So, after four full days in Vermont, our next stop was going to be New Jersey, but we decided to make two stops on the way – neither of which was truly “on the way,” but both stops were important and very enjoyable.
Friday morning we hit the road and drove from Cavendish, Vermont, to Wells, Maine, where Bill and I had spent three wonderful summers working at Wells Beach RV Resort. Through the years we have remained in touch and took this proximity as an opportunity to reunite with the owner and managers.
Arriving after noon, we went directly to the campground and spent time with Shirley Griffin, the 87-year old dynamo that has owned the resort for 51 years! Her son, Kevin, a manager, was also there so we caught up on each other’s lives and adventures. We also reunited with several others with whom we worked, who are still there – Brenda, Donna, and Mark – and visited a seasonal camper couple with whom we’ve stayed in touch.
We also took time to tour the area to see what had changed and to reminisce about our awesome Maine summers…favorite restaurants, beautiful beaches, delicious ice cream, gorgeous scenery!
The evening plan was to dine in Ogunquit at Angelina’s and continue the reunion, with Elaine, the other long-time manager, along with her husband, John, and Kevin’s partner, Shari and Shirley of course. I had been craving Italian food for weeks and my palate was more than satisfied! We experienced excellent wine – Kevin is an expert – apps including an eggplant tower and antipasto, entrees ranging from veal piccata to my eggplant Parmesan and halibut to beef tips! We even shared desserts!
It was an absolutely wonderful and meaningful evening with great friends! The next morning we just had to stop at our local donut shop, Congdon’s – one of the best ever!
By 9:00, we were on the road again – no, not heading to NJ yet, but driving to Cape Cod, where we also worked three summers at Atlantic Oaks RV Park. We have also remained very close with Katie and Dan Nussdorfer and their three biscuits – Roman, Silas, and Scarlett, as well as with Brian and Linda Morgan, the assistant managers. We arrived in Eastham, Massachusetts, around 1:00 and did the same tour as in Maine – visited the beach, had a sandwich from Sam’s Deli, and walked around Chatham, my favorite Cape town.
We stopped back at the campground to see the kids and then we all went to the beach. The workampers from this past summer joined us so it was fun to meet them and hear about their experiences. Working at Atlantic Oaks was both of the couples’ first workamping experience, and they appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves!
The little guys took to the surf to fish, as we shared cocktails and then takeout from Basco Grill. Eastham issues a certain number of fire permits each night, so we also had a campfire on the beach which was awesome. One of our new friends brought a Japanese Flying Lantern, which we lit and let go – the kids absolutely loved that – adults too! We watched the lantern take off and seemingly float forever – very cool!
So after S’Mores and Whistle Pig and Goombay Smash, we hugged, said our good-byes for now, and found our way back to our hotel – the Eagle Wing Inn. The following morning, before leaving the Cape we once again stopped for our favorite donuts at The Hole-In-One! Do you see a theme!?
It was a lot of driving to hit Maine and Cape Cod on the way to South Jersey, but it was worth every single mile! As Hubert Humphrey once said, “The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I [and Bill] have received it.”
Stay Calm and Travel On…
thervdreamlife 