Monday 5 July 2010

Goodbye to Maine

On day 11 we said goodbye to Maine.

Just before we left our overnight stop in Portsmouth, which used to have the much nicer name of Strawberry Bank, we went for a coffee in the main square where there were a few bikes parked. We talked with a few people there and once again were surprised at how friendly people are around these parts. I think that as a nation, we English can sometimes be to formal and the much more laid back approach to life of many of the people Paul and I have already met is very refreshing. Paul needed to find a particular store and rather than simply give us directions, one of the locals, a biker on a restored R90 BMW with 146,000 miles on the clock rode with us to show us the way.

Here is Ron on his beautiful BMW...




















Soon we headed south once more and we rode along the coast, as ever preferring small roads and avoiding anything that looked like an Interstate. We went through the Hamptons, saw some stunning houses and stopped by some of the beaches. This was the first time we had seen sand (although rocks a-plenty) and as it was the start of the 4th July weekend, the beaches were like a magnet to many thousands of sun worshippers. The first beach we saw was Wallis Sands....




















This was the view of Jenness State beach....





















The Hamptons were very busy and crowded with a huge amount of traffic trying to find somewhere to park, so we decided to ride on. Soon we found a lake covered in water lilies. This was quite stunning....







































We all see airplane con-trails in the sky every so often. Today we saw what was a first for both of us and we soon realised what this was – con-trails for planes converging on what we thought must be New York about 300 miles away and they made for a great picture....


























We stopped for ice cream. This is the author with the smallest they sold....




















Soon we were approaching Boston and we stopped in a very historic place – Salem. There are a few tourist type shops and a wax museum, but we ignored these, choosing instead to go to the cemetery where the supposed witches were buried. It was quite sombre as we walked around and read the headstones of the people who had been found guilty of witchcraft – mostly women. July 1692 was a sorry time and I had to feel sorry for those poor people who were killed mainly over the period ofa few days.

The cemetery at Salem....






















A line of witches graves....



























Elizabeth Howe....






















The Boston Skyline soon approached and we hit some traffic. Not too bad but it felt strange to be back in a city again!



















10 comments:

biker baby said...

If you don't like interstates, you will hate riding through what we call the "armpit". Coming from the east, it starts at about half way between Michigan City, IN and Gary IN. and up through Chicago. We had the pleasure of riding some of the 6 lane interstates heading in toward Chicago. It can really test your riding skills. Be very alert when you come through the armpit and if you can avoid the rush hour...AVOID IT.

Unknown said...

Gary:

I'm sure glad that I'm not Elizabeth Howe . Imagine innocent people being dragged out and killed or burned to death. I shudder at the thought . . .

Looks like you lucked out with the good weather too

bob
Wet Coast Scootin

iansolley said...

Nice R90 - I have an R80.,......well now I have pulled it apart bits of one.
Your tour looks like its going so well and I am really pleased for you.

SonjaM said...

Scary times, back in the dark ages in Salem. I take it they don't do this any more these days? Like the beemer, I had an R80 myself 12 years ago. Ride on, Gary!

Eve said...

Get used to BIG food over here!! I don't think the word small exists, especially when it comes to ice cream! Yes that is a nice Beemer! Thanks for taking us to Salem. Ride safe!

mq01 said...

ah, salem and the hamptons, two places on my must visit list. poor elizabeth howe, and all the people who suffered during such hateful times :( i can only imagine how it felt being there at the salem cemetery...

Anonymous said...

sounds like you two were having a good time and a great blog chap wish we with you keep safe. best from all the lads. russ

Gary France said...

BB – Thanks for the tips. I did notice that area on the maps and coulkdn’t see a great way through it. I will look again and try to find another way.

Bob – It was chilling reading the gravestones of the so-called witches. Most were hanged, but one was “pressed to death”. Nasty.

Ian – He had done a great job restoring it. I can’t wait to see how yours end up!

Sonja – No, they don’t do it any longer. Good luck today by the way!! I trust that you will be watching the game somewhere.

Eve – Even when you ask for a small portion, it still gets served in a mega size.

mq01 – Salem cemetery was chilling. I have to admit not feeling very comfortable there. They were terrible times no doubt.

Russ – Thanks for looking in at the blog. We have had a brilliant time.

Anonymous said...

hello again gary
it was nice meeting you today at the gas staion.we sure lucked out with the rain storm.
so you know it is not allways this hot here.you caught a heat wave. i hope you enjoy the shirts you picked up at the harley store. stay safe and i hope your trip is a great one.

Rick
( groton CT )

Gary France said...

Rick - It was good meeting you too. One of the shirts came in very handt today to keep the sun off my arams. I was beginning to go a little pink!