Back to Brunswick

Day 90, June 30, 2011, Back to Brunswick

Route from Belfast to Thomas Beach Campground, Brunswick, ME

84.9 miles, averaging 14.4 mph

Best Moment – Even though the skies were ominous all day long and there was quite a rain shower at 6 this morning in Belfast, I made it to Brunswick without getting rained on.  There were moments when I was certain that I would be drenched.

Worst Moment – Hearing how stressful Neita’s day was.  She was bringing in the living room slide, when it got held up on the driver’s chair we had turned around.  It ended up breaking the molding in a few places.  The molding is Styrofoam, and Elmer’s glue seems to have done the trick.  Never the less, it was a stressful morning for her. 

I got to see what I had seen about a week ago, but coming from the opposite direction and somewhat drier this time.  There were beautiful bays, rivers, ponds and lakes as I rode from one body of water to another.  There was a sandy beach around Lincolnville and certainly evidence of the lobster industry of in the state.

One of the interesting things here is the way they use Maine as an adjective for all kinds of commercial purposes.  There are companies like Mainely Used Cars, Mainely Made, Mainely Real Estate and even a Mainely Vinyl.   Then there are other businesses that promote that the products, crafts, food items or art has been Made in Maine.   It seems to be a sense of pride.  Even the wine last night, though it was made in Maine, used California grapes.

Just west of the Back River is the fishing village of Wiscasset where I found this amazing sunken garden. When I first saw it, I thought that it might be some kind of memorial for something or the ruins of an old house, but it was just a garden for reflection and enjoyment – below street level.  There must have some kind of tour group in town because the place was hoping – with a line nearly a block long around one of the eating places.

I thought that I would be able to take Hwy 1 all of the way to Brunswick.  That would have made the route finding issues mute.  However, after crossing the Androscoggin River into the town of Bath, I saw the sign that bicycles were restricted from Hwy 1 and I had to retrace my route to find the right way to Brunswick. 

I stopped at Staples to get glue for Neita and at Wal-Mart to visit the Red Box – movies tonight – since we don’t have cable.  

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

Gown Day

Day 89, June 29, 2011, Gown Day

Route from to the laundry room and back then to Papa J’s

0 miles, averaging 0 mph

Best Moment - Papa J’s had a wine tasting today with wines from Cellardoor Winery tonight.  They even had a red wine blend that was over 50% Mourvedre and was quite tasty.

We had a chance to meet and talk with a number of folks from the Belfast area.  I really enjoyed talking with Margaret, a double cancer survivor.  She was also a college dean for Nova Southeastern University and now helping out in the campground office.  Jaycee, the hostess from the winery trained in Napa Valley at the Culinary Institute of America.  A great time.  We love this campground and Papa J’s. & The Lobster Bar.  

Worst Moment – As I was coming back from having a shower, I noticed that Ruby was leaking grey water.  Neita was in the shower and it was overflowing.  We had the tanks emptied in Bar Harbor but it is likely that the “honey wagon” only pumped one of the tanks and not both.  Not good since we paid to have both tanks emptied. (At least I hope that was the cause of the water leak.)

It was a June gloom day at the beach all day today.  We hung out at the RV all day.  Had a chance to do the laundry, check for potential route revisions, and relax.  It was certainly what Neita’s mom used to call a “gown day.”  Casey would call it a “free day.”  I call it a day for rest and relaxation. 

Back to Brunswick tomorrow and then on new territory.

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

Heading West!

Day 88, June 28, 2011, Heading West!

50.3 miles averaging 14 mph

Route from Bar Harbor to Moorings RV Resort, Belfast, ME

Best Moment – A short day – I may be out of shape when I have to tackle another century ride. 

Worst Moment – As I was getting Rocket ready to go into Belfast, I noticed that the door to Ruby’s gas tank was open and the gas cap was missing.  I know that the last time Neita filled up, things were a little hectic and can understand how that could have happened.  We went back to the gas station, no luck there, but did find an auto parts store in Belfast that had one the right size.

Leaving Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island was just a little sad.  This was the easternmost point of the ride and the furthest north on the eastern seaboard.  It really was a great day for riding – nice and cool and no rain or drizzle. There were a number of touring cyclists headed east including one couple on a recumbent tandem walking up one of the hills – oh brother, I hope they didn’t have to go far, because there were a lot of even steeper hills on the route.

I’d seen the route before, but not taken any photos.  In Bucksport, I was looking for a local coffee shop but never found one.  I took the photos of the bridge – sort of interesting because the support columns are in the middle of the two lanes of traffic – and Fort Knox from the other side of the river.

I made it to the campground about an hour before Neita did, got us checked in, ate lunch and was resting on the picnic table when she arrived.  We took Rocket into Belfast.  The town had a lot of really nice interesting shops.  They weren’t nearly as touristy as those in Bar Harbor or Kennebunkport.  There were a lot of art studios and galleries.  One of the stores featured all kinds of things for “green living” like self-composting toilets and solar powered lights.  Another had all kinds of kitchen and gourmet stuff.  Cool!

Neita had lobster AGAIN for dinner.  Lobster here is really as good as it gets and Papa J’s is the best. We really like the restaurant and that it is just up the hill from the campground.  They are having a wine tasting tomorrow night that we will probably check out. 

We had a smoky campfire as we watched the sky grow darker and silhouette the oak trees on the coast.  This is a very beautiful place.

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

I Like Maine When...

Day 87, June 27, 2011, I Like Maine When

0 miles, averaging 0 mph

Route from Hadley’s Point Campground to Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor

Best Moment – It was a really relaxing, fun day.

Worst Moment – Neita ate my popover.

Today we decided to tour Acadia National Park.  We left the campground around 10:30, taking the shuttle to the Visitor’s Center.  After listening to a short description of the park by a ranger and watching the film “Acadia, Always” we caught the Loop Bus for a tour of the 20 something mile loop. 

The park is very popular with bicyclists of all kinds.  Sort of made me wish I were cycling even though it was a rest day I really needed.  We even saw some VBT cyclists.  President Roosevelt commissioned carriage trails to be built throughout the park in order to give everyone access to the park.  This 140-mile network of packed granite trails is now used for hiking, carriage rides, horseback riding, and mountain biking

We got off the bus at Sandy Beach.  It is the only sandy beach on the island, but the water is a frigid 48 degrees.  Can’t imagine being in water to swim that is so cold.  But there were people in the water.  We hiked about a mile to Thunder Hole.  Apparently when the surf and tide are just right the waves crashing through the cut in the rock sound like thunder.   Our timing wasn’t right, because we didn’t hear the thunder, but it was quite beautiful.

We re-boarded the bus for the continued trip and stopped at Jordan’s Pond.  The place is known for its popovers. Apparently it is a tradition to eat popovers on the lawn at Jordan’s Pond.  We decided to stop for lunch.  There was a bit of a wait that we spent on the observation deck.  A really popular spot! The actual lake is supposed to be one of the clearest and cleanest in Maine.  They do not allow swimming or any other water sports.  It is quite beautiful.

Fresh hot popovers came with most meals.  Of course, Neita only ordered an appetizer and had devoured the popover that came with my meal while I was in the restroom.  It was fresh out of the oven.  Fortunately Ryan, our server, brought another one for me.  With strawberry preserves – wow!  Then I also had one with ice cream and hot fudge sauce for dessert.

We caught the shuttle into Bar Harbor for me to pick up my bicycle and to get a few items from the grocery store.

I really like Maine When:

• ·      The sun is shining
• ·      It is warm
• ·      It isn’t raining or drizzling or misting
• ·      My clothes are dry
• ·      I don’t have to worry about road signs because I’m on the free shuttle bus

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

Baa Ha Ba

Day 86, June 26, 2011 Baa Ha Ba

0 miles, averaging 0 mph

Route from Hadley’s Point Campground to the Town of Bar Harbor

Best Moment – Neita and I went to the Reading Room of the Bar Harbor Inn for a celebratory dinner (more about that later.)  Anyway there was this pianist who played the entire 2½ hours that we were there.  The setting was spectacular and the music a nice touch.

Worst Moment – Hey it was a day for rest and relaxation – what could be annoying about a day like today, yeah, the sun didn’t shine, but I’m sort of getting used to that.  At least it never really rained.

Well, it wasn’t supposed to rain too much today.  We thought that we would explore Bar Harbor (or as some say, “Baa Ha Ba.”)  Bar Harbor is actually on Mount Desert Island.  Acadia National Park and 3 other coastal harbor towns are also on the island. 

The island’s municipalities, in conjunction with LL Bean, have arranged to provide free propane powered, shuttle transportation around the island.  The bus will pick you up nearly anywhere along the route and let you off at your requested stop.   All the buses meet at the Village Green where you have an opportunity to catch a bus on a different route.  The ride into Bar Harbor from Hadley’s Point takes about 25 minutes along the very scenic coast. 

We caught the 11 am bus for town.  I’m taking my bike in for a major tune-up before heading west.  The bicycle shop was amazing.  There were four mechanics working and that was Sunday morning.  They had a huge selection of new bicycles and a giant fleet of rental bikes.  Cycling is big here – there are supposed to be some wonderful carriage trails through Acadia.

We strolled through the shops, not really looking for anything, but finding a lot that we would like to have.  There was one shop that had beautiful wool or alpaca coats for a mere $700.  Neita thinks she could use one of them in our new home.  They were lovely and oh so soft.

I’d finished reading the book about the Enron scandal – still can’t believe how arrogant, and stupid, the leadership of the company was to break and ignore accounting standards.  There was a great old bookstore and I purchased Matterhorn – a novel about the Viet Nam War.  We had lunch and saw where we would like to have dinner, made reservations and caught the shuttle back to Ruby. 

Lazy days are wonderful.  We both had leisurely naps and then caught the bus back into town for dinner.  The Bar Harbor Inn and Spa is certainly elegant.  It sort of reminded me of the genre of hotels like the Hotel Del Coronado.  The hotel is on the water’s edge with a view of the harbor and other islands.  Their fine dining room, The Reading Room, is all windows with views of the water.  We were told that had there been a sunset, our table would have been the perfect place to view that – still we enjoyed the spectacular views.

Neita had lobster again – this is beginning to be a habit of hers.  I had a delicious Dijon encrusted rack of lamb.  It was a perfect way to celebrate my bicycling and Neita’s driving a motorhome 6086 miles all of the way up the east coast via Key West, from Phoenix, AZ.  After another day of R&R I head west on Tuesday. 

 After Dinner Drinks

Bar Harbor at Night

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

I Might Like Maine, If...

Day 85, June 25, 2011, I Might Like Maine, If….

48.4 miles, averaging 12.9 mph

Route from Belfast to Hadley’s Point Campground, Bar Harbor, ME

Best Moment – It is really nice to know that after today I don’t have to cycle anywhere for the next couple of days.  And I’m headed west when I start back up!

Worst Moment – Early this morning, we were awakened with a terrible thunderstorm.  There was lots of lightening, thunder, and then torrential rain.  Great day for bicycling - didn’t sound promising.

The rain and storms remained fairly steady for the rest of the night.  When I got up, I checked the hourly forecasts for Belfast and for Bar Harbor.  It looked like there might be a small window of less severe weather around 7 am in Belfast and before noon for Bar Harbor.

While the rain didn’t ever completely stop, and I got totally soaked – through two sets of outerwear, there was only a steady drizzle, mist or sometimes a light rain.  The temperatures hovered around 50 degrees with the high about 54.  

The scenery was beautiful through wooded areas, suburban areas, and charming villages and past Fort Knox.  I didn’t take any photos since all of my electronic equipment was double wrapped in plastic to protect it from the rain.

As I was riding, it occurred to me that I might actually like Maine if:

·      I ever saw the sun – the last time was three days ago

·      It ever stopped drizzling

·      I had dry clothes – that would keep me dry

·      It ever got warm – the temps have only gotten into the 60’s

·      The Department of Transportation was better at signing their roads

The weather forecast was right.  I got to Bar Harbor around noon and then the rains really hit again.  Neita got a late start from Belfast to avoid the weather there and wasn’t here yet.  I had to wait in the laundry room for her to arrive.    We set up in heavy rain – at least I wasn’t on the bike anymore.

The patio lights Neita ordered had arrived.  Now we can really fit in with the RV set.  We are the only wine lights I’ve seen.  They may not really be for RV awnings – but they are still cool.

A close up of the lights - grape bunches and chianti bottles

 Our living room with drying cycle gear

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

Meadows of Flowers and Cords of Firewood

Day 84, June 24, 2011, Meadows of Flowers and Cords of Firewood

86.8 miles averaging 12.7 mph

Route from Brunswick to Moorings RV Park, Belfast, ME

Best Moment – I arrived at the camp around 3:30. Neita had been here for nearly an hour.  We have the most spectacular view of the ocean.  I doubt that there will be anyone sunbathing, but we have an ocean front view.  – Amazing.

Worst Moment – I’m sort of getting used to the odd way that Maine posts its street signs.  Sometimes they aren’t there at all.  Other times, they are posted in a way that makes it difficult to tell the name of the street that you’re on or the street you’re on really has the name you think it does.  And at intersections they seldom have signs indicating the names of both streets – tricky because the street I was riding on wasn’t the one going straight – very tricky.  Thank heavens for GPS.

This morning I left in a cold drizzle.  Temperatures were in the mid fifties and only got to the mid sixties all day long.  While there was never heavy rain, there were a couple of times when there was a steady drizzle.  The clouds threatened rain all day long. 

Going through the coastal hills, there are amazing meadows of wild flowers of lupine, buttercup, clover, and other small flowers.  The other surprising site is the amount of firewood at nearly every house.  As cold as it was I was surprised that more folks didn’t have a fire burning – though I did smell some.  With all of the cords of wood, and the signs that I saw advertising ice augers, sleighs and dog sleds, I really don’t think that I’d want to be here in the winter.

Belfast is a charming community.  It is quite picturesque.  There are amazing B&B’s, resorts, and spas.  It would be a great place to come back to spend time at.

There was this one special purpose mailbox that I found interesting. It may be difficult to read, but the uppermost one was labeled “Air Mail,” the middle one, “Bills,” and I guess everything else went in the lower one.

The campground has a restaurant.  The chef is the owner of the campground.  It is J’s Lobster Bar.  Well, guess who had lobster again?  I had a bite.  It was even better than the one in Kennebunkport.  I doubt that Neita will ever tire of this shellfish.

The cold rainy weather of the past few days, the challenges of finding the route, and the challenges of the ride itself have taken their toll on my commitment to the perimeter ride.  At times, I debated my commitment to completing the whole perimeter.  However, I am nearly half way done.  I don’t want to think what would have happened if only I’d stuck it out.  And, I still really like seeing all of the country and meeting the people.  So for now, I’ve a renewed resolve to finish the big ride.

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

It was a Dark and Dreary Day

Day 83, June 23, 2011, It was a Dark and Dreary Day

67.5 miles, averaging 12.3 mph

Route from Kennebunkport to Thomas Point Beach Campground, Brunswick, ME

Best Moment – Ya gotta love Tim Horton’s coffee!  There was a Tim Horton’s in Portland, ME.  No, sadly, they didn’t have my other favorite Canadian treat - Nanaimo Bars. 

Worst Moment – Not finding the route and the time spent looking for it is very frustrating.

After listening to steady and sometimes heavy rain on Ruby’s roof, I decided to brave the outside.  Most of the noise was coming from rain falling from the trees and not from the sky.  It was very overcast and foggy.  The weather never really cleared up all day.  And though I never really had to deal with rain, the skies threatened all day.  The temperature struggled to get to 62 degrees – at noon.  Quite unusual from most of the riding weather that I’ve had.  (I think that I have maybe only had 2 or 3 days with rain for a couple of hours and then it cleared up.)

Looking at where we had been in Kennebunkport and where we were staying tonight in Brunswick and comparing that with where the Adventure Cycling maps had routed me, it looked like it would be a 80 to 90 mile day.  I decided to attempt following Google Maps for bicycles again.  I took detailed specific notes on the route nearly 3 pages worth and headed out. (Both sides of one sheet and 2/3 of the other) 

Google routed me on bicycle paths.  Maine is constructing a bicycle path up the coast for nearly 80 miles.  They are wonderful, scenic, traffic free and hard packed dirt.  I didn’t have trouble finding any of the route until I was in Portland.  Here I don’t know if the route wasn’t well marked or I just missed the route, but entrances to bicycle paths can be a bit tricky to find and I missed one over part of the water.  After careful consultation with the GPS, I found the route later and didn’t end up with many more miles than anticipated.

Getting close to Thomas Point I came upon this unique sculpture.  It is made of bicycle wheels and held together with bicycle tubes.  There are bike reflectors strategically hanging from different points of the art.  There was a sign from a tree that read, “This is a free country, ride your bike.”

Close to the tire sculpture was a farm stand where I picked up a couple of tomatoes and a carton of the most delicious, juicy, sweet strawberries.  We’re having shortcake tonight!

Just as I was cleaning the chain I saw that the rear tire had worn through in places.  So I put on my 4^th rear tire.  After tomorrow’s ride, I will have ridden over 6000 miles!

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

Lobsters and Lighthouses

Day 82, June 22, 2011, Lobsters and Lighthouses

64.3 miles, averaging I don’t know how many mph I went today

Route from Kingston, NH to Salty Acres Campground, Kennebunkport, ME

Best Moment – The lobster dinner at Nunan’s was outstanding.  They had a special on a 1.75-pound lobster. It was very tasty and that’s coming from someone who isn’t crazy for this crustacean.  Of course Neita thought she was in heaven and it almost made the entire journey worthwhile for this one dinner. Almost---

Worst Moment – The battery on the bicycle odometer went dead so I lost my data for the ride today.  I was able to sort of reconstruct the information regarding the length of ride, but I have no idea about the average speed. I replaced the battery and set the program, so I ought to be good for the rest of the trip

It’s weird, but from the moment I crossed into Maine, there seemed to be a lot of places advertising lobster – certainly more than there were in New Hampshire even though they are across the river from one another.  Nearly every small town had lobster houses and there were lots of fresh fish places promoting lobsters, steamed, rolled or boiled.  I was along the shoreline for much of the way and could see lighthouses off the rocky Maine Coast.

The flower gardens are bountiful with lilac, rhododendron, peonies, lilies, daisies, iris, foxglove, delphinium, Queen Anne’s lace, blooming vines that look like raspberry, and roses.  Many of the flowers seem to grow wild along the side of the road.  And then there are the beaches.  Maine does have beautiful beaches. Though with the unsettled weather moving in, it was a little too cool for many sun worshipers.

Neita found that her cell phone wouldn’t hold a charge any longer and had to replace it.   Gabby, her GPS, led her to a Verizon store near a Wal-Mart and she was able to take care of two things at once. 

We arrived at the campground at nearly the same time.  Since the place we are staying tomorrow night doesn’t have water, I drained and filled Ruby’s water tank with fresh water.   Once the chores were complete, we took Rocket into Kennebunkport for a tour of all of the touristy shops.  It is a cute little town.  Once Neita got the obligatory Kennebunkport T-shirt, we continued riding rocket along the coastline past some incredible mansions including the Bush compound.  Amazing.

The rain held off until after we made it home from our excursion and dinner.  Now it sounds like it is pouring outside and there is a good chance of rain tomorrow.

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

Live Free or Die - I'm in NH

Day 81, June 21, 2011, Live Free or Die – I’m in NH

58.2 miles, averaging 13.7 mph

Route from Littleton, MA to Mill Brook RV Resort, Kingston, NH

Best Moment – Near the small town of Danville, as I was making one of the many route changes, Darlene, (I found that was her name later) shouted at me “where are you from?”  I told her Phoenix, and that I’d bicycled here from AZ.  She said, “wait a minute, there is someone that I know will want to meet you.  Let me get her.” 

She got Sarah to come out of the house.  Sarah had just finished a solo bicycle ride from Key West to Bar Harbor.  When Sarah was on her way to Bar Harbor, she met Darlene when she walked up to Darlene’s house to ask if it would be okay to pitch a tent in Darlene’s back yard.  Darlene acquiesced, and now Sarah was staying there on the return trip.  Sarah’s cause was to raise funds for people needing prosthetics or wheel chairs.  The really amazing part of the story is that she is from Thailand, has biked the Trans-Continental Route (sort of mid- US from Seattle to DC.) has cycled extensively in Europe, and is planning a West Coast ride. What a story.

Worst Moment – On a day as good as today was, I’m hard pressed to find more than a minor annoyance.  Since we had camped at the same place for more than one night, we had extended the awning on the RV.  We’ve not really used it much since we’ve had it and therefore not had much practice in bringing it out or putting it away.  If it is out, one of my jobs (Neita isn’t tall enough) is to retract and store the awning before I leave camp.  It is a bit of a challenge to figure the procedure out – especially since I wanted to be on the road.

Today was a relatively short, easy ride.  This New England countryside isn’t nearly as hilly as some of what I’ve been through.  In Ayer, near the train stop we were at yesterday, I got on the Nashua Bicycle Trail.  It was beautiful, flat and empty.  I wish I had been able to just keep right on riding, but the route took off to the east side of Nashua.

A couple of photos from today that I thought were pretty amazing.  One is the flag lined street of the Massachusetts town.  Another is the 1700 cemetery with the stone fence.  I really get to see cool stuff.

Just outside of Hudson, NH, I stopped for coffee at a Honey Dew Doughnuts and coffee place.  I had a very tasty peach muffin, and pre-creamed and sweetened coffee.  The fact that they put cream and sugar in the coffee is sort of unusual. But it worked out okay.  While there, a guy noticed the maps on my bike and asked where I was headed that I needed maps.  He was a little incredulous when I told him what I was doing.  Turns out that he is David Taylor, aka Robbie Dangerfield, a comedienne, actor and NH businessman. He’s in the soon to be released movie Beach Bar: The Movie.  Watch for it on July 15.

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

Beantown

Day 80, June 20, 2011, Beantown

0 miles, averaging mph

Route from Littleton to Boston, MA via train & Rocket

Best Moment – Our tour guide told us that if we were going to go to North Boston, we had to stop at Mike’s Pastries.  We did.  OMG!!  It is amazing.  There are two huge showcases with about 5 or 6 clerks behind each one.  They have every kind of pastry imaginable.  I got a rocky road brownie, and Neita chose tiramisu for later.  Mike’s has a distinctive box that they put the pastries in.  We probably had 4 people ask us where Mike’s was and another 3 jokingly try to get the box away from us.  Nearly every other person had a box from Mike’s.  Since the restaurant we ate at didn’t serve dessert, we went back for a limoncello cannoli. Neita, my dessert adverse wife, barely let me have my half of the cannoli.    

Worst Moment – We got back to Rocket just as it was really beginning to get dark  - really dark, and while it wasn’t too far, I had to drive it from the train station back to Ruby – about 3 miles.  I’m not familiar with the area and didn’t like the driving the scooter over every pothole and bump on the road in the fading light.  

It was a Chamber of Commerce day in Boston today.  The weather was glorious and the Bostonians were still feeling the glow of having won the Stanley Cup.  On the train into town, we met our next-door neighbors from the campground.  They are from PA and on their way to very northern Maine.  They’d been in Boston several times and suggested that we take the Duck Tour, saying it was one of the best. (For those who don’t know what a Duck Tour is, it is a tour in an amphibious tank, through the city then on the water. They are available in most cities that have major water around them.)

We did and got to see a lot of the city in a very short time.  Our, duck driver, as required, had all of the stupid jokes, corny puns, and silly one-liners.  Nevertheless, we saw a lot of the city in a short time and didn’t have to drive, bike or walk.  While it was good fun, I can’t say that it was the best Duck Tour.  I’ve not been on all that many, but I liked the one that we did in Seattle a couple of years ago better.

After the tour, we decided that we were going to have dinner at an Italian restaurant in North Boston.  Our tour guide indicated that there were over 100 Italian restaurants in the small area.  (He wasn’t kidding then - every other storefront was one for the entire 3 or 4 blocks of Hanover Street.)

En-route we walked through the Quincy Market Place and Faneuil Hall.  I wanted to see North Church which is in North Boston and where Paul Revere received the message that the “British are coming.”  (Everyone makes a point to set the story straight that the British couldn’t come by sea – they were coming up the river.) The church itself is very impressive.  We got there just as the docent was giving short talk on the history of the church.

Today was a great day!

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.

Lobster for Dinner

Day 79, June 19, 2011, Lobster for Dinner

50.5 miles, averaging 12.9 mph

Route from Sutton to Minuteman Campground, Littleton, MA

Best Moment – Chris and Casey are our home in Sonoma County.  They called me to wish me a “Happy Father’s Day” just as I was finishing the ride for the day.  It was so good to hear from them!  They sound like they are having a great time, which pleases me, since that is where we will be living in October.

Worst Moment – It really looked like today’s route would only be about 45 miles this morning.  With that mindset, the last five miles were grueling.  Two of the last five were on Bruce Lane.  The street was in such disrepair that it made the photo below look like a newly constructed and paved highway.  I know that the climate is tough on roads here, but really?

Last night, I was fairly discouraged about the ride.  Yesterday took a lot both physically and mentally.  This morning, I felt a little better about the challenge of the “Big Ride.”  With tomorrow being a rest day, I know I’ll have a chance to recuperate a bit as well.  My legs are a little sore. 

I took a leisurely approach to the start of the day and don’t think I left Ruby until nearly 9.  Manchaug Lake is really beautiful!  The campground we were at had this as its entrance. 

The route was more up and down hill.  More climbing and descending.  And many of the roads were in terrible condition. But the scenery is astounding!  The dogwood trees are in full bloom, the flower gardens an artist’s palette of color and hue and the peonies full of fragrance. 

But then, when I consider the highway - Noisy, crowded, fast, and all a blur

Or my way – Quiet, solitary, only as fast as I pedal, and really a chance to see the detail.

Today is Neita and my 29^th wedding anniversary.  Wow!  Peonies have always been one of Neita’s favorite flowers.  Seeing all of them on the ride, I was considering how to obtain a bloom to give her.  I thought that I could explain my situation – being that I was bicycling, and it was our wedding anniversary and all and offer to purchase one from a gardener working in their yard.  Well there weren’t any gardeners working in their yards.  Now what?

At the top of a hill, there was a house that had a “For Sale” sign in its yard.  The yard was full of peonies loaded with blossoms and they were close to the vacant street.  Even the house looked deserted.  I flipped a U-Turn and broke off a bloom and quickly hid it in my handle bar bag.  I'll probably go to jail! What fragrance! What beauty!

We arrived at the campground at the same time.  Neita had a card for me and told me she found an amazing market and that we were having champagne and lobster for dinner.  After dinner we had a campfire, enjoyed talking with Mike, one of the other campers, and sipped on Bailey’s.  Life is indeed good.  

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.