Lobsterfest 2015

On Wednesday Aug 12, we broke up the tension and pressure of getting our house cleaned out and  ready for sale by taking a break and joining Escapees Region 3 Group for a rally in Hermon, Me at the Pumpkin Patch RV Resort. It was a drive of approximately 305 miles to get  to the park which is located in the vicinity of Bangor, Me. First break in our drive was a stop in Kennebunk at the rest area on I95. A Starbucks coffee and a couple of Blueberry Scones, pit stops for the 3 of us and we were back on our way.

Kennebunk Rest Area I 95

After about 6 hours of driving, we arrived at our destination....

We were directed to our spot: # 65:

All set up

A view from behind

A look down our row

We arrived around 2:00 PM and after getting set up and relaxing just a bit, it was time for Happy Hour!

Happy Hour in the Clubhouse

We had Happy Hours at 4:00 each of the first 2 days. At the second one, Mary and I were called up and presented with our "Adoption" papers.....

This made it official

The great couple that adopted us Paul & Judy

Also as part of the 2nd day events, there was a raffle drawing. I was fortunate to win a $20 Gift Certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods. I also won autographed book, A Prisoner of Peace by Lt Col William Hanson, who was a member of our group.....

We have stayed at a number of parks so far in our short RV'ing career and noted that some have some distinctive sounds associated with them, i.e., Butterfield has its trains, Tom Sawyers had its river barges, Picacho Peak RV Park had the highway. And this week we added a new sound- planes. This park is located in a flight path- most noticeably C135 Air Force tankers......

On friday night one flew by and we thought it was going to come in the side window of the Airstream! The trailer actually shook.

Friday was supposed to be a "free" day....nothing special planned. We got together with Jerry & Paulette and went to Anglers Restaurant for a seafood night. Hey, just something you have to do when you are there. We all had the Seafood Platter(Jr Version) which included Clams, Scallops, Haddock. All I can say is it is a good thing we got the Jr version or we would still be working it off. It was a good night and we enjoyed our time together. Oh, forgot to mention that I also had my favorite: Clam Chowder.

Saturday was Lobster day and we got started bright and early. Around 9, Mary and I pitched in to help shuck corn. At 11, I joined the lobster crew and helped get everything set up.......

All ready for the party-hoping someone will show up

Charlie & Pete discussing the plan. Notice the corn all ready just waiting for the water to boil

Going over details

And then the lobsters arrived......

 

These guys have done this before and had everything down pat. Timing was perfect for the cooking of lobsters, clams, and corn. Pretty soon everything was done and we were ready to eat.....

We set up a line with clams served first, followed by lobsters and then corn. Check sheets were used to be sure everyone got just what they paid for. We actually paid boat price for the lobsters and all was arranged for by Pete. His brother went to pick them up. Cost for the lobsters was $8 ea, $5 for clams. Not a bad deal. Oh, BTW, there was nothing left.

And then it was cleanup time- had to empty the boiling pots, scrub them out, dry them and then put them and all the cooking equipment away in the shed for the next time. With everyone pitching in, it was done in no time.  Since this is an annual occurrence , the club has a shed of its own to store all of the equipment needed to put on an event like this.

All of this took place around 12:30- 1:00. The afternoon was left for recuperation, resting, napping. At 6:00 we all gathered back at the clubhouse for a session of Here Comes the Judge followed by an Ice Cream Social. Charlie was the Judge and he heard charges brought by the Club Sheriff, Maybelle, whose job it was was to observe infractions of the clubs unwritten laws, so note the offenders, and then bring them before the judge. Fines levied are donated to a charity. This was really an entertaining event.....

That is Maybelle's husband being fined for not wearing his badge/name tag on numerous occasions. She wouldn't give him the money to pay his fine. Dig deep she told him.

The couple that adopted us, being hauled before the judge for being caught discussing the W word (Work). Definitely a no no at a rally like this.

John pleading his case

John being hauled before the judge

John, accepting donations to help pay his fine

Every little bit helps......

And then it was time for some thanks.....to Joan and Maureen for organizing and putting this thing on and to Charlie and Pete for their efforts with the Lobsterfest.....

On saturday night we had Jerry and Paulette over to our trailer. We enjoyed a nice beverage and some good conversation. A shame it all ends tomorrow.

And tomorrow did come. Sunday and time to leave. But not before a nice breakfast of coffee, juice, bacon and pancakes. Said goodbye to Paul and Judy and we promised to keep in touch. Very nice people who we do hope to see again. Said goodbye to our neighbors from Texas,  Alan & Mary, the ones who were also at the SKP ACRE event in Sevierville, TN.  Goodbye hugs were exchanged with Tracey from MA. And lastly, Jerry and Paulette. And then it was time to hit the road......

We really enjoyed ourselves here this week. Pumpkin Patch is a nice park, run by nice people and the Escapee Group is a great bunch of people who we like to be around. We have already made plans to come again next year- made our reservations with Pumpkin Patch RV Park to have the same spot again next year. Only question now is if we stay for 1 week or 2? Also looking to make a month of it in Maine by doing some traveling up the coast to Eastport- near PEI and Nova Scotia.  Sounds like fun and we can't wait. Already.