Maine or Bust 2022

Maine or Bust 2022: Around The Country Roundup

The state of Nevada stretches out ahead of us on our marathon drive home.

It’s been nearly a week since we arrived home, enough time to feel as though we never left. Funny how that works. Although we’ve made two other trailer trips across the country, this was by far our most ambitious, spreading from as far south as Sedona, Arizona and north into the state of Maine.

For years Reg and I discussed the wisdom of a truck and trailer purchase. It’s nearly impossible to justify the cost, so when we finally decided to take the plunge, we promised each other we would use it…a lot.
In the 6 years we’ve been trailer owners, we’ve done a pretty good job of keeping that promise. Thinking back through all our trips we figure we’ve spent the equivalent of 14 months worth of nights snuggling in a bed that is really just a little too small to be truly comfortable.

So, how did we fare on our 2022 road trip? Not bad considering all the doom and gloom reports of high gas prices (they were) and limited campground availability (they weren’t).

March 9 – First day on the road.


● Number of days on the road – 107

● Number of nights spent in campgrounds – 84

● Average cost per night – $58.00

● Miles traveled – 13,000

● Number of gas fill-ups – 45

● Total gallons purchased – 925+/-


Our cheapest gas was in Amarillo, Texas where we filled up for $3.40 per gallon on April 5.
Our most expensive gas was at Stove Pipe Wells in Death Valley where we paid a whopping $6.09 per gallon. Needless to say, we added just 6 gallons, enough to get us back to civilization and a somewhat more palatable gallon price of $4.69.

Our most affordable campsite was in Ozark, Arkansas, an Army Corp of Engineers site that set us back $9.00 a night. We spent two nights.
The biggest campsite splurge was in Williamsburg, Virginia where we were promised a lovely, large, quiet campsite for $108.00 (!) per night. When it turned out to be an equally short distance from a busy highway and a train track that ran commuter trains at all hours, Reg complained and got us a bit of a refund. This is all part of the fun…

53 days of hikes or walks for a total of 222 miles.

5 days of bike riding for a total of 79 miles…We had hoped to do more.

In the 6 years we’ve been trailer camping, we’ve visited 44 of our 50 states. It’s not likely we will add Hawaii to our list. Will we ever add North Dakota, Florida, Delaware, Rhode Island and Alaska? It’s hard to say. For now, Minnie is taking a well-earned rest, parked in Ashland, Virginia where she awaits our return to take her on another tour of the eastern seaboard.

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Maine or Bust 2022: I’m Tired and Ugly

After several marathon days along the road home I decided to hold a little pity party. “I’m tired and ugly,” I complained as we crossed yet another state line. ”My hair needs cutting, my bum is sore from all this sitting and I’m bored!”

The road home is a long one.

Not that I’m complaining about our trip. It’s been a great trip. We’ve seen so much of this big, beautiful country of ours and we’ve visited with family and friends, so I know how fortunate Reg and I are.

It won’t be long now…but if only we could just blink and be home.

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Maine or Bust 2022: The End or the Beginning?

Tomorrow we pack up our memories and say goodbye to Maine, a state we’ve dreamed of visiting for years. How lucky we were to visit beautiful Acadia National Park before the real crowds of summer arrive.

Acadia National Park – Ocean Path

Friends Jeannie and Jeff came up to spend our last day with us at our cozy cabin. After a short walk, we lunched, laughed and enjoyed the view from the porch as a rain shower passed over. All too soon it was time to say goodbye…or should I say, until we meet again.

While this feels like the end of our trip, we still have over 3,000 miles to drive before reaching home. I think we’re both ready!

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Maine or Bust 2022: Cadillac Mountain Redo

The sun was out and Cadillac Mountain was waiting for us. It was a great day for a hike and since we lost our reservation to drive up, we chose to walk to the top. The Cadillac South Ridge Trail was described as a moderately challenging 6.7 mile out and back trail. We felt we had a pretty good chance of summiting the 1,548 foot peak with enough energy left over to get back down again.

A sticky, muddy, puddle-strewn trail climbed steadily up, finally opening onto a mostly smooth, rock path. There were views in every direction and plenty of rock cairns and blue blazes marking the way. With the exception of several semi-intimidating rock scrambles (which required some booty-scooting on the trip down), we reached the summit right about noon. Perfect timing!

We made it to the top for a windy picnic lunch and a beautiful view.
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Maine or Bust 2022: Rainy Days And Mondays

We had a Monday reservation at 9 a.m. to drive to the top of Acadia National Park’s Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard. We awoke to pouring rain and a forecast of much more to come. Needless to say, we nixed the mountain drive.

Armed with Google maps, we opted for a drive farther north along the coast, curious about what we might find. The quintessential rugged Maine Coast, gorgeous even in the rain, coaxed us out of the truck several times in an effort to capture photo memories.

As the noon hour rolled around I expanded my google search for a promising lunch spot. After passing several closed signs, and dismissing the chance for a slice of gas station pizza, I guided Reg to tiny Corea Harbor, an out-of-the-way spot marked by a Google Map knife and fork icon. Lunch On The Wharf it was called. Perfect…just what we were looking for. We took a chance.

We arrived to a nearly full parking lot adjacent to a somewhat ramshackle wharf. The place must have quite the reputation. Even on a rainy Monday it was hopping with friendly sightseers, bike riders braving the rain and a handful of locals. Reg ordered a lobster roll with coleslaw and I had a grilled cheese and lobster sandwich with potato salad. Although Reg didn’t believe me, I think they used Velveeta cheese…no matter, it was good, the coffee was hot and our day was a success!

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Maine or Bust 2022: The Northernmost Point

This little finger of land in Lamoine, Maine is where we’ll spend the next week before heading home.

We’ve reached the northernmost point of our trip and are comfortably settled in a spectacular log cabin overlooking the Mt. Desert Narrows body of water. We have plans to visit Maine’s Acadia National Park and hope to get together once more with friends Jeannie and Jeff…but other than that, we may just sit and enjoy the view from the deck.

Our host assured us there would be space for Minnie, and Reg backed her in like a pro. While he tended to all the details of parking her for the week, our host gave me a tour of our temporary waterside home. What a special place this is. Gorgeous inside and out…we may never leave!

After breakfast we took a short morning walk around the point, returning to enjoy a quiet Sunday watching the tide roll out…and then back in.

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Maine or Bust 2022: Main(e) Memories of Freeport

From our front porch we could see the finger of land across the water hiding Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. Curious, we drove around and found a trail to explore, looping through the grounds and offering views of coastal tide pools, towering forests and an occasional wildflower.

Taking advantage of another beautiful day, we thought we had found the perfect outing. A short ferry ride from Portland, Maine took us across Casco Bay to Long Island where a 6-mile walk awaited. We packed our lunch and cashed in on the senior ticket rate, excited about our big, cheap adventure. Expecting a trail through the woods and along the shore, we were disappointed to find the walk followed a paved road through mostly residential neighborhoods. Even worse, there was not a public restroom to be found. Posted signs warned of poison ivy making a discreet duck behind a bush too risky for me. We called it quits and raced back to the dock to catch the next ferry back to the mainland, reminding us that you can’t win them all!

The weather took a turn for the worse, dumping buckets of rain. The perfect day to check out Freeport’s main shopping attraction.

L.L. Bean fans flock to the many specialized L.L. Bean stores in Freeport. But don’t expect too many bargains. While other brand name retailers offered 30-60% markdowns, Bean deals were few and far between.

With the return of the sun, we took a chance on another island walk. A 7-mile portion of the West Side Trail took us by foot from Fels-Groves Farm Preserve, across the bridge over Casco Bay and a circle around Cousins Island. We hoped for an expansive ocean view at trail’s end, but once again our expectations were dashed. However, we enjoyed the walk and appreciated the bench (where we ate our lunch) and the congratulatory signpost at the end.

We have one more week to enjoy the great state of Maine. This morning, Reg and I woke up to a new, gorgeous view through the trees and across the water to Mt. Desert Island that sits adjacent to Acadia National Park. We’re taking another lazy Sunday before joining the sightseeing crowds. More to come…

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Maine or Bust 2022: Room to Stretch

After 84 days living exclusively in our trailer, Minnie is in storage, having earned a much needed rest, while we enjoy some room to stretch.

This one bedroom cottage is home for the upcoming week.

We scheduled these next two weeks months ago when our (Reg’s) plan was to tent-camp across the entire length of U.S. Highway 20, the 3,365-mile road that stretches from Newport, Oregon on the Pacific Coast to Boston, Massachusetts on the Atlantic. Our friends, and our usually supportive kids, thought we were nuts. I’ll admit to humoring Reg for awhile and the thought celebrating the end (of what would almost certainly be a most uncomfortable journey) with two weeks of luxury in Airbnbs nearly sold me on the plan…nearly.

Our view of the Maine Coast off the front porch. Feeling pretty spoiled.

By the time I convinced Reg that camping in our trailer, rather than a tent, would allow us to leave earlier and take a longer (more comfortable) trip, it was too late to cancel our two cottage reservations. No regrets though…what’s not to love?

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Maine or Bust 2022: We Crossed The Line

After nearly 3 months on the road, we crossed the line into Maine!

First stop in the state of Maine – a short, 2-night visit with friends and former California neighbors Jeannie and Jeff at their lovely coastal home. Although the weather wasn’t looking good Friday morning, we donned our raincoats (just in case) and set off on a path through the 295-acre Beech Hill Preserve, hoping to take in the 360° view of Penobscot Bay, Camden Hills and the St. George Peninsula. Our hopes were dashed upon reaching the summit of Beech Hill as the clouds closed in.

We were able to have a look at the 1913 restored sod-roofed hut and the remains of a stone circle. Jeannie captured our hiking memories with her photos.

We tidied ourselves up and went out for dinner at Archer’s, a terrific seafood restaurant with a harbor view, where our evening began with drinks and Oysters Rockefeller. Thank you so much Jeannie and Jeff. It was sad to say goodbye, but you gave us wonderful memories and a perfect introduction to the state of Maine.

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Maine or Bust 2022: Hiking Trails Galore

New Hampshire was not a new state for either of us, but for Reg it was a bit of a homecoming. As a 7-year old, Reg attended second grade in a K-12 school in Bethlehem, a small community not far from our campground. The school still stands although it now serves only elementary school students.

Reg poses on the steps of his favorite elementary school located in Bethlehem, New Hampshire.

With six days to fill we worried that we might not be able to fill our time once we visited Mt. Washington, but Franconia State Park saved the day. Hiking trails galore! Here are a few photos of our favorite spots.

Our first stop took us on a walk to see New Hampshire’s iconic Old Man of the Mountain, a series of rock cliffs stacked on a peak that together depict a man’s profile. Little did we know that the Old Man had crumbled and fallen away back in 2003, leaving just a smidgen of rock at the top. The state has done its best to honor their fallen hero, creating a rather extravagant memorial plaza where visitors can squint to see what was once a great ”man.”

The walk up Franconia Notch State Park’s Flume Gorge was pretty spectacular. Tickets are required for the roughly 2-mile Flume Path that leads up a series of wooden stairs and along raised walkways to the top of the gorge. It must get pretty crazy in the summer months, but we were able to easily enjoy the views.

We weren’t the only hikers trekking up the trail to Lonesome Lake, but once we arrived it was just us and one lone fisherman hanging out lakeside. The 1.25 mile trail was uphill all the way. If the weather had been a little nicer we might have opted for the extra mile or so around the lake, but fearing drizzle and wet rocks on the downhill trip, we simply ate lunch and headed back.

We caught the trailhead for 2.8-mile Liebskind’s Loop at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. Normally we start our hiking in the morning, but this was an afternoon walk for us and the bugs were out in full force. Just as we began to wonder why in the heck we were climbing yet another mountain, we came upon an impressive sheer wall of rock that led us to Brad’s Bluff, a spectacular viewpoint. Thinking we were taking a shortcut back we scrambled steeply down George’s Gorge, a rock-filled chute that abruptly ended at a pretty little waterfall. GPS couldn’t help us so we had no choice but to turn back, (adding another half mile to the hike) and take the well-marked route back to the car.

What a journey. We leave Littleton, New Hampshire for Maine, our destination from the outset of our trip. But maybe the destination is just the beginning…stay tuned, there’s more to come.
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