Today started a bit iffy. Forecasts showed high probability of storms today and there was a severe thunderstorm watch for most the day. The radar showed several cells coming our way, but each seemed to dissolve just before it got here.
We kind of hung out for a while trying to decide what was going to be our best bet. While the forecast was bad, it seemed nice enough here. There were a couple of big storms that passed to the north last night, but we were fortunate enough to only get a few minutes of rain and some impressive winds. In the end we decided to ride and take our chances. That turned out to be a great decision.
We took a ride up into New Hampshire and Vermont in what turned out to be some of the most comfortable weather we have ridden in all week. It was somewhat cloudy but not completely overcast, which kept the heat in check. We still hit 90*, but without the sun relentlessly beating down on us it was a comfortable ride.
Riding in this part of the country is really amazing. The scenery is great, the roads are decent and there is history everywhere. We rode through scenes that seemed to be straight from some movie. Towns founded in the mid 1700s or even earlier. Stereotypical white steepled churches and homes straight out of revolutionary war movie. The only thing missing were the tri-corner hats and women in big dresses.
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| Interesting ATM we saw along the way |
Our main goal for the day was to just get into New Hampshire so that Tony could add it to the list of states he has ridden in. Most of us had been there before. We made it to the town of Winchester NH, and found a Convenience Store (that was actually the name) just across the border. It was very interesting. Their primary product seemed to be beer and wine. They did have a small area of cooler space dedicated to soft drinks, and a few shelves with candy and some minor household items. In most places that would not seem at all unusual. What did seem different was the walk-in humidor with high end cigars, and one entire corner of the store dedicated to odd looking glassware labeled ''for use with tobacco only''. Hmm... The clerks were very helpful and informative and one was particularly enthusiastic about the ''glassware ''. He seemed particularly well versed in the law as it pertains to these specific types of items.
They did provide us with an outstanding recommendation for a nice route to take back into Vermont to find some place to eat lunch, as there wasn't much locally available.
We took their advice and found ourselves in Brattleboro VT, after a very pleasant ride through the New Hampshire countryside. Brattleboro is a very cool little town that still has a thriving downtown. That's something that is becoming very rare in this country.
Following lunch we elected to stay off the highway and run back roads to make our way back to camp. We arrived around 3 pm and took a little rest. Then we headed over to the lodge to shoot some pool and play some cards. We had a great time just relaxing. I lost two games of pool to Tony, but I was the big winner playing poker even if it was only for bragging rights.
We decided to try out the camp snack bar for dinner. It was okay, but it is nothing to make you want to go running back for more.
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| Horseshoes |
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| Horseshoes |
We finished off the night with a campfire, the traditional lighting of the bikes and an incredible sunset.
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| Campfire |
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| Lighting the bikes |
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| Incredible Sunset |
Most of the guys were out by 10. I tended the fire until it died out around 11:30, then moved to my tent to finish this entry. For the first time this week, it is actually chilly outside. I may actually need my sleeping bag tonight. As I am writing this I am getting a symphony of snoring in surround sound. I don't want to hear any grief about my snoring in the morning!
Tomorrow we pack and head home. I'm sorry to see it end, but I am ready to get home to see my family. The weather forecast is great for tomorrow, so it should be a pleasant ride home.
I think it's time to call it a night.
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