Larry Gude
Strung Out
What a trip!
Left Skowhegan yesterday around 7:30, got home about 11:30, 783 miles. Most miles I've ever driven in one sitting. By far. Was in 8 states yesterday; Maine, NH, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, PA and home.
Before that was Millinocket for a night. GORGEOUS on the lakes. Saw a dead moose on the Golden Road. Sadly, the only one we saw on the whole trip. Drove past the Peltiers place, the reality logger guys. Them and OCC earlier this summer, it's the summer of reality TV. Depressing thought, that!
95 between Bangor and Millinoket is pretty much another planet. Millinoket is our planet. About 1965.
Stopped in a surplus store outside Bangor and, briefly, believed in heaven. Stuff, guns, more stuff, pistols, more and more stuff, camping, guns, ammo, paintball, stuff, guns, ammo. Guns. Musta had 50 AR's in stock.
Before that was Arcadia for a couple nights. We went for an evening ride from the campground in Trenton, just to poke around. I was under the mistaken impression you had to take a bus to the top of Cadillac. After stopping in Bar Harbor, wheeled into the park and up we went. Plan A, just tool around, was out the window. 1/2 tank of gas, no sweatshirts, shorts and, blessedly, no helmets. (THANK you, Maine-ers!).
Words fail me describing the ride and the view. It only got better when I turned onto the beach road. It was a one way, which is simply awesome for riding, two lanes, great asphalt, sweeping, rolling, seemingly never ending joy ride. Saw a whale. Just amazing. Amazing.
Next day, we did it again but, took our time. bass Harbor head light house, SE harbor, NE harbor, Seal cove pond, Somes sound, the coolest place ever; the Frosty Mug. The map calls it Capn' Nemo's. A freaking lighthouse/bar restaurant the owners live in. One of those hippy/pachouli kewl places.
Rode up the coast on rt 1 from Kennebunk, a bunch of cool towns to ride through (RV, towing bike) Rockland, Camden, Bath. Great travel.
Spent several nights in Cape Porpoise. Put a hurtin' on the lobster population. Oh....my.....gawd.
Spent a day in Kennebunkport. Rode beach road and ocean avenue. Must see rides and sights. The Bush compound might be the least attractive place out there. However, it is impressive. Downtown is fun, tourist hell. Bring MONEY.
Upstate, the lumber companies own everything. It's weird and what I presume feudal Europe was like.
Maine is stunningly gorgeous and diverse geology. The mosquitos are a misery. Both of us, we noticed yesterday, so many bites have caused our feet to swell. The flies are annoying. Even when out in the water. And they play for blood. The tides are amazing. The lobster is fantastic. The people are nice.
If it weren't for the bugs, I'd seriously consider living there. I consider going to the top of Cadillac Mountain a must see. We didn't make it out onto Mt. Katahdin.
What else? My brain is LOADED up with memories.
Always, ALWAYS fill the bike up when you can. NEVER skip gas! Even though we got away with it.
Left Skowhegan yesterday around 7:30, got home about 11:30, 783 miles. Most miles I've ever driven in one sitting. By far. Was in 8 states yesterday; Maine, NH, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, PA and home.
Before that was Millinocket for a night. GORGEOUS on the lakes. Saw a dead moose on the Golden Road. Sadly, the only one we saw on the whole trip. Drove past the Peltiers place, the reality logger guys. Them and OCC earlier this summer, it's the summer of reality TV. Depressing thought, that!
95 between Bangor and Millinoket is pretty much another planet. Millinoket is our planet. About 1965.
Stopped in a surplus store outside Bangor and, briefly, believed in heaven. Stuff, guns, more stuff, pistols, more and more stuff, camping, guns, ammo, paintball, stuff, guns, ammo. Guns. Musta had 50 AR's in stock.
Before that was Arcadia for a couple nights. We went for an evening ride from the campground in Trenton, just to poke around. I was under the mistaken impression you had to take a bus to the top of Cadillac. After stopping in Bar Harbor, wheeled into the park and up we went. Plan A, just tool around, was out the window. 1/2 tank of gas, no sweatshirts, shorts and, blessedly, no helmets. (THANK you, Maine-ers!).
Words fail me describing the ride and the view. It only got better when I turned onto the beach road. It was a one way, which is simply awesome for riding, two lanes, great asphalt, sweeping, rolling, seemingly never ending joy ride. Saw a whale. Just amazing. Amazing.
Next day, we did it again but, took our time. bass Harbor head light house, SE harbor, NE harbor, Seal cove pond, Somes sound, the coolest place ever; the Frosty Mug. The map calls it Capn' Nemo's. A freaking lighthouse/bar restaurant the owners live in. One of those hippy/pachouli kewl places.
Rode up the coast on rt 1 from Kennebunk, a bunch of cool towns to ride through (RV, towing bike) Rockland, Camden, Bath. Great travel.
Spent several nights in Cape Porpoise. Put a hurtin' on the lobster population. Oh....my.....gawd.
Spent a day in Kennebunkport. Rode beach road and ocean avenue. Must see rides and sights. The Bush compound might be the least attractive place out there. However, it is impressive. Downtown is fun, tourist hell. Bring MONEY.
Upstate, the lumber companies own everything. It's weird and what I presume feudal Europe was like.
Maine is stunningly gorgeous and diverse geology. The mosquitos are a misery. Both of us, we noticed yesterday, so many bites have caused our feet to swell. The flies are annoying. Even when out in the water. And they play for blood. The tides are amazing. The lobster is fantastic. The people are nice.
If it weren't for the bugs, I'd seriously consider living there. I consider going to the top of Cadillac Mountain a must see. We didn't make it out onto Mt. Katahdin.
What else? My brain is LOADED up with memories.
Always, ALWAYS fill the bike up when you can. NEVER skip gas! Even though we got away with it.
, just sayin !
