Our last days in Maine and on to Mass.

Thursday, Suz and I got a call from Bob Leach, telling us about the Sail, Power and Steam Museum in Rockland. We had heard of it, but had not planned on going to see it. Bob insisted that it not be missed. We grabbed lunch and met Bob at the museum, was he ever right. It is a small museum, created and funded by Capt. Jim Sharp, long-time schooner captain in the Penobscot Sound area, and the current owner of four schooners.

The museum has limited hours due to the lack of qualified volunteers, but we were lucky enough to be there when Capt. Sharp himself was giving guided tours. He is a fascinating man of 76 who has sailed the Maine waters for nearly 50 years. He has gathered a broad array of maritime memorabilia that has great historic significance to the Penobscot Bay area, and has rescued numerous sailing and power vessels from the scrap yard. If you happen to be in the area, this museum is a must see.To learn more about Capt. Sharp and his life, go to www.sharpspointsouth.com and click on the link for the Sail, Power and Steam Museum. Even better, get a copy of his book With Reckless Abandon, by Captain Jim Sharp, published by Down East. After visiting the museum, Suz and I dropped by Bob and Sheila's for happy hour and to say our goodbyes. Both of us were leaving on Saturday and this would be the last visit before our return to Palm City in October.

Saturday, we left Saltwater Farm around 9:45 and headed down US1 to Portland, ME. The trip was relatively slow, but scenic as we passed through numerous small towns and villages along the way. From Portland, we got on I95 and headed through New Hampshire and into Mass. The we picked up I495 and headed South. We exited I495 at Bellingham, MA. and found our way to Circle CG Farm Campground, not the nicest spot we've been, and only 30 amp, but we had lots of space and the people were nice. We got set up and then headed up the road to the local Outback Steakhouse for dinner.

On Sunday, we relaxed and I read a large chunk of Captain Jim Sharp's book - fascinating and very entertaining. Around 3, we headed off down I495 to US44 East and into Plymouth, MA. to meet Rock and Mercine Adinolfi for dinner. I had researched the restaurants in Plymouth and chose The Cabby Shack. It is a casual spot with two decks overlooking the harbor. We had a few drinks and a wonderful dinner of stuffed Haddock. It was good to see Rock and Mercine one more time before Florida, and the setting and weather were great. After dinner, we said our goodbyes and headed back up to the campground - a 50 minute drive.

This morning, I was walking Dixie and noticed that the campground was having a country breakfast. So with Dixie back at the coach, I wandered over and for $8 got a sumptuous breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pancakes, coffee and juice - all you can eat! What a great breakfast, and I got to meet some of the other guest at the campground at the same time.

this afternoon, I plan to finish Captain Jim's book and then we will find a place to have dinner. Later I will get the coach set for the trip tomorrow to Timber Lane Campground in Clarksboro, NJ. The trip will be a little over 300 miles through some of the worst traffic we will experience during the trip. Not looking forward to it at all. Take it slow and be patient I guess. Until the next post, Cheers!

John, Suz and Dixie the Wonderdog