WE'RE BACK!

 

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Have you ever seen the rain?

Song lyrics are very useful tools when trying to decide on a theme for the daily blog...this one seemed appropriate.

What I assumed had been Mother Nature's prediction actually turned out to be more of a "gift". That's what we called it yesterday morning as we were up early, packing up the camp site in preparation for heading back to NB....in the rain.

Camp came down pretty quick as we prepared ourselves the night before in the event it was raining. We headed out for breakfast at Denny's, checked the forecast and the map and found the quickest route with the least amount of traffic. Riding wasn't bad given the amount of rain. We took our time passing a lot of other bikes either stopped at road stops or heading the other way. We came through customs at the old St. Stephen border crossing quickly thanks to a very nice border guard and headed to Reta and Alberts for the night at their camp.

We arrived around 3 pm. Rain was heavier on the Canadian side and as we pulled into Reta and Albert's garage (Albert had the door open for us, bless his great big heart), the skies opened up. It rained so hard you couldn't see across the lake. We peeled off our rain gear and left them hanging in the garage and peeled the other layers off in the camp. We weren't here more than an hour and a half and their neighbour Brian stopped by to tell us the road was washed out at the top. A couple of culverts couldn't handle the rain. Not long after that we started getting reports about flooding in St. Stephen - downtown, Irving, traffic circle...the same route we had travelled earlier in the afternoon.

We had a great afternoon with drinks and laughter...hot home cooked meal, watching the rain across the lake (and sometimes we couldn't see it at all), entertained constantly by the huge family of hummingbirds dancing outside the window, vying for their spots on the feeders.

 

As we started out, we came upon the engineers, fixing the road. Tucker, the road supervisor was giving us updates........

 

Tucker - Top Dog & Supervisor

 

Then we realized what was taking so long.....he was sleeping on the job!

 

 

Thanks Reta and Albert for a great end to a fabulous holiday!

 

Perfect Hosts xoxo

 

Someone told me long ago

There's a calm before the storm,

I know 

It's been comin for some time.

 

Yes John, we are back to work on Monday.....but until then......the road at the top is fixed up and we are Free to Just Ride!

 

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Bread and Milk, Bread and Milk

Well we thought today's ride would be short....WRONG! Though the distance not far, the amount of traffic and small towns along scenic Route 1 made for a very long ride and day...we did not get a chance to explore or ride Acadia National Park or even Bar Harbour itself....we did, however get a beautiful campsite right on the water...there were lots of them! Most likely because of the "forecast"....yes that dirty word again....rain.

I am not sure why everyone is so messed up by a little rain, or even a lot of rain (outside of the heavy torrential stuff that causes destruction). What is so wrong with Mother Natures shower I ask.

We couldn't get over the amount of traffic leaving Bar Harbour as we arrived. One would think that there was an evacuation order in place. It did not make sense to us until we arrived and starting setting up our tent at 4:30 in the afternoon.....everyone else was packing up! I guess panic is not specific to snowstorms lol...I am sure most of you have seen the YouTube video Bread and Milk...if not check it out...it pretty much describes the mass exodus we saw today!

This is fortunate for us as we are not the "fair weather" types as I have previously indicated....because we get a most beautiful campsite..right on the water during peak season the same day we requested!

We have often remarked over this journey and many others about how fortunate we are to share the experiences and how things always seem to work out.....

You be the judge!

 

One of the other cool things we need to come back to explore will be this bridge and fort...it is a long slow drive/ride here but one I think most of you would enjoy!

 

We will let you know how we made out tomorrow, but I am not worried....it is just rain, not bread and milk! The question is...who do you think is right...the weatherman with his forecast of rain....or Mother Nature with her beautiful prediction for tomorrow....stay tuned!

 

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KKP

Today's blog will be a short one...no pics just a little riding tour through K and K with a stop in P...

Kittery - a first for both of us today..stop for lunch at Weathervane with a fabulous lobster roll (so fresh) and made to order onion rings..yummmmmm. Not in the mood to shop but would definitely consider a trip back...with the car :)

Kennebunkport - summer home to the Bushes and Kennedy's. Amazing! Absolutely amazing and I can't wait to take some time to just park and explore....and the homes....historic homes.......this was an absolutely beautiful place....absolutely!

Portland.....this is where we ended our day...tomorrow we are off to do more coastal riding along Route 1 with Bar Harbour as our destination.

TTFN kiddies!

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Faith, Hope and Rain...

What started out to be the worst day of the trip actually turned into one of the best ever....

We went to bed the night before, not really knowing our plans for the next day....the forecast was not good! We woke up in the morning with rain teeming down...now for the decision....go or no go?

Well there was no doubt in either of our minds...we don't do these trips as "fair weather" riders...we have come prepared so we will soldier on. We decide we will head for Concord, NH, a nice easy ride, not real far but will get us closer to the coast. We decided a couple of days ago that the coast of Maine would be a great area to explore.

So, we pack up our stuff, get out on our rain suits to load the bikes and voila!.......rain has stopped! Forecast is for heavy rain all day along the way......well, all I can say is that when I invoke the "weather witch" things happen lol.

We left Saratoga Springs after a quick breakfast and headed out in search of Route 7. By the end of the day we had crossed 3 states, rode some wicked roads and enjoyed one of the best rides on our trip...better still, we got no rain!

Beautiful farmlands, twisty winding roads up and down the Green Mountains and just before we crossed from New York into Vermont we came across this incredible shop. It captured our eye and our imagination, not to mention it just really tickled our fancy. We stopped to take pictures and we ended up staying for lunch and wandering around the shop...the Big Moose Deli and Country Store. Worth the ride/drive through there!...and here is why...

Strange people hang out here!

Strange and funny people hang out here! Some celebrities obviously have heard of the place!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strange yet familiar animals all wearing the same coats.

 

Strange little men with a lot of Bear Friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real party animals!... And they make a wicked wraps and from all accounts their pulled pork is unbelievable!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So it just goes to show, you can't always count on the weatherman...sometimes you just have to go on Faith and Hope....and a little Weather Witch along for the ride helps too!

We ended our ride in Concord, New Hampshire. After getting the laundry done (bag of clothes were getting kinda ripe), we got a recommendation for a restaurant just down the road. The evening was so nice we walked down. The restaurant was called The Common Man. The food was amazing (Larry fell in love with the ribs and ended up taking some home). What was really cool is that this chain of restaurants is still family owned and managed. They find old properties with a ton of character, like grist mills and such and restore them using all the nice characteristics. One of their restaurants has a large room inside a boiler lol...I wouldn't ask what's for supper. The attention to detail is pretty amazing...even a visit to the washroom is an event itself...instead of piped in music, you can listen to Grandmother telling jokes like..."my sister was so addicted to line dancing she had to go into the two step program"...another great supper, another great evening and another really great day despite the forecast.

TTFN

 

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Twists, turns and can't see straight!

This morning we left Lackawana Station, our beloved hotel in the middle of downtown Scranton. They always treat us well so it hard not to want to visit again and again...here are a couple of pics that really show how they left the building almost exactly as it was and "created" this open dining room and banquet area around it.

This first pic shows what used to be the exit to the train tracks complete with clock.....the area at the back is now used for larger banquets. You can see a peek of the stain glass that was original to the train station. Other pics and links in blog from 2011.

This next pic shows where the restaurant is located. This morning they had a group function so they used bamboo trees to separate the two areas...beautiful terrazzo floor with tile inlay...all original! You can see more of the stain glass as well as the beautiful fixtures which are also original!

 

 

Below is the front entrance, you just turn right to the ticket office which is now the front desk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We headed out after breakfast to Route 30 to re-run the roads around the Pepacton Reservoir from our 2011 trip as well. Route to get there was awesome! Lots of twists and turns but we had to be careful as this area was also hit hard with a lot of washouts from the rainstorms a month or more ago. Some of the roads have just been repaired. Route 30 was just as exciting as when we last visited but not at all what we remembered lol.

As we continued on past the reservoir we came upon the little community of Margeritaville. We were so excited that we had to pull over and take my picture...lol. All I can say is two things. We stopped in Margaretville for lunch and I had to pee REALLY bad! Lunch was fabulous with a real honest to goodness Italian salami sandwich on rye...mmmmmm with a salad. As we left town, we could see things much clearer.... (:

We headed out stopping for gas, meeting up with a couple of guys from Nashville Tennessee riding Victory Visions...Ken, an engineer was born and raised near Deals Gap. He said that in his younger days that road was not nice and pretty beat up. They described it as "THAT annoying road they had to go through to get anywhere". He and Victor were riding the roads until Ken's wife could join them in Manchester in a couple of days...really great guys!

We headed for Sarasota Springs for the night, ready to explore this quaint city however we were disappointed to find out that the track season just opened AND BonJovi playing tonight had taken up most of the rooms...Hilton graciously offered us a huge discount from $459 for the night to $299 with CAA...I think not...so we headed north and found a beautiful roadside motel at a much better and more reasonable rate....beautiful little property!

Tomorrow's forecast for rain so it could be New Hampshire or Maine depending on how that works out....TTFN

 

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On the Road Again?

Ok so let me start with...we didn't stop at Austin Dam (apparently off the road and not worth detour to see concrete slabs) and we missed Marie "Antoinetteville" altogether....more on those.

So we started the morning with a 7km run to make sure we are keeping up with our clinic...and friends. It was humid but certainly nothing like the last week. A great stretch, start packing, fire alarm, shower and we are "on the road again".

The plan today is Route 6 touted as being one of the 6 most scenic roads in North America by National Geographic...well if they say it is, then that is where we are headed. Lucky for us, Route 6 takes us to Scranton, PA which we are VERY familiar with (check out blog from 2011). Not to mention the Lackawana Station Hotel and Kildaire Pub across the street are a couple of our favorite spots...just sayin'.....

So what about the rest of the day......?

We took off, as I said after run and fire alarm, stopping for air (tires) and brunch at the Barrel House Tavern at Lantz Corner (Routes 770 and 6). Awesome breakfast of 3 egg omelet with peppers, onion, mushroom, ham and cheese as well as home made hash browns and rye bread for a mere $5.49...yup and it was delish!

The waitress and other customers at the "Barrel House" advised against the stop in Austin...we were ok with that! The stop at Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, however was a must. The 5 mile ride up to the lookout was to say the very least, the most beautiful piece of road I had ever ridden...much like the Blue Ridge Parkway but better. We finally reached the summit of the West Rim and the view was spectacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So for the other venus we did not stop at....check them out on line...stories are very interesting even if the sites do not have much there.

A stop in Scranton,PA gave us an evening at one of our fav hotels and pubs...strange that we would have a fav of either in a place like Scranton...there is not much else here. Kimdaire's however is awesome...

So with the bikes parked in the Rockstar lot, we bid you another good night....no decision yet on the next direction we take but thankfully the weather is not as hot and being totally co-operative....

Good-night and sleep tight...

 

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Adventures in the Enchanted Forest

We arrived yesterday from Watkins Glen with the thought of just riding through the Allegheny National Forest as we were heading east. After a full day of riding in the hottest most humid day yet, we didn't have any opportunity to explore at all.

After supper at Togis (16 oz T-bone with salad and sweet bar, and eggplant parm for $14.99 OMG I ate all my salad but couldn't finish the steak even with Larry's help) we came back to the hotel to decide on the next days direction...a call from the front desk changed those plans.

Another gentleman riding a Goldwing staying at the hotel asked if we could come down to chat about roads around here. He and the desk clerk told us about a train trestle bridge that is now a park where you can walk out on the tracks that are left. Most of the tracks were taken out by a tornado in 1993. Everything was left as is, and the remaining trestle upgraded and opened to walk out on - complete with glass floor...and yes I stepped on the glass floor! It was amazing to walk out on and even more amazing was the evidence of the power of Mother Nature. This is the Kinzua (pronounced Kinzu) Skywalk.

 

When you walked out onto this train track trestle you could see forever...it used to span this valley and was built in the late 1800's and took 120 men 97 days from start to finish. It was the tallest bridge in the US standing 24 feet higher than the Brooklyn Bridge in NY.

When you walk out to the end you can look down at the bottom of the gorge....way, way down!

And the tracks are still there as well. Not only the original ones but you will see a larger, wider set all the way up to the end of the trestle that remains today........and you can look down between them as well lol!

 

Then we were off to the Kinzua Dam. The dam is on the Allegheny Reservoir on the other side of the forest. There was not much to explore but we love dams dammit!

Tomorrow we leave Bradford, PA and are heading east on 6. We hear there is the Austin Dam (or what used to be the Austin Dam) to see as well as a castle built for Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution to aid her escape from France (need to confirm this piece of history) as well as a place that is called Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon....who knows....what I do know is that we got a great deal of rain early this morning and tonight which means we now have much better temperatures to travel .....thank you to whatever God made THAT possible (:

 

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A Single Journey...

Today began with a thousand steps...literally!

Up early this morning, we made appointments for oil changes for the bikes (and a new rear tire for me) at Lanes Yamaha. Located not even a full km from where we are staying. Since the appointment was at 2pm, we thought we would take off to Watkins Glen State Park to see the waterfalls which should leave us enough time....should.

After breakfast we headed downtown to the park and entered a tropical paradise in the middle of downtown WG which is not much bigger than Sussex.

Welcome to Watkins Glen State Park....

 

 

So now for the funny part of the journey....

We walked in halfway and then had to leave for the bike appointment. After the thunderstorm and the bikes were ready we went back and walked the whole way in and back (missed the last shuttle), so we walked 1.5 miles and approx 600 stair steps in 41 degree temp (not including humidity)....then we went back and walked 3 miles, 1372 stair steps in 30 degree temp (not including humidity). Can't begin to tell you how many pics lol.

Lane family at the Yamaha Shop were awesome. When we dropped off the bikes they gave us a ride up over the hill. We walked down to pick them up a couple of hours later....thunder was rolling all around us and I do mean all around...it was constant. No lighting though that we could see, which is very strange. We no sooner got to the shop when the skies opened up. We had a great chat until the rain stopped. Wonderful family business.

A wonderful supper at Jerlando's Italian Restaurant (real home made mozzarella) rounded out the day. Still planning on direction for tomorrow but looks like we are headed for the enchanted forest known as the Allegheny.

A couple of glasses of wine when we returned from supper and now it is off to bed...TTFN

 

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Best laid plans.......

Remember the two days of camping at Watkins Glen? Ya, not happening....temperature at 9:30 tonight was 93...and that doesn't even include the humidity....not putting together my "Easy Bake Oven" just to get my muffin cooked. Uh uh...instead we found a great little B and B or "Manor" with an outdoor pool and fabulous view of Seneca Lake. It is also close to Yamaha dealer so it looks like we may get the oil changed here..we'll know tomorrow.

It has been extremely hot...several stops for rest and water. Today we covered less miles but they were the hardest miles!

Had supper at the Wildflower downtown and then off to the laundromat. Clothes were starting to get a little ripe!

Off to bed. Promise pics for tomorrow!

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Day 5 - We're in ROME!

I know...sounds crazy huh...lol. Rome, New York is our stop for the day! Another hot one but great roads and even nicer small towns. Stopped in Old Forge which was a quaint little spot in the Adirondack Mountains! Visited the Old Forge Hardware store...only thing I couldn't find was the soup....(you know the saying..everything from soup to nuts!). This place had EVERYTHING! Dad would have loved this store and so would Mom! Another stop for some "real" iced coffee (just like their iced tea) and we were off again. Tomorrow it is Watkins Glen for some camping, hiking the falls and if time and place permit, a wine tour....woot woot!

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Unplanned Vacation Part Deux

Already on Day 4 and haven't posted anything yet.....well...here it goes!

Day 1: late getting away but we had Bangor or beyond in our sights and we made it. Long day 457 kms. Nothing of special note as it really wasn't a full vacation day but did see some familiar sites along the way.

Day 2: nice hot ride...rode up Mount Washington again, this time no fog at the top...and you could see all the way....DOWN!....ride down was not as nervy as the ride up lol. Arrived at the Black Swan B & B - 478 kms. B &B was really cool. Our room was in the carriage house...lots of dark wood, house had tons of stained glass! Beautiful property!

 

Day 3: started with a 6 km run (yes we are doing our best to stay on track!), followed by a much needed shower given that it was already almost 30 at 7:30 am! Went to the main house for breakfast...wow...blueberry French Toast casserole with cream cheese...delicious! Packed up and headed out to New Hampshire Speedway for the 301 Sprint Race..first time to a NASCAR Race but won't be last. Holy frig those guys motor! And loud...I think that's where LOUDen got their name. It was so much easier to get in and out than I thought it would be! Got back to B and B...enjoyed a few Coors and off to bed! Long hot day!

Day 4. Another great breakfast before we leave...my fav eggs bennie! We head out across the Green Mountains heading to New York State. First part of the ride was a little rough with the heat (33 while riding but 39 when stopped). Once we got on the 30/11 it was MUCH nicer. Roads were great and it was a cooler 30 in the shade...and yes you could really feel the difference! Stopped in Manchester for the night and had a great supper at the Perfect Wife Restaurant/Other Woman Tavern..owners definitely have a sense of humour lol....meal was fabulous, lots of vegetarian options so we stuck to that with a crab cake app...yummmmmmm. We walked up and back which was also nice except no sidewalks on the back roads lol.

 

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