A Maine Event - Before Heading South

Tuesday, July 10

Today we're back on the road again on our own pair of wheels - initially accompanied by our two good friends: American-Ellen riding her big black cruiser, with Ronda in hot pursuit in the SUV [because she was obliged to move on swiftly to her workplace].

It was suggested that, as we're located in such close proximity to the State of Maine, then we should all go take a look, before we must sadly say our mutual farewells to each other.

So by late morning our three vehicular convoy, comprising of eight wheels in total, sets-off in a broad dog-legged easterly direction to one the most photographed coastal landmarks in Maine; conveniently perched on a handy rock at the extremity of Cape Neddick, the Nubble Lighthouse.

Its foghorn does work, BTW ...

.. and so say all of us, including this dedicated artist - who must have a mighty-fine and vivid imagination too!

In the public car park we spot a wannabee Pan-Europeaner. Actually it's a chap and his missus up from Kentucky, who has semi-converted his US-bought ST1300 into a Pan by adding aftermarket Pan-European emblems and an imported top-box trunk. He had me fooled for a moment though .. 'till he opened his gob and started ... er .. tawkin'

"Yup, I dun fixed-up them thar fine decals on this here 100 maul anar motorsickle. Shoot, not no-one's got them in ma entar AY-ree-uh, not no-how! She's a bewt tho ain't she? Baugh l just lurve this heeya motorsickle - yup, I got'it REAL bay-uhd"
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Methinks: 'Well now Baugh, I just can't wait to hit them thar southern states ... YEE-HAW!'
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And another BTW: As you can see, Rhonda is definitely, definitely in the market for a new lid .. There's just no bout to doubt it.

After a delicious lunch of steamed lobsters, plus tons of other seafoody-type accompaniments, in the close-by Nubble Lighthouse Restaurant - the weather starts to clear, and it is finally time to say goodbye to R&E, who have been THE most perfect of all hostesses.

Listen guys, we really hope that you carry out your promise and do indeed visit us in Cornwall next year. As you like coastline and good seafood, then you’ll just love it way down there in the very, very far southwest of England.

It's kisses and cuddles all round. We then head south towards Boston .. and beyond

Wednesday, July 11

Last night we travelled on down to Cape Cod; and the seaside township of Hyannis in particular, specifically to catch the morning's ferry to the nearby offshore island of Martha's Vineyard ...

.. home of and playground to the ill-fated Kennedy Family, amongst other world-famous personalities.

But as to a whistle-stop tour? ... (a) do we rent and ride one of the highly competitively priced scooter/motorcycles [$70]; or (b) take the more leisurely option of the bus [2 x tickets = $46]?

Not an easy decision to make. However, we hastily decide upon the easier, fully narrated (b) option

Here's the Gay Head (Aquinnah) Lighthouse, situated at the Island's western end, which guards the entrance to Vineyard Sound. Characteristically alternating its red ...

.. and white flash every 15 seconds

MY SUMMARY: Martha's Vineyard offers diversity to the visitor. It's obvious that the locals share a spirit of Yankee independence, which is probably due to their separation from the mainland.

With a land mass area of about two-thirds the size of England's south coast-based Isles of Wight, Martha's Vineyard is certainly worth a visit. Indeed, we had our first taste of American ‘Summer Brew’ beer here - and mighty fine stuff it is too ;o) ;o)

And another thing: Many scenes from the 1975 classic film 'JAWS' was shot around the island. Remember the swimmers all rushing out of the water in a frenzied panic? That was filmed on a Martha's Vineyard beach.

But I simply can't help but draw many parallels with the Isle of Wight. I dunno why? It can't be the money involved, as the two places are probably worlds apart when it comes to the issue of wealth [the IoW being much the poorer of the two by a straightforward per-capita comparison basis].

Maybe it's the varied colours of sand, and apparent cliff erosion, at Gay Head that reminds me so much of the IoW's Alum Bay. I just dunno at the end of the day. The two islands just feel similar to me?

Ho-hum

New York, New England - But No Tea Party in Boston

Saturday, July-07

Not an early start from our last Ontario-based stopover, the 'Apple Blossom B&B' located on the outskirts of the clean and pretty township of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Nevertheless we arrive at the border crossing by around 11:00am and wait our turn in the lengthy queue. The humidity is high today and we start to cook in our heavy riding apparel under 100% cloud cover.

Reflections stare back, as my aching clutch-wrist starts to feel the strain of it all

Halfway across the Niagara River and I guess it's technically US territory from now on, even though we're suspended 370 feet (113 m) from the river surface below

We eventually arrive at the border patrol's booth. The immigration officer in attendance asks for our passports and associated visas. Of course, I don't have a current US visa! My last one expired just 24 hours ago, precisely 90 days after my visit to San Francisco back in early April.

I explain the position. Mr Grumpy then walks to the rear of the Pan, and sees the UK registration plate and 'GB' sticker; we hear him frustratingly grown, quietly under his breath, "Jeezus Christ!"

My passport is immediately withheld and I'm politely, but firmly, ordered to report and explain my circumstances to a specialist officer at the adjacent Immigration Control Centre.

Despite having to line-up behind some very 'dodgy' looking characters, after a brief interview, and some inevitable form filling, I'm awarded another 90-day visa. We've finally arrived in America .. YEEHAW! .. and we're on our way in no time. Then I get utterly lost in Buffalo City! I want, and clearly need, my new GPS software .. ASAP!
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Eventually we find our way onto the eastbound Interstate 90 (I-90) and cruise effortlessly across the State of New York picking-up whatever local stations we can find on the Pan's VHF radio.

After 150 miles, as we pass by the township of Syracuse, an over-riding severe weather warning interrupts the jumble of rock music and forecasts imminent thunderstorms in the Syracuse area with predicted 60mph winds and ¾"-sized hailstones. The day's journey is clearly over for us. Within 20 minutes we're checking into a motel in nearby Oneida Township.

Then the heavens open.

Thank gawd I decided to have the Honda RDS radio fitted back in late 2004 .. t'was a good decision after all .. :o)

Sunday, July-08

Our destination today is unremarkably the same as yesterdays! We still need to get right across New York State, AND Vermont State, AND most of the state of New Hampshire - to the rural community of Barrington; a distance still to go of another 300 miles.

The weather conditions are stiflingly hot and humid and we're stopping for more breaks than usual, just to take-in liquids. The light garments (T-shirts etc) under our riding gear are soaked through with excessive perspiration. The helmets are dripping-wet too.

One of our refreshment stops is here at Hogback Mountain on Route 9 near Marlborough, Vermont, in the southern foothills of the scenic Green Mountains ...

.. Perched on an overlook with views into Massachusetts and New Hampshire; on a clear day the horizon is 100 miles away .. BUT not today, there is just too much clamminess in the air.

But by around 6:00pm we pull into Barrington's gas/petrol service station. Then phone our new hostesses, Rhonda & Ellen, who both immediately jump into their SUV to meet-and greet, and guide us back along the short journey to their rural home, just 5-minutes away.

What a wonderful welcome - after a long hot ride .. :o) :o) ...

.. and what a wonderful home in a great setting! These gals have nailed a GREAT home lifestyle, that's for sure. Nice one ... R&E .. ;o)

With just enough covered parking space for a third motorcycle!

AND I now have my newest and bestest piece o'kit: MapSource City Navigator North America, which is just the ticket for my Garmin GPS unit. No more getting lost from now on [hopefully!]. Thanks again mate(s) for taking receipt of this pre-ordered software. I needed a US-based address badly - and you didn't hesitate to offer me yours. Fantastic support - and just what the navigational doctor ordered!

Later that evening the thunder-and-lightning storms are overhead and all around. The power supply gets struck and we're plunged into darkness. Candles and lots of red wine outside on the decking will always solve the problem though. 'Tis the best remedy under such circumstances .. ;o)

Monday, July-09

My first proper home-prepared American breakfast .. ever!

Red tomatoes (some say tamatoes :o) - white 'over-easy' fried eggs - with blue .. er[?] blueberries. Don't get much more patriotic than this .. neither.

A tour of Boston City is on the agenda during the afternoon, and even though it's a distance of 70 miles or more from Rhonda & Ellen's home, they nevertheless drive us into the city suburbs where we park-up at the northeastly-located subway station of 'Wonderland', where we commute into the City's centre.

At the end of the rail journey, as we climb the stairwell into the warm Boston daylight, my first sight of this most historic of all American cities is the impressive Zakim Bridge.

We book a guided on a renovated WWII amphibious landing vehicle; a 'Boston Duck Tour' [QUACK QUACK!]

Dunno where the duck is going here, but a bidofa clue is in the picture. Reckon this must be somewhere around the North Street area .. ;o)

This building is significant, for some reason or other, but I dunno wot for right now .. forgot, see .. :o(

Ah yes! upon reflection this is Hancock Place .. :o) ..

.. and the Massachusetts State House

The Zakim Bridge from a different perspective

"splashdown" into the Charles River on this non-stop tour

More reflections as we float down into the harbour

'Major Scoop' - our tour guide/driver - invites a passenger to take the wheel. Ellen jumps at the chance. Scoop enquires, "Hope I didn't give you Brits too harda time back there in my commentary, huh guys?"

'Anyone for tea?' I felt like saying at the time .. ;o)

The floating tour goes on ...

.. right into the early evening

Under the power of its powerful 4-wheel drive, the duck finally climbs out of the water. It was a good tour - and one that was well thought through by our hostesses with-the-mostesses. I recommend it as a great way to see this fine city. BUT if I hear 'QUACK f#*king QUACK' just one more time, I'm sure I'll go nuts!

In the evening we invite R&E to have dinner with us .. their choice of venue. Again, wisely, they choose a Boston-based Japanese steak house.

The experience is part dining and part entertainment. Our very own chef prepares a delightful dinner right at our table. He brings his own level of showmanship to the experience as he flips, chops, and serves us with flair. But yet another mildly minor irritation gets to me: I never wanna hear a chef say "Yummy yummy" ever again, especially with an oriental enunciation .. He sounded like a real, well .. sirry iriot!