Foggy Day

We left Bar Harbor this morning in a thick fog and it stayed with us for most of the day, so for the better part of 200 miles, we didn't see a whole lot of what we passed, but it was evident that the part of Maine that lies to the north of Bar Harbor is a bit more rustic than is the south and it appears that part of Maine is less affluent. One of the things that was neat though, is that when we passed through we could smell the blueberries. This part of Maine boasts as being "The Blueberry Capital of the World" and there was a harvest going on so the odor was hanging in the air.

You are never at a loss for people asking questions about the bikes, the trip, etc

On the wharf at St Andrews

Restored Lighthouse at St. Andrews

The one exception was when we got across the border to New Brunswick Canada and took a bit of a deour to the south and visited the Town of St. Andrew. This quaint little village on the southern end of the Bay of Fundy has a nice wharf that gives a good view of the bay and the coastal Islands. It also has a neat lighthouse that was built in 1833, operated until 1933 and was recently restored.





We arrived at todays destination, St. John New Brunswick, late this afternoon (different time zone, 1 hour ahead) and witnessed the phenomena of the tides here. I am told that the Bay has the most fluctuating tides in the world. At low tide on the docks here we estimated that the water had dropped over 40 feet. (Unfortunately, the fog was so thick that my pictures did not come out)

Tomorrow we'll go on a 3 hour cruise. Nope, Gilligan and The Captain are not with us!!

A DAY OF REST

Sometimes it's nice to just have a quiet day off the road and today was the first of this trip. As usual though, I was up at the crack of dawn and out exploring. I have been having some problems my GPS and thought it was the plug on the motorcycle so I walked the 1.5 miles into town to see if I could buy a new plug at the local auto parts store. It gave me a chance to check out the downtown when it is quiet too. I always like doing that. Seems there is always a different flavor to the streets when they are without traffic and quiet. I also went down to the docks which were completely fogged in, causing the cancellation of the morning whale watching excursions. I was able to get the part I needed, came back to the hotel and before long had the cowl off of the front of the bike and the part replaced. That's when I realized that it wasn't the part after all but that the GPS has problems. So, it's old fashioned maps for the rest of this trip!



Skip had some business to take care of today so after breakfast Charlene and I decided to head out to Acadia National Park for a little exploring. Bar Harbor and the park are actually on an Island that was originally mapped by Samuel Champlain (he of Lake Champlain fame) and it's center piece is named after the guy that discovered Detroit, by the name of Cadillac.




View of fog on the ocean from the road

The main part of the park is ringed by a 27 mile road that follows the coastline and at the northwest is a road that ascends Mt. Cadillac to 1580 feet. We set out to ride and soon found that we were stopping at nearly every corner as the views were fabulous and kept changing along the way.

Inland Lake on the backside 

Ocean side

It is amazing how in such a short time the views can change so much. Fom the inland lakes to the jettys that jut out into the ocean. The park was filled with hundreds of people who were biking, hiking, walking and just plain sightseeing.

View of Bar Harbor from Cadillac Mountain

The best views of course are on the way up and at the top of the mountain so I had to put aside my fears of height and we headed up. The road up is twists and turns and of course has some incredible vistas. Atht e top you look down on Bar Harbor on one side and the western part of the island and Acadia Park on the other.






Downtown Bar Harbor

After spending over 2 hours to travel the 27 miles around the park and the trip up the mountain we headed back to Bar Harbor for a little shopping. I found a great jersey (for the OTHER bike) and Charlene picked up some shirts for her boys.










We were scheduled for a sunset whale watching tour and it was dissapointing when it was cancelled because of fog, so after another nice dinner downtown, it's time to prepare for another 200 mile trip tomorrow.



Another bonus day..........

When I got up this morning my heart sank to hear the rain on my window. Now, I do ride in the rain and it doesn't really bother me but it is not my favorite thing to do . This day however, the rain would stop and by the time we left Freeport, the roads were mostly dry.

As I was drying the bike off this morning I was thinking how I am often asked how I can go for these weeks long trips on the motorcycle and have everything that I need. Well it took some time but I have a pretty good system. What is important is that you pack in such a way that you don't have to take everything out of the bike if you need say, rain gear, that nothing is packed so it might come loose or fall off and, that you only pack what is essential and only a few days worth of clothes.On the bike I have one saddlebag that gets my tools ( needed them yesterday), Rain gear and the stuff I use to clean and dry the motorcycle. The other saddlebag has my sneakers and flip flops, Patti's boots and our colder weather gear, which for this trip is just leather jackets. The top box has the computer, Patti's luggage and helmet maps and a GPS and extra riding glasses. I have 2 bags above the dashboard for sunscreen, chap stick and a camera. I only take enough clothes for 4 days and do laundry. (I get up early enough to do it before the others are up). So, there you have the skinny on how I travel

So anyway, we left Freeport on Route 1 which is the road that runs directly to Bar Harbor. It's 140 miles if you do a straight shot but that isn't any fun, so by the time we were done, it was closer to 210 miles and took 9 hours. Of course all of that was not riding. We sat on the docks at Orr's island for a while having coffee and watching the lobster boats had lunch at a neat little seaside cafe' at the Pemaquid Point lighthouse followed by a climb dow the rock shoreline to get close to the sea.

The route was as beautiful as you could imagine. As much as I love the mountains, the sea takes a close second in my love for nature. I am mesmerized by the sounds and rythmn of the waves hitting the shore and love the smells of the ocean. Rather than go straight down Rte 1 we chose to wander down some of the "fingers' that comprise the Maine coast. They turned out to be fun rides, on narrow roads that wind and undulate and sort of give the feel of a roller coaster. Along the way we were treated to fantastic views of the many coves full of boats that skirt the roads. Of course, the best part is when at the end of the road you break out into a breathtaking view of the Ocean.

I had expected that we might see more lighthouses but the one at Pemaquid was the only one we came across. It was a great stop though with the bonus of a really nice little cafe' that had the best clam chowder that I think I have ever tasted. The lawn ornaments weren't bad either.

There was also this great stone shoreline that we were able to climb down and feel the spray from the surf.







Tonight and tomorrow we are in Bar Harbor. Our hotel is on the baya nd ahs a nice view of it. We went into town and had dinner at a place called "Carmen's Veranda". Clever Huh?

So, tomorrow we'll explore here and I'll let you know about it tomorrow night. Thanks for riding along with me.

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!