June 6, 2007

The Northern Coast of Maine.

It was quite cool again last night. The fog from the coast drifted in and I heard some rain on the tent during the night. It the morning it was damp and cold as the fog shrouded the campground. As usual it took about two hours to eat and pack in the morning before we hit the road. We left suited up to the nines. As we descended to US Route 1 our glasses fogged up and the only way to clear them was to run your finger across the lens like a windshield wiper. As we rode the fog gradually cleared but the skies were overcast all morning. At times we would hit sections of the road that had a light fog.

The morning fog on Nashs Lake.

Today’s section of US 1 was not as smooth as the road has been from Madawaska to Calis. They are trying to remedy this as we hit a number of construction areas along the route this morning. We rode two areas under construction which were dirt roads. One was for about a mile and the other for about a quarter of a mile. In both locations the flag person let us pass and advised us to stay to the right of the cones to let opposing traffic pass. The construction areas, the fog, and the condition of the roads made the morning ride slow going.

It was a fairly long ride to second breakfast as there was not much in services along the way. As we approached Cobscook Bay both Denny and I were getting hungry so we pulled into a gas station to ask if there was a place ahead to eat. Here we met Gucci. Gucci is the Appalachian Trail name of the man Denny asked for directions. Denny and he got into quite a conversation about the AT and bicycle touring which Gucci was considering as he has some toe problems which inhibit long distance hiking. Denny was a happy guy as he and Gucci talked. Gucci told us about a place that was about five miles ahead. The Cobs Bay Cafe served a real good breakfast It was a fairly small place which I think had three tables that would sit six, a couple of tables for two and about six or seven stools at the counter. It must be the place to conduct business as there was a real estate agent securing a listing from a couple at one of the tables for six, and a couple of guys going over some business paperwork at the counter. Denny and I joked that it is the best place to have breakfast within thirty six miles south of Calis. Actually the breakfast was quite good and it is the only place to get breakfast within thirty-six miles south of Calis.

There were many photo opportunities today. In the morning the rivers going to the coast were at low tide. As we gained in elevation there were small ponds, lakes and bogs. We both scan the bogs as we pass hoping to catch sight of a moose, although we saw none. Today we had two numerically significant numbers in the ride. We crossed the 45th Parallel and we hit the one thousand mile mark for the trip.

Beaver lodge.

Denny knows a man named Norman, who used to live near him, but now lives in Cherryfield, Maine. A mutual friend gave Denny his telephone number before the trip started. As it worked out we would be ending the day somewhere near Cherryfield so Denny called Norman while we were having second breakfast to see if it would be OK to camp in his yard tonight. When we arrived Norman had a friend pick up a large pizza which we consumed while chatting about the trip and as Denny and Norman caught up on old times. Norman’s friend told us of a town north of here (which will remain unnamed) that has a lot of inbreeding. When he said that “The most confusing day there is fathers day!” it caught me off guard. It was a pleasant evening. So here I am typing this log in my tent in Norman’s back yard. This evening was an interesting one and one that will be remembered.

Why Maine is a beautiful state.

Jim

Cycledog (Ride the extra mile!!)

© 2007 - JNS