6-18-14

Melvin

At 6 AM I woke up to pouring rain. With visions of being stuck on this hilltop due to wash outs, I asked Ruth to get us ready to go. First time I got stuck prepping the outside in a downpour. Frankly that sucked.

So, down the mountain we went. First gear only, frequent braking, and dodging trees that were drooping from hard rain weighting them down. What a relief to see that last turn. Water was running the ditches full and spilling onto the gravel one lane road.

Next another ferry ride. No other way to leave the island.

After an hour and a half of hard rain and at times dense fog, the US boarder came into sight. We had to privilege of an on board inspection. After they finished a walk through and looking in a few cabinets, they explained they thought another person was on board. Turns out the mirror near the dinning table fooled them. On well, no harm. The were at least polite and possessed a personality.

On to Bar Harbor, only another 100 miles. Little did we know it included 49 miles of Rt. 149. Perhaps the worst road in New England! What a shakedown cruise for Grace.

Upon our arrival at our campsite in Bar Harbor, we discovered just how bad it was. When we unleashed Lucy and tried to start her, bad noises came from the engine room. Somehow, Lucy had jumped into gear and after 40 plus miles the engine gave up. I pulled the dip stick and to oil smelled burned. Got a really bad feeling about this one.

Even so we can't let it ruin 5 days in Arcadia national park. A phone call to Hertz and 16 numbers got us a rental. When I got back with the car, Ruth still had a long face. Found out no hot water&@$;/!? That turned out to be just a switch turned off. Whew, time for acouple Mike's ice I brought back with me.

Out to supper at Mainely Meat. Great pulled pork. Followed by a stroll on the boardwalk and a beautiful sunset. Time to tuck in for today.