After the unsuccessful attempt to get the RV leveling jack replaced in Vermont, we reset the next attempt for Maine and with a full week to get the right parts into the right hands and left New Hampshire.  We headed out through the White Mountains and with a plan to cross the border in Conway, NH. 

The traffic came to a stop still a mile or so from the town and we couldn’t do anything but go with the slow flow.  We finally reach the crux of the problem only to find out the traffic was being slowed because of all the people going to the Conway Scenic Railroad.  The depot and parking are right in town so everyone was trying to park and get to the train!  Oh, well.  Worst traffic jam of the trip.

Once out of town we crossed the border into Maine (our last state of this trip) and headed across the narrow foot of the state on the back roads to Old Orchard Beach near Portland and the campground we had selected.  We chose a Thousand Trails Park because we still had some free time left on our one-year membership.  But we really didn’t expect what we found.  It was almost full of permanent homes, RVs, and cabins.  We got a small spot between two “homes” and set up.  It was weird and our least favorite place to camp so far.  But you go with the flow! 

Our main reason for adding the Portland area was to visit one of the previous co-owners of Florida Yacht Group.  Over 10 years working together, we became good friends.  He retired and moved back to Maine with his wife, Jenny.  His life story, travels, and his many “careers”, make him a very interesting friend. 

They had a lobster dinner planned for us, but first we spent the day walking around the Portland area.  It is a historic seaport, but it reminded me more of what you read and hear about the other Portland (Oregon).  The outdoor activities, marinas, walking and bike trails, parks, and other tourist venues, were amazing.  The weather was great, and everyone was out.  We visited the East and West Promenades downtown. We were impressed by the memorial to the USS Portland. Then we went to some other area parks to visit several of the many lighthouses in the area.  It was a very interesting day.

Then the lobster called!  We found Phil and Jenny’s condo but only with their help as Google Maps was confused!  It was good to see them again and catch up on our travels, family, and old friends from the boat sales business.  Also, they post a view on Facebook out of their window during the year as the seasons change and I wanted to see it myself!  The marina was full now but would soon be empty as winter starts to set in.  We sat outside for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres then went in for the main course of lobster and fresh sweet corn on the cob!  Made for a great evening.  And an early “Happy Birthday, Phil”! 

The next day we were off to the north to visit a sailing friend that we had met originally in Isla Mujeres, Mexico at the end of our sailing trip in 2013. Skip and Betsy had fuel problems that brought them into the marina for some checkups.  Gail actually helped them with a hint to open the fuel filter housing and clean the “check valve”.  Skip has since called the check valves “schweaty balls” and it is our common joke!  

They more recently had lived in Duck Key, FL in the Keys but now live near Belfast, ME on a mountain top accessed by a gravel road (read 4-wheel drive!) and looking over Penobscot Bay.  They had just moved into the house about 6 weeks ago and we were the second visitors. We had a great time catching up and comparing more sailing stories.  They are also RVers with more experience than us, so we compared newer travel stories and hints as well.  A great visit.

The next morning after a quick walk down to the beach by our RV park, we went into Belfast to take a quick look around the town. It was bigger and nicer than we expected. We also ran into the Belfast Harborfest and their annual cardboard boat races. We stayed for a few races. The boys in the least decorated were well coordinated and easily won their heat. Kayak paddles and high freeboard seemed to help! We expect that the pirate boat won the people choice award!

And finally, we went to Bangor to meet up with my cousin Chris Buck and his family.  AND, get our leveling jack replaced.  We had tracked the delivery online and verified the jack was the right part.  Unfortunately, the new brackets that might be needed still went to the dealer in Vermont! 

So first the jack.  We had contacted Webb’s RV in Bangor, and they agreed to work us in to their service schedule.  And they were located only about 7 miles from the park.  So easy out and down the road.  We left the RV with them and went to get our hair cut!  We also went by Chris’ house to do some work with the good wifi and lunch.  We finally checked back with the dealer to see what was going on with the repair and were told it had been finished several hours ago. 

It had only taken an hour and a half, and they had not needed the brackets!  We headed out to pick her up and check the system operation when we got back to the park. 

It didn’t seem to function as expected and I questioned the hydraulics.  I crawled under the RV and found the hydraulic fluid tank half empty.  They had not bled the lines or filled the tank back after the repair!   I luckily had about a quart of the fluid left and with some difficulty and a small mess, got the tank filled.  We raised and lowered the jack a few times and they finally worked as expected and held the RV level!  The next test will be when we leave and head out on the road again.

We had scheduled 3 full days in Bangor and spent a lot of time with Chris and Kim.  We went out to dinner the first night at the Sea Dog Restaurant that I had remembered from one of our previous visits. We played several games of cutthroat Cribbage which the girls won 2 out of 3!  We talked about family history and our memories of our Grandfather Buck and life at the cabin!  Finally, the last day we went to see a couple of local sites including the statue of Paul Bunyan (some controversy about his Maine or Minnesota beginnings) and the memorial to the USS Maine that was sunk in Havana Harbor to start the Spanish/American War in 1898.   All in all, a great visit.   But time to head north again.

From Bangor, we took I-95 to Houlton, ME where it ends at the border with Canada. This has a soft spot in our hearts as we live at Mile Marker 0 at the southern end. We drove to the border crossing but there was no identifying mark or sign to indicate the end. We also decided to walk around the town and along the Meduxnekeag River. This is also the only spot where US 1 and US 2 meet.

Our last stop in Maine was going to be Ft. Kent for two reasons.  Phil’s wife, Jenny, was born there and highlighted the area and importance.  And it is the northern end of US 1 which ends in downtown Key West.  An addition to the I-95 story is where I-95 ends, it merges with US1 just blocks from our house. The idea of having visited both ends of both highways was inviting.  So, we headed out and took US 1 the last 100 miles or so along the Canadian border and into Ft. Kent.

Our park was located south of town on Eagle Lake, and we selected a campsite up the hill from the main area but right next to the wifi antenna!   We set up and headed into town to find the US 1 beginning and check out the crossing into Canada that we would take the next day. 

The US1 “park” was almost new and very informative.  It was right on the levee for the St. John’s River and more than what we expected (especially if you compared it to the single MM0 sign in Key West that we are all familiar with!)   So, thank you, Jenny, for your recommendation. 

Now we are off to Canada.  Gail is practicing her French!  I think we will need it.  Bienvenu.  Rejoignez-nous!