Day 17: Sandy Cove, NS to No. Sandwich, NH

We started with coffee and muffins as the sun rose over Sandy Cove

I geared up and the family went with me to say goodbye at the ferry crossing in Digby.

Lots of bikers from the Wharf Rat Rally boarded the ship as well. We almost filled up one whole deck of the ship.

Love this sticker in the gift shop

Dad and I had a nice cruise back together. The ride was warm and sunny and we were treate to the sight of a humpback whale, a few porpoise and some seals. Upon landing, we said goodbye and he hopped in the car to make the drive back. I hit the highway trying to make up some time. The fall colors were just starting here but you can't really tell in this photo as intended.

Before I know it...I'm in St. Stephen's crossing the river to Calais, Me.

Border crossing was no problem. I fueled up and kept on down the road. Big storm clouds began to appear on the horizon as I snaked my way down Maine Rt.9 toward Bangor. I passed this dude who I'm sure was on ADV. You HAVE to be to wear these kind of colors!

I pulled away from him for a few miles then stopped to put on rain gear. He pulled in and we chatted for 5 min. He just road the TransLab from VT on this thing and was on the final push toward home. Good for you buddy!

I left him a granola bar while he was in the restroom and kept on down the road. There was a big rain storm moving across Maine so I just rode through it and eventually came out the other side when I got off 95 and onto Rt 2 heading west.

I was cruising around 55 just enjoying the road when I pass a cop, he quickly slows and I look around to see what rule I could have been breaking. Whoops, this intersection was a 45mph zone.

He really just wanted to check out the bike I think.
Cop: "Where are you coming from today?"
Me: "Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia"
Cop: "Really? How'd you get here?"
Me: "I rode there from Virginia, then a ferry then a day of riding through that thunderstorm to get here"
Cop: "Where are you going?"
Me: "Mt. Washington if I can get there by dusk then Virginia tomorrow"
Cop: "Ughhhh good luck! You have a good day"

Back on the road with only a warning :clap

This old home was part of the Grange Movement

In continuance with the "strange loads on vehicles" theme

I think this was somewhere near Rumford, ME

THis beautiful lake beckoned for a dinner break of crackers and tuna shortly after crossing into New Hampshire.

I finally made it to the base of Mt. Washington a few hours later. It closed around 5 so I was fortunate to make it in time...to sit in a line of slow moving ninny's.

I would brake, let them go for a while then catch up. Riding this mountain road slow working the clutch is a pain in the arse. Also, my clutch was beginning to stink.

MADE IT!

The old Cog Railway serving the top of the mountain.

Chains hold the structures in place during high wind events.

I hold my bike in place during high wind events. :lol3

Sunset shadow on Mt. Washington

The descent

And finally back at the bottom, I made a few illegal passes knowing they had already closed the road going up for oncoming cars. Had a blast heading down :ricky

The sun was setting fast and I high-tailed it outta the mountains with the GPS set on "GO HOME"

HA! I think this sounds like a fun place to spend the night. NO SANDWICH FOR YOU!

Potential cleared home site...check!

Beautiful sunset view while smoking a pipe and eating some pollock.

I slept soundly through the night with a full moon for light.