GREEN, WHITE AND COASTAL DELIGHT

Can't beat the views

Spectacular!

Another great morning in Burlington and after breakfast, it was time to go again. Originally, we had planned on staying off of the interstate but another biker told us the route out of Burlington was full of construction so our first 40 miles were fast. Now I have been all around eastern and southern Vermont and Southern New Hampshire but not through the center of these states where the highest peaks are so today promised to be a treat.

Ride down the mountain for a second with me...............

Mt. Washington Resort

White Mountains

We got off in Montpelier and started up into the Green Mountains. These mountains are a lot like the Eastern Adirondacks with a number of small towns along the way. One suprise was that the top of one peak was completly fogged in but as we decended it cleared again to beautiful blue cloudless skies. Our descent was quick and we were suprised to find ouselves crossing into New Hampshire already. After a quick stop for gas and coffee, we headed into the White Mountains. What a treat they are! It was interesting to find that these peaks are much more severe than either the mountains of New York or Vermont. In fact, they reminded me a lot of the Rockies. We passed by Mount Washington and through the White Mountain National Forest before dropping down and heading south and east towards the Miane coast and our destination, Freeport, Maine. Riding through the mountains is such fun. It's mile after mile of narrow roads with a lot of tight turns that challenge our riding skills but leave us tired but thrilled for the experience.

White Mountain Peaks

I often talk about the unique sensory experience that is riding on a Harley for these trips. That was really evident today as we left the mountains, passed by some beautiful lakes and not only saw their beauty but also took in the wonerful fresh water smell that was on the wind. A few miles later and miles away from the coast, we started to take in the distinctive sea smell of the ocean.

Big boot at L.L. Bean

After travelling another 200+ miles today, we arrived at our hotel around 4 and headed out to check out the stores in Freeport. Main Street here is full of outlet stores but the center of attraction are the L.L. Bean stores. There are at least 3 or 4 seperate stores that offer everything the they sell and it is quite impressive especially if you are a fan like I am. A couple of pair of pants and a pair of shoes later it was back to the Hotel and cleaning up for a dinner of fresh lobster.

Guess what's for dinner?

We ate at a place called The Muddy Rudder and the food was really, realy good! Tonight's preparations for tomorrow have to include provisions for the rain that is predicted for the morning, but let's hope we avoid that.



 Do you like riding along? Check back tomorrow to see what adventure comes next.

A DAY OF MOUNTAINS AND LAKES

Days like today are made for Harleys

Ready to roll

Adirondacks

I knew first thing this morning that it was going to be a great day to start our trip. It was about as clear as you could ask for and just warm enough. We left as planned at 8 and after gassing up headed out. We chose a route that would take us through the central Adirondacks as neither Skip or Charlene had been in that part of the state. I had started out in a tee shirt and by the time we got to Boonville, I knew that sas we climbed I would need my jacket. The ride into the mountains didn't dissapoint. I am from the Adirondacks and love the mountains but the memory of them never does justice to actully being there and to experience them from the seat of the Harley is even better. You can actually smell the balsam and the streams that flow along the sides of the road, really really special! As we passed through Old Forge (with a stop to point out the Old Forge Hardware) the Fulton chain of Lakes, Inlet, Blue Mountain, Raquette Lake, Long Lake and finally the Tri lakes of Tupper, Saranac and Placid I felt the familiar pull of the mountains and was pleased that both Skip and Charlene found the ride to be spectacular.

We lunched in Lake Placid at one of my favorite places, The Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Co. and followed up with a walking tour of downtown. We stopped in the Harley store and Charlene found a shirt that she liked (actually, I have never know her to leave a Harley store empty handed).

Adirondacks from the lake

Burlington and The Green Mountains

Ready to set sail

Our next destination was Port Kent and a ferry ride across Lake Champlain to Burlington and the ride down from Lake Placid and through Wilmington and Jay, along the Ausable River is another ride that is special. Now if you have never taken this trip, it should be on your to do list. Lake Champlain is beautiful and as you cross you see the Adirondacks behind you and the Green Mountains above the Burlington skyline ahead, quite a nice experience.

We arrived in Burlington Vt. at about 6, had a nice dinner and now it's time to rest up for tomorrow's ride. Check in to see where we end up!

On the road again..........

Another Adventure!

So, after spending a good deal of my summer on a bike that I pedal and racking up some 2300 miles on that, here I go again on another adventure on my other 2 wheeler, my Harley.
This trip is a little different from those that I have taken the past two years in that it is an ad-hoc trip and not sponsored by Harley Davidson. The Harley trip for this year conflicts with the commitment that I have made to The Syracuse Ride For MissingChildren so we have planned our own.(http://www.active.com/donate/syracuse2012/mross108 in case you want to support that ride, hint, hint) .

Harleys ready to roll!

 "We" are myself and my friends Skip from Michigan and Charlene, "O'Canada", from Cobden, Ontario, Canada.Skip arrived earlier this afternoon and Charlene came in from the north later. After we share a nice dinner this evening, it will be "kickstands up" sometime around 8 tomorrow morning. Where are we going? Well, follow along with us to find out!