Headin' Up Country: 8/3-8/4 Maine-ly Riding Through.

IAugust 3, 2015

A Farmington wake up scooted us out. As we passed farmhouses telescoped and connected, firewood stacked by the doors, the warmth of this summer day could not disguise the respect given to the severe winters this area endures. A barn must be attached to the house because in a blizzard, you may not be able to get to the cows and firewood means survival.

Miles sped by as beautiful New England farms, complete with red barns, overlooking distant mountain ranges, teased us into believing that we could live here and winter doesn't start in September.

From farms to forests. Grudgingly accepting route 95 as a detour from Augusta and our fastest way to the border, we shouldered in, expecting our usual East Coast frenzy. Instead, a densely forested road, persistently boasting moose warnings, lured us toward Canada and read us a whole new chapter of this mighty Eastern backbone.

Achieving the edge of the border, chased by a line of storms clouds, under fire at the horizon by an explosive sunset, we checked in for the day at Houlton, where we watched nature's light show unfold. By the time the last light had faded and the rain began, we sat dry and warm, plotting tomorrow's flight into parts unknown.

August 4, 2015

Passports in hand, we trekked the final ten minutes to the border. Daunted by our Mexican crossing this winter, we expected the worst, but we were merely greeted with a few questions and a friendly nod into another country. As Jules noted, we've had a tougher time getting into a national park! The Trans Canadian Highway drew us into the Maritimes, as New Brunswick unfolded. Open rolling highway was bordered by forest with even more relentless moose warnings. But on these signs, the moose looks much bigger than in Maine. So far, sign sightings are all we have to go on.

As we navigated south on route 7, a bank of clouds in the distance became a thick soup of a fog as we slogged into St. John. After a fishy lunch, we explored the indoor farm market, buying picnic supplies and some local wine ( how brave of us)! The drizzle had stopped by the time we returned to the bike, but the fog still closed us in. Our coastal ride on route 111 presented shadowed, dreamlike views of the Bay of Fundy with waterfront dairy farms announcing themselves first with their signature odors and then barns and silos eerily popping out of the mist.

This beautiful, lightly travelled and pockmarked road turned northeast and inland as we warped out of the fog and into warm sun. A lengthy stretch of dirt road challenged Rascal and Jules, but they muddled through to ride on to Sussex. Just outside of town we put our kickstand down at a motel/restaurant combo, the ideal for weary riders. Lobster salad for dinner gave us our first taste of this pink delicacy on the trip. I'm certain there will be more!

The first day of our foray into the Maritmes has been impressive. Clean air, friendly folks and open roads have welcomed us into Canada with open arms. Planning to follow the Fundy Coastal Drive, we will dive back down to the bay tomorrow. My guide and my ride have continued to work in unison, creating yet another impressive adventure into parts unknown!