DAY 3 - Burlington, VT to Freeport, MN

Kickstands were up at 7:30 am this morning.  Leaving Burlington, VT we took the interstate for about 40 miles.  Then onto another wonderful curvy scenic road.  Riding through Vermont and then into New Hampshire - you can tell the difference between states. 

New Hampshire was more sparse but then again we travelled through White Mountain National Forest stopping a few times to take pictures along the way.  Highway 302 was picturesque.  The beautiful Mt Washington Resort was a worthwhile stop on the side of the road to take pictures.  What a beautiful site it was riding past and I was really glad when Miles also decided to stop to take pictures. 

Another stop was at the Willey House located in the Crawford Notch State Park.  This is an historic place as it was operated in 1825 by the Willey's and their five children along with two hired men as an inn to accommodate travellers through the mountains. 

That year they witnessed a landslide and decided to build a cave so the family would be safe in the event of another landslide.  In August of 1826 after a long draught there was a fierce storm that saw the river rise 20 feet.  No one knows for sure what the family did but two days after the storm friends and relatives found the house unharmed and the Willey's were found with two of their children and the two hired men were found nearby crushed under the debris.  Three of the Willey's children were never found.  The inn continued to be operated until it burned in 1898.  It is quite a story and it is hard to imagine life back then.  Even to travel through the mountains on horse and buggy - amazing!  I am so glad I am able to complete the ride on a Harley instead of a horse named Harley!

It wasn't long before we were in Maine and the traffic started to get busier.  There are a lot of beautiful villages along on the way packed with tourists enjoying the shops and restaurants. You could start to smell the ocean about an hour away from Freeport, Maine!  The temperature was cooler as well.  Freeport is where L.L. Bean has a huge store that the boys and Paul would have loved to see.  The hunting and fishing areas were amazing - lots of camo and orange!  Too bad I am on the bike - and just not enough room for all that I would have loved to take home for them. 

In parts of the stores as with most outdoor stores these days there were displays of stuffed animals everywhere.  Two moose were set up as the last stand fighting each other - a truly spectacular piece that the boys and Paul would love to see in real life! 

Supper we had at the Mudder Rudder Restaurant where I indulged in my first lobster of the year!  Wonderful.  It was decided that we would feast on lobster each day for at least a week!  Hopefully not with the same price tag as tonight's meal.   

Well kick stands up tomorrow at 8:00 am and hopefully the weather will cooperate.  It is calling for rain over night but it should stop between 8 and 9 so lets hope so. 

DAY 2 - Mexico, NY to Burlington, VT

Kickstands were up at 7:50 am this morning!!  Early can you imagine.  Even after all the pictures before heading off we were on the road by 7:58 am!  We filled up and then hit the road that truly was spectacular.

Driving the back roads is really the only way to go.  Driving through Pulaski and over the Interstate 81 on County Road 2.  Some of the ride the guys thought reminded them of the movie Deliverance!  It is really back country with some hamlets that are hanging on by a thread.  Passing through Osceola reminded me of Kyle and his new house just outside of Osceola, ON in name only!   Off to Boonville - it appeared that we just missed the fair! 

Old Forge is a very tourist town.  The local hardware store Miles indicated was somewhat famous as having everything you would ever want or need.  He said people come just to check out the hardware store and all the items that you might find there. 

Leaving Old Forge we headed towards Lake Placid.  We stopped for gas and then headed for lunch at Lake Placid.  Parking is always a chore for someone who is short.  I always have to make sure that where I park I can get into and out of without too much difficulty.  But when someone with "long legs" is around I can ask for help and park in different places.  Miles chose to park on this hill and left enough room for all three bikes in one space.  So "long legs" were borrowed to finish parking and to back up!  Thanks again Miles, much appreciated.  We took some time to tour the downtown shopping district of Lake Placid and decided to have lunch at Steak and Seafood - rather expensive but we were in Lake Placid after all.  Of course a Harley Davidson store was downtown and we visited to see what we could find.  T-shirt for me nothing for the guys!  We did meet a couple that were from Thunder Bay, ON on their way to Moncton, NB for the National HOG Rally as well.  So hopefully we will see them there.

Leaving Lake Placid we headed downhill.  Both up and down the mountains were amazing.  It felt like we were skiing - the corners were amazing.  Love, love, love those roads.  The road we went on was the road that I had been on before when I went to Americade four years ago!  At that time we were driving from Lake George to Lake Placid. 

Our first ferry ride of our trip was over Lake Champlain.  The trip lasted approximately 45 minutes.  We were able to see the mountains in New York and the mountains in Vermont while we were out on the lake.  Besides the pedestrians the bikes were the first ones on and and the first ones off.  Prime parking at the front of the boat - special treatment again!!  The ferry was built in 1929 and runs very smoothly - no need to have tie downs for the bikes as they didn't even move!  Thanks to the fabulous navigation from the captain of the ship.

  

Driving through Burlington, VT we hit traffic.  Following the guys through the city was at times difficult - the hill coming out of the ferry parking lot was interesting!  The number of stop signs and traffic lights was distracting.  I ran one yellow/red light and Skip and Miles laughed.  They said they put Canadians in jail for doing that.  LOL  Too funny a couple of lights later this car squeezed through the red light and was half in our lane and half in the middle of the road as it was turning - I said "it must be a Canadian" - well sure enough the car was from Quebec - too funny!  No one went to jail - the police could never get there anyway as it was too busy!  Accommodations are at the Holiday Inn Express and supper was at the restaurant attached to the hotel.  Perfect - too tired anyway to go anywhere.  So kickstands up tomorrow at 7:30 am.  That means breakfast first then bike - early - hope this isn't a trend of getting started a half hour earlier each morning.  Just kidding I don't mind whenever I am on the bike - after all I am not at work!!

DAY ONE - MEXICO, NY

DUTY FREE

They let me into the USA again - what were they thinking!!  LOL








Arrived safely in Mexico, NY at Miles and Patti Ross's house.  Skip had already arrived and was taking a nap when I got here.  He had been visiting with family for the last few days and I guess a few late nights caught up to him.  

CHEZ PATTI

Miles and Patti's daughter, Molly, and her two children were here too and it was great to visit with them and get caught up on everyone's ongoings over the last year.  After a wonderful supper of bbq ribs, salty potatoes (a local favourite), beans, and coleslaw Miles took us on a tour of Mexico and over to Lake Ontario.  Beautiful area!  Mexico, NY is across Lake Ontario from Kingston, ON just to put the area in perspective.  We went to the local ice cream store and Skip treated us to dessert!  Everyone is just chilling out - on their computer or finishing packing (Miles and Patti). 








Tommorrow kick stands up at 8:00 am.  I can handle that.  I am not sure how Skip convinced Miles of that instead of 7:00 am but hey I am not complaining!!




BIKES READY TO GO!!

Bikes are in the garage and ready to go in the morning.  Skip's is the trike on the left, mine is in the centre and Miles's is on the right! 





Itenerary

I am heading out on another motorcycle ride with my two American Guys!  They are wonderful to allow me to ride with them and see more of this beautiful area of the world we live in.  By the end of this year's tour I will have rode my motorcylce in 33 states and a rented motorcycle in one state over the last 2 years!!  Who would have thought - NOT ME!

So here goes - our itenerary has been completed (for now anyway).  You never know what changes may come our way and hopefully the changes are not due to weather!

July 29 - Mexico, NY - Patti's Place (priceless accommodations)
July 30 - Lunch at Lake Placid, NY
             - ferry ride over Lake Champlain to Burlington, VT
July 31 - Freeport, ME
Aug 1   - Bar Harbor, ME
Aug 2   - Whale Watching
Aug 3   - Saint John, NB
Aug 4   - ferry ride to Digby, NS
             - stay in Yarmouth, NS (visit with Jean Valilee - friend of mine since Grade 8)
Aug 5   - Halifax, NS
Aug 6   - Halifax, NS
Aug 7   - ferry ride to PEI
             - Charlottetown, PEI
Aug 8   - Confederation Bridge to Moncton, NB

Aug 8, 9 and 10 - Canadian National HOG Rally

then homeward bound with one night on the road!  I am so looking forward to another motorcycle trip - there is nothing more exhilerating than time spent on a bike with the sun in my eyes and a big smile on my face.