Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Second weekend out before the big trip. Drove four hours on Friday, the 19th to Minot, Maine via Route 91 in Vermont - almost to St. Johnsbury - then through the top of the White Mountain National Forest. Beautiful ride. Stopped several times for photographs. Met Bill there who drove the camper up from Gloucester.




 Saturday was a perfect day for shooting video and photographs at Hemond's Moto-X Park. Bill is working on a video featuring the son of his friend from Gloucester. He can actually pull 8 megapixal stills from the frames that are better than the 36 megapixal photographs I was taking because - well, he is Bill - and because he captures nearly every possible shot on constantly recording 4k video. Astounding results.
 We had permission to roam the track so we found some great spots to shoot. I shot from the viewing building for a while, but then wandered down to a shaded place where the riders were flying off of a seriously steep jump.

We stayed in the camper, of course, right next to the track. Parents of the competitors often came and stood by the fence to holler encouragement.
What an amazing experience it was to be with these motocross families in the camping area. Everyone was so friendly and helpful - smiling and saying "hey" as you walked by. The track brochure points out that these young people actually want to spend weekends with their parents!
 




Saturday night we wandered down to the bonfire and visited with other campers. Lovely end to a perfect day. Early Sunday morning we awoke to heavy rain on the roof and it was time to head home. I highly recommend a visit to Minot and this wonderful family motocross park.



Now we are making our final preparations for the big trip!

Stay tuned.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Trial Weekend! Camped two nights in Vermont. The first night at the foot of Bill's former log cabin on the hill in Athens; we parked in Jon and Linda's backyard. We tested all the pumps and electrical in the camper. Passed! We tried out the new camp grill outside and had a delicious chicken and rice dinner. Jon and Linda had just come back from a trip of their own so we got some tips there.




Saturday included making lists and visiting hardware stores for supplies. Headed over route 7 from Manchester to locate Mt. Tabor in the Green Mountain National Forest. It is worth a drive there to see that imposing landscape. You are allowed to camp anywhere on the road that takes you over the mountain, but you must be at least 200 feet from the road and any water. We drove to the very top but could not find a place for the camper. Stopped for a while to enjoy a beautiful rocky brook.


We decided to try the Emerald Lake State Park, which we had passed on the way by.  What a large, beautiful place - highly recommend it. There were plenty of lots to choose from since it is still early in the season. They have a picnic table and a fire pit, and we were just a short walk from bathrooms and showers. No plug-ins, but that was what we were looking for. We had time for a nice fire and dinner and a little wine before we heard thunder. Not a bad storm, but it rained all night. Nice sound on the roof.

Can't wait for more.


By the way, Kirby was with us every step of the way. She is definitely a traveling cat. Adjusts to whatever happens and wherever we go.