COVID-19 Notwithstanding, I Got About In 2020 — As Attested By ‘Google Maps’.
It is SCARY that Google keeps track of EVERYWHERE I go!
Well, this is there summary of my travels in 2020 — COVID-19 or NO COVID-19.
In the end I travelled as much as I normally would have — THOUGH I did not take any type of public transport, get ANY takeout or go to a restaurant as of March 2020. So, all of these trips were road trips — many of them documented here.
The COVID restrictions did NOT start applying to us till mid-March. By then we had already done two trips — one to Newport, Rhode Island & the other to Rockland, Maine.
Then right through the Summer it was Day Trips — though one involved a 9-hour drive.
Then as of late August we made the trip South — all the way to North Carolina.
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2020 Christmas Revels (Cambridge, MA) Traditional ‘Thank You’ Video — To Help Us Look Forward To 2021.
Click to ENLARGE & read.
YouTube video.
I have already openly lamented, multiple times, that NOT going to ‘Christmas Revels‘, in Cambridge, was the WORST COVID-related DEPRIVATION I suffered in 2020! Think about it. Not going to restaurants, not going to Acadia, not going to Boston — missing ‘Revels’. Moreover, as my 14-year old daughter, another HUGE ‘Revels’ fan (who has been to at least 11 Revels) will attest, I was worrying about it getting cancelled way back in March! That was how early I was thinking about Christmas ‘Revels’ — & that from a man notorious for refusing to plan too far ahead. We, i.e., she & I, had even agreed that we would go to the LAST show — going to last shows something we like doing.
So, getting this video was a consolation.
Needless to say, it is VERY GOOD. Brilliant. Nice to see some familiar faces & hear some voices we know so well.
A BIT put out to see folks seated in MY SEAT in the balcony! That is supposed to be where I am. SMILE.
Watch. Enjoy. Plan for December 2021.
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Sunrise From ‘Cadillac Mountain’, Acadia National Park — October 20, 2020.
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Attribution WILL be enforced.
This had been on my ‘Bucket List‘ (modest be it) for a long time. As some of you know, I am not exactly a morning person. But, I decided to make an effort during my last visit last week.
I set the alarm & got up at 4:50am — the 2nd day in a row since I had made an early start the previous day also. But, I had, by my standards, gone to bed early. Was out of the motel at 5:30.
Was at the base of the Summit road around 6am. I had been told to expect traffic. Not so. There was only 3 cars going up with I. I (& the Jag) know the road well & we made good time. There was quite a few vehicles up at the top. I know the ropes. I parked on the legally ‘road’ (so to speak) right at the end — ready for a quick get away. (As it transpired it was not necessary. Folks lingered around.)
Sunrise, per my Garmin, was set for 7:05am. It was on time.
It was cold. I did a bit of walking to keep warm. Didn’t want to lose my good vantage.
LOTS of boats out. That surprised I.
Well, it was worth it. Definitely an experience. Glad I did it. Will do it again.
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Category ‘Acadia’.
‘Bold Coast’, Maine — My Next Adventure.
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A small sampling from Google ‘Images’.
Click to ENLARGE.
If you are a regular visitor to this blog it would have been hard to miss my passion for ‘Acadia‘. The ‘Bold Coast’, which starts about 60-miles to the NE of ‘Acadia‘ (as in ‘Bar Harbor‘) is really an extension of that same enchanting landscape. Just more rugged & remote.
It is hard to believe but I only just discovered this area — & that thanks to ‘Facebook’. I gather it doesn’t get the attention because it is another hour further away from ‘Acadia’. But, I gather it is hiking paradise. So, I am off next week — on my own. Starting off in Acadia. Yes, that will be my 2nd trip to Acadia this year — & as such I can maintain my record of (at least) 2-trips to Acadia for a year record for the last 6 or 7 years.
This should be fun. Yes, I plan to take a picture or two. Yes, I will publish when I get back. Stay tuned.
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6-Day, 2,500-Mile Road Trip, Shenandoah National Park, Luray Caverns, The Biltmore & Blue Ridge.
Click each image to ENLARGE.
We like our vacations. I need them because that is the only time I take a break from the Internet & writing. In a normal Summer we would, at a minimum, have gone to Acadia for a few days. Well, 2020 has not been a normal year. Though my 14-year old daughter & I did do a 18-hour (1-day) trip to Acadia we did not spend a night there. As September approached we — yes, the 14-year old & I — knew we had to go on a proper vacation.
I had promised to take her to the Biltmore. She likes mansions. So, that is what we did. But, we spent 5-nights, at the Skyland Resort, in Shenandoah National Park & drove down to the Biltmore, in a ‘day’, from there. That was a mistake. LONG drive. Didn’t get much time at the Biltmore. So, we have to go back again! Not this year. 1,250-miles of driving (albeit in a rather fancy rental car).
Well, I will start posting pictures shortly.
SMILE. We had fun.
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Selfies At ‘Portland Head Lighthouse’ In Maine — My Favorite Lighthouse, I Think.
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Yes, you are free to steal these pictures.
This was from our Wednesday, August 19, 2020 visit. My 3rd visit to the lighthouse in 4-weeks! Given that it is 90-minutes away (minimum), I must really like it to visit it that often. Yes, it has become my #1 favorite local destination.
Those that are familiar with this blog will know that I don’t post many selfies — & the ones I do are my patented ‘Selfies My Way‘, where I take a picture of myself in a mirror. This one, i.e., a normal one like what most people take, is probably only the 2nd this year (maybe the 2nd in many years). The other one was at Acadia — a few weeks ago. Yes, obviously a theme. I only take them in places that are real dear to my heart. SMILE.
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‘Cape Elizabeth’, Maine (By Portland) — V. Scenic, Rural, Historic & Lighthouse-Rich.
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This is ‘Cape Elizabeth’, Maine. Of course, from ‘Google Maps’.
For perspective. Not hard to find. Right next-door to Portland.
Click to access my post from a fortnight ago, i.e., July 31, 2020.
Not, of course, as scenic as ‘Acadia‘ — but not too many places are. But, this area is NOT bad. Has the advantage that it is 3- to 4-hours CLOSER than Acadia. I discovered it for the first time two weeks ago. I was very impressed. Didn’t have much time to explore because we had started in York. So, I am going back to spend more time. I am sure I will find interesting places & things to do. That is I.
One thing I did notice. Never seen as many BIKES — as in push bikes — in one place. So, at least, cyclists share my appreciation.
P.S., Easy enough to get to. Just start off on famous ‘Route 1’.
Related posts:
Search ‘Maine’.
11.5-Hour Road-Trip In Southern Maine, July 29, 2020 — 3 Lighthouses, 2 State Parks & 1 Harbor.
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Given that COVID is preventing us from staying in hotels (& eating at restaurants) we have started doing WEEKLY one-day road-trips. We started with THE MARATHON to Acadia. Then, last week, it was Mount Kearsarge. This week, on Wednesday, it was back to Maine again, BUT not as far. There is so much to see, do & enjoy in Maine. And Southern Maine is just an hour away. So, this is what we did. It was fun. We had a blast.
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Search ‘Maine’.
Selfies From The Tippy-Top Of ‘Acadia National Park’, I.E., Boulder On ‘Cadillac Mountain’ — July 15, 2020.
Click pictures to ENLARGE.
That is US.
She insists that I clamor up.
BUT, she helps me & is awfully concerned that I don’t fall off. SMILE.
This is the Boulder BEFORE I clamored up.
She gets up there in a flash.
The view from the TOP.
Another of her FAVORITE spots in Acadia. She looks forward to climbing this. She gets out of the car & races for it. We have not seen others get up. It is not that hard. I can manage. I need BOTH hands. So she holds my camera while I get on (& off).
This was from our day trip on July 15, 2020.
From 5-years ago. She was 9.
Related posts:
Category ‘Acadia’.
The Picture Of The Day (Google Pixel 4) + 6 Also-Rans — July 20, 2020.
NO post-processing whatsoever.
Taken with my Google Pixel 4 Phone.
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Attribution WILL be enforced.
The also rans:
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Category ‘Six Images’.
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