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**moosetags** · 04-29-2008, 10:08 PM

We brought Lucy to the house today, and started preparing her for her great Maine adventure. We expect to depart in the next couple of days. Lucy is really excited and ready to go. Olivia got packed up today; she is also ready to go.

We are headed to Moosehead Lake to do some kyaking. Then it's on to Baxter State Park. If the park isn't open yet, we'll head to the coast for some serious lobster eating.

We will keep you posted.

doorgunner · 04-30-2008, 12:08 AM

I've been waiting for this!!!
Another pic trip for us forum members!!
And kayak pics to boot.
lobsta eatin, ahyup
been ta Maine, ya caun't get theah from heah.
Let me be the first to wish you a safe and exciting trip. Tim

streamer23 · 04-30-2008, 05:24 AM

Have a safe trip.

BillTex · 04-30-2008, 06:00 AM

Hey Brian, let me be the second...er third...to wish you a fun, safe trip. Maine is awesome, we go up there quite a bit too.
Keep in touch and pots pics!

Let me know if you need anything...we know our way around Maine pretty well...and sometime ya can't git theeeere frum heeeaere!

Enjoy, Bill

yukionna · 04-30-2008, 06:05 AM

Happy Trails! Keep us posted on your travels as you never know who might drop in on you if you travel thru New England!

wbrownrr · 04-30-2008, 09:01 AM

Yeah! Another trip with Lucy. I am genuinely looking forward to it! Thanks!

DEITZ645 · 04-30-2008, 09:55 AM

Moosetags,
I am envious

. If you pass through PA on your way up the coast, please stop by and pick me up

I need a break from work.

Have fun and have a labsta for me.

BillTex · 05-03-2008, 07:08 PM

hey Brian-where you at?

Wish we could offer you better weather here in NE...

How goes the trip?

Bill

**moosetags** · 05-03-2008, 10:23 PM

After two days of waiting for severe weather to pass, we actually departed at 3:30 this afternoon (Saturday).

We headed up US 331 and crossed into Alabama at Florala. We continued up 331 through Opp, Brantley, and stopped at Luverne for a few supplies at the Piggly Wiggly. We continued to Rutledge where we had a nice supper at Hook's Bar-B-que. Today is our wedding anniversary, and we thought that we should celebrate at the finest restaurant available. In Rutledge, Alabama, that would be Hook's. Actually, I wanted to go on to Montgomery, but SuEllyn preferred the BBQ place. It was very good, by the way. Their french fries were some of the best I've ever had.

We continued on US 331 to Montgomery, arriving there right at dusk. We picked up I-65 North. We went as far as Birmingham, where we are spending the night in the Flying J parking lot. We're trying out one of our Honda 2000's for the first time. It's cool enough tonight not to need A/C, so we're using just one.

Here's a few pics from today.

Brian

ticki2 · 05-04-2008, 06:20 AM

Be sure to check ahead for campgrounds , most don't open till mid-May in NE . Weather looks a little glumy for the next week , you definately won't need AC . Now that I've rained on your parade , the chowda warms the soul . Have fun and be safe.

heybeep · 05-04-2008, 09:03 AM

We will be taking the Airstream to its summer home in Kennebunkport. That's about half way to our lake cottage in Princeton, Me. And that's near Eastport, Lubec and Calais (pronounced "Kalis" by the locals. We'll be up there about Memorial Day. Great seafood and fishing. We can canoe to Canada in twenty minutes on 18,000 acres of interconected crystal clear lakes and St. Croix River flowage. Touch base if you'd like to connect.

briandg · 05-04-2008, 02:31 PM

Glad to see your on the road again, we will spend summer here in Alaska and the hit the road for four months after hunting season. Where are you carrying your Hondas? Always nice to see your travels.

theknight · 05-04-2008, 03:50 PM

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip.Been to Main a number of years ago, I think you will really enjoy it.
Brian

n2916s · 05-04-2008, 04:15 PM

Maine is beautiful. Keep the horses reined in a mite, there is always the possibility of your odd moose standing in the middle of the road around the next bend.

Once the wild blueberries are in, make sure you pick up a pie (roadside stands all over). Heaven...

mike

**moosetags** · 05-05-2008, 06:53 AM

Day 2 (Sunday, May 4)

We broke camp at the Flying J in Birmingham and headed north. The night at the truck stop went well. There were quite a few other RVs there for the night.

Our first night on the Honda 2000 went well. It performed flawlessly until 0415 when it ran out of gas. I had failed to top it off before turning in for the night. Not a big deal. I went outside and put some gas in him and went back to bed. Lesson learned.

We are carrying the Honda 2000s inside the Suburban. We are not having any gasoline smell problems.

We headed north on I-65 through Nashville, Bowling Green, Kentucky, and and on to Louisville where we picked up I-71.

We have decided to make a stop at Columbus, Ohio, to visit an old Customs Service friend who we have not seen in several years. We figure spending a couple of days enroute will give the Maine weather a chance to get better. We have been tracking the weather at Moosehead Lake, and it seems to be warming up by the day.

We did about 500 miles today and made it to Montgomery, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. There is a brand new Wal-Mart here, so we decided to give Wal-Mart boonedocking a try. It went very well, and this time I topped of the other Honda before turning in for the night at 2330. The second Honda also worked great all night until 0730 this morning when he ran out of gas. It went for 8 hours on the dot. I added a little more gas so we could have a leisurely breakfast.

Both Honda 2000s now have about 10 hours of run time, so I will give them their first recommended oil change when we get to the campground in Columbus.

Here are photos of Lucy enjoying the ambience of the Flying J in Birmingham and the Wal-Mart in Montgomery.

**moosetags** · 05-05-2008, 07:00 AM

Sorry about that. I messed up the pictures. Here's the one from Wl-Mart this morning.

**moosetags** · 05-05-2008, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2916s

Maine is beautiful. Keep the horses reined in a mite, there is always the possibility of your odd moose standing in the middle of the road around the next bend.

Once the wild blueberries are in, make sure you pick up a pie (roadside stands all over). Heaven...

mike

Tell me more about the wild blueberries. Are they the same as you buy at Piblix? When do they come out?

Chuck · 05-05-2008, 08:00 AM

You'll be too early for the blueberries. They don't harvest 'till July/August.

q: why do you need to run a generator all night, when you're just boondocking in a parking lot?

Boondocker · 05-05-2008, 08:03 AM

You are going to have a blast. I was a canoe guide up in the interior one summer in college (88) when the Boy Scouts still had a high adventure base up there. I was based out of Pittston Farm up on Lake Seboomook (just north of Moosehead Lake). The farm was way up a gravel road owned by the paper companies and at one time was a major center for the logging companies. Twenty years ago it was just us guides mostly, no idea whats there today. Lots of great water up there to dip a paddle into. I had a great summer, but the rockies called me back west again the next year. Well, I begin to ramble...

How long are you going to be up there in Moose land? I will be following your trip postings closely.

Quote:

You'll be too early for the blueberries. They don't harvest 'till July/August.

Ought to be in time for the black flies though.......

**moosetags** · 05-06-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck

You'll be too early for the blueberries. They don't harvest 'till July/August.

q: why do you need to run a generator all night, when you're just boondocking in a parking lot?

Drats on missing the blueberries. I guess we'll just have to go back then.

It was mainly to run the generators, and become a little experienced with their operation. This was our first actual use of them other than trying them out at home.

That brings up a question, though. If we ran on battery power overnight, would the depleted batteries be able to fully charge the next day while hooked to the tow vehicle?

Brian