Miller Time in Maine

 May 27 - June 2, 2026

When I received the call that my dad was in the hospital, Harold and I had some choices to make. We decided to fly me to Virginia, and Harold would stay with the coach. The idea was that I would be able to fly back in time to join our long-awaited Eastern Canada provinces tour. Ultimately Harold ended up joining me in Virginia for my father's funeral while our coach vacationed in Maine. We were quite grateful the campgrounds were able to work with us as we changed reservations again and again.

So during the first week that I was gone, Harold met up with two friends of ours. Alden, a fellow kiteflier from the greater Washington, D.C. area had moved to Maine several years ago. John, a friend of ours from King George days, was in Maine on business. At least Harold was able to have some company that week. Plus, he got a sneak peek at Acadia National Park. 

Harold, Alden 

Harold, John

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Maine Snippets

 May 19 - 28, 2026

We were in the Saco Old Orchard area of Maine for Memorial Day. The heated pool at the campground was open, but it was mostly kids who braved the cooler temperatures. 

Nearby was Freeport, ME. So I naturally wanted to head to L.L. Bean. Not just one store, it was a complex of stores. Some of which was undergoing a renovation. At least they moved the bootmobile to where we could get photos. 

We are whoopie pie fans. Maine and Pennsylvania have a spirited competition as to whom invented the whoopie pie. We're on Pennsylvania's side, but we did feel obligated to give the Maine version a taste test. The whoopie pies are similar in taste. However, Maine wrappers have a much more commercial feel to them. 

About the only "lobster" I'll eat

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Life is Good

May 17 - 18, 2026

We finished out our stay in the greater Boston area by taking a walk at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near our campground and visiting our kite-flying friend, Andy B, whom we knew from our Wings Over Washington Kite Club days. Andy had recently moved to New Hampshire, taking a new job with Life is Good.  Andy was able to give us a peek behind-the-scenes at their processing facility and send us home with some great swag. Geek out! 

Great Meadows NWR - Concord

Automated inventory movers

Thanks Andy!

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Minuteman NHP and Old Ironsides

 May 11 - 13, 2026

"The British are coming! The British are coming!" Are you thinking Paul Revere? We visited the Minuteman National Historic Park in Concord, MA. The park orientation film includes Revere's (and Daweses and Dr. Prescott's) ride through the countryside, and perhaps more accurately reflects that the ride would have been more on the quiet side. Revere, Dawes, and Dr Prescott would not likely be loudly proclaiming that the British were coming when they considered themselves British. The term used at that time for the professional British army was "the regulars." 

We walked along a small section of what is now called Battle Road Trail, the road between Concord and Lexington. We imagined ourselves as a British soldier on April 19th, 1775. After marching all night from Boston to Concord, fighting the militia, beginning the long road back, only to be fired upon by even more militia hidden by boulders, trees, and surrounding hills.  Little did most know that the day's events were just the beginning.

We then spent a day in Boston, where most of our morning was spent visiting USS Constitution and the Charlestown Navy Yard.  One of the exhibits called the Constitution, the nation's ship. That does seem to sum its symbolism. It is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. That "still afloat" is an important distinction since the HMS Victory with the British Royal Navy is actually older, but is permanently dry-docked. The Navy does take the Constitution out into the Boston Harbor on a regular basis. You can find its schedule on the website.

After a quick trip through Faneuil Hall Marketplace, we decided to call it day. With all the events that happened in the area leading up to the "shot heard around the world," we were more mindful and grateful for our nation in this our 250th anniversary year. 

Battle Road 

British flag marking nearby burial site

Current North Bridge at Concord

USS Constitution

"Old Ironsides"

Dry dock

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Out with the old, in with the new, faucet

May 8, 2026

Previously I replaced the cartridge in our bathroom faucet, and it takes an ultra rare cartridge that only one retailer carries and even then, it is only online.

The original faucet with a side handle

The cartridge was once again failing. Elizabeth had previously suggested replacing it with something new. Well, the other day we were in a Home Depot store and spotted the MOEN brand Findlay Single-Handle Single-Hole Bathroom Faucet.  The finish looked like it would match the rest of the bathroom fixtures. MSRP was $150.00 but it was on clearance for $35.43 which was actually less than the last cartridge I purchased.  I picked one up and headed to the check out.

Tool bag explosion and working in the blind.

With a lot of contortions and me muttering a few adjectives, the removal and replacement of the faucet went rather smoothly.

Working in confined spaces. This is my life. RVs are sometimes too small.

I was unable to remove the old drain assembly as Newmar used a lot of silicone sealant to glue it in place.  I assume they do this to completely eliminate leaks, but it makes it VERY difficult to remove.  I decided to leave the old drain assembly in place but might replace it in the future.

Nut removed revealed a full tube of sealant where sealant shouldn't be....

I am a little underwhelmed with the water flow of the new faucet, but that would be a quick replacement of the aerator with a higher flow rating.  This is a problem for future me.

New top mount handle faucet installed!!!!!!

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Pedaling on the high steel

May 8, 2026

One thing I like to do in our travels is to take rides on scenic railroads. While scanning a brochure rack, we spotted Rail Explorers in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. We thought the price was a little high for the experience, so we were going to pass on it. However  as I was driving by myself to Home Depot to pick up a switch plate, I paralleled the track and spotted some people enjoying their ride. I was sold.

Ready to pull out of the station!!!

Elizabeth booked us some tickets for the next day and we had a great time.

Quite a scenic ride.

The trip is 6.2 miles and took us about 1 hour 45 mins to pedal our rail bike.

on the high steel!!!!!

I was wondering how the turned the bikes around and spotted the turntable in the station. I assume it has an air lift.

One tiny turn table.

once we pulled ack in to the station I got to look at the locomotive and cars on display.

Pedal cars and a 50 Ton Center Cab Diesel Locomotive

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PEZ

 May 4, 2026

We discovered that PEZ candy is made in New Haven, CT. While they do not have a factory tour, they do have an on-site museum and you can view some of the packaging floor. Half of the museum's  minimal entry fee can be credited toward on-site store purchases. They have a scavenger hunt that adds to the enjoyment of the PEZ displays. Some of the more rare dispensers bring thousands of dollars to collectors. There might even be a collector convention near you!

PEZ started out in Austria as a peppermint candy to aid those desiring to quit smoking. It wasn't successful in the US, until they remarketed it as candy with a dispenser to kids. As Harold noted, there's a reason the dispenser looks remarkably like a cigarette lighter. 

Remember, "You're not famous until they put your head on a PEZ dispenser."

Tallest working PEZ dispenser

Beginnings

Early dispensers

Character dispensers

From tins to dispensers

Tools of the trade

PEZ chopper by Orange County Choppers

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1970's packaging

Am I famous?

Scavenger hunt prizes

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