The wheels have begun rotating. Two days in and we've found ourselves in Belfast, Maine. Dropped off in Bar Harbor, near Acadia National Park, we've covered about 85 miles. I cannot imagine a more ideal way to start such a trip. The sunrise over the rocky shores of Acadia is one of the first places to view the sun's daily presence from the United States. Months from now, we'll be viewing the sunset from one of the latest possible places in this country. It was a humbling realization that made me eager to start pedaling. The days have been consistent, but not overly exerting. We realize we need to keep a pace, but also don't have any deadline. It's a contradicting schedule, but I like it. In Acadia, we enjoyed beaches and views while being a few steps ahead of the major crowds of the day. Finding a beautifully secluded beach comprised of granite slabs sloping into an inlet, we set up our hammocks thirty feet from the shore. Plucking mussels from the beds of seaweed, we made a delicious pasta that was only missing a splash of white wine. Always carry wine...I'm learning.
Dipping ourselves in the cool waters of Acadia the next morning, we officially began our ride. We powered on like machines our first day. We realize we need to take it easy in the beginning, but eight months of anticipation doesn't allow one to necessarily ease into it. We skipped from one peaceful harbor to the next. Admiring the fields of mooring boats and various birds that accompany any harbor. Two frightening dog experiences, a wonderful care package (yes, already) that could only come from a wonderful mother, a pulled pork and blueberry ale lunch, the combination of heat and bike weight causing my kickstand to dig into the asphalt highway an inch, a man in an American flag bandana telling me his leisurely limit to a bike ride is crossing the street to the grocery store, a friendly wave from an older woman as she rode the opposite direction on her touring bike, and ending with eight cups of soup for dinner at a stealth campsite down an overgrown road/trail on Verona Island.
Wes has two advantages on me. First of all, it's unfair to refer to his lower appendages as legs. They more closely resemble either tree trunks, oil barrels or possibly even train cars. Second, his riding experience lately has been completely on the road and in an abundance of literally ten times greater than the amount I had been riding prior to this trip. My mountain biking spirit comes out in the form of a granny gear on many climbs. I see him cranking in his middle chainring and my knees cringe, yet I salute him. We'll level out in time.
Today began with a tour of historic Fort Knox. Built in the middle of the 19th century and fortified via cannons and stone, it became obsolete within a few years due to more advanced projectile weapons and stronger defenses. Furthermore, it was built in a time when very few threats were heading in its direction. Proof that unnecessary military spending is nothing new.
We were able to get completely off the highways for a majority of the ride today. By completely off, I mean we ended up riding and walking our bikes through a marshy trail for a good section of time. Surfacing at the end of said turmoil, a farmer saw Wes and asked "Where the hell you coming from? That road hasn't been used in five to ten years!" Made for quite the memory. Bullfrogs and a section of flying panniers.
Belfast is about as picturesque Maine as you can imagine. Complete with a quaint little harbor, more lobster boats than people, an old town district consisting of primarily red and white buildings, and genuinely helpful people. It's incredibly hot being on the Surlys all day and therefore Wes and I have had thoughts of shaving our heads. Once I realized what I would look like shaved, I decided to go for a standard trimming in this little town. The result: it's in common agreement that I look like a German from the darkest years of our heritage, and Wes looks as if he may have just turned 14. It's Mainely important to remember that in Maine, the haircuts are Mainely for function.
Thursday morning now. Pounding rain. Another storm coming on the radar. Sitting in a McDonalds with free wifi until it passes. Wes plans to eat a McGriddle per hour until we leave. Still no service, but I can update the blog.
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