6.23.18. Saturday. Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Steuben, Maine.
Headed up the coast. We planned to spend the next two nights with my brother and sister-in-law at their new (as of 2017) Maine get-away. Since I wanted to arrive at Maryanne & John’s by 4:00 p.m., we did a lot of highway riding rather than take the more scenic coastal route.
We stopped in Freeport ME for the iconic boot photo and geocache opportunity at L.L. Bean – my first visit there. (Despite a lot of chatter about late night college treks, we never made it that far north during my years at Smith). Heading inside (for the restrooms) a man held the door open for me and commented that he had the same kind of helmet. After chatting a bit, I learned that he was from the Virginia suburbs of DC and had just ridden his bike up to his summer place in Maine. I asked if he was a long-distance rider and after mulling over the question, he said, “I guess so.” Jeff’s assessment was that he apparently was not, since he clearly had no idea what I meant.
We made a short stop in Brunswick Maine (virtual geocache at Bowdoin College) and then cruised Camden ME because Jeff remembered it as charming. It was! A definite come-back-to spot (16 Bay View, Hotel Camden!).
Also stopped in Lincolnville with its beach, cannon, seaside restaurant, ice cream shop, and art galleries. A couple walked pass the bike and the woman – maybe 65 to 70 years old – stopped and began checking out the bike as her husband continued on. As we approached the bike, she remarked what a great-looking bike it was. She said that she and her husband used to ride (she had a Yamaha and he had a Hog), but stopped because they felt that other motorists weren’t considerate. Both of her sons ride. One has a Ducati. As she spoke to us, she barely took her eyes off the bike!
Another stop was at a cemetery in Bucksport, where a town notable, Colonel Jonathan Buck, who died in 1795, has an unusual stain on his memorial -- shaped like a boot. The theories as to why include a curse from a woman he accused of witchcraft.
Continued on to Steuben and managed to maneuver the rough road up to John & Maryanne’s. However, I gave Jeff the wrong house number and the GPS stopped us at yet a third location (a driveway that belongs to their friends, Bonnie & Mike). After a quick phone call, we ended up in the right yard. John has the house number painted as an interstate symbol, so it’ll be easy to find next time. There is also a lovely rhododendron near the foot of the drive and a daisy and lupine field near the garage.
Great house with stunning views! We opted for the loft guest room. Relaxing evening, tons of snacks and a great dinner with lots of red wine (that gave me a headache the next morning!).
Headed up the coast. We planned to spend the next two nights with my brother and sister-in-law at their new (as of 2017) Maine get-away. Since I wanted to arrive at Maryanne & John’s by 4:00 p.m., we did a lot of highway riding rather than take the more scenic coastal route.
We stopped in Freeport ME for the iconic boot photo and geocache opportunity at L.L. Bean – my first visit there. (Despite a lot of chatter about late night college treks, we never made it that far north during my years at Smith). Heading inside (for the restrooms) a man held the door open for me and commented that he had the same kind of helmet. After chatting a bit, I learned that he was from the Virginia suburbs of DC and had just ridden his bike up to his summer place in Maine. I asked if he was a long-distance rider and after mulling over the question, he said, “I guess so.” Jeff’s assessment was that he apparently was not, since he clearly had no idea what I meant.
We made a short stop in Brunswick Maine (virtual geocache at Bowdoin College) and then cruised Camden ME because Jeff remembered it as charming. It was! A definite come-back-to spot (16 Bay View, Hotel Camden!).
Also stopped in Lincolnville with its beach, cannon, seaside restaurant, ice cream shop, and art galleries. A couple walked pass the bike and the woman – maybe 65 to 70 years old – stopped and began checking out the bike as her husband continued on. As we approached the bike, she remarked what a great-looking bike it was. She said that she and her husband used to ride (she had a Yamaha and he had a Hog), but stopped because they felt that other motorists weren’t considerate. Both of her sons ride. One has a Ducati. As she spoke to us, she barely took her eyes off the bike!
Another stop was at a cemetery in Bucksport, where a town notable, Colonel Jonathan Buck, who died in 1795, has an unusual stain on his memorial -- shaped like a boot. The theories as to why include a curse from a woman he accused of witchcraft.
Continued on to Steuben and managed to maneuver the rough road up to John & Maryanne’s. However, I gave Jeff the wrong house number and the GPS stopped us at yet a third location (a driveway that belongs to their friends, Bonnie & Mike). After a quick phone call, we ended up in the right yard. John has the house number painted as an interstate symbol, so it’ll be easy to find next time. There is also a lovely rhododendron near the foot of the drive and a daisy and lupine field near the garage.
Great house with stunning views! We opted for the loft guest room. Relaxing evening, tons of snacks and a great dinner with lots of red wine (that gave me a headache the next morning!).
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