Author Archives: Lisa Stenger-Smith

Gros Morne NP, Newfoundland

Gros Morne National Park is the Natural Wonder of Newfoundland. Now in day 10 on the Rock, the two bucket list items are complete:  Icebergs and now the Western Brook Pond Boat Tour Favorites Western Brook Pond Boat Tour The towering cliffs are high as 600-700 meter range – that’s 3 football fields high –Continue reading “Gros Morne NP, Newfoundland”

 North to the Norseland, Newfoundland

L’Anse aux Meadows The world UNESCO site is a recent archaeological site at the very top of Newfoundland that was started in the 1960’s. In 1968 the discovery of a cloak pin and other artifacts supported the Norse Vinland sagas of Straumfjord and the existence of this 11th century encampment village.  Further excavation revealed eightContinue reading ” North to the Norseland, Newfoundland”

Twillingate, Newfoundland Iceberging

The icebergs are here! The icebergs are here,  at least that’s what the Iceberg Finder App says – we are still on our way.  It looks to be a good season on the alley. – That’s Iceberg Alley – they break off from Greenland and then float down being carried by currents and wind andContinue reading “Twillingate, Newfoundland Iceberging”

Florida Keys / Sanibel Island

Sigsbee Campground, Key West Take Two  This year the Navy computer system was fully functional, and the first stop at the pass and ID office ended in a year-long DBIS card to get off and on Navy facilities in Key West. Last year this didn’t happen. After two days, it was still broken,  and ifContinue reading “Florida Keys / Sanibel Island”

Color Peeping – Massachusetts – Vermont – New York

These states are minutes apart in the northwestern tip of Massachusetts, and that’s where we were headed to North Adams to visit my childhood friend, Jane Culnane.  After almost 40 years of not seeing each other, Jane visited us in Ridgecrest when she attended her nephew’s wedding in Los Angeles.  Our mothers had been goodContinue reading “Color Peeping – Massachusetts – Vermont – New York”

New Hampshire – October 2024

Franconia Notch State Park The colors were popping in the White Mountains as we arrived at Franconia Notch State Park. Coastal Maine was just starting and thought we should go to the White Mountains for some color peeping – that’s what they call it in New  England. The White Mountains are ablaze.   We campedContinue reading “New Hampshire – October 2024”

Windjamming on the J & E Riggin, September 2024

The J & E Riggin,  an Oyster Boat turned Windjammer (Windjammer has historically been a derogatory term);  after all jamming is usually not considered a positive phenomenon, but it has become term that has adopted quite a nostalgic meaning in the last decades as diesel has displaced the wind for vessels in both passenger excursionsContinue reading “Windjamming on the J & E Riggin, September 2024”

Acadia National Park

The Jewel of the National Parks – here we are and as we drove to Maine the sunshine and blue sky and fluffy clouds were delightful compared to the gray drizzle we got away from for several days at PEI.  We needed to find 3 nights camping and we found out the National Park CampgroundsContinue reading “Acadia National Park”

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

The Birthplace of the Canadian Confederation is what the 8 mile long bridge is named to get here from Nova Scotia, as well as the license plate, and the major rail-trail, just to name a few accolades.  It was built in 1997 and is the longest bridge to traverse ice-covered waters, although locals say bodiesContinue reading “Prince Edward Island (PEI)”