We head out on the road with a few stops for our bum breaks. One stop was in Rumford. We have never stopped here on our many trips through. We stopped at the local info center which also overlooked the dam (yes, dam it) in this little village. Of course we also got a look at Paul’s Buns...I mean Paul Bunyan and Blue.
On the road again, we had another stop at the Windmill for ice cream (in honour of our little Dutch Boy). Just as we were leaving, about 20 bikes (mostly HD) pulled up in the parking lot. They were local and just returning from a weeks ride to Quebec and back....When I asked if they all travelled to Quebec, his response was yes and it was a huge pain in the a$$ trying to get into restaurants even though they had planned the trip and booked ahead in January. Travelling spontaneously is not easy the more people you have, but we have managed to do well even though we didn’t have anything booked in advance after Quebec City.
The next stop was Dunkin’ Donuts for some coffee.....ice coffee and then on to the final leg. We managed to get rooms at the Hilton Garden for a really great price. A quick dip in the pool after we got checked in and we were ready for supper. Larry and I like to end our trips with a stop in Bangor and a meal at the Texas Roadhouse. We have now introduced all our friends to Texas size margs, steaks, salads and ribs.....we had to call the hotel shuttle to pick us up!
It has been a great trip. The others, who didn’t even know each other at the beginning of the trip, have gotten along famously and we have had a great deal of laughs and fun. It has been a real pleasure to travel with this group.
Tomorrow, are final destination.....home. Or as I said to the others, “you can book your own damn rooms for tomorrow night”....I think at least one couple is staying with us.
Here is a quick summary of our trip....
2 provinces - except for Jerry and Thy they travelled 4
4 states - Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Maine
Total kms (not including Bangor to Moncton which is approx 480 km) - 4796.6 which includes 67 km ferry ride to Baie Comeau.
2 down days where we didn’t ride
4 Mountain ranges - Laurentians, Adirondacks, Green and White
Animal siting - 1 bear, and he was huge; wild turkeys mostly baby ones; Canada Geese everywhere but in Canada.
Numerous twists and turns....way too many to count.
We look so forward to doing this long trips...they can be challenging when on the road. It is not like driving in a car since you don’t have air conditioning when you are stopped at construction areas or in long lines of traffic, or shelter from rain or cold weather. You also have to deal with the “cagers” who are not paying attention to what they are doing, or in some cases, even where they are. There are reminders of past trips and yet many things are new...coming down the #2 highway today in Maine, Larry and I counted the number of times we had travelled this road since our first trip in 2011. Today makes 13 times....and there are still lots of places we haven’t eaten at, stopped at or seen along the way. That’s what makes travelling by motorbike so interesting. You need to stop more often, but it just gives you a chance to explore things you wouldn’t in a car.
....TIL the next trip....
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