Travels with Stargazer

Stargazer’s final stop was in Hubley, NS, just outside Halifax, where we visited Jackson friends Jason Roth and Cheryl Steadman. We spent three wonderful days together touring, sharing meals, and enjoying time getting to know each other better. Due to concerns about crossing the border, Jason and Cheryl—Canadian citizens who also have a home in Jackson—have decided not to travel to the U.S. for their usual January–June stay. They will be missed by all their friends! On our first day,…

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On our way down Cape Breton toward Louisbourg, we stopped at several local craft shops. One highlight was meeting Bob Smith of North Shore Woodsmiths, whose craftsmanship and friendliness made the visit memorable. We also came across a glassblowing studio decorated with whimsical Halloween sculptures—Ralph would have loved them! We settled in at Mira River Provincial Park and the next day visited the Fortress of Louisbourg — a one-quarter reconstruction of the 18th-century French stronghold at Louisbourg. The fortress played…

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Our first stop on the Cabot Trail was Cabotto Chocolates, where we picked up a gift for a certain friend—you know who you are! Next, we registered at Cape Breton Highlands National Park and settled into our campground at Broad Cove. Stargazer handled the hills beautifully, and Broad Cove Campground sits right on the Atlantic Ocean. After settling in, Greg headed out to hike Broad Cove Mountain. The trail wound past Warren Lake, where he passed a good-looking guy who…

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From Five Islands Provincial Park we headed to Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park, situated on the Atlantic Ocean with views toward Prince Edward Island. Overall, Stargazer has been a trooper—though an oil can light occasionally flickers on when we pass 50 mph. The oil level is fine, and a local mechanic confirmed we should be okay to keep going. While at Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park, we walked the beach—covered in seaweed—and gave Stargazer a good cleaning. We drove the Sunrise Trail…

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We successfully crossed the Canadian border and headed to the Fundy National Park in Alma, NB where we visited two of our favorite spots – the Holy Whale Brewery and the Octopus’s Garden Cafe. We were lucky to reconnect with our friend, Brewmaster Charlie, as well as the Octopus’s Garden’s world class chef. Greg hiked five miles in and five miles out on the Upper Salmon River Trail — a great hike with sections reminiscent of trekking along Loch Lomond…

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Our next stop was the Schoodic Peninsula, part of Acadia National Park, where we stayed at the Schoodic Woods Campground. Stargazer gives SWG a big thumbs up—very private and directly connected to numerous hiking trails. Unfortunately, Stargazer was too long to navigate the Schoodic Peninsula Loop. Greg hiked the 6.2-mile Buck Cove Mountain Trail, which features a spectacular panoramic view of the peninsula. It was a beautiful Sunday, and the trail was busy with fellow hikers enjoying the day. After…

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We left Jackson in a much-needed rain and made our way to Freeport, ME, where we enjoyed lunch with good friends Peggy and Oggie Williams. From Freeport, we continued on to Boothbay Harbor and settled Stargazer along a Maine coastal inlet. The rain drummed steadily on Stargazer through the night, but by morning the skies had cleared, and we awoke to sunshine and a beautiful view. We packed up Stargazer and made our way to the Maine Botanical Gardens –…

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After more than a year off the road, Stargazer is heading north! Starting this Thursday we’ll be traveling through Maine, into New Brunswick, and on to Nova Scotia – destination: Cape Breton and the Celtic Colours International Festival. We’re setting out fresh from an incredible Mount Washington Valley Storytelling Festival at the Whitney Community Center, where Bill Harley, Motoko, Simon Brooks, and Charlotte Blake Alston enchanted over 250 attendees. The performances were nothing short of magical. We had a wonderful…

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After spending a night in a busy Kentucky truck stop, we arrived in West Virginia, the home of the green rolling hills. Up and down we travelled until reaching Seneca Rocks Park where we planned to meet Cory, Kim and Ralph for a weekend of camping. BUT the weather did not look (and ended up not being) conducive for camping with a three-year old, so we quickly booked an Airbnb near Trout Pond, West Virginia where all five of us…

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After a night sleeping in the LERN parking lot we headed back out on the road, but first stopped at a local Manhattan car shop and had our headlight fixed. 10 miles out of Manhattan Stargazer’s engine light was back on and we were headed to the Kansas City Mercedes Benz Dealership. Johnny Ace identified the problem and it was quickly fixed. Even with the treats Otto is tired of visiting MB Dealerships! Next to Hamilton, Missouri – the home…

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