Maine Loop

Maine has always been one of my favorite destinations and one of the few places I would ever consider moving to.  I love it's climate much like ours here in central, northern NY.  It's history and most of all it's diversified topography.

We left Tuesday evening for a quick two hour ride to Troy, NY to spend an evening and night with longtime friend / relative Maria and her family.

First I was to meet Liz at the I90 exit in Utica about 20 mile from home.  She'll be leaving from work.  As I'm hitting highway speeds I'm noticing some unusual sway to the bike.  Not sure if it's the road or bike.  So I cautiously continued and I pulled into a gas station just prior to where I was to meet Liz. Sure enough, my front tire requiring 42 pounds only had 10.  There did not seem to be a leak.  Mr. Grey just got new boots and maybe while I was talking to the mechanic he didn't top it off. I topped it off to 40 pounds and off to Troy we went.

Maria had asked where we wanted to meet for diner.  Liz and I are both adventurous when it comes to trying new foods.  Maria, just pick something different, I told her.  My only stipulation was not fancy as we'll both have our riding gear on.

We met at   Ali Baba.  A very authentic Mediterranean style restaurant, mostly Turkish style food.  Not really knowing what to order we started with a sampler plater and fresh flat bread out of the wood fired oven.  I wish I could recall all that was on it but I'm really not sure what it all was.  Entrees to follow where just as fantastic. 

Waiting at Ali Baba for Maria and Family

It was a really nice evening with Maria and her family.  We also had the opportunity to discuss making our own custom designed new wedding bands.  Maria owns, runs, and teaches at her studio Sawtooth Jewelry Studio.  Hard to believe that in less than eight hours we can design and create our own bands from a puddle of gold.  We look forward to returning and going to her studio in December to "hammer out" our new bands.

The next morning found us searching for a place which could break the bead and remount the tire.  It had lost 10 pounds in less that 24 hours and 150 miles.  Liz, my self appointed Wrench Wench found an area along the bead of the rim gaping.  We are now thinking Greys new shoe just did not get a good bead.

We know of two good bike dealers within the area.  Max BMW and Brunswick Harley Davidson.  Figuring, since we are on adventure style bikes and adventure is their gig, We'd try Max BMW.

To our SURPRISE! Max would not, under no conditions, absolutely nata, in no-way service or assist me.  This shop strictly only services BMWs!  The guy at the desk strongly discouraged me from even using their air to top off the tire to get to another shop.  Must be BMW spicific O2 kinda like Starbucks is to the riders. He did recommend a good gas station where there is ample free air to be used.  I thought, this is BMW's primary gig, adventure riding!  I know it's not a precious BMW but Mr. Grey has feelings and to be treated that way by especially an adventure bike representative is just terrible.

Mr. Grey Shinning at Brunswick Harley

Luckily Brunswick Harley Davidson was just about a mile away.  We Explained to their service department what we thought was the issue.  They took a look and agreed. Rolled the bike right in and with in 30 minutes the tire was remounted and holding air.  The Mechanic even took the time to come out and reassure me, he wet the tire down and valvestem and found no leaks.  And remounted it so it was still balanced.  Super KUDOS to this shop!  They where great!  And only charged a half hour labor $35.00!!










Leaving NY and winding our way through the Green Mountains of VT, we find ourselves riding through a very quaint town of Chester.  Buildings all seem to date to the turn of the century.  With lunch on our minds we stop to have a look.

Chester VT

We find The Southern Pie Company.  Well,,, If you know me at all,, you know what happens next! We walk in, and there in an old style case are stacks of treats! Wide eyed, I stand in front of this chilled piece of heaven.  Homemade pies, cheese cakes, and pastries.  It's not if I will have pie for lunch rather which pie I will have for lunch!   The triple berry pie is the winner.  You know I can always justify.  Heck, If I add a scoop of ice cream I'm hitting at least two of the food groups (fruit and dairy).  Everything looked so good even Liz indulged in a half a piece of cheesecake.  DELICIOUS!









Riding out of VT and into NH means out of the Green Mountains and into the White Mountains National Forest.  Really spectacular views.  We chose not to stop for any scenic pictures since it's getting late and we've had ISSUES with riding through dusk in the past.  And, the moose crossing signs have started to freak us out a little.  We love seeing these long legged loafers but neither of us really want a mouth full of one.






Riding out of the White Mountains of NH just before ME I noticed a delay per G maps coming up as indicated in red.  Liz and I both noticed smoke or low clouds passing over a peak.  As we ride up on this area there are vehicles lining the road and low flying helicopters just pulling out of a large pond off to our right.  We pulled onto the shoulder dismounted and found ourselves within view of a raging forest fire.  We took some pics.

Our next two day stop was in Fryeburg ME for a day at the Fryeburg Fair.  And an opportunity to eat my way through another fair.  I highly recommend a visit to this fair.  It's like most state fairs but with more of a local connection.

They called this a Redneck Chainsaw. 

Yes, Liz must touch.

Never saw an oxen competition.

Camp for a couple of nights.

We finally hit the coast of ME Friday.  Explored and of course looked for a Maine type place to eat.  We found such a place in Southport.  Liz had been wanting me to try raw oysters.  One of the few seafoods I'd never had.  She found good oyster reviews (did you know oysters had reviews?) for
Robinson's Wharf & Tugs Pub. 
They where very good.  Not fishy or slimy like I'd thought they might be.  They where tender, sweet, with a hint of saltiness from the ocean.

Thanks to our friends John and Liz Colombo for letting us stay and their beautiful home in ME.  It was a great stay and night out.  Enjoyed the Rockland arts culture and diner.