Mirrored

Before we delve into the second leg of our trip, let's summarize the first with some well-designed metrics:

Miles ridden: 2970
Clif bars eaten: 120*
Warm showers hosts: 6
Friends visited: 6
Manatees spotted: 0
Free campsites: 2
Flat tires: Too many

* conservative estimate

Our first day of the second leg began with some inclement weather. It was raining, cold and windy when we woke up. The rain eased up before we rode off but it was pretty chilly and we took out our arm and leg warmers. For non-cyclists, arm and leg warmers are just sleeves for your arms and legs. They tuck up under your jersey or shorts. I had new leg warmers that continually fell down until I hiked them waaaaay up my leg then they stayed put.

We crossed 3000 miles yesterday as we retraced our previous pedal strokes along the Maine coast. We visited the country store where Mike had spelled out "help" in pennies on a picnic bench, they were still there. In the evening we stayed with Alex, a fellow cyclist who allows bike tourers to camp in his yard when they are passing through Belfast. We enjoyed beer in front of his fire and swapped some stories before bed.

Today had much nicer weather - no rain, plenty of sunshine and blue skies. The ride continued to retrace our steps, this time through Camden where we had stayed with Davis and Tessa, then onto Rockport. In Rockport we stopped by a massive sports store to buy more stove fuel and a friendly gentleman in the bike section topped up our tires. On the more rural sections of the route took us past farm stands selling berries, vegetables and plants. They operate on the honor system, you just leave cash for your purchases. We also saw some deer (including a baby deer) but no moose yet.

Towards the end of the day we stopped for a break in Wiscasset, home of the "panino" lady. Here we made the best purchase of the trip so far: nachos. A giant pile of chips covered in cheese and various toppings, plus sour cream, guacamole and salsa. There were so many. Imagine nachos for 6 people and that's what we had. It was incredible. The only downside is that we did not cook the dinner we had purchased earlier and now I must carry quinoa and beans another 60 miles. Tonight we're camping at an overpriced campground but they do have nice couches in the rec hall so we'll forgive them for their inappropriate pricing.

Pennies still there

Cool clouds

Vibrant colors

At the Lincolnville General Store - top notch!

Lots o' Lakes

Near a pond at lunch time

Comments

  1. G.P. has been trying to escape again. He gets about a block or two away when he is out of gas. The locals call Sunrise and tell them to pick up their escapee. Still trying to get a condo in L.A. Have I ever told you how much I love L.A.? Got the attic at Yorkshire cleared out, including a dried out, dusty, filthy dead rat. Found an old oil can in the garage and shined it up some. It's the same kind as you see in the Wizard of Oz when they are first trying to free up the rusted Tin Man. I'll send you a photo.

    3,000 miles! You could have made it across the Country with those miles. Oh, well, it's all about the journey.

    Bob Feinson wants to know when you'll be in Washington. (So do I.)

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  2. Rach, You had me smiling and laughing -- thank you so much for the stories and your humor! Also, despite your tea you may be morphing into a true Californian. Who else would be so enthusiastic about nachos?

    Ride safely.

    Cheri

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  3. So what is a Clif bar???? I am sure we dont know just because we are English and live in France 😵 3000 miles, great job. Xxx

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  4. Good day Mike and Rach,

    Congratulations on completing your first leg. One left turn complete one to go.You both look like your having one heck of a great time. So jealous of you two. Well hopefully your not battling to strong of head winds on your wayward west. Things at the Getty are still crazy. We are having a little bit of a rest here right now though. Who knows how long it will last? Anyways enough about here and may you two continue to have a safe and fun ride across the states. May the wind be on your backs!!!

    Loren

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