Day 112 Blackberry Crossing Campground NH to Bridgton ME. 69km

I just learned that I am writing today's blog. The reason for that, I suspect, is my comment about the unusually short length of yesterday's entry. Or maybe it is Louise's sleep deprivation resulting from - her own words - one of the most horrible camping nights of the trip. Fair enough in either case that I get my writer's act together for one of the last 'on tour' reports. And since we chatted with a couple visiting from Germany in a small grocery store and coffee shop in Conway I try to keep this post German-like: "in der Kürze liegt die Würze". No idea where the name of Louise's nightmare campground is coming from. We couldn't see any modern technology communication devices crossing the nearby Kancamagus Highway nor did we learn that blackberries in New Hampshire are so good that they actually walk into your muesli bowl. My theory is that it is a connection to the name of a local Black Bear who calls the woods around the campground home. That would also match with Louise's sleepless night, that she heard something really big and heavy very close to the tent. Despite the many MOOSE X-ING road signs we pass and the perfect moose territory we enjoy around us, a second sighting of this great animal remains a great wish. But the hilly New England roads continue to be an unforgiving reality.


Although we leave the White Mountains behind us it doesn't mean that it's one flat ride from here. State number 13 - Maine - welcomes us with some short but steep climbs that have me wishing for more Ben & Jerry's ice-cream. In the small and idyllic village of Lovell we find a Public Library that is so picturesque it is almost a shame to go inside. But we need to consult Google map for some fine tuning on our route for the 'Grande Finale' into Rockport, MA. The mileage counting and mouse-clicking exercise makes us hungry and we find the solution for this problem across the road - at Rosie's Village store & restaurant. I find that spending a bit of time in places where the locals meet is always a good way to connect with the area. And after 'Rosie's Big One' (signature breakfast dish) I like Maine even better.


Another 15 miles over roller coaster like secondary roads take us into the town of Bridgton where we keep it short and simple and we disappear very briefly in the grocery store to get a few of supplies. By now we are at the stage where you hope that the mileage scale on your map is wrong and the distance to the campground is only half of what it actually turns out to be. The late afternoon weather is still providing us with 'the bright side of the road' and only 3 miles later we push our steel horses into campsite 15. Definitely no blackberries of any kind to be expected tonight - but the unexpected camping pleasure donation comes in the shape of a gas lantern from our friendly campground neighbor. Let there be light and afterwards a good night sleep for Louise, please. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad