What a Week!

It’s always so much fun when we get comments on our blog and YouTube Channel.  We know we keep thanking you for reading/watching our adventures because it means so much to us.  It always feels like we are connecting with you as we travel and experience all America has to offer.  So, from our hearts, we thank each and every one of you!

When last Jerry wrote, we had just picked up my sister Betsy, Gladys and Jan from the airport.  As Jerry had mentioned, Gladys was so kind to bring him 2 loaves of San Francisco sourdough bread. As I am gluten free, I enjoyed it vicariously through Jerry.  Trust me it was gone in a few days!  He was in heaven.

I had not seen everyone in over 9 months since the holidays last year.  That is the longest I have not seen my sister in a very long time. I have not seen my nephew or niece since then as well. Thank goodness for FaceTime and Zoom!  That’s the tough part about full-time RVing.  Especially being on the East Coast.  

We understood this as we were planning, but the reality is completely different.  That is why it was so wonderful having Betsy, Gladys and Jan here for a few days.  And we sure had a great time.  What did we do, you might be wondering? Well, let me tell you!

The first night, since they arrived at 6:30 as Jerry mentioned last week, we took them to Mason’s Brewery.  It is our favorite restaurant in Bangar for sure.  Highly recommend this place if you are in the Bangor area.  They were very tired after traveling across the country so after dinner they went back to their VRBO.  I had stocked their refrigerator with food and drinks so they would have breakfast and snacks during their stay.  I know, I know, what a great sister I am.  

The next day, joined by Scott and Linda (our Maine friends), we went to Treworgy Family Orchards. It was beautiful. We all picked apples, blueberries and raspberries.  We are still eating the apples we picked, but the berries went in a day. I’m baking all different apple recipes as we picked A LOT!!

We then took them back to Mason’s Brewery for lunch. After lunch we did the river walk, and then Linda and I played Bangor tour guides and showed them Stephen King’s home and Paul Bunyon (I mean, those are the top two things listed on TripAdvisor for Bangor, we had to show them). We then did the Bog Loop walk which is very cool!  (also in the YouTube video) 

That evening we had everyone over to the campground, along with Linda and Scott, for a lobster/seafood boil dinner!  Jerry and I went to a few different stores to pick up the seafood, thanks to Linda and Scott’s recommendations.  We had lobster, little neck clams, mussels and shrimp.  Also added was corn and potatoes and turkey kielbasa.  Jerry did an amazing job in cooking everything.  You can watch the cooking on this week’s YouTube video at the end of the blog!

Everything was delicious. It was so fun watching everyone get after the lobster!  Especially Gladys and Betsy. Each lobster was about 1 & 1/4 pounds each.  Fun was had by all!  We talked about doing it again before we leave Maine.  I think we have to, don’t you??

The next day was a girl’s day.  We went to the town of Belfast.  It’s a beautiful coastal town with a highly recommended lobster pound.  Ok, here’s a bit of lobster information for all you “away” people (which is what we are called if you are not born in Maine).  A lobster pound is a place to purchase lobsters that are on the water and keeps the lobsters fresh in the water.  A lobster shack can be anywhere. I had no idea.  

Young’s Lobster Pound was recommended to us by Liza and Jim, who we met in Freeport, Maine.  Liza is a foodie and every recommendation so far has been stellar!  It did not disappoint.  The lobster was super good and everyone enjoyed it.  I must admit that I had steamed shrimp instead as we have been here since August 19th and have eaten quite a bit of lobster.  But everyone else enjoyed it!  

After lunch we walked around the adorable town and just had the best day.  We went on a coastal walk looking at the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.  We went into a few shops, did some retail therapy, and just had fun.

That night we went out for Mexican food with Linda and Scott as Gladys was leaving the next morning for Virginia to spend some time with her daughter and grandchildren.  Linda was so kind and drove Gladys to the airport Saturday morning.  The airport was 5 minutes from their VRBO which was so convenient.  

Here’s the fun part of this story.  Gladys went to the local grocery store and bought 10 lobsters.  She had them steamed and packed them in her bag and took them to Virginia.  That night she and her family enjoyed Maine lobster in Virginia!  So much cheaper than having them shipped, that’s for sure!

On Saturday Betsy, Jan, Jerry and I drove to Acadia National Park.  Betsy and Jan had a friend, Dave and his wife Carol who were camping there meet us to show us a hike.  They hadn’t seen each other in 31 years!!  It was a very fun reunion!  We had the best hike and lunch together.  We love Acadia.  (more on that next week)

That evening Betsy and Jan came over for leftovers and to hang around the campfire as they were leaving for Boston the next day for more sightseeing.  We told stories and laughed so hard we cried.  It was a great last evening together.  Betsy talked about her, Gladys, and my brother-in-law Marty, coming to visit us while we are in St Augustine, FL for three months.  I’m hoping I can convince more family and friends to come visit!!!  

Overall, it was an amazing week!  We so enjoyed the company and including Linda and Scott in the mix was so much fun!  

Do you want to come visit us or will you be in Florida this winter?  Let us know!!  We would love that!!!  

Just One More….time with family (it’s the toughest thing being away from family and long time friends)