Last day on the road

This morning we are waking up in the RV for the last time this trip.  We'll be leaving Pennsylvania today, heading south on I-81.  Then.....just all that unpacking and laundry and cleaning up to do!

Yesterday the temperatures remained in the 70's, just right for hiking. We spent about 2 hours along the Sand Spring Trail which is one of the cross-country skiing trails in the park and considerably better marked than the trail we took the previous day.  

The park is filling up a bit more as the weekend approaches: there are now about 12 sites occupied (on our loop of about 60) compared to the three when we arrived.  

It's been a good trip, but it always feels nice to return to our own bed, shower, and back deck.  Ranger will likely be happy to return to sleeping in "his bathroom" and will probably be glad to leave behind the two barking, snarling big dogs (that have been off-leash) at the campsite down the road.

Off to pack up----

Chilly in the Poconos

Fifty degrees this morning in the Poconos!  Quite a pleasant change from the 90 degree days earlier in the trip, and great for sleeping!

Yesterday we hiked the Shades of Death trail.  Cheery-sounding, and rated as "most difficult" on the trail maps, but we decided to give it a try.  We found that what was most difficult about it was not elevation change or rock-climbing; it was staying ON the trail!  This park seems to put a wooden sign at the start of a trail and then you're on your own.  The trail was supposed to be yellow-blazed, but they were very stingy with that yellow paint, and several times we lost the trail entirely, including once when we ended up hiking on state road 534 for about a quarter to half mile before we happened upon the trail again.  

That being said, it was a lovely trail that ran along Sand Spring Run, a rocky little brook with lots of small waterfalls.  The trail was also full of rhododendron which must have been wonderful to see earlier in the summer.  

 Dan and Ranger along the trail

 Karen and Ranger at one of the waterfalls

 Sand Spring Run

Not many birds in this park but lots of butterflies!

In Pennsylvania (with the bears?)

Yesterday began with steady rain in Littleton, Massachusetts.  Fortunately Dan had put away most of the gear before we went to bed, but we did have to pack up some things soaking wet.  The rain continued into Connecticut as we traveled along the Mass Turnpike to I-84, into New York state.  There were breaks for periods of time, and we managed to check into Hickory Run State Park, near Jim Thorpe PA, just before the sky opened up one more time.  However, within a short period of time the sun came out, and I am hopeful that our rugs and towels will dry out in the coming days.

There are several odd things about this park.  One is their dog policy:  campers with dogs are restricted to certain loops of the campground, and there's a detailed list about where dogs can go.  They can go out on the hiking trails, which we will probably explore later today.  The other question is "Where is everybody?"  This place with 15000 acres and hundreds of campsites is almost deserted.  There's a family with a pop-up a couple of sites away and a total of five sites occupied in our section.  In walking Ranger this morning, we explored another section of the camping area, with dozens of sites, and there were four occupied.  I'm not sure whether it's because it's a weekday or because it's been so hot or because of the numerous warnings about black bears in the area.  

Meanwhile, it's very quiet here, and very dark at night!  

Spending time with family in Boston

Sunday, Sean and his family plus Gene came out to the campground to spend the day with us.  Veronica and Philip were so much bigger than the last time we saw them, and they were busy all day.  Both enjoyed the pool and seemed to like wandering in the little "forest" behind the RV.  It was great to see everyone!

Visiting near Boston

The drive from Maine to Massachusetts was uneventful, aside from a delay of about an hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-495.  It was a relief to arrive at a really nice campground, Minuteman Campground, in Littleton, MA.

It continued to be hot on Saturday, but our site is shady.  I also took advantage of the fact that there is a very good swimming pool here---much appreciated!  It did cool off considerably during the night, no need for air-conditioning here, and today (Sunday, July 21) is supposed to be in the low 80's.  We are expected company: Gene, Sean, Gretchen, Veronica, and  Philip Dorgan.  We haven't seen the kids in several years, and they will no doubt seem so much bigger.  There's lots for them to do here: swimming, a dog park where they can play with Ranger, tetherball, volleyball, ping-pong, and just exploring the woods around the site.  

Photos from Fundy

We're settled into a place with good Wi-Fi, and I have a bit of time to catch up on posting pictures.  These are from our hike in Fundy National Park.

 Typical terrain in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

 Happy dog out on the trail

 Dan and Ranger at Kinnie Brook

 Stairway down to Kinnie Brook...and of course, also UP from it.

Rocks and spruces, ferns and moss---typical of Fundy

Hot day in Maine

We are experiencing the heat wave that has been featured in the weather news for the past week or so.  Friday was very hot and humid, and by early afternoon, we retreated inside the RV, with air-conditioning, to catch up on emails, read, and relax.  Kelly came over in late afternoon and we took the dogs to Biscay Pond to swim and cool off. (Us too!)  We then did a major grocery shopping trip to the local Hannifords to prepare for our visit with the Boston relatives on Sunday.  Kelly left around 7:30 to head for Portland where she will drop off Rossi with a friend, then head to Boston to catch a plane to Washington State.