Day 12 - Bar Harbor, ME to Portland, ME

Yes. It is getting long in time and I tend to be verbose. You might be getting bored with the Maine excursion, but I'm darn well gonna put it down before my dotage takes hold and I completely forget it all. So on to day 12?  (July 24th)

Last night, we talked a lot about the journey towards home, even though we had planned to stay another night in Bar Harbor, we decided to cut it short and head out today. I just wasn't impressed enough with the area to stay. Not when we could start moving, and maybe spend one last evening with our Portland friends.

The riding gear dried overnight. Thanks to the old fashioned heat lamp/fan in the bathroom. We did get up a few times in the night to monitor progress and change variables, like opening the door a crack to let some humidity out, but it all worked out well.

Oilburner took our stash to the Post Office while I tried to get everything packed up and cleaned. An horrible experience at the Post Office convinced us we were making a good decision to head out. It was quick work loading up the bikes and getting under way.

We were determined to see the Loop Road in Acadia. We found it on the map last night. What had thrown me off yesterday was the lack of clear signage. All signs leading in have arrows pointing towards the Loop Road. But no sign saying "This is the Loop Road". It only read "One Way". Go figure.

No matter. Now we know where to go and have a great time. The drawback today is the weather pattern coming in. A chilly, wet fog is rolling in from the ocean, covering the islands. By itself this was gorgeous; lending an atmosphere of mystery. I loved it. It did hamper overall sightseeing of the waters and islands.

We didn't mind. Word of warning to learn from us. Acadia is not a place for motorcycle touring. It is for hiking, walking, bicycle riding. Its beauty is in the 45 miles of carriage roads and 125 miles of hiking trails. Do not just go and drive through the place and think you know it. Take some time and hit some trails. I would love to go back to explore the trails along the beautiful, rocky shore.

We also vowed to get to Lands End. Unfortunately, we couldn't live out Riepe's recommendation of a bottle of wine at sunset. I'll bet it is spectacular. The fourth best thing of seeing and enjoying it for a few minutes. I would say the first would be living on the house on the island, second wine and sunset, and third to be in a kayak.

The road out to Lands End is phenomenal. Full of ups and downs and twists and turns. So fun! We even had to cross this strange bridge to Bailey Island, called a cribstone design. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and said to be the only one in the world.

http://harpswellbusinessassociation.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/bailey-island-cribstone-bridge-harpswell-maine/

 We zig around the lanes just following the GPS. The roads are clear and we are popping in and out of showers on our way south. Rather annoying that just when we decided to put rain gear on it would clear up. And just after we took it off the drizzle started in just down the road. All's well though.

Since we were passing back through Camden we were hoping to go up Mount Battie. Unfortunately the thunder/lightning storms kicked back in and the mountain was closed.

We stopped for fuel, and to once again, don our rain gear, and spotted an x-rated machine. I didn't photograph the clutch and brake levers.

We stopped for bridge pictures after crossing this magnificent structure.

The rest of the afternoon was uneventful, riding between storms, to arrive in Portland and check into a Best Western near Mike and BRW. The ride was uneventful, but certainly memorable as the half clear skies produced the brightest, strongest rainbow. No easy way to stop. So that one will live in my minds eye and you will have to imagine it.

Once again Mike and BRW are wonderful and come pick us up to enjoy Grace. As Mike, from Scooter for Fun, wrote about it much more eloquently than I, I will not repeat.  The evening was over too quickly and it was heart wrenching to say good-bye to such good friends.

More images can be seen on Flickr here.

Mike and BRW are great. And us with our frizzy helmet hair. :)