Friday Funnies

Vanity plates are everywhere these days, and there's so many personalized ones.

Many I've seen recently include a name, which perhaps makes it easier to find one's car.

The spellings can get creative when limited only 7 characters on a plate.

Couples seem to be together on a plate as well which got me to thinking what about if they became un-coupled.

Some plates have the owner's profession. The first one below seemed easy to figure out. It was seen in a hospital parking lot, I suspect it reads Recovery Nurse. But, the second plate has more bugs than bees.

Others show the owner's home state. As a NJ native, I could identify with the first plate below.

It's still fun to discover and, better yet, try to decipher these personalized plates. While these were relatively easy, others can be somewhat harder, some of those in a future post.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

It's been 🥵 here too, cooler &  rain 🌨  predicted in Nashua, NH

Anniversary in Acadia

Our recent road trip to Maine and Canada was a celebration that coincided with an anniversary — the 27th of our first date, which didn't occur in either of the places visited, but in our home state of New Jersey. When we lived there, and later in VA, we started taking road trips to celebrate special events, not that we needed a reason. 

Dogpatch Farm, Maine-made soap

A previous post detailed a stop at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, ME, an unexpected and interesting visit. Our next stop was in Brunswick, ME, home of Bowdoin College. Like many New England towns, this was a mill town thanks to its proximity to the Androscoggin River. Brunswick was the site of the Brunswick Cotton Manufactory Company, the first cotton mill in the state built in 1809 to make yarn and only the sixth in the U.S. at that time. Brunswick was a major lumber producer with some 25 sawmills, some went for shipbuilding. 

The Brunswick Farmers Market had recently opened on the mall in downtown. Held rain or shine, Tuesday and Thursday, May to November, it's one of Maine's oldest farmers markets. As it was early in the season, there wasn't much produce. I made a favorite travel purchase—homemade soap.

Our walk at Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust

The Brunswick stopover was a revisit with friends, Jack and Nancy. When we all lived on the VA Eastern Shore, Patrick and Jack volunteered as Master Naturalists. Our visit included a stop at the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust where we walked part of the trails and saw fields of daffodils, forget-me-nots and dandelions in bloom. 

Our accommodations at Bar Harbor Manor

Our anniversary destination was the town of Bar Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island where we stayed at the Bar Harbor Manor within walking distance of downtown. The town shares borders with Acadia National Park, which holds claim to some of the most stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife on the Eastern Seaboard. Open year-round., Acadia is located on the coast of Maine. Most of the park’s 47,000 acres are spread across Mount Desert Island, though portions of the park are on the Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut. Bar Harbor is a popular base for visiting the park.

Hulls Cove Visitor Center at Acadia National Park, ME 

We began our visit to the park by a stop at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center where admission is purchased. All visitors must have one of these entrance passes: Standard Pass ($20-35), annual pass ($70) or America the beautiful Pass (Free admission) whether walking, biking, skiing, riding the Island Explorer or driving through the park.. Patrick's veteran status gave us to free admission. You can't see the Visitor Center from the parking area entrance. It's located 52 steps up the hill. (For those with special access needs, there's an entrance available through a back entrance.) 

Acadia National Park is the only national park in the state of Maine. It was first established as Sieur de Monts National Monument in July 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson but then was changed to Lafayette National Park in February 1919 when it became the first national park east of the Mississippi. It was not until January 1929 that it officially was named Acadia National Park.

The Back Story of Acadia

George B. Dorr 

Acadia's history, dates more than 10,000 years ago with the Wabanaki people (“People of the Dawnland”). The 17th century brought fur traders and other European explorers, while the 19th century saw an influx of summer visitors, then wealthy families. Many conservation-minded citizens, among them was an American preservationist George B. Dorr (the "Father of Acadia National Park"). 

Dorr, heir to a New England textile fortune, spent most of his adult life overseeing the park's formation and expansion and worked to establish this first U.S. national park east of the Mississippi River. Acadia was first named Sieur de Monts National Monument by proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 (Sieur de Monts was a that George Dorr gave to Pierre Dugua, a French Explorer and nobleman who came to Mount Desert Island in 1604.). It was re-designated Lafayette National Park in 1919 and then renamed Acadia National Park in 1929. 

Acadia possibly stems from “Arcadia,” a part of Greece that explorer, Giovanni Verrazano was reminded of as he sailed by in 1524. Today, it includes about 49,052 acres in three main areas. The largest is located on Mount Desert Island. Next, is an approximate 2,366 acre tract of land to the Northeast on the mainland at Schoodic Peninsula. Third, to the Southwest (accessible only by boat) is Isle Au Haut. Baker Island (Southeast coast) and Bar Island (north side of Bar Harbor) also have national Park land.

While Acadia National Park can look small on a map, the park encompasses nearly 50,000 acres along the Atlantic Coastline of Maine — including Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut, and other outer islands, 60 miles of coastline, 33 miles of scenic motor roads, 45 miles of carriage roads, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails provide numerous ways to explore the park.

Cadillac Mountain

The 27-mile Park Loop Road leads to many scenic viewpoints along the coast, through forests and to the top of Cadillac Mountain. During peak season, visitors need to purchase one of a limited number of National Parks vehicle reservation passes to drive on Cadillac Mountain Road and see its impressive summit and panoramic views. 

View on Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. at 1,530 feet (466 meters) is located within Acadia. It features exposed granite domes, glacial erratics, U-shaped valleys, and cobble beaches. It's named after the French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac

Panoramic view on Cadillac Mountain

For half the year, from October 7 through March 6, this mountain displays the first rays of daylight to touch the U.S., and the perfect place to catch the sunrise year-round. The sheer scale and beauty of the mountain attracts many visitors. Luckily, our visit was before May 25 as from then through Oct 22, vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road between sunrise and sunset.

Cadillac Mountain is one of over 20 mountains on Mount Desert Island (MDI) that were pushed up by earth's tectonic and volcanic forces millions of years ago. If these once enormous glaciers hadn't sheared off their tops, it's been estimated they would be even higher than what remains today. 

Glacial remains on Cadillac Mountain

As glaciers moved across the landscape, sediment and rock of all sizes were trapped beneath the ice. This debris was pulled and dragged along the surfaces of the mountains. The smaller particles, such as sand, smoothed out the surfaces of the mountains and rock. The larger stones dug into the rock, leaving scratches that now line the sides and exteriors called striations. 

Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park

Jordan Pond is a tarn in Acadia National Park near the town of Bar Harbor, Maine. The pond covers 187 acres to a maximum depth of 150 feet with a shoreline of 3.6 miles. A tarn is a mountain lake, pond or pool, formed in a cirque (or corrie) excavated by a glacier. The word is derived from the Old Norse word tjörn, a small mountain lake without tributaries, meaning pond. 

The pond has clear water, with visibility normally 44 feet and sometimes recorded up to 61 feet, the deepest recordings in Maine. Jordan pond exhibits high levels of dissolved oxygen and low levels of plant nutrients and plant life. Some types of boating are permitted; however, people and pets are prohibited from entering the water as it is the water supply for the village of Seal Harbor.

Jordan Pond House

This restaurant and shop has a long tradition within Acadia National Park. It's on a hill overlooking a beautiful lawn along the Jordan Pond. The Jordan Pond House traces its history from 1847. The first settlers conducted a logging operation, establishing a small mill near the foot of the pond. The original farmhouse was built by the Jordan family of Seal Harbor, for whom the pond and house were named.

Jordan Pond House, Acadia National Park

Toward the end of the 19th century, the location became a popular recreational area for summer vacationers. The Jordan Pond House was turned into a small restaurant. The first popovers and tea were served here by the first proprietors, Thomas and Nellie McIntire around 1895. 

Jordan Pond Tea House, circa 1019

In 1928, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. purchased the property and donated it to the National Park Service in 1940. The McIntires operated the restaurant 50 continuous seasons until their retirement in 1945. In 1946, Rockefeller began a company to run the Jordan Pond House restaurant. The original building burned in 1979; the current building was completed in 1982.

Our anniversary treat, popovers filled with blueberry ice cream

Afternoon tea with popovers remains a popular, not to be missed, tradition on a visit to Acadia National Park. Reservations are usually required in season, luckily, the restaurant had re-opened the week of our visit, wait time was under an hour. Of course, after lunch, we each savored our own Jordan Pond House popover filled with blueberry ice cream.

This anniversary road trip continued into Canada. Future posts will include highlights from our visit there.

These Falls Reverse

Dorothy, Rain & Patrick

To be clear, the Reversing Falls does reverse, but we didn't fully experience this unique event in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada on our May road trip.

However, it's where we did have a great experience — a first-time meet-up with a fellow blogger Rain. As it happened, this was a first-time visit for all 3 of us. We met at the falls restaurant for conversation, refreshments and great views.

Of course if we had waited just longer, we might have seen this natural wonder in its totality, but time didn't allow that day. And, we would not be going by this area again on our road trip. Still, we saw at least a part of this daily event. While there, we read about the falls, watched a video, then walked on the Skywalk and watched the falls coming from the Bay of Fundy into the Saint John River.

The extended area from the restaurant at the falls is the skywalk area.

Us on the Skywalk at Reversing Falls

What are the Reversing Falls?

The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids on the Saint John River located in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, where the river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The semidiurnal tides (two high and two low tides of about equal size every lunar day) of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current when the tide is high. The rapids or "falls” are created by a series of underwater ledges which roil the water in either direction. This can cause a significant navigation hazard. Vessels can only enter or exit from the river at slack tide.

The Reversing Falls Rapids are created by the daily collision of the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River. At different points in the tide cycle, there are three distinct interactions between these bodies of water.

At low tide the river empties into the bay causing a series of rapids and whirlpools. As tides rise they slow the river current for a brief period, slack tide. The Bay's tides continue to rise, gradually reversing the flow of the river; rapids form again, peaking at high tide. 

Slack tide generally is only 20 minutes and occurs when the Bay of Fundy waters begin to rise and slow the river's flow, eventually stopping it completely. This is the only time that sail boats and pleasure crafts can sail between the bay and the river.

At high tide, the Bay of Fundy tide continues to rise, gradually reversing the flow of the river, and rapids form again, peaking at high tide.

A full tide cycle takes 12 hours, 25 minutes. From high to low tide takes 6 hours, 13 minutes.

Now a tourist destination, the Reversing Falls have been an important industrial site for over a century. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885. This structure was replaced in 1922 and is now used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway. The railway bridge crosses the gorge immediately downstream from the falls, parallel to the Reversing Falls Road Bridge.

Irving Pulp & Paper, New Brunswick, Canada

The location of the falls was the site of a foundry and other light industrial operations on the east side of the gorge The large Irving Pulp & Paper Limited mill is on the west side. The paper company which has operated the pulp mill since purchasing it in the late 1940s, has encountered criticism for maintaining the facility at what is seen as one of Saint John's prime tourism spots. 

This criticism was most voiced in the 1980s and 1990s when the city government created Fallsview Park on former industrial foundry lands on the east side of the gorge. The park lookouts are considered a prime viewing location for the Reversing Falls Rapids. Unlike the Skywalk there's no cost to visit this park and use the lookouts.. 

Years ago, a popular travel book labelled the Reversing Falls with the distinction as being among the worst tourist attractions in the world. Admittedly, that does seem rather extreme. As we know from personal experience, reviews are subject to opinion and often even a bad review can attract more folks than not. In reading a number of online reviews from others who have also visited the falls, that review seems not to have deterred any.

Even though we didn't view the complete transformation, we enjoyed our visit. As the main purpose was a blogger meetup, this natural phenomena was an added bonus.

Since returning home, I've watched several online videos to see the full Reversing Falls effect. This drone video by Jesse Sullivan (only background music) is interesting if you are included to watch it. Total playing time is a bit over 7 minutes.

By the way, we did see a moose at the falls, luckily it wasn't on the roadways. This one was captive in the restaurant lodge area.

The Reversing Falls weren't the only natural wonder we experienced in Saint John, New Brunswick. A future post will show how it's possible to walk on the ocean floor, of course, at low tide. 

Friday Flag Day 🇺🇸

Annual flag display in Hudson, NH, from Memorial Day to Independence Day

The usual Friday Funnies have been given today off to commemorate Flag Day, today, June 14. It's not a national holiday and government offices like courthouses and United States Post Offices are open as are public offices and schools. While many Americans may be unaware of this day, others will have flags on display.

The U.S. flag that often is referred to as the Stars and Stripes was adopted on June 14, 1777 by the Continental Congress as the official American flag during the Revolutionary War. Until that time, Colonial troops fought under different flags with various symbols including rattlesnakes, pine trees, and eagles with slogans like "Don’t Tread on Me," "Liberty or Death" and "Conquer or Die" to name some.

The Flag Resolution of 1777 stated: "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

Interestingly, it wasn't an American who labelled the U.S. as the Stars and Stripes. That credit was given to a French nobleman and military officer, the marquis de Lafayette, who volunteered his aid to the Continental Army led by General George Washington.

Did you know that . . .

There's an entire vocabulary of terms associated with flags?

Vexillology is the study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general. Someone who studies flags is a vexillologist, one who designs flags is a vexillographer, and the art of designing flags is called vexillography. A hobbyist or general admirer of flags is known as a vexillophile.

Dr. Whitney Smith

That terminology is due to a New Englander fascinated by flags from his childhood. The term, vexillology, was coined by a Massachusetts teenager in 1957. Whitney Smith, Jr combined the Latin word vexillum (a kind of square flag that was carried by Roman cavalry) with the Greek suffix logia (the study of) and coined vexillology. In 1961, he co-wrote The Flag Bulletin, the world's first journal about flags. The following year, he established The Flag Research Center at his home serving as its director.

Dr. Smith, a Harvard graduate, who later taught political science at Boston University, credited his interest in flags to youthful memories of Massachusetts Patriots' Day celebrations (unique to his home state). Later, turning his childhood passion with flags into a scholarly discipline. Dr. Smith became the preeminent scholar on the history, symbolism, and significance of flags amassing newspaper articles, flag-related publications and flags. Over time, this collection of documents and tens of thousands of books, pamphlets, engravings, electronic files, and flag-related artifacts was the largest in the world. 

Dr Smith died in 1976 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. The Whitney Smith Flag Research Center Collection is now housed at The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin. It is now the world’s oldest institution dedicated to interdisciplinary research initiatives on all aspects of flags, flag histories and flag usage.

When asked why flags should be taken seriously, Dr. Smith’s standard reply was: "People kill for flags. People die for flags. It is incumbent on us to try to understand how a piece of cloth can incarnate that power."

So, today on Flag Day in memory of a New Englander who felt so strongly about all flags, this post has many facts that apply specifically to the U.S. flag.

Street art mural in Nashua, NH

The U.S. Flag Code

On June 22, 1942, Congress passed a joint resolution amended in December 1942, that has come to be known as the U.S. Flag Code, a federal law that sets forth guidelines for the appearance and display of the U.S. flag by private citizens. These guidelines specify times and conditions for display of the flag, manners and methods of display, and buildings where such display should occur.

What's seen as the most important guideline involves how U.S. citizens should behave around the flag. For example, members of the armed services and veterans are asked to stand at attention and salute when the flag is passing in a parade or being hoisted or lowered; civilians should place their right hand over their hearts.

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, like the ground, floor, water or merchandise. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. It should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery, too often it has been used for these purposes.

Violating the flag code isn't illegal even though the U.S. Flag Code is a federal law. Guidelines are only stated within the voluntary and non-binding language such as, "should" and "custom," meaning there is no penalty for violating any of its provisions.

General Guidelines for Displaying the Flag

• When the flag is hung vertically on a wall, window, or door, the union (blue section) should be to the observer’s left. When the flag is hung horizontally or vertically against a wall, the Union should be to the observer’s left.
• In a procession, the American flag should be to the right (the flag’s own right) of any other flag or, if in a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
• When displayed from a staff from a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff.
• When the flag is displayed otherwise than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out; or so suspended that its folds fall as freely as though the flag were staffed.
• When displayed over a street, the flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
• On a platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker, with the union uppermost and to the observer’s left.
• When displayed from a staff in a church or auditorium, the flag should occupy the position of honor and be placed at the speaker’s right as he/she faces the audience.
• When the flag covers a casket, the union should be at the head and over the left shoulder.

When to Display the Flag

As a symbol of respect, honor, and patriotism, the flag can be displayed any day of the year according to the following guidelines. The custom is to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on flagstaffs in the open; however, if illuminated, it can be displayed at night. It should not be displayed in inclement weather. The flag should be displayed every day, especially:

• New Year’s Day, January 1; Inauguration Day; Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday
• Lincoln and Washington's birthdays; National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29
• Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Sunday; Mother’s Day and Father's Day
• Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day (half-staff until noon)
• Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4
• National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27
• Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day, second Monday in October
• Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11
• Birthdays of states (date of admission); state holidays
• Other days as proclaimed by the President of the United States

Also, the flag should be displayed at every public institution, in or near every polling place on election days, and at schoolhouses during school days.

“America’s Tall Ship” the USCGC Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the Stars and Stripes 

Displaying the U.S. Flag Alongside Other Flags

• In the U.S., no other flag should be placed above the American flag or, if placed on the same level, to the right of the American flag.
• The United Nations flag may not be displayed above or in a position of superior prominence to the U.S. flag, except at the United Nations Headquarters.
• The flag, when displayed with another against a wall should be on the right (the flag’s own right), and its staff should be in front of the other staff.
• The American flag should be at the center and the highest point when displayed with a group of state flags.
• When flags of states, cities, etc., are flown on the same halyard, the American flag should be at its peak.
• When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height, and the American flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.

Some U.S. Flag No-Nos

• The flag should not be dipped to anyone, including government officials or the President.
• The flag should never be displayed with union (stars) down, unless as a signal of dire distress.
• The flag should never touch anything beneath it: the ground, floor, water or merchandise.
• The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, always aloft and free.
• The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored so that it might be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
• The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
• The flag should never have anything placed on it.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose, nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on paper napkins or boxes or used as any portion of a costume.

How to Properly Dispose of an American Flag

• If the U.S. flag does touch the ground, it does not need to be disposed of (this is a myth) just ensure the flag is washed or dry-cleaned.
• When the flag is in torn or in a condition no longer fitting its status, it should be destroyed in a dignified and ceremonious fashion, preferably by burning.
• Most American Legion posts will conduct an annual ceremony, often on Flag Day to retire old or worn flags. Contact your local chapter if unable to dispose of the flag yourself. Boy Scout or Girl Scout groups also might have information about retiring a flag.

Admittedly, I didn't know a lot about flag etiquette (very little) before doing this post. Even though I am not a native of New England, it was that connection with Dr. Smith that led to this post. 

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

Happy Father's Day to fathers stepfather, grandfathers and others

and in memory of our fathers as well

Good Gosh Geese 😧

Canada geese are famously among the most well-known and widespread birds — despite this fact, they don't have many human fans. 

That's because anyone who has lived near or visited an area these geese frequent knows WHY.

Wherever the geese gather, they leave behind messy and abundant evidence of their presence, it's on the grass, walkways, in short — everywhere. 

Even though geese these are migratory birds, many will remain in the same place year long. 

Why? 

Because they have everything they need: water, grassy areas, few natural predators in these spots and most often a number of humans willing to feed them. 

There's a burgeoning population here in Nashua, NH.

The mill apartments we live in are along the Nashua River, and this area has become a year-round home for the Canada geese. At this time of year, their numbers have been going up because it's time to raise a family. 

Most geese begin breeding at 2 or 3 years of age and nest every year for the rest of their lives, which is a very long time considering that the average life span of a Canada goose is between 10 to 25 years.

Canada goose is the common name for the species Branta canadensis. This name comes from the species being mainly distributed in Canada and the northern U.S. Branta was a Latinized form of Old Norse Brandgás, translated to burnt (black) goose and canadensis is a thought to be a Neo-Latin word meaning from Canada.

It's correct to call this bird Canada goose, just don't call it a Canadian goose, which could be any goose from Canada. Now, that it's adapted to live all across the U.S. even Mexico, calling it a North American or Mexican goose would be just as incorrect.

As with any bird, the official name is its Latin name which is the same worldwide. The species name for this goose is Branta canadensis which became known as a Canada goose. 

Some species are named after people, in this case it's an urban legend that this goose was named for John Canada, an ornithologist and taxidermist, who's said to have separated the species from other geese. No record of anyone by that name exists in either profession, so this legend, while popular, remains unproven.

A mated pair will raise one brood each year. The female will lay five to six eggs and incubate for up to 4 weeks in late spring, while the male keeps watch on the nest. Eggs hatch in late April to June, depending on location. The largest family size we've seen here is six young goslings. 

Adult geese are fearless parents who can be mean when there's a threat, actions like stretching their neck hissing and honking loudly serve as a warning, sometimes biting and slapping their wings; attack is also possible. Not surprisingly, they're protecting their territory and family. 

Geese aren't necessarily any more aggressive than other birds. Humans have more encounters with them because we live alongside them. When that happens, the best policy to avoid an encounter with an angry male goose is to steer clear, walk slowly and give them a wide berth.

The goose in this photo was hissing at another group of geese that it perceived as being too close.

Goslings get flying lessons at two to three months and stay with their parents for the first year, and can even migrate with them. As they mature and become more independent, they go with other juveniles in groups, known as gang broods, which can consist of up to 100 goslings, just like teenagers ? 

Within 2 to 3 years, most will seek a partner, a search called assortative mating, which means they look for a mate similar to themselves in size. Humans similarly mate with those resembling themselves in many ways, a process known as positive assortative mating (PAM).

Unlike many species, geese are monogamous and bond for life. If a partner dies, the remaining goose will try to find a new one within the same breeding season and often in the location.

Canada goslings are very captivating when young

And change very quickly as they grow up

There's a continuously large presence here  — with food, water and safe places, not to mention a river view, there's no need to leave — life is very good in Nashua, NH.

How about where you live — are Canada Geese very populous ?