Left Bangor this morning and headed west on Route 2 a beautiful two lane across Maine and into New Hampshire. Thick forest on both sides of the road with the requisite small town showing up every so often, these all seemed to have established on dates in the 1700's. Some of the towns seemed to be prospering while others looked very run down with lots of closed businesses. You have to wonder when the timber and trapping left how did some towns thrive and others wither.
Into New Hampshire and turned south to ride to the top of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the New England states. It's a seven plus mile ride to the top of the mountain on a very narrow road with sharp curves, drop offs, and occasionally no pavement. At the bottom 72 degrees, at the top 47 with a wind speed of 20 to 30 and loose gravel. So much excitement at one location, I'm sure some of the other guys were having less than flattering thoughts about me for suggesting we ride to the top. At one time the mountain held the record for the highest wind speed recorded on the surface of the earth 231 mph. We soon headed back down in a light rain, geared up with rain gear at the bottom and turned west on route 2.
In for the night in St Johnsbury VT at a nice hotel with a good hot tub, felt so good after an afternoon in the rain.
I never used to miss the chance to climb up on his knee
And listen to the many tales of life upon the sea
We'd go sailing back on Barkentines we'd talk of things he did
Tomorrow just a day away for the Captain and the kid
His world had gone from sailing ships to raking mom's backyard
He never could adjust to land although he tried so hard
We both were growing older then and wiser with the years
That's when I came to understand the course his heart still steers
Jimmy Buffet
Today being father's day and the fact that you have time to think on the bike caused me to reflect a little on being a father. My kids have been able to save the eight bucks it usually costs to take me to breakfast this year but I miss them giving up there morning to spend it with me. I know I don't influence them anymore they have all made me proud. I would now like the chance to influence my grandkids as Jimmy was influenced by his grandfather. I think the wanderlust spirit has always been in me and I want the chance to pass that on, I want them to understand "the course his heart still steers", Happy Fathers Day.
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happy fathers day dad!!!!
we miss you tons. cant wait to do our Dennys breakfast when you get back, it means a lot to us. While i know you will influence your grandchildren (who miss you a ton i might add...peyton wandered your house yesterday calling for you)...you still influence us grown children all the time. thank you for being an amazing father and together with mom creating a wonderful home for us to grow up in and being role models for us as parents now.
ally
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