Here's Day 2: 65 miles and 3391' of climb. By Day # 2 we all noted that none of the website information described how much climbing is required to cycle the coast of Maine. Our tour leader, Norman (aka the Big Toe) was fairly nonchalant about it. I suppose he just sags those who cannot complete the mileage. Some of our group were pretty grumpy about it at first. Then it became expected. Especially first thing immediately after a meal when one's legs were at their least likely to be able to handle the pain of a climb.
Super breakfast at the inn. French toast with Maine blueberries.
Each morning Norman gave out maps and route sheets for the day.
One last glimpse of beautiful Bradley Inn before we leave Pemaquid.
These quiet country roads were typical along our ride.
Approaching Pemaquid Lighthouse
This Maineiac (they prefer Maineiac over Mainer) was a plumber until he retired. He now volunteers at the light house. He informed us that both dinosaurs and light house keepers are extinct on Maine now. He truly had the broadest Maine accent I encountered the entire trip. He pronounced pot buoys "poat boys" - charming!
Janie is pointing the way!
These are pot buoys. They mark the spot that the lobstermen have set their traps (also called lobster pots). Each lobsterman has his own color, which is why they are so decorative. In the olden days, if a pot buoy floats shore, the townsfolk would hang them on a tree so they can be seen and retrieved. This is why so many vintage pot buoys are displayed hanging in trees or similar structures.
There was an olde fort on the route, but Jett did not want to waste the effort (those hills were taking a toll). Janie and I rode ahead and took a quick snap.
More beautiful scenery.
We encountered countless old cemetaries. Wish I could have stopped at each!
Love the old gothic buildings.
Not sure why my blog software loaded these photos out of order, but I'm going with it!
These are lobster pots aka lobster traps. Saw them everywhere. Loved it.
Lobster, lobster, lobster. It's a way of life out here.
Touching. We did not see much diversity at all in Maine.
Here's Jett resting her feet. She is prone to hot foot when on long, hot rides. I posted this photo on Facebook with a caption of "Look what I found in the Maine woods!" One of Jett's clever friends replied, "It's a fine specimen of a West Coast white crested gear spinner." LOL!
Who knew?
Encountered this pack of horses, along with a couple of cars on yet another hill. It was a bit much, but the horses stayed calm.
Here's our 2 "Barbaras" (girls who sag). This is Jennifer and Janie. Janie rode partial days on Days 1 and 2, then all the days thereafter. She is tough!
This is the home where the painter Andrew Wyeth lived.
Fort Knox Historic Site
And yay! Finally arrived at our room at Craignair Inn on Clark Island. This was probably our most spartan inn stay. The double bed felt tiny! Jett rolled over just as I was falling asleep, and I actually thought we were having an earthquake. (We missed our California King tempurpedic mattress for sure on this trip.
Another very hilly day.
Scenes from the inn.
And thus ends Day # 2
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