A little warm up trip to Scusset Beach Reservation, on the Cape Cod Canal.

It's great to be on the road again, even for a short trip to a familiar place. We stayed in our home state, with only a 90-minute drive and took a second car. Scusset Beach Reservation is a place I've frequented since high school. Recently, I discovered that the state park offers RV camping services. After paying out-of-state rates across the country, we enjoyed "residential" camping rates at this beautiful beachside reservation. 

One of the best parts of camping locally was being able to share 1^st hand, our RV camping experience with so many friends and family. Many of our friends came from the Boston area to join us at our beach front campsite. The weather could have been way more helpful. Just another two Saturdays in a row where the weather absolutely sucked!! That being said, when you spend 12 days at a campground, odds are you will get a couple of stellar beach days, which is indeed what happened.

However, it was on one of those rainy days when Judy and I had a chance to go visit the Sandwich Glass Museum, owned and operated by the Sandwich Historical Society.  This museum is home to a collection of 19th century industrial glass, as well as a training ground for modern day glassblowers and glass artists. There are live demonstrations, and glassblowing classes, as well as a wonderful history of the Sandwich Glass Industry, which was far more extensive than I thought.

We saw a lot of wild animals on this trip. Among the more common sightings, such as bunnies and deer, we had the opportunity to capture footage of a red fox trotting along the side of the road. While driving to our campsite one day, I noticed the animal approximately 100 yards ahead, leisurely moving along the roadway. Contrary to our expectations, the fox did not retreat into the brush as we approached. Judy was able to record the following video as we drove by. It was not until we were close that we noticed the animal had caught a squirrel and was taking it someplace for dinner.            

Scusset Beach Reservation is located on the Cape Cod Bay side of the Cape Cod peninsula. Technically, Cape Cod does not begin until one crosses either the Sagamore or Bourne Bridges, which span the Cape Cod Canal. This busy man-made shipping canal was initially constructed between 1909 and 1914 as a private venture. It was later taken over by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1928 and rebuilt into the larger canal and recreation area that exists today. Here are three interesting facts:

1. The 7.4 mile canal has no locks. 
2. Because of that, the current can run in either direction, & changes direction every 6 hours.
3. Tides in Cape Cod Bay are 5 feet higher than Buzzards Bay, and they occur out of phase with each other by about 3 hours, creating stronger than usual currents within the canal.

One of the most acclaimed attractions is the paved 7.4 mile trail that runs on both sides of the canal between Cape Cod Bay and Buzzards Bay. Very wide and well maintained, this paved trail is the perfect spot to walk, bike, or rollerblade. (Judy walked there almost every morning) So, seven months after undergoing a total knee replacement surgery, I decided to test my new knee by strapping on my recently neglected in-line rollerblades for a test drive of the new knee. The knee performed exceptionally well, although I experienced some soreness in my back and shin muscles. Roller blading is back on the list of enjoyable activities.

 

 The highlight of this trip was undoubtedly the time spent visiting with friends and family throughout the week.  I would like to note that Judy and I, who spend a lot of time together, often having the opportunity to meet new people, but spending so much time on the road can sometimes be a bit solitary. Not at Scusset Beach! We welcomed a lot of visitors, too many to list here, and we appreciated spending time with each and every one of them.

This was a great local trip! It was nice to get back in the RV again and start traveling. This was kind of like a shakedown cruise. We were able to reacquaint ourselves with all the supplies needed to go on the road for another 2 ½ months starting the end of June. So, we’re headed home for a brief stay where we will reload and resupply for our upcoming 2,300-mile trip through New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec, Canada. We will start our travels in Southwest Harbor, Maine in the venerable Acadia National Park, for the July 4^th week - it should be a fantastic stop which we would love to share with you as we tell… the Rest of the Story.

Who is this “Neil the Northpoint” and why is he so important?

Embarking on long journeys with our home-on-wheels has been an adventure unlike any other. Over the years, readers have shown curiosity about the lifestyle behind these extended trips—some spanning over 100 days! Questions often revolve around the logistics of travel, how we can get along in such a small space, and what does the RV look and feel like, particularly on the inside? So, this blog post will be all about the 5^th wheel trailer we affectionately call Neil the Northpoint, and many of the comforts we enjoy on the road.  

(If you want to know why we call the RV “Neil the Northpoint”, please check out the Sept. 30, 2024 blog post titled “1,000 Islands is more like 1,800 Islands, depending on your definition of an Island”.)

Neil the Northpoint

Unlike many of our previous posts, which primarily consist of written content accompanied by images, this post will incorporate video clips to enhance your understanding and visualization of our experiences while travelling. As a side note, there is a reason it’s called “Glamping”, so please do not be to judgy! 😇

Let’s take a Trip Around the Outside First.

Lots of Storage....

Entry and Operations Panel with Full Bath...

Bedroom and Living Room...

We do a lot of Cooking in the Kitchen...

The Back of the Camper has a Bunk Room & 1/2 Bath...

One Last Space We Call the Loft...

Some statistics for those of you who are interested:

        Camper weight fully Loaded:     16,350 lbs (4 ton)            Camper Height:     13’6

                   We carry fresh water:     80  gallons (4-5 days)      Camper Width:      8’0

             We can hold wastewater:     About 50 gallons              Camper Length:     40’

Overall length of Truck & Camper:    53’ long hitched   

           Approx size w/ slides open:   317 sq-ft.

Judy and I did extensive research before buying our 5th wheel camper. We chose a floor plan that maximizes living space for us as a couple, unlike many other campers with floor plans that focused on sleeping capacity. A salesman introduced us to the term "Couples Coach," which inspired our blog's address: https://www.couplescoach23.blogspot.com.  And when we do have guests, the bunk room and associated ½ bathroom make for a great guest suite. 

This is my 51^st blog post. I can’t believe it! My first blog post was published on June 3, 2023, just about 2 years ago. This milestone represents how far we’ve come in sharing our journey. Thank you for being part of our adventures, and we look forward to continuing to explore and share our discoveries, as we tell… the Rest of the Story.

And We’re Back!

Welcome back, dear readers! Did you miss the blog? C’mon, be honest! Yes, it has been a while since I last posted. Whether you stumbled here out of curiosity or you have been faithfully following along, we’re thrilled to bring you along for our next great adventure. But, before we divulge the destinations of our next couple of trips, we should probably get you all caught up on what we have been doing these last four months or so. 

The short answer is, “Not Much”.  Recovering from full knee replacement surgery has been a slow and challenging journey, marked by an ongoing regimen of home exercises and bi-weekly physical therapy sessions. It’s an amusing yet humbling reality when the highlight of mid-February morning turns out to be a trip to the physical therapist’s office, where lingering beyond a 30-minute appointment becomes the closest thing to an escape from the monotony of home life. The good news is that about 2 weeks ago, some 5 months post-surgery, I seemed to turn the corner in my rehabilitation, and starting to see some substantial improvement. Very encouraging! Neil (the Northpoint) also spent some time in the repair shop to have service and continuous maintenance items attended to. Now that the weather is starting to improve, the process of getting the RV road-worthy has begun. Yahoo!

We are just itching to get back on the road. The excitement! The adventure! The sights, sounds, and scenic expanses are just calling us back. But before we embark on our summer grand journey, we’ve decided to ease ourselves back into the RV lifestyle by exploring destinations closer to home. Having stayed at several state parks in other regions, it seems only fitting we try out a Massachusetts State Park. So, we are spending 10 days in early June at Scusset Beach State Reservation, located in Sagamore, MA. This gem of a state park is situated at the furthest point towards Cape Cod, without fighting the infamous Cape Cod bridge traffic. One of the highlights of Scusset Beach is the 7-mile biking trail that follows the canal from Scusset Beach to Buzzards Bay. It’s a perfect opportunity to stretch our legs, soak in the fresh sea air, and enjoy the scenic views. We’re also excited about sharing the joys of RV life with local friends willing to spend the afternoon, or morning, at the beach. The best part? It’s only a 60-mile journey from home, making it an accessible and stress-free way to ease ourselves back into motion.

After spending 10 days at the beach in June, we will commence an extensive journey consisting of 11 stops over a period of 75 days, covering 2,100 miles through July and August, into Canada. This trip, which we have named "Canada or Bust," holds particular significance for us. We have loved all our visits to Canada, and there have been several of them. During this journey, Judy and I will retrace our previous trip to Canada, which took place in August 2017. At that time, traveling across the country in an RV was merely a grand idea. Judy and I rented a smaller RV and embarked on a 10-day excursion through New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. Despite the limited time, we maximized our travel experience by spending only a few days at each stop. This was one of the trips that solidified our decision to retire early and explore the country in an RV. The only issue we had with the whole experience was that we wanted more time! More time to linger along the coast. More time to explore the historic low tides of the Bay of Fundy. More time to wander the endless beaches in Prince Edward Island. And more time to explore Yarmouth and Halifax, Nova Scotia. This trip will give us the time to soak in the experiences that were dearly missed on our 2017 foray. We vowed we would return, and here is our chance to follow through.

Overview

Canada or Bust - Summer 2025

• Our first stop is Southwest Harbor, Maine, near Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine.  

• Crossing into Canada, we follow the Atlantic coast and stop at St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Located in Passamaquoddy Bay, it offers views of the historic low tides of the Bay of Fundy. Ministers Island is accessible via a sand bar at low tide, which is covered by 15 feet of water at high tide. We were here in 2017 and have picked out a lovely RV spot with views of the bay. 

• Next, we put “Neil the Northpoint” on a ferry and travel from St. Johns, NB to Digby, Nova Scotia. Our destination is Darling Lake, NS which is just 7-miles north of Yarmouth, NS.  Another familiar stop from our 2017 trip. 

• From Darling Lake, we head north towards the capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax. Shubie Campground, in Shubie Park, is as close to camping in the middle of Halifax as is possible.  Nestled between Lake Micmac and Lake Charles, this looks to be an amazing stop. After our stop in Halifax, we head to Prince Edward Island, where we have two scheduled stops. Our first stop is at Cavendish Campground which is part of Prince Edward National Park. We visited this location in 2017. The campground features amazing sand dunes and beaches that appear untouched by humans. Our second stop is on the opposite side of the island, adjacent to Hillsboro Bay, and an easy drive to the capital, Charlottetown, PEI.  

• When we leave Prince Edward Island, we will head due north Campbellton, New Brunswick, at the mouth of the pristine Restigouche River. Our campsite will offer unobstructed views of the magnificent J.C. Van Horne Bridge and the river.

• We figured out an interesting way to visit Quebec, which is the next stop on out trip. We will be staying at a campground directly across the St. Lawrence River, in a town called Levis.  From here we can take a ferry over to the city of Quebec. 

• As we approach the Labor Day weekend, we will be returning to the United Staes with a stop in central Maine on the south side of Moose Lake, a town called Greenville. Greenville is the historic gateway to the north country of Maine, and a center for outdoor recreation.  

• Our last stop is on Long Lake in Southern Maine, a town called Naples. This area is considered a vacation haven, and it’s usually quite busy (some would say mobbed or overcrowded), but we will be visiting the week after the summer vacation ends, so we expect calm and quiet experience.

Alas, by mid-September we will be back in Massachusetts, where we will start preparing for a mammoth trip to the southwestern United States, scheduled for the fall, winter, and early spring of 2025 & 2026. Details to be announced in a later blog post.

To summarize, it goes something like this; the past 5 months have been some of the most mentally challenging times since we retired in 2023. Staying busy over the winter and rehabilitating from orthopedic surgery made for several a dull day…but we’ve rounded the corner. We’re leaving on our first trip in less than a month, and very much looking forward to it. As the title of this blog post suggests, “We’re Back”, and looking forward to telling… the Rest of the Story.

Last Stop: Manheim, Pennsylvania. I hope the weather is more cooperative.

Every adventure has a beginning, a middle, and an end. This is stop #24 on our 6,000-mile adventure. We’re at the end. The end of a wonderful trip that had us visiting so many states for the very first time. Hang on. I think I’m getting a little ahead of myself. There is, of course, one more stop to recount, and that’s the stop in Manheim, PA. We have visited Manheim before and even written a blog post about our trip. This location is perfect for a final stop for a couple of reasons:  

• It’s only a day’s drive to our home in Massachusetts (a long day).
• My brother and his wife live a short distance away.
• There are many attractions and lots to see in this area of eastern Pennsylvania (only 80 miles east of Philadelphia).

Armed with the possibility of having weather that was more cooperative than the relentless rain we experienced at our last stop, we headed south toward the city of Lancaster. We were surprised at the size of Lancaster, situated between the big cities of Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Thanks to Judy’s diligent searching, we were lucky enough to score tickets to an off-Broadway show at the Fulton Theater. We got great seats up front, close to the stage, to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. The musical was very successful on Broadway and features many of Carole King’s original songs that were so nostalgic for Judy and me. But here was the rub. I felt like I was watching the show with the entire Lancaster County Senior Center. The matinee performance, in the middle of the week, was primarily attended by seniors who all knew each other and appeared to have been transported in from the surrounding area for the performance. Judy and I were the “young couple” in the audience. LOL.

Outside Fulton Theatre for Beautiful- The Carole King Musical.

We were not done exploring Lancaster. Not at all. We returned for a History and Food Walking Tour a couple of days later. We love our food & walking tours, especially when the tour guide mixes in a lot of area history, and we were not disappointed with the Red Rose Walking Food Tour. One of the first stops on our tour was the Lancaster Central Market. This historic market, one of the largest that Judy and I have seen (and we have seen a lot of them), was originally deeded a market way back in 1730 as part of the settlement of Lancaster. Now housed in a 20,000 sq. ft. rather imposing red brick building, we made numerous stops at many of the food vendors. We had gourmet pickles, sweet potato salad, apple pie, and these amazing soft pretzels that we returned after the tour to purchase more of. This is also the food tour that had us stopping at Seasons Specialty Shop, where I purchased some fantastic infused olive oil and raspberry infused balsamic vinegar. But it was not all about food on this walking tour.  As we walked through the city blocks of Lancaster, we stopped once again at the Fulton Theater. This time we were on the sidewalk behind the building where there is a historical marker commemorating the massacre of the Conestoga Indians. The back wall of the theater is the remnant wall of the Lancaster jail, which is where, on December 27, 1763, the Paxton Boys broke past the sheriff and others defending the jail and murdered all the remaining Conestoga Indians who were being housed in the jail in protective custody. Another terrible example of man’s inhumanity to man.

Memorial Plaque Back Wall Fulton Theatre

Lancaster Walking Food Tour, Steinman Park

Not only did I get to visit with my brother, but Judy got a chance to reconnect with a childhood friend. The perception of the RV lifestyle as being one adventure after another is very much true (just read the last 40 or so blog posts).  As much as we enjoy the thrill of rolling into a new town or city, we especially enjoy the occasions when we get to visit with friends and relatives. During our stop in Lancaster, we had the opportunity to have dinner with one of Judy’s friends from Oradell, NJ. We met Allison and her charming husband Doug at a great restaurant called the Rising Sun Kitchen and Bar. The conversation was fun and nostalgic, and we lingered at the table deep in conversation for quite some time. So, if you’re a reader of this blog, and we’re coming to a town near you, please do not hesitate to reach out for a get-together. It would be great to be able to catch up with you and make you part of the fabric of our journeys. 

Judy & Allison @ Rising Sun Kitchen & Bar

This was our last stop, and as much as we wanted to linger and savor the delightful memories of the trip, we were also anxious to get home to Massachusetts. Sunday morning found us rising early for the final pack-up of the trip. The next 300 miles would be the last miles of the trip on familiar roads towards a familiar destination.

And just like that, we’re home, living in a house with a foundation, and not wheels. We will be nesting here in Massachusetts for the next six months. I will be having knee surgery and will be using the extended home time to recover. It will also give me time to plan the summer of 2025 trip that I’m affectionately calling “Canada or Bust”.  And looking further into 2025 and early 2026, I’m planning a 170-day, 9,000-mile trip to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. We’ve got big plans to continue traveling once the winter is over. This blog will probably go dark for the next couple months, but please check back in May when I’ll start posting again in preparation for our Canada trip. A most sincere “Thank You” to all those who follow this blog as we tell… the Rest of the Story.