Trike ride to Popham Beach

on Dec 21 in Motorcycle Trips

From US Route 1 in Bath (home to Bath Iron Works) take the High Street/Phippsburg/Route 209 Exit. Follow this road through a residential area, you will also pass the Hyde School on your left. The road will jog across the  Winnegance  bridge.( this is where the Indians use to portage into Winnegance Lake to get to the New Meadows River to head south for the winter). Continue on Route 209 south skirting Drummore Bay and riding through historic Phippsburg. The highway will junction with Route 217, a spur road to Sebasco Estates and resort golf club. Keep left at the junction and continue on Route 209 where the road drops through low lands and a large marsh area of salt and seagrass. As you continue, the road will twist and turn around Spirit Pond. As you approach within a mile of the beach, the road will dip steeply and your next right turn is a very sharp turn, so please take caution here.

A mile later you will reach Popham Beach State Park. Popham Beach is a beautiful Beach  with long sand strands, nearby islands and is one of Maine’s best beaches, as well as the longest. At low tide, you can actually walk to one of the islands. Continue on Route 209 to the end of the route, go past the State Park entrance

and ride another two miles until you reach Fort Popham State Historic Site. The fort is the stone remains of a Civil War fortification built to protect the mouth of the Kennebec River.  Reverse your riding directions head north back along Route 209 and back Through Phippsburg center, and just past the center about a ¾ of a mile is Stoney Brook Road. Make a Left and follow Stoney Brook Rd. to end. Make a Right on Meadowbrook rd. and about a mile on your left is Meadowbrook Camping Area. This is a good place to stop and have an ice cream or Drifter’s Reef take out you can stop and have lunch. Meadowbrook is also known to cook Lobsters from 4 to 8 pm during the season and visitors are welcome. Continue past Meadowbrook and the roads turns into Campbells Pond rd and then connects with RT 209 again and head back into downtown Bath where you can choose to explore, or shop or head back on Route 1 north or south where you can continue exploring Maine’s coastal U.S. Route 1. For more historic info on Popham Beach go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popham_Colony#Founding

A Memorial Day to Remember ( B-52 Crash site Greenville, Me)

on Dec 04 in Motorcycle Trips

Yesterday Being Memorial Day I decided to pay my respects and fulfill one of the things on my personal list. At 0931 I left Meadowbrook Camping Area heading towards Greenville, Me. As I headed towards Brunswick I decided that I would only take back roads to the crash site.  Al through I hit a snag in Brunswick as I ran into the Parade so I had to detour on RT1 to Topsham and picked up RT 201 north and as i hit Gardner I ran into another Parade that was just finishing.  Gardner is a good place to stop at Dunkin Donuts for a pit stop and fresh cup of coffee.  Next heading into Augusta and Passed the Capital  on rt 201 north and  to RT 27 and heading to Belgrade Lakes region. I decided to turn off of RT27 onto Rt8/RT 11, as i have never been that way. This is really back roads and also a seanic route. As i headed north on RT8/11 i must have lost my way as i wound up in Waterville and picked up RT201 North heading towards Skowhegan, The home of Margaret Chase Smith, a state senator from Maine. I had the Pleasure of meeting her in the late 60′s at a friend’s house. As i continued up RT201 and headed into Bingham, and a right hand turn  and picked up RT 16 heading towards Abbot Village at RT6. A left hand turn onto Rt6 Heading towards Greenville.  This was a familiar route as this road is the one i usually take towards Greenville. This is a very interesting  road to Ride but you need to watch out for Moose.  As i was continuing towards Greenville, i was coming into Shirley. A friend of mine Skip Hickey has his camp here.  But he was in Hawaii so couldn’t stop so I continued on.  As I continued and just starting to come into Greenville, I saw  a few cars off on the side  of the Road. As I got closer I could see a moose had just crossed the road and i saw the tail end of him heading into the woods. This is great moose country and you can always find a moose somewhere up in this area.  As i continued into Greenville you start to see Moosehead lake. This is a big and Beautiful lake.  Today, we will be riding up the right side of the lake on Lily Bay Rd., heading north a few miles out of town.  I was looking for, according to my directions, Elephant Mountain Trail. But i never found it. When i saw Lily Bay state park I pulled into their and asked directions. The ranger at park told me to turn around and find Prong Pond rd and that was about 2 miles back.  that will lead me to Elephant mountain and the B-52 crash site.  She told me that a couple miles in I will start seeing signs to the crash site. I thanked her and headed back to Prong Pond rd. As I turned onto the Prong Pond rd. I could see that it was a dirt road, although it looked in good shape I would have to go slow.  Their were rocks sticking up and culverts that had small wash outs around them.  I continued down the road at a slow pace.  The ranger told me that the site was about 7 miles back this road.  as I finished my 3rd mile I saw my first sign that said B-52 crash site.  I continued on taking it slow, The road was gravel but in pretty good shape if you paid attention.

As I came to the to the path I parked the trike on side of road. As I entered the path I had only walked approx 20 feet before i saw the first part of debris. As I walked up the path, an earey feeling came over me. the further into the woods i went the more debris that i saw. As i approached the cockpit i saw that someone had placed an American Flag. I saluted and headed back to Meadowbrook Camping .

For info on crash go to http://www.moosehead.net/history/B-52.html

Logging, an interesting story

on Mar 10 in Maine

I found this story and decided to put this on my Blog for all to see. This is a piece of history.
History of Lumbering in Maine
Logging began in the 1600′s when English explorers cut trees on Monhegan Island. In 1634 the first sawmill, powered by water,was built in South Berwick. By 1832, Bangor had become the largest shipping port for lumber in the world. During this period, Patten, Situated 100 miles north of Bangor, became a center for logging operations. Each spring, logs harvested in the Patten area during the preceding winter were floated down the Penobscot River in massive drives to the mills in Bangor.
The early logging camp came into use in 1820 and consisted of a main camp built around a fire pit. Many camps were inhabited by a crew of 12 to 14 men and a team of oxen. All men slept in the same bed under one long blanket using their boots for pillows. The men ate four meals a day consisting of flap jacks, pickled beef, boiled codfish, beans,sourdough biscuits and strong tea.

Riding up the Coast

on Aug 03 in Motorcycle Trips

After the ride yesterday to Deer Isle, i wanted to travel back up the coast to Bucksport and stop a few places along the way, so i called Brenda, (a friend i ride with) and we were on our way by 10 am.  Brenda loves to ride, travel and explore new places.  Our first stop was in Nobleboro at Dunkin Donuts for coffee and bathroom break.  On our way again we passed through Rockland, and then Camden and the home of Peyton Place.  This is one of my favorite towns.  As we continued I pulled into Mt Battie state park. Brenda has never been there so i stopped at guard gate and we went up top of the mountain.  I have been there before and i love the spot.  In the movie Peyton Place, Alyson took Norman to her special place.  It over looked Camden Harbor.  It is a beautiful view. After Mt Battie i headed north again to Bucksport.  It is a great ride along the coast.  When we were entering the Bucksport area, i saw the new Bridge that had been built since last time i had been up here. I was told about and Observatory at the top of the bridge so we had to stop and check it out. It costs $5.00 to go up top and it was worth it.

A day ride with the Goldwingers in Maine

on Jun 30 in Motorcycle Trips

It was 7;15 am and i was heading to Gardner to meet the Goldwing club for a day ride to deer Isle. I was excited because I had never been to deer Isle and in was looking forward to making new friends in the Goldwing Club.  I was first one there but i saw a new red trike at Dunkin Donuts and suspected it was one of the wingers. Soon to arrive was Ed & Barb and then  Carol and ed from Freeport. Also Rita was soon to arrive and then it was 9  o  clock and KSU (kick stands up). We left Gardner and headed across the bridge to RT 27 to Augusta and then down Rt 3  towards Belfast. We were meeting Sandy and Dennis and head for Deer Isle.  Once we hit Rt 1 we were heading north. It had been a long time since i had been up Rt one. As we came into Bucksport and it brought back memories of a legend that I was told many years before. check my next post for the story.  As we crossed the Penobscot River, it was the first time i had crossed the new bridge. If you ever get a chance to stop and go to the top of bridge, take it. it is 420 feet high and you can see forever.  We picked up Rt 175 and headed towards Deer Isle. It was a beautiful ride and we stopped about 25 minutes out at a rest area or scenic overlook.

KSU and we were on our way to restaurant. As we rolled into Stonington, you could see it was a picturesque fishing village.  We pulled into the Fisherman’s Friend Restaurant.  www.fishermansfriendrestaurant.com .  After getting seated for lunch and on the back of the menu was some very interesting info about Deer Isle. I am going to share the info with you:

Deer Isle is a beautiful island community of 24,000 acres and 112 miles of shoreline, and  outlying islands.  It ia a group of small communities with 2,400 residents that make up the year round population. Lobstering is the current mainstay of the island.

The first people to live on Deer Isle 6,100 years ago were Native Americans. Native Americans were living in various locations among the islands when the first European settlers arrived in 1755. The settlers became boat builders, seafarers and fisherman.  Deer Isle was established in 1789, the fourth town in Hancock county. The population grew, and in 1786 Nathaniel Scott started a ferry service to the mainland across the Eggemoggin Reach. This ferry ran until the opening of the present day suspension bridge on June 19, 1939. In 1895, the strong and able reputation of Deer Isle seaman was recognized throughout the world when American yacht ” Defender”, designed by the famed Nathanael Herreshoff and manned entirely by residents of Deer Isle, won the first America’s Cup. Four years later, the yacht “Columbia” and its crew, once again entirely from the Island , defended the Cup and brought home victory.

The late 1800s also was marked by the founding of the first granite quarries. From 1869 to 1969, granite from Deer Isle and Stonington was shipped away to be put into such structures as the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institute, and the Kennedy Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. Today, The New England Stone Company still harvests granite blocks from Crotch Island located off of Stonington.

Though quarrying was present, it was by the 19th century the harvest of the sea that would, and continues to be, predominant provider. Island fisherman supplied a local canning industry and fish markets around the world. Their yield was manily cod, haddock, and mackerel as well as gathered shell fish. Lobsters were not considered the luxury food item they are in today’s society, and at the time were two cents each, regardless of size.

Stonington,  previously known as Green,s Landing, was incorporated in 1897, and and was named for its granite quarrying. First, a fifteen year boom in the quantity and the price of lobsters has enriched the local fisherman and increased the size of the lobster fleet.  Second, a continuing influx of prosperous newcomers has driven up real estate values and led to a new cultural and artistic attractions.

We ordered our lunch and i had Baked Scallops and they were very good, but the Cole Slaw was lousy. After we ate lunch we were KSU and heading back towards Augusta.  It was a great day for a ride., but we had one more stop to make on RT 3. Yes we needed dessert. Ice cream was on the menu.  I think the name of the place was Arthur’s on rt 3.  After that we all said our good-byes and all went our separate way home. Rode about 250 miles and the weather was great.  What a great day.

Florida Springs Rv Resort in Bonifay, FL

on Feb 07 in Florida

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Panama City Beach and Doug Degood (the pizza king of PCB) decided to head to Bonifey, fl, about 50 miles north of us to Florida Spring RV Resort and Campground. They were having an Open jam session and Car show open to the public.  We headed up 79 for our 50 mile trek and arrived about one o’clock at the park. Read More

Panama City Beach to Foley, Al

on Feb 01 in Florida, Motorcycle Trips

Campgrounds

on Jan 21 in Maine

01/21/2010 It is a really a rainy day here today at Raccoon River Campground. Rain is suppose to clear sometime today and a nice weekend to riding from Raccoon River Campground in Panama city beach, fl. this is a great place to stay.  Clean restrooms and very clean park, and friendly staff. check out www.Raccoonriver.net  check them out!!!

02/21/2010 Only 99 days until campground opens and lobsters will be in the tank.  looking forward to a great season and pizza from Drifters reef.  We are adding Dutch oven diners this year at drifters reef. Keeping checking blog for updates or go to our website www.meadowbrookme.com

motorcycle Day Trips of Maine

on Jan 13 in Maine

Maine, Ride Through History
I am starting this ride from Meadowbrook Camping Area in Phippsburg, Me. This is a great Campground and has everything you need and the staff is very friendly . They also cook lobsters every night for their campers and has a full restaurant complete with the Dutch oven dinners. They also have cabin rentals for someone who is not prepared to tent. This campground is also centrally located on the midcoast and you can visit LL Bean and many other locations but the main attraction in Phippsburg is Fort Popham. Everyone has heard of Jamestown, Va. And the first colony, but a lot of people don’t know about the Popham Colony .  Read More

getting ready

on Sep 04 in Maine

08/19/09              Started talking about this 2 weeks ago but have set a goal and I will start planning this trip.  I set goals sometime without knowing if it is achievable, but will start working towards the goal.  The goal is to ride my trike to panama canal and back to panama city beach, fl.  Leaving week around Christmas and see how long it takes.  One of the websites that I am using for planning is http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ this is a great website and I will be leaving for the east coast meeting tomorrow morning at 5 am heading to Robbinsville, nc. Read More