Tuesday 625 kms and 8 hours on the bike
Starting out from Toronto to Veronica's wedding in New Glasgow, PEI. I have my gear stowed on the back instead of a back pack.
Tuesday morning after holiday traffic..... Head out early and I am on the 401 by 6:00 am. Stop at 8:30 at a ONroute near Cobourg and eat my packed sandwich. Another rider sits beside me to discuss our travels. Back on the 401 with a full tank of gas. Stop again in Odessa’s ONroute for a break. Just a bit further on there is a tractor trailer on its side in the median. In the second I looked over I think I saw the contents displayed from the roof of the truck ? I am outrunning the rain so far. The highway around Kingston is very rough for 14 kms and I am a bit worried about my luggage stored on back. I stop to check and it is OK. Across the border at Prescott and I am nervous going through US customs. But the woman is a rider and tells me to put the helmet on as the road ahead is 65 miles per Stop for a map of New York at the tourist centre. A sprinkling of rain but I don't really get wet. On Hwy 37 which follows the St Lawrence until Messena. Just outside the city a buck crosses the highway just 50 yards in front of me. I see him jump a fence and head into the woods. In town I stop at Ponderosa as it is noon. Steak and baked potato, salad, a roll, veges all for $12 ! I cut across the 122 (nice, quiet ride) and on to 11 and then down 190. Into Plattsburg and on to the ferry to cross Lake Champlain. The Lake is very calm yet there are absolutely no boats on it.
Check in, change and back out to explore the city. Walk past the huge University of Vermont. There are bicycle lanes everywhere. On one way streets there are bike lanes in both directions. Downtown I find a Vermont version of Whole Foods and get Toms of Maine toothpaste. Wandered through Macy's where I see a Michael Kors purse that I want. The waterfront is goreous. It is starting to rain so I duck into a pub on Church Street (a pedestrian street) Deep fried chicken and mashed potatoes at The Scuffer Ale House. Walk back to my hotel in the drizzle.
Wednesday 2 1/2 States 500 kms 8 hrs on the bike
Had delicious French
toast at the Sheraton and was on the bike by 8:15 Easy access out of town and onto Bangor,
Maine. On Vermont highways left turns are not done. Instead you get a ramp to the right and then you cut straight across. I wanted to see the covered bridge in Barre, but it is closed for construction.
Stop in Wells River, VT,
on the border of NH and buy a post card for Marilyn. Into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Signs state that NH is a courteous driver state. I will travel through two of the National
Parks today. There is a bit of rain. Stop at the Lost River but it is a hike and I am in motorcycle boots. It is just past one of the entrances to the Appalachian Mountain trail. I would have liked to hike a bit of it. Need much more time.
Conway is a Outlet mall
town and it is bumper to bumper traffic.
I skirt up the angle parking lane to get out of town. Crossed into Maine early afternoon. Stopped in Bethel to check my map. On Hwy 2 for miles passing through many small towns. Canaan has zip lining on the river right next to the road - cool. Stop in Farmington for gas - this is where the University of Maine is. Maine is a state where helmets are optional. I think I am the only one wearing one. Get to my motel at 5:15 (Rangers Motel - don't recommend it) I then drive to Ground Round for dinner without a helmet.... Don't tell Steph. Back to my room for American TV - lots of great shows, but am asleep before 9:30.
Thursday 600 kms 7 hours on the bike
Woke really early and was
packed and off to Dysarts for breakfast by 6:15 am. Nice
day for riding. Want to get out of town before the 4th of July parade. Pass into New Brunswick at St Stephen and get a map, where I discover I have just lost an hour - it is now 10:00 am and I am to get to Steph asap and it is a three hour drive.
Was tearing through New
Brunswick to make it to Moncton by 1:30.
Steph, Allan, Ian and I shared a piece of wild blueberry pie I brought
from Maine. I left everything but essentials
in Allan’s car and Stephanie is on the back of the bike. We take the less travelled highway to
PEI. Had to stop on the Confederation
bridge for construction. Again more
construction in Charlottetown and I had a moment of terror but we breezed
through it. Found our B &B to drop
off bags, change shirts and get down to the Peak Quay before 5:00 where
Veronica and Nick’s party was being held.
About 40 people showed up. It
was very nice and having everyone together was great. Talked to Veron’s friend Jen and her
brother who owns a 1984 Nighthawk. He
showed me a picture of it and I asked him what he was doing on my bike. About 8:30 the brides maids and I took
Veronica to the Globe for martini’s.
Steph and I left first about 10;30.
Walked back to the b & B where I crashed immediately. Apparently Steph showered and I heard
nothing.
Friday
Had a nice breakfast in
the B & B and then packed up to relocate to the B & B booked for the
next two nights. It wasn’t far and we
were there at 10:30 to drop our stuff off and head out to do errands. I went to the bank, we did some
shopping. Then Veronica, Nick, Heather and Steph went off for the rehearsal. I get a salad and sit on a patio in the baking sun. It is hot today - record temperature for PEI. I get the bus to the University to get Veronica a PE U tee shirt. Every one should have their University written on their chest.
Steph, Cathy and I meet at the Pourhouse. Then to the waterfront for a Lobster dinner. We see Heather and Mark seated. We have the best seat right at the end of the wharf. Back at the B & B the room upstairs is really HOT. They don't have air conditioning.....
Steph, Cathy and I meet at the Pourhouse. Then to the waterfront for a Lobster dinner. We see Heather and Mark seated. We have the best seat right at the end of the wharf. Back at the B & B the room upstairs is really HOT. They don't have air conditioning.....
Saturday - the
big day - Veronica and Nick’s Wedding
At 11:00 am the photographer is at the b & b, but the bride is not. She does make it along with Heather and Cathrine. They are dressing and makeup so I go and get sandwiches. Also check in the the hotel to get the key for their room tonight. They will put the bottle of champagne in the room. Nick's sister is taking Veronica to the wedding venue.
At 11:00 am the photographer is at the b & b, but the bride is not. She does make it along with Heather and Cathrine. They are dressing and makeup so I go and get sandwiches. Also check in the the hotel to get the key for their room tonight. They will put the bottle of champagne in the room. Nick's sister is taking Veronica to the wedding venue.
Allan drives Steph and I to New Glasgow. The ceremony is outside next to a river and the seats are in direct sun light. Luckily Nick's sister stops to give me an umbrella. Stephanie is the first to walk down the "aisle"
The orchestra is doing a fantastic job.
Veronica and Nick do there own vows. At some point, Veronica, Steph and me and perhaps others were crying. I am the first to go through the reception line. There are many pictures being taken. We get great ice cream at the Preserve - a gift from the couple. Allan takes me to the reception in Hunter River. He remembers he left a camera back in New Glasgow. It is there when he goes to find it because this is PEI. The reception hall is very nicely decorated. Jen has a bubble machine at the entrance. I sit with Steph and the bride and groom and have Allan sit with us. I think he is dressed like Justin Timberlake - a compliment. I am surrounded by University grads/PhD's so the conversation is interesting, and surrounded by young people so there is much laughter.
The buffet is delicious as is the wine made by the wedding couple. There are lots of nice people picking up our plates. Stephanie is a speaker and she does a great job. Very self assured, eloquent and a good story teller. It was about our Ireland travels. The cake is very cute and delicious. I try to help Nick clean up the last of things before he locks up the centre. The couple drive off. I have Steph and Allan drop me off at the Pourhouse in Charlottetown about 10:30 and then I walk back later in bare feet.
It also happens to be the wedding day of the Maple Leafs captain.
The orchestra is doing a fantastic job.
Veronica and Nick do there own vows. At some point, Veronica, Steph and me and perhaps others were crying. I am the first to go through the reception line. There are many pictures being taken. We get great ice cream at the Preserve - a gift from the couple. Allan takes me to the reception in Hunter River. He remembers he left a camera back in New Glasgow. It is there when he goes to find it because this is PEI. The reception hall is very nicely decorated. Jen has a bubble machine at the entrance. I sit with Steph and the bride and groom and have Allan sit with us. I think he is dressed like Justin Timberlake - a compliment. I am surrounded by University grads/PhD's so the conversation is interesting, and surrounded by young people so there is much laughter.
The buffet is delicious as is the wine made by the wedding couple. There are lots of nice people picking up our plates. Stephanie is a speaker and she does a great job. Very self assured, eloquent and a good story teller. It was about our Ireland travels. The cake is very cute and delicious. I try to help Nick clean up the last of things before he locks up the centre. The couple drive off. I have Steph and Allan drop me off at the Pourhouse in Charlottetown about 10:30 and then I walk back later in bare feet.
It also happens to be the wedding day of the Maple Leafs captain.
Sunday
Have breakfast in our b
& b with a lesbian couple from Massachusetts. Takes
us time to pack up all this stuff left over from the bride and bridesmaids. Veron and Nick stop by at 10 and we agree to meet at 11. At Beanz Veronica has the best tasting mint
almond drink. Steph, Allan, Veronica
and Nick chat. Veronica opens her gift
from Steph which is cute stuff from S Korea.
Steph and Allan head out to go camp on a free beach site. Veronica and Nick walk me to my bike. We hug before I get a chance to take my
unclean jacket off. The newlyweds have no plans and no room
booked. I wish I had booked a second
night (Heritage House) for them so they could relax for a moment.
Getting off PEI cost a
bike $17. I push my gloves into the map
case and drive over the bridge. Just on
the highway I feel something. Realize
one glove fell off so I turn around and it is right on the middle line – no one
ran it over.
Stopped in Moncton for
lunch and gas. A guy in the DQ gives me
clear directions to get to St John. The
sun is out and the speed limit is 110.
So I am going 110 and nearly at the red line on my tachometer. I go into St John as I would like to see
what it is like. It seems to be carved
into rock. I see an office with the name McAuley Insurance. I stop at the Reversing Falls
to take my last picture. Within a few kilometers of St John it gets quite a few degrees colder. There are a few marshes too. There are black clouds in my mirror so again I am doing the 110 limit. For miles and miles there is a fence along the highway to keep animals from crossing. Also interesting one way doors incase something does get out.
I take a detour into St Andrew's by the Sea. Very pretty town on the Bay of Fundy and I don't know if I will be this way again. Pass by the little, uninhabited island of St. Croix where Champlain spent a winter in 1604. Passing through St Stephen I see the Ganong Chocolate factory which is why this town has a chocolate fest in August. Back at the border I am again nervous but make it through. I find the International motel and get a room for the night. ($89) Change and walk down to Karen's pub for a Blue Moon beer.
I take a detour into St Andrew's by the Sea. Very pretty town on the Bay of Fundy and I don't know if I will be this way again. Pass by the little, uninhabited island of St. Croix where Champlain spent a winter in 1604. Passing through St Stephen I see the Ganong Chocolate factory which is why this town has a chocolate fest in August. Back at the border I am again nervous but make it through. I find the International motel and get a room for the night. ($89) Change and walk down to Karen's pub for a Blue Moon beer.
Monday 3 states 700 Kms 8.5 hrs on the bike
Awake and ready to leave Calais, Maine by
6:15 am. It is raining but not too hard
yet. At the gas station in Calais I do not have to
pay before filling up. Likely because
of all the cops around. But waiting in
line to pay the guy infront of me is talking about the robbery there lately. I am on # 9 for hours. Usually no one near me. It is raining pretty steady and doesn’t look
like it will change soon. I stop just
outside Bangor at Dysarts for breakfast again.
It is just after 8. I drain my
boots and squeeze out my socks. Hot
coffee helps a bit. Have to put my wet
stuff back on. Gas up and head back
onto # 2 the same way I came one week before. Riding for long periods of time with my left hand resting on my leg, not because it looks cool but it is more comfortable on the posture. Stopped in Palmyra when I saw a Walmart. Found wind pants on sale for $5 and asked if
they had any sweat shirts. In the mens
dept there was a Medium on for $1. Got
socks too all for under $8.00 U.S. My
daughters will especially appreciate this !
I saved the receipt. Dressed in
the Walmart. Now I am comfortable and
there may be a glimpse of hope in the sky.
Went through Skowhegan which is on a river and has the most beautiful parks I have ever seen. Coming into a small town on a hill with a
curve I see something ahead I cannot fathom.
Turns out to be a guy on a motor bike riding up the hill on the back
wheel only…. Into Ramford I stop to
look at the falls. Now going through
the last town of Bethel before NH.
Made a record 240 kms
before switching to reserve fuel. This
American gas may be better. I had just
gotten in to Gorham, NH just over the Maine border on Hwy 2 at 2:00 pm. Stopped for lunch and when I was eating it
rained outside ! They say NH is a no
tax state but there was .95 tax on my lunch. Rained a bit when I got back on the
bike. Parts of the highway were wet,
but not raining. Very hit and miss in
these mountains. Stayed on 2 until the
115 and then it met the 302. Allan had
raved about the 302 after his ride on it a few weeks ago. It is pretty nice ! It also took me into Vermont. Where I retraced my trip going out until
Waterbury where I took the 100 north toward Stowe. The same road looks different in the opposite direction. I see that it follows a river. I saw the Ben & Jerry’s factory which
was busy so I didn’t stop for ice cream.
Into pretty Stowe and then onto the 108. It took me within 2 kms of the Von Trapp
resort. I also passed a resort called
Stoweflake. The 108 took me through
Smugglers Notch where they advise NO RVs or trailers. It would be virtually impossible to
maneauver through this pass. I had one
blind turn with NO centre line and I was in first gear – a heart stopping
second – but this was THE BEST ride I have ever done.!!! So so twisty, no traffic and so so
pretty. Novice riders should go another route ! I took
the 15 south for quite a while and ended up in Winooski – just north of my
favourite city, Burlington. It is now 7
pm and I need food and would love to feel what dry feet are like. I found a Quality Inn and checked in. All my gear was damp. Boots still have water flowing out and I
wring out my socks. Gloves are drying on
the air conditioner. I have dry
clothes on and head to Juniors Italian across the street. At the bar a young woman sits next to
me. We
chat over dinner (baked ravioli)
She is a smart, single mom who understands that moms have a tough time
in the US. 8 weeks maternity, little
vacation time……etc. Her daughter is 6
and is likely the President in 30 or so years.
I head back to my room at 10:30 right to bed !
Tuesday 2 States and 1 province
Checked out of the
Quality Inn at 8:20 after having breakfast and loading the bike. I did not know it then, but my phone charger
was still on the night table……. There is an outdoor pool but after yesterday I
am not partial to being wet again. Make my way North on # 2 when I turn to the
ferry to NY. It runs 24 hours a day is
only a 12 minute ride for a cost of $6.00
There is a boat loading so I tear down and catch it. Chatted with a guy who had just moved to VT
from Colorado. He tells me the
population of Vermont is only 600,000.
No wonder I love this state ! Off
the ferry and I do a few U turns in Plattsburg to get to the 374 going west. Plattsburg has a pedestrian flashing neon sign
so cars cannot miss people crossing the road.
On the 374 I stop to read my map and a cyclist
stops to ask me if I need help. I will skirt through the Adirondacks. Stopped for gas in Dannemora which has a
ominous looking Correctional Facility !
But it gets really pretty later on.
In Chateaugay I get on the 11 going west. Chateaugay may have once been a triving town
but now there are several deserted houses and businesses. It is evident something went wrong
here. On the 122 to 37. In Massena I tried to find a place for lunch
with an outdoor patio with no luck. So
driving on. Now the road follows the St
Lawrence and is pretty good. The sign
says 35 to Ogdensburg and I am thinking Kms but it is miles and seems to take
forever. I go into the town for gas and
to find a lunch spot in the sun which was called The Place. I remove all my footwear and warm up in the
sun.
You can see Prescott across the river and it is
NOT very attractive. At the border three guys quiz me about the
ride and the bike. One said you went to
PEI on THAT ? I told him my brother
kepts it in tip top shape. The bike and
I look like we have travelled. My
helmet and jacket are covered with bugs and the bike is dirty. They let me go on to the next patrol who
look at my soggy passport and send me on. Onto the 401 and there for
hours. Arrive in TO at 5:30 pm ignorant
of the flood.Song for mom of the Bride -- Carrie Underwood- Mama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpFW4Yhy08k
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| the wedding |
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| Receiving line July 6 |
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| Appalachian Mtn trail, NH |
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| Vermont ! |
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| the wedding couple |
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| fun times |
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| 84 Nighthawk |
