Day Twenty, Manchester, NH to Chelsea, MA - 153 Miles

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Greetings to those who are still following after twenty days. You are the steadfast die-hard fans and we appreciate your attendance. Short riding day today from Manchester, NH to Chelsea, MA, a suburb of Boston, MA, via Gloucester, MA. After riding in the rain all day yesterday, today's blue skies and warm temperatures were a welcome relief. The day started with a little snafu when I took the wrong freeway out of Manchester at the direction of the hotel clerk. Question to mind file - When am I going to learn not to ask for driving directions from females? Sorry ladies, but the odds are just against you. In doing so, I led the boys right to a toll road with no escape. To add insult to injury, we had to drive eight miles to get off the toll road, make a U-turn and get right back on the same toll road eight miles to the toll booth, and pay the toll again to get nowhere. I had to buy the boys a round of drinks at the hotel for that one!

We finally got on the right highway and found our way to Gloucester, MA, the first seaport in the US (they claim) and a famous fishing village with a rich history. It's quite a tourist attraction with stores, fish markets, restaurants, fishing boats and harbor tours. We picked a place for lunch and I enjoyed a good clam chowder, or chada, as they pronounce it. This was probably my fifth bowl of clam or seafood chowder since entering the New England states. At lunch, we got a recommendation to see the most photographed landmark in the area, Motif One, which is nothing more than a fishing shack with a bunch of bouys hanging on an outside wall. The shack is owned by the City of Rockport. Frankly, it wasn't worth the drive or the time spent getting there; however, the town of Rockport is a very quaint little village with several boutique speciality shops. The harbor is picture perfect and representative of what one might expect of a New England fishing village.

We departed Rockport and headed for Chelsea, MA, a suburb of Boston, some 50 miles away, and the Wyndham Hotel. The hotel is walking distance to the local Harley-Davidson dealer where we dropped off all six motorcycles this afternoon for oil changes and some other minor service. I also elected to replace a rear tire to get me home safely. After returning to the hotel, some of us elected to take a dip in the spa and pool. I felt a little like Goldilocks because the spa was too hot and the pool was too cold. I was looking for the perfect temperature. Bill suggested I go to my room and try my shower. Thanks Bill.

After cleaning up, we walked across the parking lot to the adjacent Italian restaurant, and only restaurant within walking distance, for supper where we enjoyed various Haddock fish dishes prepared in a variety of ways, all very delicious. Tomorrow, we are walking the historic Freedom Trail around Boston. I hope you enjoy some of our photos.

JVH