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Well, whaddya know? After I lost the last election my opponents used as the theme song at their victory party “Hit the Road, Jack”. At first that seemed sort of less than gracious and sore-winnerish, but in retrospect it was insightful…even prophetic. It was a great idea!
Since then, between bouts of work on our place near Boxley and around the house, and designing our next small home, we have been “hitting the road” and having a blast each time.
We have been from Key West, to Vancouver Island, from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, and all places between. Traveling by car and tent camping allows us to visit the quiet, remote, spectacular places that stick to your memory bank like oil to a pelican.
But one thing has been missing. It is well known that sharing a delight makes it sweeter. We have wanted to bring friends along to have a window seat view of what we see, taste, feel, hear, and “grok” about a place. I like to compare all the places we visit to our wonderful town of Fayetteville using the scientific metrics of emotion, specifically using the qualitative factors of hipness, artistry, authenticity, productivity, and freedom of expression. Throw these ingredients into a pot, let them blend themselves, bake at low heat for 50 years and you can get some very interesting quirks of civic evolution. From Port Townsend, Washington, to Berea, Kentucky, to Jerome, Arizona, to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to Fayetteville, Arkansas, you can find one-off communities that are a joy to visit. And the landscapes between these places are even more amazing.
(Speaking of Berea, Ky., you MUST go to Wikipedia and read about Cassius M. Clay, emancipationist, 1810-1903. You will not believe this story)
So here we are, going through St. Louis on the way to Little Compton, Rhode Island, on to New Hampshire to Maine, to New Brunswick, to Nova Scotia, across southeast Canada, to Niagra Falls, toward home again.
Ah. The Arch has come into view. Our Gateway to the East and whatever is out there.
What fun!
Dan
#1 by Gene and Ellen Andes on July 12, 2010 - 6:41 am
Hey, if headed to NH and ME, get back in touch as we “usta live theah” and will have some recommendations. If you head from the coast to Lake Winnepesaukee, you will pass by our old farmstead.
Would suggest coastal route 1 up from the “north shore” in MA through coastal NH to Portsmouth. Portsmouth was one of the “Renaissance cities” of the 1980s and early 90s – from a rough port city where the downtown was tattoo parlors and dangerous bars, to a yuppified city of 21,000 people and 120 restaurants. Check out the city owned and run parking garage in central downtown just steps from the square. It was a key element of the revival of downtown. (hmmm)
See if Gilley’s is still in operation and have a hot dog or two. Best time is about 2 AM when the street people are about. There were rumors that it was going to expand from the original cart which would be unfortunate. I think Gilley still has the world record for most parking tickets from his days on the square. He is gone now, but I remember the days when he ran the cart.
From Portsmouth, take the bridge to Kittery, ME and on up the coast through York, Ogunquit, Kennebunkbport and thence to Portland, another renaissance city. From there just hug the coast all the way to the Maritimes and the end of old route 1.
You will have fun.
#2 by Glen Tolar on July 14, 2010 - 2:56 pm
Don’t have any travel suggestions “Jack, ” but am glad that you and Deb are having a Kerouacian adventure. You deserve it after all you have done for F-Ville. Stay warm.
#3 by Cecei & Jay on July 24, 2010 - 8:28 am
Lovin’ yer travelogue. Picture the two of ya….havin’ a ball. Tastin’ the blueberries, clam chowder and other goodies, sniffin’ the air and heady aromas, enjoyin’ the sights and sites right along with y’all. Keep it comin’!!
#4 by Dan on July 25, 2010 - 7:39 am
Hey, boys and girls! We still have that bottle of wine and dinner with your name on it waiting for us out at the cabin! See you when we get back.
#5 by Cecei & Jay on July 27, 2010 - 10:09 pm
In less than two weeks we start our own travels. First stop Duluth, MI, to see friends from Pine Island. From there, we go west across the plains and mountains to visit daughter Lori and 3 grands in Lake Oswego, Oregon, then south through the redwoods to son Bob in the Bay Area, and 4 more grands, plus our first great grandkid-all of two months new. Then down the coast to Ventura to meet daughter Sarah fresh back from her trip to Egypt, India and Spain. So drink up that bottle you’re saving and we’ll bring a fresh one when we catch up with y’all.
#6 by Kelly and Joe on July 28, 2010 - 6:42 pm
we found you online! thought we’d send a little more info about Cape Breton and the campground- here is a recent listing of the campground we mentioned- I’m hoping this means they are still in business- Wilderness campground, on a cliff on St. Lawrence Bay, with 10 open and sheltered sites and one cabin. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit (firewood for sale). There is also a Recycling Center.
Seasonal Dates:
Open from June 1 – Sept. 30
Price Range:
$20.00 for tent sites
$35.00 for cabin
3360 Bay St. Lawrence Rd
St. Margaret Village,
Nova Scotia
B0C 1R0
Phone 902-383-2914
http://ecocamping.ca/
here is more info about camping in northern Cape Breton- and a listing for the Meat Campground.
one last thing we thought we mention- it’s hard to find groceries when you get all the way up there. There is a small co-op in Bay St. Lawrence, but we would recommend buying groceries before you cross the highlands-
Good luck and safe travels- It was great to meet you both!
Kelly and Joe Hayes
#7 by Dan on July 29, 2010 - 7:09 am
Hey, J & K! Fred gave us free firewood since we mentioned you. It was windy last night and we are at Meat Cove for breakfast. We will stay in touch until you come see us. Remember the Buffalo River in Arkansas. Google Earth it. Search for Boxely, Newton, Arkansas. And follow pix north (downstream). Let me know what you think.
#8 by Kelly and Joe on July 29, 2010 - 11:23 am
Glad you made it all the way to the top of Cape Breton- I hope it was worth it! We checked out a couple of pictures of the Buffalo River- it looks beautiful- a great new place to explore. If you need any more Maine ideas, let us know! We are both on facebook if you’d like to look us up.
Be Well!
K&J
#9 by Cecei & Jay on August 4, 2010 - 9:08 am
If you all are still in northern climes, be sure to look at the sky tomorrow night – maybe even tonight, too. Supposed to be a big aurora borealis seen as far south as Maine and southern Canada. Hope you get in on the show.
#10 by Tina Manbeck on August 25, 2010 - 6:51 am
Hi, Guys,
Thanks so much for “riding the storm out” with us in Des Moines. I have photos! Where should I send them? Headed back to Lake Vermilion tomorrow with old friend from pre-school days and Frank will join us later. See you there next summer!
Love,
Tina