Saint Andrews By The Sea Days 3-4

Our view, Passamaquoddy Bay

Saint Andrews Library

We made it. There was no wifi last night to make a report. Verizon doesn't reach here and the campground internet was overwhelmed. Monday is Canada Day and back in January, I got the last site available. Did I mention, the campsite is packed? As I write this, Jessie and I are in the Saint Andrews Library, a charming place with lots of kids and very good connectivity.

Lobster roll & Whoppie Pie

There is little to report from yesterday except a LOT of driving, the longest day yet. In contrast to the day before, however, it was smooth sailing all day. Even the back roads through the center of Maine were well paved and lightly traveled. The mountains are softer here, my guess is that they have been gentled by glaciers. We saw spectacular views of unbroken forests from the crests of ridges, then plunged back into those woods until we reached the next high spot. We are moving from a Temperate Rain Forest to a Tiaga, according to Jessie. Deciduous trees are giving way to birches and conifers. We are also moving backwards into spring with rhododendron in bloom along with spring flowers. But I digress.

LL Bean

The two big events of yesterday occurred within a block of each other in Freeport ME. Jessie had her first lobster roll and her first trip to LLBean. For their 90th birthday, this giant boot had been created to greet visitors. Jessie insisted I pose.

St Croix river crossing into Canada

Crossing the border was blissfully easy. We had all our papers ready but they only asked for our passports and the standard questions about destination, tobacco and booze. They also asked about cannabis. We didn't have any of that, either, just a properly vaccinated dog and lots of insurance info.

Downtown Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews Post Office

After 3 hard days, we were pooped. We cooked a simple supper, took a walk along the rocky beach and hit the hay. Today is my 65th birthday. We have decided to celebrate by resting and catching up. We walked on the beach while our laundry dried. Then we went shopping in Saint Andrews which is decked out for Monday's Canada Day celebrations. And we have confirmed the rumor that Canadian Kit Kat bars are amazingly better than those sold in the US and come in a variety of flavors.

I mentioned doing spring in reverse. The entrance to the post office was flanked by these magnificent rhododendron. And the lupines are absolutely glorious. I've never seen so many so large.

Lupines

Motorized Parasail

According to our brochure, Saint Andrews has been voted Canada's favorite vacation spot. I am not surprised. Vita had recommended Ben and I drive through last year and so we stopped for lunch at a lovely seaside park. Last night, driving past the park, Jessie and I saw deer grazing as residents walked dogs and visited with each other. The coastline is incredibly beautiful, the town charming and well kept. And so far, everyone we have met has been welcoming and friendly. I can't imagine living in all this beauty and being a grump. If I would not have to pay taxes in two countries, I'd consider moving.

The one intrusion to our sense of peace was this guy "paramotoring" over the camp site. It did look incredibly fun, but it was very loud and when he gunned it to gain altitude, his equipment belched a foul smelling plume of smoke that drifted onto the camp ground. You can see from the photo the rock brought in to protect the coast. Just across the street is the densely populated camp ground. Not a good place for a mechanical failure. All that aside, imagine the smell of fresh salt air and enjoy these photos of Saint Andrews By the Sea. Tomorrow we will be making camp on Pointe Wolf in the Bay of Fundy National Park and enjoying fish and chips in an Alma pub. Year 65 begins...

Oh, and just a reminder, you can click on any photo for a larger view.

Memorial to the immigrants from the Potato Famine