Monday, June 22, 2015

2015-06-22 Maine

2015-06-22 Maine

Another beautiful drive through the states of New Hampshire and Maine brought us to Gardiner, Maine and a visit with some of my family. We elected to drive east across the states taking the regular highways instead of the interstate so we could enjoy the gorgeous forests and farmlands.  As always, the backwoods of these states look much like the hills of Virginia

I say family because I had the honor of being  adopted (or accepted)  into the Watkins family back in the early  60’s as a family member. Bob was my shop supervisor in the squadron (VP-10).  All four children, Robert, David, Susie and Sandra (Sam),  were like brothers and sisters.  Bob and Alice were like parents.  I looked up to Bob and took his advice about my relationship with others and he assisted greatly in the success of my Naval Career. He was my mentor and best friend and my Pop I dearly loved them.We cherished that relationship. 

It is just so heartwarming being able to see them again. It brought back so many memories of my life in the early 60’s, a period of time where I finally started growing up (or maturing) and it reminded me of the love we all had for each other. Love and feelings  and friendships I will never forget.  And, this being my first visit in seven years, I’ll always remember and cherish it. Have you ever felt that a place is Home?. Well,  this is it. I really love Maine, but at my age, I can do without the cold and snowy winters. Sometimes South Alabama and North West Florida gets cold but it usually doesn't last long. 

Bob and Alice passed away several years ago and David passed just a few months ago.  David was such a vibrant person, in his prime, and a great loss to us all. Rest in peace, my brother.  My heart goes out to David’s wife, Carolyn, and family whom he dearly loved.  

Robert (now Bobby) and his lovely wife, Vickie, welcomed us and had us park the motor home by their pool where we had hook-ups and were so comfortable.  We enjoyed our visits and even Boomer enjoyed trying to make friends with their two cats.  The cats didn’t want to be Boomer’s friend.  Ha.
We had cook outs, Sam and her husband Steve joined us at one, with pleasant visits by the pool, and a real treat at the “Fielder’s Choice” ice cream shop.  The owner is a baseball “freak”, of course, but he has several shops in the area, making the best homemade hard and soft ice cream that you’ve ever had.  Thank you, Bobby and Vickie, for your generous hospitality.       



                                  Brother Bobby
                 Sister in law Vickie
                                Hollywood Vickie


    
                Having some Fielder's Choice
                         Fielder's Choice
                     My sister Sandra--Sam
             Bro in law Steve
     Bobby & Vickie's Home. The interior is gorgeous 
        and most of the work was completed by Bobby
                          Steve, Me and Sam
                        Sam and Bobby
                                  Best Pizza in Town


                               

While there, I was able to take Anita down to Bailey’s Island to show her some of the most gorgeous coastline anywhere in the world. The winding roads, hills and bridges were just breath taking and we stopped at every opportunity to take in the picturesque coves and  scenery.  Along the way and just outside of Cooks Lobster House, is a very unique bridge made of crib stone, My Beautiful America stone. It is the only bridge in the world made of this material. It is designed to allow the extreme high tides to pass through easily without back up or flooding, thus the basket type weave design allows that. It rises up to allow boats to pass through and then curves to meet the opposite shore.






       Waiting  for the lobster roll
A giant. Real or false? Your guess
     Where they bring them in
                           The Crib Stone Bridge
T

            Full of Lobster
                                Cooks Lobster House






                Boomer likes it





           Church of the Nazarene on Giant Island

                               Roadside GiftShop
                      Lobster Traps


            Lobster Traps Ready to go
                 Typical personal size lobster boat

           Bailey's Island Beach


         Early American cattle holding pen
     Tribute to the fishermen depicted below


     Singular home on an island. 
         Bailey Island gift shop






                  Low Tide
                                 Orr Island P.O.

       Estes Lobster House in Harpswell
Those  who served in WWII from Harpswell Neck
      Magnificent Horses we saw in a field. They cuddled up to Anita.



An artist  who  was sitting in a cove painting

 In our meandering around, reacquainting myself with the area, we passed by the statue of BFI (Big Fu&^%ing Indian) outside of Freeport. I first saw it there in 1960, when I was transferred to VP-10 in Brunswick.  We continued on to L.L. Bean in Freeport.  They now take up much of the town with all the administration, factory and retail operations.  I remember 1960 when they were just a small outlet in Brunswick and Freeport where they manufactured only a few items and imported the rest.  But, all their    moccasins were made locally at that time.      


   Chief  BFI  50 ft tall outside Freeport, Me
F can stand for Freeport or your imagination






                Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream



One evening we drove down to South Portland for a dinner visit with a close friend, Robert Wilson. We forgot the camera , so no photos. Robert was also in VP-10 while I was there. He has been a GOD SEND to all of us who once served in that squadron. He maintains the roster for us.a difficult task but he does it precisely. Bob lost his wife, Helga, over a year ago but is in good health and looks great.   We met at the Bug-A Boo Restaurant.and were able to share our knowledge of who is where and still with us as well as who isn't  The 1960-1964 group is getting smaller every day  It was really great seeing him again and we look forward to future meetings.

Original B&M Baked Bean Factory in Portland

Time again was short as we had to be in North Sydney, NS on July 1st for our ferry ride to Newfoundland. We were still hundreds of  miles away (close to 1000). Rain is forecast for tomorrow, seems it always rains when we are on the road. Below are a few of the things we saw before arriving in Calais,Me, the border town before crossing into New Brunswick, CA. Maybe we can get more on the return trip. Just pray for good weather.





Who wooda thought. House in the middle of the road

Eagle in aerie in visitors center


Canadian Goose