June 5, 2007

Riding in downeast Maine.

When we awoke this morning in the cabin it was warm and toasty. Everything we had hanging up all over the place was dry, but at six AM there was a light rain and drizzle coming off the lake. I told Denny we should dilly-dally getting ready and maybe it would stop by the time we were packed up and ready to ride. Denny doesn’t like just hanging around but I had some minor bike maintenance to take care of so it actually did clear up to a very fine mist by the time we rolled out. When we stopped for snacks and a coffee at the general store about three quarters of a mile from the cabins the drizzle had stopped and we took off our rain gear. The forecast which called for rain all day and thunder storms in the afternoon never materialized. It fact the sun came out and it was the first time in a good number of days that we rode with just cycling shorts and jerseys. I hadn’t put on sun screen for quite a few days either but I did today. Temps hit the low eighties in the early afternoon but were in the mid seventies from the late morning and most of the rest of the day.

Riding through the forest.

There were few services on our route today. It didn’t look like we would be able to get second breakfast until about forty miles. I was getting pretty hungry at around thirty miles. When we came upon a general store I told Denny that I wanted to stop to snack up. As luck would have it the general store also sold sandwiches and they had a grill and also served breakfast. So instead of snacks it was the usual second breakfast, but this time with no special name for what I ordered. There were two booths and two men came in while we were eating. One was a local and the other was from Virginia. As is usually the case they asked us questions about where we were from and where we were going, so we told them about the trip. The local fellow’s nephew married the Virginia man’s daughter at a wedding last year which is where the two met. They must have talked about the fishing in Maine and as a result the Virginia man got an invite and as he said: “So I took him up on it.” To which the local said: “That’s what invites are for.” Apparently the fishing was pretty good that morning. When they walked in they were asked how it was and the reply was: “We got quite a few good ones”.

We look closely for moose but have seen none yet.

Since it was dry I took more pictures again today. The terrain for the day had a few ups and downs but mostly downs. The vertical profile on the GPS had a gradual downward slope for the day if you eliminate the ups and downs. The riding was much better and if it weren’t for the five to ten MPH winds coming out of the south. The day would have been a breeze. The headwinds were hardly noticeable except where there was open terrain or where they were helped along by the logging trucks flying by in the other direction. The roads for the most part had wide shoulders and were pretty smooth all day long. Also I feel that we are getting stronger as even with the heads the gradual up hills don’t seem to be much of an issue any more.

No moose here either.

We reached the business section of Calis, ME around 3:00 PM. Today was errand day as both of us needed cash from an ATM, food supplies, and the usual late lunch at a Subway. Denny needed a couple of items at a pharmacy, and I lost my comb so there were four stops that we made. Fortunately all four places were right next to each other which made the stop an efficient one.

Saint Croix River

In planning for the trip Denny sent out letters with return post cards to campgrounds on the route. One question was: “Would you make room for us even if you were full?” So when we decide, usually in the mid to late afternoon, where we will be ending our day, Denny refers to his printout of the replies and we try to find a place that says they will never turn away touring cyclists. Our site tonight is at such a place. The campground is on Nashs Lake. We picked from a choice of good sites in a grove of pine trees, close to the bathroom, showers, and oh yes, laundry. Denny did the laundry again tonight while I have been typing this log. A few moments ago we heard the call of loons on the lake. It is a cool night again. There is a damp mist in the air most likely from the coast which is about a mile and a half away. Again it is warm and toasty in the tent. The warm clean clothes from the dryer will serve as my pillow tonight.

Our campsite on Nash's Lake

Jim

Cycledog (Ride the extra mile!!)

© 2007 - JNS