Ok, so I lied. There was still a couple more things I wanted to say, and was having trouble trying to edit the last page. Easier to start a new one.
Most importantly, we left as friends and returned as friends. Thanks for a great time together. We always have fun.
I will post photos from the trip to Facebook in the next couple of days.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Day 15, home Again, Home Again
This will be the last blog for the a wild Pigs. We made it home with one final huge push in our last day. It should have been a day and a half, but everyone was looking forward to getting home and to have a day before returning to work..
We got started real early. On the road by 7:30 am, riding in the fog and mist.. The mountains are quite beautiful at that time of the day, as the sun tries to slowly burn off the fog. The clouds were low enough to wrap themselves around the peaks and waft in the breezes. We decided to take the Hwy 2 west just north of Burlington Vermont and ride up the Lake Champlain Islands. A truly beautiful ride.. We stopped for a quick coffee and pastry breakfast and sat on some benches outside overlooking the lake. It doesn't get any better than this folks. The benches had signs on them, one was for the democrats, and one for republicans. The democrat bench was empty so we sat there. It was a very busy spot. They were having a boat race. I have never seen so much duct tape. Boats made from cardboard boxes covered with all different colors of duct tape.some were really quite creative. What people won't do for a little fun!
Back on the bikes and off to have lunch in Cornwall. There was a St Huberts Chicken to the right of where we cleared customs. Back on those nasty bikes. Carolyn was saying she could make it home. Do you know how far it is from Cornwall to Wyevale??? A long, long way. We had many, many stops. Every hour. Gas. Bum rest. Water rest. Etc. about 5:30pm we stopped for a break very close to Oshawa. We figured we were about 3 hours from home. We would need to stop for a quick bite to eat somewhere. The texts from folks at home were warning we might run into rain. Big surprise!
We have done a lot of riding with Brian and Carolyn over the years, and there is always rain in our stories.
Back on those nasty, nasty bikes. Everyone is very tired, but looking forward to making it home. Carolyn who was nervous about the 401, has been on it for 4 and a half hours and doing a great job. Running about 110 kms per hour on average, and then more to pass transports, etc. What a trooper she has been. She now is an experienced rider. You will have to ask her about when she played chicken with a huge logging truck ...... And won.
We could see the rain clouds darkening the skyline as we made our way to Orillia. Now those clouds have lightening in them. Wonder if we can get home without getting wet? Stopped in Orillia for something at the A&W. Nothing that was on anyone's diet. But it tasted soo good.
Back on those nasty, nasty, nasty bikes. We didn't make it out of Orillia before the rain started. Luckily it was short lived. Maybe 10 minutes.
The Wyevale Wild Hogs, made it home safe and sound. A 14 hour day. Travelled 517 miles, which converted to about 837 kilometers. Wow. We felt like those red bummed baboons you see on the nature channel
We left with 3 bikes and 4 people, and returned with the same. By all accounts it was a successful and great holiday.
We got started real early. On the road by 7:30 am, riding in the fog and mist.. The mountains are quite beautiful at that time of the day, as the sun tries to slowly burn off the fog. The clouds were low enough to wrap themselves around the peaks and waft in the breezes. We decided to take the Hwy 2 west just north of Burlington Vermont and ride up the Lake Champlain Islands. A truly beautiful ride.. We stopped for a quick coffee and pastry breakfast and sat on some benches outside overlooking the lake. It doesn't get any better than this folks. The benches had signs on them, one was for the democrats, and one for republicans. The democrat bench was empty so we sat there. It was a very busy spot. They were having a boat race. I have never seen so much duct tape. Boats made from cardboard boxes covered with all different colors of duct tape.some were really quite creative. What people won't do for a little fun!
Back on the bikes and off to have lunch in Cornwall. There was a St Huberts Chicken to the right of where we cleared customs. Back on those nasty bikes. Carolyn was saying she could make it home. Do you know how far it is from Cornwall to Wyevale??? A long, long way. We had many, many stops. Every hour. Gas. Bum rest. Water rest. Etc. about 5:30pm we stopped for a break very close to Oshawa. We figured we were about 3 hours from home. We would need to stop for a quick bite to eat somewhere. The texts from folks at home were warning we might run into rain. Big surprise!
We have done a lot of riding with Brian and Carolyn over the years, and there is always rain in our stories.
Back on those nasty, nasty bikes. Everyone is very tired, but looking forward to making it home. Carolyn who was nervous about the 401, has been on it for 4 and a half hours and doing a great job. Running about 110 kms per hour on average, and then more to pass transports, etc. What a trooper she has been. She now is an experienced rider. You will have to ask her about when she played chicken with a huge logging truck ...... And won.
We could see the rain clouds darkening the skyline as we made our way to Orillia. Now those clouds have lightening in them. Wonder if we can get home without getting wet? Stopped in Orillia for something at the A&W. Nothing that was on anyone's diet. But it tasted soo good.
Back on those nasty, nasty, nasty bikes. We didn't make it out of Orillia before the rain started. Luckily it was short lived. Maybe 10 minutes.
The Wyevale Wild Hogs, made it home safe and sound. A 14 hour day. Travelled 517 miles, which converted to about 837 kilometers. Wow. We felt like those red bummed baboons you see on the nature channel
We left with 3 bikes and 4 people, and returned with the same. By all accounts it was a successful and great holiday.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Days 12 to 14, Carleton PEI, Lincoln Maine and Berlin, Vermont.
Day 12
Drove from Port Hastings to George and Gloria's to return the Yukon. Once again, thank you ever so much. We probably would not have done the Cabot Trail without it.
The eastern provinces have not been kind to us in the weather department. We have not seen sun since we arrived. It has either been raining, or misty or overcast.
We packed up the bikes and started to make our way to Confederation Bridge. And it wasn't a big surprise to run into rain again. On with the wet suits. We drove to a hotel on the PEI side of the bridge atCarleton.
Day 13
Up early to get a good start on threat to try to it's me miles under our wheels. Decided to return via the states. A lot more direct and avoids Montreal at all costs. We put our wet suits on first thing in the morning as there was a fine mist falling. By noon we were able to take off our wet gear. We were in the states and the sun was shining. The first for at least 5 days.
We travelled close to 500 miles and got a room at Lincoln, Maine just north of Bangor. A good days work. Saw some awesome countryside.
Day 14
Another travel day. It is not as much fun when you are making the trip home. Just trying to put on as many miles as we can. We are now covering some of the same highways that we used on the way out. It is still pretty country on the reverse..we have spent most of the day riding alongside numerous rivers. We are guessing we did at least another 400 miles today. Could be more or less. I'm too tired to get the GPS out to get a more accurate number. Trying to find a room at 6:00 pm on a Friday in Montpellier Vermonte is not easy.. All of the inns were full. A great guy at the information center finally got us a room about 10 minutes away in Berlin. Recommended great place for dinner on our way called The Wayside Restaurant.
We finally got to our rooms. We were all so tired after 2 long days of riding. Murphys Law raised it's ugly head.. We went to check our rooms. The beds were made but dirty towels were on the floor, every drawer was opened, fridge opened and a mess of trash on the table.. The front desk had to arrange for it to be cleaned. The ice machines were broken and were told to go to the restaurant for ice cubes, and they would close in 10 minutes.the restaurant told us that the broken ice machines are a normal occurrence.. The entire hotel is in disrepair. It is evident everywhere you look. Beggars can't be choosers. It is the last room in the community and we are not about to get on the bikes to ride to Burlington, 40 minutes away. The room appears to be clean. Oh and did I say it was a "smoking room"????
Everyone has tucked in for the night. We had a discussion and decided to get up early tomorrow and try to ride for 1or 2 hours before breakfast. The hope is to get to Kingston for tomorrow night, so that Sunday will be a short day.
Drove from Port Hastings to George and Gloria's to return the Yukon. Once again, thank you ever so much. We probably would not have done the Cabot Trail without it.
The eastern provinces have not been kind to us in the weather department. We have not seen sun since we arrived. It has either been raining, or misty or overcast.
We packed up the bikes and started to make our way to Confederation Bridge. And it wasn't a big surprise to run into rain again. On with the wet suits. We drove to a hotel on the PEI side of the bridge atCarleton.
Day 13
Up early to get a good start on threat to try to it's me miles under our wheels. Decided to return via the states. A lot more direct and avoids Montreal at all costs. We put our wet suits on first thing in the morning as there was a fine mist falling. By noon we were able to take off our wet gear. We were in the states and the sun was shining. The first for at least 5 days.
We travelled close to 500 miles and got a room at Lincoln, Maine just north of Bangor. A good days work. Saw some awesome countryside.
Day 14
Another travel day. It is not as much fun when you are making the trip home. Just trying to put on as many miles as we can. We are now covering some of the same highways that we used on the way out. It is still pretty country on the reverse..we have spent most of the day riding alongside numerous rivers. We are guessing we did at least another 400 miles today. Could be more or less. I'm too tired to get the GPS out to get a more accurate number. Trying to find a room at 6:00 pm on a Friday in Montpellier Vermonte is not easy.. All of the inns were full. A great guy at the information center finally got us a room about 10 minutes away in Berlin. Recommended great place for dinner on our way called The Wayside Restaurant.
We finally got to our rooms. We were all so tired after 2 long days of riding. Murphys Law raised it's ugly head.. We went to check our rooms. The beds were made but dirty towels were on the floor, every drawer was opened, fridge opened and a mess of trash on the table.. The front desk had to arrange for it to be cleaned. The ice machines were broken and were told to go to the restaurant for ice cubes, and they would close in 10 minutes.the restaurant told us that the broken ice machines are a normal occurrence.. The entire hotel is in disrepair. It is evident everywhere you look. Beggars can't be choosers. It is the last room in the community and we are not about to get on the bikes to ride to Burlington, 40 minutes away. The room appears to be clean. Oh and did I say it was a "smoking room"????
Everyone has tucked in for the night. We had a discussion and decided to get up early tomorrow and try to ride for 1or 2 hours before breakfast. The hope is to get to Kingston for tomorrow night, so that Sunday will be a short day.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Day 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 Digby to Cabot Trail
This is the first we have had wifi for a number of days.
Day 7
We travelled to Digby. We travelled the shoreline route, all along the Fundy Bay. Tide was out for most of the bay. What a sight. We made reservations at the Seawinds Motel. Now that was an experience. You show up at the registration and they tell you to go down the street to the building with the red roof, and then your room is upstairs 9 buildings beyond there. The room overlooked the yacht club and had a restaurant right below us. Wings and beer on the deck while we watched the festivities. Then a walk along the docks, only to meet a couple who used to manage the Meaford Canadian Tire for 18 months.
Tides are amazing here. 58 feet in such a short time. 14billion tons of water. In fact Nova Scotia tilt when the tide comes in apparently.
Day 8
On to Halifax via Lunenburg. Home of the Bluenose. We toured the waterfront museum and the boats tied along the docks. On to Halifax. Wine and cheese in our room, then a taxi to Salty's Restaurant downtown on the docks. Great restaurant. Then a walk along the wharf.
Not enough hours in the day. We wanted to go to Peggy's cove and the Atlantic Maritime Museum, Pier 21, but no time.
Day 9
Charlettown, PEI Where we learned about cow tipping. There is still much discussion as to the methodology, and factualness of the sport. Need to look this up on the Internet.
Day 10
Cheticamp Cape Breton
We woke to rain, rain, and more rain. Decided to go to George and Gloria Wood's to get the truck that George had offered. Wyevale Wold Hogs turned into luxury cruisers riding in a fully equipped Yukon thanks to George. Note to George ..... To the best of our knowledge the framework is safe and sound and most of the metal should pound out with little trouble ...... So they tell us. Who knew a blind lady pounding on the side of the truck while we dragged her down the Cabot Trail could have caused so much damage.Luckily we gave her Georges name, number and address. Her lawyers will be in touch with your lawyers. Thanks George. The Yukon can be picked up at Cape Fear auto wreckers.
It was an all day rain ..... Arrived Cheticamp 9:00 pm. Frazers Motel. Dinner at La Gabriel Restaurant where Brian and Carolyn totally enjoyed a Lobster dinner. Tomorrow Whale Watching.
Day 11
Cabot Trail
We woke to an overcast sky, cool temperatures and high winds. We drove up the coast towards Pleasant Bay. The shoreline scenery was amazing. The pictures won't do it justice but we tried. Arrived Captain Marks Whale watching only to find out it was too rough to go out at 9:30am. Wait two hours to see if it calms down. Good time to do some laundry. 2 hours later it hadn't changed, so there is no whale watching stories here. This will give us a good excuse to come back.
Returned to our travels and came across Beulah Falls, well worth the trip for these alone.
We had a late lunch of seafood meals at the Chowder House Neils Harbour. Just before we asked the blind lady for directions.
Took some great pictures of the group standing on a rock with the waves breaking over the rock behind them and spewing into the air. One wave came in with such force it rained all over them. Sometimes it good to be the photographer.
We continued on the trail and are spending the night at Port Hastings. The plan is to return to George and Gloria's, pick up the bikes and start our trek home on Thursday. Right now the strategy is to cross over into Quebec and travel the north shore of the St Larence River and then thru Algonquin Park. But this could change. Keep watching for updates .... If wevhave access to wifi.
Day 11
The Cabot Trail. We woke to an overcast day, cool temperatures and lots of wind.
Day 7
We travelled to Digby. We travelled the shoreline route, all along the Fundy Bay. Tide was out for most of the bay. What a sight. We made reservations at the Seawinds Motel. Now that was an experience. You show up at the registration and they tell you to go down the street to the building with the red roof, and then your room is upstairs 9 buildings beyond there. The room overlooked the yacht club and had a restaurant right below us. Wings and beer on the deck while we watched the festivities. Then a walk along the docks, only to meet a couple who used to manage the Meaford Canadian Tire for 18 months.
Tides are amazing here. 58 feet in such a short time. 14billion tons of water. In fact Nova Scotia tilt when the tide comes in apparently.
Day 8
On to Halifax via Lunenburg. Home of the Bluenose. We toured the waterfront museum and the boats tied along the docks. On to Halifax. Wine and cheese in our room, then a taxi to Salty's Restaurant downtown on the docks. Great restaurant. Then a walk along the wharf.
Not enough hours in the day. We wanted to go to Peggy's cove and the Atlantic Maritime Museum, Pier 21, but no time.
Day 9
Charlettown, PEI Where we learned about cow tipping. There is still much discussion as to the methodology, and factualness of the sport. Need to look this up on the Internet.
Day 10
Cheticamp Cape Breton
We woke to rain, rain, and more rain. Decided to go to George and Gloria Wood's to get the truck that George had offered. Wyevale Wold Hogs turned into luxury cruisers riding in a fully equipped Yukon thanks to George. Note to George ..... To the best of our knowledge the framework is safe and sound and most of the metal should pound out with little trouble ...... So they tell us. Who knew a blind lady pounding on the side of the truck while we dragged her down the Cabot Trail could have caused so much damage.Luckily we gave her Georges name, number and address. Her lawyers will be in touch with your lawyers. Thanks George. The Yukon can be picked up at Cape Fear auto wreckers.
It was an all day rain ..... Arrived Cheticamp 9:00 pm. Frazers Motel. Dinner at La Gabriel Restaurant where Brian and Carolyn totally enjoyed a Lobster dinner. Tomorrow Whale Watching.
Day 11
Cabot Trail
We woke to an overcast sky, cool temperatures and high winds. We drove up the coast towards Pleasant Bay. The shoreline scenery was amazing. The pictures won't do it justice but we tried. Arrived Captain Marks Whale watching only to find out it was too rough to go out at 9:30am. Wait two hours to see if it calms down. Good time to do some laundry. 2 hours later it hadn't changed, so there is no whale watching stories here. This will give us a good excuse to come back.
Returned to our travels and came across Beulah Falls, well worth the trip for these alone.
We had a late lunch of seafood meals at the Chowder House Neils Harbour. Just before we asked the blind lady for directions.
Took some great pictures of the group standing on a rock with the waves breaking over the rock behind them and spewing into the air. One wave came in with such force it rained all over them. Sometimes it good to be the photographer.
We continued on the trail and are spending the night at Port Hastings. The plan is to return to George and Gloria's, pick up the bikes and start our trek home on Thursday. Right now the strategy is to cross over into Quebec and travel the north shore of the St Larence River and then thru Algonquin Park. But this could change. Keep watching for updates .... If wevhave access to wifi.
Day 11
The Cabot Trail. We woke to an overcast day, cool temperatures and lots of wind.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Day 6, Truro
We all had breakfast in Machias and headed to Calais. After St. Stephens we separated. Brian and Carolyn were off to Alma to see the musical stones and we were off to visit Marcel and Fernie in Scotchtown east of Fredericton.
We had a great visit with Marcel and Fernie. They sowed us around their community. Fernie makes a great clam chowder. They spoiled us.
We were on our way to join Brian and Carolyn in Truro. We stopped at the info center at Nova Scotia border ..... Guess who' bikes we see in the parking lot ...... B & C. Who would believe it? We couldn't have done this if we tried.
They had been to Hopewell in the morning to walk out to the renowned rocks while the tide was out. They said it was an outstanding experience.
We are settled into the Holiday Inn, Truro. A drink in hand, wine & cheese before going to dinner.(Cheryl)
Yesterday [wed) was a wet ride for the Handy's, but made it 2 Alma. Wyevale Wild Hogs were 2. Good seafood chowder. Off 2 Moncton & 2 Truro for the nite. All the WildHogs r together again. Ready for more laughs. Off to Halifax tomorrow.(B&C).
We had a great visit with Marcel and Fernie. They sowed us around their community. Fernie makes a great clam chowder. They spoiled us.
We were on our way to join Brian and Carolyn in Truro. We stopped at the info center at Nova Scotia border ..... Guess who' bikes we see in the parking lot ...... B & C. Who would believe it? We couldn't have done this if we tried.
They had been to Hopewell in the morning to walk out to the renowned rocks while the tide was out. They said it was an outstanding experience.
We are settled into the Holiday Inn, Truro. A drink in hand, wine & cheese before going to dinner.(Cheryl)
Yesterday [wed) was a wet ride for the Handy's, but made it 2 Alma. Wyevale Wild Hogs were 2. Good seafood chowder. Off 2 Moncton & 2 Truro for the nite. All the WildHogs r together again. Ready for more laughs. Off to Halifax tomorrow.(B&C).
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Day 4, Newport Maine to Machias, Maine
We had a slow start to the day as the sky was cloudy and looked very threatening. The word was to expect scattered showers.
We had made some new biker friends at the motel we stayed at the previous night. Tammy and Steve. They had started out before us only to find that the route we needed to travel was under construction and we needed to make a detour. They came back and Steve said that his bike was making some strange sounds. we followed him to the Bangor Harley dealership. And all the girls needed to buy a long sleeve shirt as it was quite cool and damp. Tammy picked up a great leather Harley coat.
We went out for breakfast together and then separated.. Steve and Tammy were off for Halifax, and we made our way to Bar Harbour. They no longer have the cat boat to Nova Scotia. What a busy, busy town. Hard to get a parking spot. We did a quick walk around and then got on our way. Clouds and mist still haunting us.
Highway 1 follows fairly close to the coastline. We stopped in Machias so we could travel the coastline hopefully on a sunny day. We will have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
No evidence of Indians in this area, I'm sure we haven't seen the end of them tho'.
We had made some new biker friends at the motel we stayed at the previous night. Tammy and Steve. They had started out before us only to find that the route we needed to travel was under construction and we needed to make a detour. They came back and Steve said that his bike was making some strange sounds. we followed him to the Bangor Harley dealership. And all the girls needed to buy a long sleeve shirt as it was quite cool and damp. Tammy picked up a great leather Harley coat.
We went out for breakfast together and then separated.. Steve and Tammy were off for Halifax, and we made our way to Bar Harbour. They no longer have the cat boat to Nova Scotia. What a busy, busy town. Hard to get a parking spot. We did a quick walk around and then got on our way. Clouds and mist still haunting us.
Highway 1 follows fairly close to the coastline. We stopped in Machias so we could travel the coastline hopefully on a sunny day. We will have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
No evidence of Indians in this area, I'm sure we haven't seen the end of them tho'.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Day 3, Burlington Vermont to Newport, Maine
We r in Newport, Maine & headed for Bar Harbour tomorrow. Great weather great riding great friends. But our leader Peter may soon be off that list of great friends. Today he tried to ditch us. Got stopped at an accident & they were turning folks around. Pete spoke to the trooper, then gave us this cowboy type signal that looked like " let's turn around and head back in the direction we came" ...so we turned around but Pete ducked into some lane & watched us drive away. 40 minutes later we caught up to them again Txs to cell phones. Pay backs can be hell ! (Carolyn)
We have been riding all day on Hwy 2, had a terrific ride. The perfect road for motorcycles. It winds around and up and down the mountains following various rivers. The rivers are right beside the why. A lot of the time.We rode thru the for the first part of the day, then the Appalachins in the afternoon. Storm clouds have been building during the afternoon and the temperature dropped significantly. We hurried right along trying to make it to our destination for the night before the storm settles in. We are sitting outside our hotel room enjoying some drinks after a perfect bike riding day. Like Carolyn said .... Great day.....great country....great riding .... And great friends..... It doesn't get any better than this.
Oh and by the way, there was evidence of Indians again today...... Elements of the historic Asphalt Indians.
We have been riding all day on Hwy 2, had a terrific ride. The perfect road for motorcycles. It winds around and up and down the mountains following various rivers. The rivers are right beside the why. A lot of the time.We rode thru the for the first part of the day, then the Appalachins in the afternoon. Storm clouds have been building during the afternoon and the temperature dropped significantly. We hurried right along trying to make it to our destination for the night before the storm settles in. We are sitting outside our hotel room enjoying some drinks after a perfect bike riding day. Like Carolyn said .... Great day.....great country....great riding .... And great friends..... It doesn't get any better than this.
Oh and by the way, there was evidence of Indians again today...... Elements of the historic Asphalt Indians.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)