Saturday morning was sunny and warm. A perfect day to head for Nova Scotia. This morning was the picture of perfect teamwork with the intrepid riders efficiently packing and loading the bikes for their historic journey into the unknown. Yeah right!
More like stumble out of bed, find the coffee, and then spend quite a bit of time trying to find your stuff. I was up first about six and Peter joined me for some coffee and conversation in the kitchen. I don't know if that was because Peter is an early morning riser kind of guy or I woke him up as I tramped down the stairs. Either way it was nice to spend that time with him. We have known each other all our lives and try to get together now and then, but rarely get to just sit and talk over coffee for an hour. Peter is the best.
We finally get all the bikes loaded and everyone gets ready to move out. Matt insisted that we all ride down to the wharf for a picture. When we returned he had made up these for all of us. Great Guy! Thanks Matt. It was sad not having you with us.
After final farewells we started our trusty steeds and, well, most of us did. Jimmy was fooling around with his pretty driving lights the night before and ran his battery into the ground. He needed a bit of a push start. Jimmy drives a Triumph Rocket Three. It weighs about about 800 pounds. But push start it did, and then we were off.
North of Boston and our first stop.
Peter led us in the general direction of North! We went through the city of Boston. Tunnels and bridges. A little freaky but it was fun. When we were up to speed, our sunny warm day was just perfect, temperature wise. Then Pete called a stop at a Dunkin Donuts parking lot to put on rain gear. He saw the darkening clouds up ahead, and after a short argument about if it would really rain on our parade, we all suited up. Now it was nice and toasty sweaty hot, just the way I like it. :-(
To add to our enjoyment the great state of New Hampshire had arranged a great little weekend get together for motorists of all kinds. It really is a great event. They set up these little houses across the highway, and then you have the privilege of waiting in about a half hour of traffic until you get up to this little house where a representative of the state greets and welcomes you. For this you have the honor and privilege of paying only $1.50. Who would have thought so much fun could be had for so little money. Then it was north again into Maine and a stop at Portland.
North of Boston and our first stop.
Peter led us in the general direction of North! We went through the city of Boston. Tunnels and bridges. A little freaky but it was fun. When we were up to speed, our sunny warm day was just perfect, temperature wise. Then Pete called a stop at a Dunkin Donuts parking lot to put on rain gear. He saw the darkening clouds up ahead, and after a short argument about if it would really rain on our parade, we all suited up. Now it was nice and toasty sweaty hot, just the way I like it. :-(
To add to our enjoyment the great state of New Hampshire had arranged a great little weekend get together for motorists of all kinds. It really is a great event. They set up these little houses across the highway, and then you have the privilege of waiting in about a half hour of traffic until you get up to this little house where a representative of the state greets and welcomes you. For this you have the honor and privilege of paying only $1.50. Who would have thought so much fun could be had for so little money. Then it was north again into Maine and a stop at Portland.
We did a quick tour of Portland before deciding to have a late lunch at Becky's Diner. http://www.beckysdiner.com/ Where we fueled up for the afternoon ride. Becky's was a bit crowded but we finally got a seat and ordered up. Becky's is famous for Haddock Chowder.
But the fish sandwiches and other seafood are good too.
We obtained some local knowledge about exactly where to exit the wonderful scenic concrete slab of Route 95 for smaller roads.
We decided to exit at Bangor onto route 8 which for some reason unknown to your humble travellers is called the "Airline".
The rest of today's ride was short and uneventful. We made a stop in Waterville Maine and made a few phone calls to our Cousin Ed and his lovely wife Heather. They were traveling south from Nova Scotia and had reservations at the Econo Lodge for Saturday evening. So that is where we stayed. We killed a few hours getting beer and break fluid while we waited for Ed, Heather and the girls to arrive.
We decided to exit at Bangor onto route 8 which for some reason unknown to your humble travellers is called the "Airline".
The rest of today's ride was short and uneventful. We made a stop in Waterville Maine and made a few phone calls to our Cousin Ed and his lovely wife Heather. They were traveling south from Nova Scotia and had reservations at the Econo Lodge for Saturday evening. So that is where we stayed. We killed a few hours getting beer and break fluid while we waited for Ed, Heather and the girls to arrive.
There were some Harley folks from Quebec that checked in ahead of us and had a little party in front of their rooms. We decided that was a pretty good idea and did the same. Then it was off to dinner at a Country Western Bar up the hill from the Econo Lodge.
The decision was made to wear the official Tour T Shirt supplied by Father Jimmy D.
Ed brought a Nova Scotia delicacy south with him and shared it with us. It is called "Dulse" and it is a red alga (Rhodymenia Palmata) that high in vitamins, especially vitamin B, and supplies a lot of fiber and protein. In addition to being so "good" for you, it is very tasty. Jimmy thought it was wonderful and likes it so much, he is thinking about leaving Ohio and moving to Nova Scotia to become a Dulse Farmer.
The decision was made to wear the official Tour T Shirt supplied by Father Jimmy D.
Ed brought a Nova Scotia delicacy south with him and shared it with us. It is called "Dulse" and it is a red alga (Rhodymenia Palmata) that high in vitamins, especially vitamin B, and supplies a lot of fiber and protein. In addition to being so "good" for you, it is very tasty. Jimmy thought it was wonderful and likes it so much, he is thinking about leaving Ohio and moving to Nova Scotia to become a Dulse Farmer.
Here is our Route on Day 2.
Then we all went to sleep and didn't get up until the next morning when.......
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