New England

Ambition can lead to great things, but it can also make you question your choices. Is it worth it? That was me today and whether it was worth it or not remains to be seen. As you know I am in Massachusetts (in a right to farm area so there are animal alarm clocks) and if you know some geography there are a few states nearby. I had the brilliant idea of planning and then going on a ride today to visit the other states: New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. If you look at New Hampshire and Vermont on the map it reminds me of the J and L Tetris pieces positioned to fit. The ride to Kittery, ME also meant I would pass through New Hampshire which was only a couple hours. Easy, right? Yes, that part was easy; however, making it to Brattleboro, VT would add some time to the route.

I started by heading towards Plymouth Rock today. Along the way I saw some signs labeled as Thickly Settled which means slow down? Along with Plymouth Rock there is also has a full-scale replica of the Mayflower. Similar to the Alamo, I thought it would be bigger. It seems like it would be cozy and intimate with everyone onboard.

Sadly someone or someone's pet lost a ball.

While I was walking back to my bike a couple had stopped to ask me a few questions:

• Is that your bike?
• Did you ride it all the way from California?
• Did you ride by yourself?

As you know the answer to all (3) three questions, yes. They commented on what an adventure it must be. It certainly has been and it is not over yet. After seeing the rock and Mayflower I was on my way until I saw a sign for a monument. I detoured so I could see the National Monument to the Forefathers and then I was on my way towards Maine again. I rode through Boston and I think through the O'Neill Tunnel. Side note, the Encore Boston Harbor sticks out in this landscape.

I set toll avoidance for this route so some of it was interesting as it avoided toll sections near New Hampshire. I stopped briefly in Seabrook, NH for gasoline before continuing to Kittery. I had no real destination once I made it to Kittery just that I would be in Maine. I was conversing with a friend when I made it there so I did not even realize the GPS was done navigating and I was merely on autopilot following the road I was on. I saw a sign for Fort McClary but unfortunately the gate was closed so I thought I would head towards Vermont. That was until I said I should get a picture of at least (1) one lighthouse. I had a friend pull up some information that I mostly ignored and tried my luck with the GPS. The GPS did not do as well as I would have liked but it still mostly got it done. I ended up on the New Hampshire side at New Castle Beach and then I was on my way.

The ride through New Hampshire was long and at some point I saw a sign: Birthplace of Mary Baker Eddy. I have no idea who this person is but they are or were important enough to someone in NH to warrant a sign. There were some great routes along the way with great weather to boot. You really have to be on it when some signs show up for sights otherwise you will miss opportunities. See this stone arch bridge as an example.

I eventually made it to Brattleboro and it was hot. At least it felt hot sitting in traffic on the small main street. I stopped for gasoline one more time and then headed back towards Massachusetts for dinner with family. Throughout the day I had intermittent issues with audio not consistently playing through the Bluetooth, but at least I do not rely on a radio. I know we have a couple drive-ins in Southern California and I found at least one in Massachusetts, The Star Drive-In. One important thing to note is Massachusetts at some point renumbered the highway exit signs because standards. Fortunately there are yellow signs stating the old number which is beneficial because my GPS still lists the old exit numbers.

I finally made it back to my starting point in Massachusetts and if I remember correctly it was after ~9 hours. I successfully visited New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and ended back in Massachusetts. After today's ride I can say I have visited all the states in New England and the East Coast as well. Dinner tonight was at Whaler's Tavern because I was told I had to have some of the local cuisine. Scollop or scallop? The food was good and the cobblestone roads different (so glad I was not on the bike). I naturally had a cheeseburger, but I also tried: stuffed scallop, stuffed quahog, and some of a lobster roll. As always it was great to see family and I will need to visit again in the future. I should finally start heading West again tomorrow.

P.S. I will need to upload the GPS track for today at a later date.