the great fire of 1947. The owners were not in residence at the time but the servants kept the roof wet which is what saved it. There is a large inn that was rebuilt after the fire. Steps and walkways built of stone that are still in the wooded area around it are from the original building site. You could also see the only full sand beach on the bay. And when weather is prime for beach enjoyment the tour guide told us that it is covered with people. However, there are very few people actually in the water because the water is cold. While traveling through the park, we stopped at Thunder Hole where the waves coming into a formation in the rocks, at times, sounded like thunder. We also stopped at Sieur de Monts Spring to see the Wild Gardens of Acadia which is a living field guide to the plants of Acadia. Before we took the tour, we had time to go through part of the Fine Art Show on the green in Bar Harbor. There were not any crafts at this show and it was great to see so much art at one show. We also had time to go through some of the shops , restaurants and hotels again while walking the streets . I also had to look the boats over again . We enjoyed lunch at the Quarter Deck Restaurant while looking out over the bay and docks. I had Clam Au gratin and Gary had Haddock. Yum! When we went back to take more pictures, we also went to see the tourist center where you had to climb 53 steps to get to it. In it there were many books about the area and past history, and a topographical model of the area.