June 8, 2007

It seemed like the easiest day to me.

We both got up about three quarters of an hour later than the usual 5:30 to 6:00 AM wake up time. I was working on the log last night and got real tired and quit at 10:30. I finished the entry before roll out today so consequently roll out was around 9:00, much later than normal. The skies were partly cloudy all day. When the sun was out it was quite comfortable in the mid seventies, when it was in it was cool. Winds were out of the southeast all day but they were light and not much of a factor. I’ll call it neutral winds as our legs are used to much more. A greater portion of the roads today had narrow or no shoulders. Also the traffic was heavier than any other day of the trip. The route was mostly inland and was going up and down all day long. The ups and downs were usually only one hundred feet or so, with a few two-fifty to three hundred foot climbs thrown in.

More of West Penobscot Bay

We had second breakfast in Lincolnville at about the twenty mile mark. I was getting a bit hungry and found a snack shop that made sandwiches. Denny said: “We shouldn’t lower our standards.” so we passed on that one. About two tenth of a mile ahead was a place I think was called the “Hidden Diner” as it was a bit back from the road and its sight path from the road was blocked by trees. Again it was a local place. There was a round table to the left of the door where a woman and two men were sitting when we came in. We sat at a small table by the window next to them so we could keep an eye on the bikes, as we usually do. It didn’t take long before we were included in the conversation. After a bit the woman left. The breakfast was great and I should make an observation here. Full breakfasts cost less in the mid coast of Maine than in any other region of the trip so far. Also the portions are not skimpy, which suits us just fine.

I wonder what.

The two men at the table were real estate agents. One was named Cecil and I forget the other’s name. Apparently there is a lot of property for sale and there are quite a few real estate agents. We were told that if you are stopped for speeding around hear the police don’t ask for your drivers license. They ask for your real estate license, as more people have them. Cecil brought over a couple of real estate guides, opened each of them to a certain page (containing his listings) and said: “There, they are even open to the right page.” They were making light of the other man’s memory and Cecil said: “They only let him have a half hour for lunch as they don’t want to re-train him.” After a while a couple of women came in and sat at the same table. I guess that is the table for locals. The waitress was friendly and joined in the banter from time to time. It was an enjoyable place.

Denny cycling along.

Each time we start up after second breakfast I imagine the conversation going on between my thighs and my stomach. It seems that we are always going up hill before we get warmed up again. My thighs are saying:”Aaauuggh! More oxygen.” to which my stomach replies: “Stop your complaining, and be happy that I will be sending you some fuel in about twenty minutes. I need that oxygen to process it.” At least that’s what I think is going on.

We took a break in Camden at a nice park like area overlooking the harbor. I talked with a couple from Ohio there about the trip. The guy is interested in bicycle touring and perhaps hiking the AT some day. Denny and I explained about Adventure Cycling and how people hook up for a trip like this. I should have spent a bit more time explaining the touring options. All motel rides with vans carrying your gear and prepared meals, for instance, on organized tours. There are lots of ways couples can enjoy touring without carrying around fifty to sixty pounds of gear and sleeping in small one man tents on the ground each night. I gave them the website so maybe they will go the Adventure Cycling link and look around at the options available.

Camden Harbor from the park.

We stopped to eat more and it seemed like we took more breaks today. The lunch was nothing to speak of but the stop for home made apple pie ala mode late in the afternoon could be the start of a new tradition like second breakfast. Our waitress, who graduated form high school last week will be going to the University of Maine in the fall and will be majoring in either mathematics or physics. There is a sign over the door that says: “Our word of mouth advertising begins with you.” I told Denny that that wasn’t true. Actually it begins with the quality of their food and the courteous treatment of their customers. With that the customers will take care of the word of mouth advertising on their own as just about everyone likes to share news about a good place to eat. I don’t remember the name of the place but I think it was in Newcastle. To our waitress: e-mail me if you read this and tell me the name of the restaurant and I will update this log with it.

Jim

Cycledog (Ride the extra mile!!)

© 2007 - JNS