Island Update Ending October 5, 2002

WEATHER: Can't say much other than the high for the week was 78 on Wed and the low was 45 on Fri. There was also some rain, but the weather station won't tell me when.

On Saturday we were off to the URI vs Maine football game leaving on the 1000 boat. We had a little problem finding the place and more of a problem finding a place to park, but they are looser than at Virginia schools and we ended up parking close to the stadium right next to the baseball field on the grass. We found Jeanne and Dick and I must say Mom got great seats. Unfortunately URI lost. They were doing quite well, in fact they were ahead once, but they ran out of steam. We ate at a place called Governors - extremely popular, huge helpings of food at reasonable prices. After eating we drove on to Ellsworth where we found a place to stay for the night.

Sunday - Up early, coffee and donuts for breakfast and off to church at 0800 - small church, large compound, packed with people. Plenty of time so we went to Bar Harbor and found it is another Kennebunk. Also went to the West McQuoddy lighthouse before going through Lubec and into Canada (Campobello Island). We stayed in a log cabin type structure with b-board walls and ceiling like in Maine. Quite comfortable, bathroom w/claw foot tub (not as big as the one on Peaks) and a separate shower.

Monday - Breakfast at 0730 - 0830 so we showed up consistently at 0730. We had 3 lectures, 2 during the day and one in the evening. We also toured the FDR "cottage" & visitor's center. What a huge place they had. Had a little time in the afternoon so we drove out to East Quoddy light, furthest east in North America, 8 miles from where we were staying.

Tuesday - Finished a lecture on FDR, very interesting and we bought the his book. Then we went touring, visiting a B&B in a house very representative of older houses on the island, visited St. Anne's Anglican church (very old and where FDR used to go to church). Then we went to the beach to pick up stones we used later to transfer Polaroid pictures on to. Interesting process we will demonstrate when we get home. We also made note cards by transferring pictures copied on a Xerox. We can demonstrate this also. Anyway we had lunch at the beach before doing these things I just mentioned. Incidentally, the tides run 25 feet in this area. After supper we had a demonstration of wreath making -- and a beautiful wreath it was. It was given away afterwards and of course we didn't get it.

Wednesday - Off on a school bus at 0915 ADT (Atlantic Daylight Time) to visit West Quoddy light (again) then to a lady's house in Cutler (a Navy communications station just closed there) that was full of antiques and lots of stuff on presidents and then on to "down town" Cutler where we chatted with lobstermen on the pier before having a delicious lobster meal at the Methodist Church. Later when be got back to the Inn we went to a restored house (beautifully done) next to FDR's house for tea. In the evening we had a lesson on paper making and found out our old mill felts are worth their weight in gold (so to speak) because they no longer make them out of wool which is what she needs for her hand made paper.

Thursday - Rained hard at night and was still raining in the morning which blew Mom's mind because this was the morning for a schooner trip -- she was ready to bail out since we had the afternoon off anyway. As it turned out the schooner trip was rescheduled for the afternoon and we had a delightful 2+ hours on this 2 masted schooner. It was a little on the cold side and very winding, but a great trip. This was probably the highlight of the Elderhostel for Mom. Thank goodness it got rescheduled. After dinner we listened to a folk singer who sang my kind of music.

Friday - After breakfast we left as a group for Lubec where we visited a Chocolate Factory which produced fantastic chocolates all made by hand. A story goes with this place, but I won't go into it here. Then we went to a sardine factory museum which also went into early canning methods using lead solder, not a wise material to use, but who knew. Then everyone went on their separate ways. We caught the 1630 boat in the rain and of course had to push our stuff home in the wheeled basket thing. It was a well run and fun trip from which we can relate lots of interesting things once we get home. By and large the food was good as were the accommodations, but its always nice to get home.

Saturday - We woke up to rain and wind, high gust was 44 mph. Mom's birthday. Didn't do much. Mom cleaned up and did laundry. I planned to lube & change the oil in the golf card, but I didn't have the right tools to do everything. Will get next week.

Monday Mom goes back to the doctor about her ear (1000) and I have an appointment with my cardiologist (1615). That pretty well shoots the day plus we have to catch the 0815 boat to boot.

That is more than enough for now and yes we really enjoyed the Elderhostel. Love, Dad