Thursday afternoon began with a tour of Milly Haven, so fun to show friends the amazing house the Debbie, Debbie and I have created in Millinocket. We then took our first tour of main street, stopped out to the camp, and made our way out to River Driver's. (More about Main Street later!) We met the Fanjoy's for supper, had great fun, leisurely drinks and lots of good stories and connections. They loved the location, the building and the company. We stayed in Millinocket and got ready for more sightseeing and camp the next day.
Friday after breakfast we headed out on the Katahdin Woods and Water Scenic Byway, the National Monument and Patten, Maine. We had a great car ride on Hwy. 11, stopping many times to see the East Branch of the Penobscot River and looking at stunning vista's and views. We then headed on Swift Brook Road towards the Monument. This is not a fast ride, Swift Brook is essentially a logging road, unpaved, lots of potholes and surprises as you slowly made your way to the Park land. We took the "loop road" and made lots of stops as we drove the 15 mile loop. We did not see any large animals, but did meet a number of other visitors - birders, biker and other Mainers in the Monument to see this gift to the National Park Service. The views of Katahdin and the range were spectacular, couldn't have asked for a better morning. Then back on 11, heading towards Gardiner Farm Stand. Got some veggies for the weekend, had a little visit, and heading towards Patten, we were all getting hungry and was on our way to try lunch at the new Flatlander's! The clouds had started to come in and rain was very close. We got our sandwiches and ate in the car, laughing about the good food and being such wimps in the rain! Next stop the hardware store, I got a sleeping bag and Irv got chips for his smoker - trying to put a few dollars into the local economy! Then off to I-95, and back down the road to Medway and Millinocket.
Next stop, the Woods and Water shop, Irv needs a cap and we need wine to take out the camp! Wine in tow, back to the house, pack the car and on our way! Last stop before camp, Rideout to get drinking water and a powerball ticket!
Camp is on an island, we parked the car at the association lot, and got into sherpa mode, first over the railroad tracks, then across the foot bridge, through the woods, past the beach, and there was our camp. We encountered a few bumps, couldn't figure out how to get the water on, thought there might have been fleas, the porch windows had plastic on them, but one phone call to the owner and answers abounded and very quickly we were settling into camp life.
The water, the trees, the vista all of it just embraced us. The camp is a little tired feeling, but had all we needed. Good food, good drink, and fun conversations flowed along with the evening.
Next morning, a hearty camp breakfast, then a little commerce in Millinocket and a visit to the "rock". We hiked back out of camp, and drove into town. First stop North Light Gallery, both Kathy and Irv bought a painting, then a quick trip through Picker's Paradise. Then a stop into the Monument visitor center, Kathy got her Passport stamped and then off for a few more stops. More wine and gifts at Woods and Water and used books found at Turn the Page. There was more to do, but the "rock" was calling, so a drive out to get our picture taken with "Keep Maine Beautiful" the painted rock just outside of Baxter State Park. Then snacks from the Trading Post, and then the camp was calling and we headed back out for our last night.
Camp was good, it was more than good! My friends saw and experienced how beautiful and amazing this part of Maine is. There are so many things we didn't do, places we didn't stop at, and I look forward to the next time I can share the wonders of the Katahdin region to the next visitors!
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