We left Cobleskill NY early Friday morning; the air was chilly and slightly overcast, but we planned to 'stay ahead of the rain.' As we rounded the curve of the on ramp, two white tailed deer, who had been munching the sweet grass along the asphalt, left up and over to the pine woods that line the interstate here. Those two were alive, several more we saw that morning didn't make it from the asphalt to the woods.
It seemed we had the whole road to ourselves that morning, strong contrast to the previous few days as we jockeyed for position all day with dense traffic. A quick skirt around Albany and we picked up Route 7.... Secondary roads...FINALLY! "Life is too short for traffic." First order of business was breakfast and not a chain restaurant. The lttle town we were slowing for looked a little deserted....but up on the right, I spy a gravel parking lot chock full of cars at a run down little place called Duncan's Dairy Bar. I pulled into the crowded parking lot, and we walked into a ramshackle diner where it was apparent everyone knew everyone else. There was a counter that snaked the length of the restaurant and tables in the back, I chose the counter because it was front and center to the cooking! Homemade donuts, cinnamon buns and loaves of bread were laid out next to the old fashioned soda/Coca-Cola dispenser. The menu told us Duncan's was voted 'Best Breakfast in New York," and after eating there I can attest to that claim. Our waitress was the owners daughter and she worked the counter like a pro; I thought I was ordering lite ( hoping to save room for one of the cinnamon rolls) but when my PLATTER of eggs, bacon, and home fries was plunked down in front of me, it was enough to feed a family of four! At the unbelievable price of $6.99.... After two weeks in Hawaii though, Paul and I find everything 'cheap.' After Duncan's awesome breakfast - and no room for a cinnamon roll - we waddle back to the bikes and head east.
Just outside of Bennington VT, I decided it was time for heavy leather, so I pulled over and we donned chapps, full gloves, etc. Route 5 runs through the Green Mountain National Forst in Vermont; my last trip thru here on Bessie One was dampened by rain up through the White Mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. I love the smell of the pine forest; like riding through Christmas, especially with a slight crisp in the air. The asphalt is good, the scenery is incredible, the curves are frequent, and I love the sound of Bessie's V-twin when the elevation increases.
I've had a smile on my face all day; these are the kinds of roads that Bessie and I live for! We pick up 202 into New Hampshire.....all across Vermont and New Hampshire we are warned of Moose Crossing...and on a bike, you keep saying a silent prayer as you negotiate the curves, please please please do not cross here in front of me and my bike! Luckily, we did not see one single moose. Every little town we passed through was making preparation for the July 4th celebration; red white and blue bunting hung along the town square, wreaths in windows, flags big and small....small town America in all its patriotic glory!
By noon we are in Maine and able to shed the heavy leather; we have seen lots of bikes today, but they are either solo males or female back rests...I'm wondering if I'm the only women rider in New England today!? We find our hotel in Saco, call Paul's boys who drive over to meet us....when they hop out of the car, im looking at two younger versions of Paul. We spend the next eve/day, visiting with kids and the grand kid ( who is as spunky as she can be...my kinda girl). I'm reminded of how much I miss my own kids; seems like when they are little, we can't wait for them to be self sufficient, then BOOM...they are grown, families or careers of their own, flung all over the U.S.....and you are eager to take whatever time they are willing to carve out for you .
Paul and I take a ride out to Old Orchard Beach....typical beach town...and I realize, not for the first time, that I am just not an East coast, uptown girl. My compass points more South and West. If I wasn't so anxious to check the Cabot Trail off my Bike It List, I would have a desire to be in New England. Headed up Route 1 Monday morning and into Canada.
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