Wok N Roll with us...Bob and Teri Along with Atlas and Kalani

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Acadia National Park, Maine 6/12-15/15

We had 2 full days to explore the area around Acadia National Park in Maine. Our first observation is that two days is hardly enough to see this area. We camped where we could see Frenchman's Bay from our rig windows and we ate a wonderful dinner of lobster and fresh mussels at a picnic table there along this shore. The mussels are the largest and most tender mussels we have ever had. We actually indulged in Lobster dinners two nights in a row. At $15 for a whole lobster, a cob of corn, coleslaw and a roll how could we not? They have these casual places called Lobster Pounds. The name comes from Maine's lobstering past. The term does not originate from lobsters normally weighing about a pound but rather from the tank that was built along a tidal area where sea water were piped in to nourish lobsters until they were sold.

We spent the first day in this area exploring the first Eastern National Park- Acadia National Park. We drove the loop trail, went to the top of Cadillac Mountain and also drove up to the Schoodic Peninsula All areas were beautiful and the weather was great.. As an added bonus we also saw at least five bald eagle while here, although all were well over 300 yards away.

On our second day here we took a tour on the Bailey Louise Todd.Ship out into French Bay. The-Bailey-Louise-Todd We also strolled around Downtown Bar Harbor enjoying the various galleries and shops.

Of last note is the large tidal differential in this area (almost 8 feet) we observed each day while here. Take a look at the sand bar to Bar Island. For a four hour period each day (2 hours on each side of the lowest tide) one can walk/drive out to Bar Island. But this lasts just 4 hours so you need to watch the tide charts carefully. Enjoy the pictures of this beautiful area.

Acadia National Park

Winter Harbor Lighthouse
Mark Island, Maine

Egg Island Lighthouse
Maine

Schoodic Peninsula, Maine
Acadia National Park

Wild Columbine
Acadia National Park

A house along the road to Schoodic Peninsula, Maine

One of Several Bald Eagles That We Saw

The Submerged Path to Bar Harbor

Exposed Path to Bar Harbor
The Tide Lowers 8 feet
There is a 4 hour window near low tide
to walk over to Bar Harbor and back.

Preparing to come aboard the Bailey Louise Todd

Sailing on the Bailey Louise Todd

Friday, June 12, 2015

Augusta, Maine 6/10-12/15

Augusta Maine besides being the capital of Maine is green and so beautiful. Our campsite was along the Dead river and was one of our more beautiful locations to call home. Even Tiger our kitty approved.

We set off to see the Capital, the State museum and also Old Fort Western.

At the Capital we spent some time observing the House of Representatives session. The review of various bills happened quickly. A bell rings the entire time that they are waiting for all of the votes to be cast. The cast votes are tallied on the voting board. The session was especially interesting due to the present controversy going on where the present Governor has vowed to veto any Democratic sponsored bill until income tax is abolished. We watched as various bills were presented, and the only Democratic sponsored bills that were passed were with a minimum 2/3 vote.
Governor Bill Vetos The speed with which they went through the bills was quick and interesting, including the bill being read at the same time as the speaker of the house conducting the voting. They just spoke over one another.

The State Museum was quite interesting. They did an especially good job of presentation in the Natural Life sciences. For us, we enjoyed some of the local fare and we have included an eclectic selection in the pictures within.

The St. Mary ship was built in 1890 and unfortunately met her demise on her maiden voyage just 5 months after her completion. In the State museum we got to walk within her aged hull, viewing up close her construction.

Ever wonder how clap boards were made? Check out the 1880 clapboard saw below that was invented in 1820.

Hunters used to begin hunting season at the state house. Why? To touch the Luck chair of course, believing it would give them a good hunting season.

Years ago, apple cider was made by crushing apples in burlap bags, with the bags used as a sieve to push the apples through.

The wool fabric industry was big here. The fabric weavers were paid quite well, yet worked a lot of hours.

Outside of the State Museum is the statue of Samantha Smith. Her name seems to come up a lot in these parts. She is best described as an American school girl peace activist. Her story is a feel good story of how the smallest voice can be heard and have an impact. Her letter and response can be read at the following link. Samantha_Smith

Next we were off to Old Fort Western that was built in 1754 during the French and Indian War. It is the oldest surviving wooden fort in the United States. From the fort we could see this beautiful church. We just had to drive by and enjoy her architecture so we have included also a a picture of the St. Augustine Church.

Tiger Explores our campsite and very much approves

After a long day of driving Bob Relaxes
Great view and beautiful flowers from Sister Judy's garden in Vermont

Beautiful Views Along the River at our Campsite

Our Campsite Visitor

Maine State Capital Circa 1832

Maine State Capital
Speaker of the House

Maine State Capital

Voting Tally Board

Located in Maine State Museum and it was neat to walk within

Maine State Museum

Clapboard Saw

Maine State Museum

The Making of Apple Cider in Years Gone Past

Maine State Museum

The Weaving of Wool
Maine State Museum

Weavers Worked Some Very Long Hours

But the Pay was Supposed to be Quite Good

Maine State Museum

Samantha Smith

Fort Western Circa 1754

St. Augustine Church

Circa 1900

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Oswego, New York 5/30/15

We were off to spend a day in Oswego, New York. While Oswego is a town of only 18,000 it is the location of an important part of our US History. We began our day in Oswego at the Safe Haven Museum. Our Docent for the day was this wonderful lady Lois who volunteers 4 days per week, and is presently their only docent. She is energetic, cheerful, an incredible wealth of information and at 87 her energy and smiles will surpass most of us on our best days. While this museum houses many wonderful pictures and some oral histories, the true gem of the day was the journey that Lois took us on.

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt came up with a plan to receive from Italy, 1000 refugees of World War II. Each refugee was required to sign a contract that stated that they agreed they would leave the United States when the war was over. One thousand of 3,000 applicants were chosen. Priority was given to families, and those that had been in concentration camps. Young men of fighting age were not allowed to apply. On the date of departure only 982 of the refugees arrived to board the U.S.S. Gibbons, headed to America to escapes the horrors of Hilter. It is unknown what happened to the other 18. Each person was required to wear a 'casual baggage tag', a stark reminder that they had no legal status past visitor. The voyage was dangerous as there were submarine attacks and points where German planes flew overhead. But the ship arrived safely in a port in New Jersey. Soon after arrival, however, the refugees became suspicious when they were told to load a train that would take them 200 miles to Oswego, NY. Many of the refugees feared they were set up to travel on to a concentration camp.

Oswego, NY was chosen by Roosevelt because it was the site of some old Army quarters, Fort Ontario, that was not being used at that time. The fear of the refugees grew worse upon arrival at Fort Ontario when they saw outside of their train windows a camp that was enclosed with fencing topped with rows of barbed wire. The new arrivals were sure they had been fooled into being shipped off to a concentration camp and they refused to disembark at Fort Ontario. Eventually the US troops took the celebration feast that had been set up for these new arrivals and carried this food to each individual at their seats on the train. The story is that one lone man convinced the group that because they had not eaten this well in years they should all get off the train.

The refugees were set up in barracks that had been converted to small apartments with cots, a trunk and a few wooden chairs. The community had a church that all religions shared, a health center, a theater house, a bowling alley and a gymnasium. These buildings were all left behind from when this facility served as an Army location. The new residents were quarantined for 30 days. Upon their arrival, the local Oswego residents came and looked through the fence at them and these new residents felt like they were on display like monkeys in a zoo. But quickly that sentiment changed as the local residents would come to the fence every day and toss over toys and shoes and even a bike. The stories Lois told us could not help but bring some feelings of hope in mankind as we were reminded of the horrors that brought these people here to begin with.

All residents in the camp were required to learn English and all of the children went to school. For some of the children of this war torn world, this would be the first school they had ever attended. After the 30 days of quarantine the residents were allowed out in the community for 6 hours a day, but they were required to sign in and out when they left. This was a good time for the people living here. The people could sleep without fear, the children could run and play and they enjoyed foods they had not been able to get for years during the war.

Eventually the war ended on September 2, 1945. By this time President Roosevelt had died and Truman was in office. While most Americans supported these refugees remaining when the war ended, the U.S. Congress said they had sign agreements that they would depart after the war ended and they were all informed that they were not welcome to stay. Buses were then arranged to take anyone interested across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada to obtain visas where they were able to return with stamped visas from Canada as immigrants and then apply to remain. All but approximately 100 chose this option. All that returned to the US from the Rainbow Bridge were welcomed with open arms to Oswego. Most, while appreciative, did not like the harsh winters and would eventually leave the area for more weather comfortable US locations. This was such a feel good museum, though sad that more could not have been helped. Those that came were from many countries and many professions. Check the pictures below for some of these details on the diversity of people.

Next we went to tour the Fort. The original fort on these grounds was erected in 1755 during the French and Indian War. This fort was attacked and destroyed by British forces during the war of 1812. The five main buildings at the current fort were erected from 1842-1844. As the years passed, the fort would be used for various things including the refugee camp discussed above. We toured the grounds, officer's quarters and enlisted men areas. From the fort we could also see the Lighthouse in the harbor. For more discussion on this fort in its early days, there is much available at the following link: Fort Ontario

After a great lunch we were off to the H Lee White Maritime museum. Here we viewed various old maritime artifacts and also got to tour both the Army LT-5 (John F Nash) that was used at D-Day and also the Derrick Barge Number 8.

The John F Nash was built to serve WWII and was part of the D-Day attack at Normandy France. While many of the Army's tugs would later be decommissioned and scrapped, this ship served as a Great Lakes tug from 1946-1989.

While at the museum we also toured the Derrick Barge Number 8. This is a 200 ton barge that served the New York State Canal system for 60 years. The barge, powered by a steam engine was capable of lifting 150 tons.

The day proved to be yet another most informative day in an unexpected location.