September 15, Made a Wrong Turn

When we left the Arrowhead RV Park, our intentions were to head for Portland, ME, and get some fresh lobster. We mapped out our route, and took off up the interstate. The GPS was guiding us, but Jeff was our official navigator. Somehow, the GPS got turned off to do something else with the phone, and we drove on, blissfully unaware that we had passed our turn. We drove and drove. After a while, we realized that the GPS wasn't talking, and took a look. Well. We had driven miles and miles beyond the turn! So, we programmed another route, and kept going. Later realizing that the new route took us across Lake Champlain on a ferry, we tried to regroup. First, we stopped at a rest stop which indicated there was a state police office there. It was locked up. We were really unsure as to whether we could cross on a ferry due to our size. So, we did the only thing left. We drove straight north to the next road that went east, which happened to be within shouting distance of the Canadian border. I mean, I could see the flags had we gone straight instead of turning right onto the bridge to Vermont. Sadly, I didn't think to bring our passports, so we had to turn!

This was a surprise, found on the shore of the lake
with no fan fare. 

             

There is an old fort out there, and I'm sure there is a good
story. I just don't know it!

               

                   

And then we were in Vermont.

But before all that, we had to drive straight through the Adirondack Mountains. It was beautiful! After being out west so many times, I used to scoff at the "little" mountains in the east. No more! I have decided that there is something very special about these mountains. In many areas, you can see the stone, and there are so many different color combinations, along with the lines from ancient sediment. They are really quite beautiful. And, it is said that there is more powerful energy in mountains covered with deciduous forest than any other. I believe it! We were actually hoping to drive north enough that the leaves would be turning, but it is just too early.

                

It was very difficult to get awesome pics of these mountains simply because we were on the interstate. All the best  and most stunning shots were in places where you couldn't stop. At the rest stop areas, there really were not any views.

Along the way, we did pass through a few small towns. This was pretty much before we actually hit the interstate. We went through Saratoga Springs, which was just the prettiest little town! Sadly, we got very few pics of the towns. We did however, snap a couple that were interesting. It is much harder to get decent pics when you are not on foot! A couple of times, Jeff has jumped out and hit the street to try to get a better vantage point.

                   

This guy sold firewood. He stacked his wood into
this little "cabin"! It is so creative!

              

These folks had a nice little seating area, complete
with old gas pump!

Not sure what the car on top has to do with
welding, but it is a nice sign.

                 
We drove down the island in the center of the lake looking for a place to camp for the night. Finally, at the very last minute before crossing the bridge back to the east, we found one! It was the Apple Island Resort in South Hero, VT. Cool name for a town, eh? Anyway, we didn't really get to check in as the office was closed, but we were shown to a spot and told to visit the office in the morning.

                


We had a great view of the lake, even though it got dark quickly and you couldn't see a thing! And the wind picked up, and it was raining by midnight. Rained all night long. Then it stopped around sunrise. The best way! I went down to the office to pay and then check out, and got to talking to the couple in there. It is such a small world! They used to live in Richardson, have also lived at a Robson Ranch in AZ, and, wait for it..... their nephew is a Dallas Firefighter, whom I worked with a bit a number of years ago! Ray Spears and his wife, whose name I have forgotten, are related to John Spears at DFD. That was really cool! (I guess that is a story for the next day's blog, but it really fits here better!)

Sorry, but we are not seeing mailboxes! Even if they are there, we may be going to fast to get a pic. Although I did stop and send Jeff back on foot for the locomotive the other day! So, I will leave you with a pic of the sun going down over Lake Champlain.