Northern New England

Well, I'm over half way done...at least in number of states. As of today, I've driven a Harley in 26 states since last Thursday, 24 of those I drove in the last 4 day's. Now it's time to slow down and enjoy riding with Robert and DeeDee.

Today's blog will be a little longer, so I hope you can bear with me. First of all, I'd like to wish all of you a very happy 4th of July. This has been a very unique holiday for me, being alone much of the time and then being able to see so much of this beautiful country we live in. Also, I want to thank those individuals that have put their own lives on the line for our freedom. In particular I'd like to mention Uncle Johnny, who went home to be with the Lord (and my dad) last year. A true hero, WWII POW, Bataan Death March survivor, Purple Heart, missionary to the Japaniese people later in life. Also others in my family and that i know that have served, John Mark, Uncle Wayne, Jon B., and two "adopted" sons from Russia that came to our country and have now volunteered to protect freedom, Roma and Uria. Thank you!

Today's ride was amazing. I started out in Stamford, CT. The weather was cool, but I had the right clothing and it made for a perfect morning. I love Connecticut. The Meritt, the tree's, the smells. It all brings back such amazing memories. My mom and dad lived here back in the late 80's. When Suzanne was pregnant with Tommy we came up for a visit. The pictures from that trip are some of the happiest we have. We went to the beach, my dad made sand castles with Elizabeth. It was such a good time.


I know it's not from my trip...but it's SO happy!

While we were there, I helped my dad work on a room on the back of their home. They lived on the edge of a National Forest and he was building this room that was all made out of French Doors that looked out on the forest and had his hot tub in it. Shortly after we left, dad was putting up the railing on the stairs and shot a 3 1/2 inch nail into his knee cap, nailing the tendon to his knee. It sounds bad, and it was, but to this day it's one of the funniest things I think about when I think of Connecticut.

I drove through New Haven, home to Yale, and went to down town. I tried to call a friend, Ken, but it was pretty early and we could not connect. I headed north and went through Mystic Seaport. The smell of the salt water was so strong and the view was just beautiful. If you've never been to Connecticut, I highly recommend a visit, one of my favorite states.


Mystic Seaport

It started to warm up a little, so I was able to get rid of the coat and chaps. Rhode Island was quick. I liked the huge rocks along the side of the highway surrounded by trees. The farther north I got the less "wooded" it became. There were still trees, but not nearly as heavy as Connecticut and Rhode Island. Massachusetts is very beautiful. I drove by Kennybunkport, I remember a trip when I was in high school when we visited there and the Kennedy's were having a family party. We were in a motorhome and could see over the fence. It's a really nice compound. New Hampshire is an uneventful state. Kinda boring, but maybe I was just ready to be done for the day. I crossed into Maine at about 11AM east coast time. I got to Bangor around 2 after stopping for lunch...at my favorite restaurant, McDonald's!

DeeDee had made a reservation for me at a nice little hotel on the river here called the Inn at Fort Knox Park. There is a fort on the other side of the river that was designed by Henry Knox, the same guy that built the Fort Knox where all the gold is kept. This one was built to protect the river from the British, and was never needed. After I got in my room I thought the window was going to blow out because they were firing cannons from the fort for the 4th of July. After going out and visiting the Getter's, we wen to dinner at a great place near here called the Lobster Pot. You can pick your own lobster and they cook them in pots outside. The food was amazing and it was so good to be with friends and family. It was a special treat to get to see the Getter girls, although their last names are not Getter any more...


The out door cooking pot's and holding tanks for the Maine lobsters.


You can pick your own if you want.

Overall, an amazing day. The weather and roads were perfect for riding. Love and blessings to you:


I hated to see Connecticut go.


Got one of my missing pictures....yeah!


I alway's think of tea and Kennedy's when I think of this state.


They get the award for the best state slogan so far!


Number 24 in the last 4 days...