Day Twenty One, In Boston, MA, - All Day

Friday, August 27, 2010

Hello again Faithful Few,

Today we caught the hotel shuttle to the Airport Transit Station where we boarded the "T" rapid transit train to Boston Common (downtown park) where we started our walking tour on the Freedom Trail from the Visitor Center. The Freedom Trail is clearly marked throughout the downtown area, North Boston, and harbor sections of the city. If you can follow a red painted or red brick line on the ground, you too could walk the Freedom Trail. The trail extends two and a half miles.

The first stop on the Trail is in fact Boston Common, a lovely central city park, if you don't mind the vagrants curled up in their blankets, and sleeping in for the morning, under the expansive shade trees. The second attraction is a memorial dedicated to the African American Regiment during the civil war. Stop #3 is the Massachusetts State House with its brightly gilded dome. Park Street Church is next on the Trail where gun powder was stored in the basement during the War of 1812. The church was built in 1809. A short walk down the street brought us to the Granary Burying Ground where the first person was interred in 1660. Also buried there are Revolutionary War veterans, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Paine, all signers of the Declaration of Independence. Paul Revere is also buried there.

Following the red brick line brought us to King's Chapel, the first Anglican church ordered constructed by King James II of England. Adjacent to the church is the King's Chapel Burying Ground dating back to 1630. The Old City hall is next on the walk, constructed in 1864. In the courtyard is a bronze statue of Benjamin Franklin. The Old Corner Book Store became the literary center of old Boston. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Harriet Beecher Stowe all gathered there. Diagonally across the street is the Old South Meeting House built in 1729 and home to some heated debates leading to the American Revolution. Following the trail north, one comes to the Old State House, the merchant exchange center of town. Faneuil Hall is next. It witnessed a number of tumultuous debates over Englands constant tax acts on the colonies. The preliminary meetings leading to the Boston Tea Part occurred there.

We strolled through Quincy Market, once the center of retail and wholesale distribution of meat and produce. Today, it's a farmers market with fresh fruit and vegetables, many from California. We passed the Oyster House, one of the oldest restaurants in the country. We particularly enjoyed seeing Paul Revere's house on the Trail. Walking north, we entered the extensive Italian section of town, claiming 109 restaurants within a one square mile area. St. Stephen's Catholic Church is located there. They were celebrating "a feast" there tonight, but we were too bushed to partake. Another highlight along the path is the Old North Church of "One if by land, two if by sea" fame, referring to Paul Revere's lantern warning of the British marching on Concord. MA.

Before concluding our walking tour we met Candy and Glenn, friends and residents of Northbridge, MA, who joined us for the afternoon. Lane and I worked with Candy before her retirement in March. As the lunch hour was approaching we were fortunate enough to get a recommendation for "the best pizza in Boston," at Ernesto's in the Italian section of town just down the street. I have to say it was probably one of the best pizzas in town, if not the best. In the midst of our continuing walking tour, Lane and Steve decided it was the perfect time for a haircut (???), so we ducked in to a barber shop for the quickest haircuts I've ever seen. Lane offered the barber $20 to shave Steve's head, but Steve wasn't going for it.

Continuing our tour we crossed a bridge over a harbor channel and entered the Charleston Navy Yard, now a National Park, and toured the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," a 212 year old 44 gun frigate, restored to perfection from its initial launching in 1797. It's a true national treasure. The tours are conducted by active naval personnel.

Following our walking tour we took a water taxi to the closest "T" station and caught the train back to the Airport Station, where we waited over an hour for the hotel shuttle to pick us up. The shuttle dropped us off at the Harley-Davidson dealer where we retrieved our motorcycles after being serviced.

We returned to the hotel and ate supper again at the nearby Italian restaurant. It must have been the influence from spending so much time in the Italian section of Boston today. We all agreed today that one could easily spend a week in Boston seeing all of the sights that "Bean Town" has to offer. Overall, it was a great day with perfect weather. Tomorrow we're headed for Rochester, NY, and Niagara Falls.

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

Day Nineteen, Gorham, NH to Manchester, NH - 260 Miles

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Greetings Friends from Manchester, NH, approximately 45 minutes north of Boston, Mass.

We got up to overcast skies and a light mist falling on the motorcycles this morning. We wiped the bikes down and prepared to leave. I went into my room to get my bags when I heard someone say, "It's not misting anymore." Good I thought, until I heard, "It's raining." And my friends, it rained all day. Out route took us through the White Mountains National Park, probably one of the most scenic areas of New Hampshire, regrettably, all we saw were wet trees, low clouds, and three wild turkeys. It was slow going. It took us four hours to do 150 miles.

Today, Steve learned why I call our long annual rides "Horck Adventures." While on a roadside potty break along a river in the Park, Steve decided to take a few pictures. He took one of me and I said I would return the favor. As Steve handed me his camera and turned away, he slipped on the wet rocks and slowly slid into the river. I was trying to see how to help Steve, withour falling in myself, and totally neglected to get a picture, a photo opportunity missed. As Steve slid into the river the switch and cable for his heated jacket departed is jacket and also went in the river. We selected a small sampling and make a tool to fish the switch out of the river. Before we departed Steve took the opportunity to slip and fall again.

Heading south, we stopped at Granite State Harley-Davidson, in Lebanon, NH, where Bob and I both purchased new rain suit bottoms. Bob, because he mailed his home to lighten the load, and me because I felt like I was wearing a cold wet diaper; my rain suit pants leaked. Apparently, according to Archil Eisenhart, the Motorclothes Manager, they are only good for about three years. I've had mine for fifteen! Guess I got my money out of those. Jack, "I don't need no stinkin rain suit," took the opportunity to replace a burned out passing lamp, and empty the water out of his boots for the second time today, apparently, they are not waterproof either.

Our quest today was to see some of New Hampshire's famous covered bridges. We've given up on trying to see a Moose. We don't believe there are any surviving Moose in northeastern Canada or the United States. We missed several in the White Mountains due to the weather, but we learned of one near Lebanon in Quechee, only seven miles away. I have to admit, it was not what I had come to expect. Anti-climatic, at best. More rain, but at least my butt was dry.

Along our route today we passed the expansive Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, the 9th oldest college in the United States, and the only Ivy League school to call itself a college, in lieu of a University. Although headed for Boston, MA, we elected to bed down in Manchester, NH, approximately 45 minutes from Boston, so that we would have time to get cleaned up, put on dry clothes, hang up our wet clothes to dry, and take Bill out for a birthday dinner. We got a recommendation from the hotel desk clerk and walked down the street to KC's Rib Shack, where we enjoyed the best meal that that we have had thus far on our journey, and we have had some good meals. The proprietor, KC picked up the tab for Birthday Boy.

We waddled back to our rooms and retired for the night. Tomorrow, we're off to Boston and the Freedom Trail.

For the first time in a few days, we were able to access a freeway and took Interstae 89 south to Interstae 93 toward Concord, NH.

Day Eighteen, Jackman, ME to Gorham, NH - 263 Miles

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Greetings from the White Mountains of New Hampshire,

I thought the radio alarm was going off at 6:00 AM this morning, but it was just Steve singing "Springtime in Paris" in the shower. We wolfed down a quick continental breakfast at the hotel in Jackman, Maine, and headed deeper into the north woods in search of the elusive Moose. We continue to be mystified by the mystery of the missing Moose of Maine. Try saying that five time fast! We inquired while getting gas as to the road conditions en route to Moosehead Lake and were advised that it was not recommended for motorcycles since last winter's damage. Sounded like a challenge to us, so off we went. The area around Rockwood, ME, and Moosehead lake is gorgeous. The lake is home to nice lake homes, cottages, fishing boats, resorts and float planes. It's amazing to see beautiful big lakes with no one on them. We were told its busier on the weekends.

Departing Maine, we headed west and crossed the New Hampshire border around 4:00 PM, en route to the town of Gorham, NH, in the White Mountains, the highest point in New England. We stopped in Gorham and talked to "Olive" at the Information Center. Olive has worked there for more that 26 years; she really knows her stuff. She recommended that we ride the Auto Road up Mount Washington and checked the conditions on the mountain top for us. We were at 1,300 feet in Gorham headed for 6,600 feet up a narrow eight mile long $14 toll road with a 20 MPH speed limit and no guard rails. And, a mile and a half of the road is dirt. It was very challenging and a little scary in places. It was 73 degrees in Gorham and 45 degrees at the summit. We bundled up and headed up the mountain in first and second gear for 30 minutes. Mt. Washington claims the "Worst Weather in the World." In 1934 they recorded the highest wind velocity ever recorded anywhere in the world, 231 MPH!

Arriving at the top of Mt. Washington we found ourselves well into the clouds surrounding the summit. Mt. Washington also claims the first Cog Railroad in America that ascends the mountain from the west, whereas the Auto Road ascends from the east side of the mountain. The fare for a round-trip ticket on the Cog Railway is $62 per person. We managed to successfuly negotiate the Auto Road and returned to the Town & Country Hotel in Gorham for a quick dip in the Jacuzzi and a well-deserved supper in the dining room. Tomorrow we're off to the State of Vermont.

Until tomorrow, be well and please tune in again.

Day Seventeen, Ellsworth, ME to Jackman, ME, 253 Miles

Monday, August 23, 2010

Greetings from the north woods of Maine.

We departed Ellsworth, ME, this morning for the short 30 mile drive to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park under grey and threatening skies. Fortunately, Jack was feeling better this morning after his twelve hour nap last night. We had breakfast in Bar Harbor and then took the driving tour of the park, stopping atop the tallest hill for some photos. Actually, we took two tours of the park, one of them inadvertently when we took a wrong turn trying to exit.

We left the park after 12:00 PM and headed the Central Maine Harley-Davidson dealer in Bangor, ME, where once again we managed to add some more T shirts to our collection. Saddle bags are busting at the seams. We need to find a post office tomorrow. Bob lost part of a muffler clamp off his bike so we stopped at the local Napa auto parts and effected a temporary field repair. That rattle had been bothering Bob for several days now.

Departing Bangor, we headed east briefly along Interstate 95 in a light rain for about fifty miles and then turned north for 90 miles into a remote portion of the north Maine woods to Jackman, ME, in hopes of sighting some moose, for which Jackman is known. We saw Moose warning signs, and Moose crossing signs, we Moose River and we saw the town of Moosehead, we saw moose droppings and stuffed Moose heads on walls, we even saw Moose Trax ice cream, but NO MOOSE! Jackman is only 16 miles from the Canadian Border.

We checked into our hotel and walked to one of the only two restaurants that are open on Mondays for supper. Tomorrow, we're headed to New Hampshire. Had to keep this short tonight as there is no WI FI in the rooms and manager is allowing us to use the office to connect to the Internet until 10:00 PM.

More tomorrow, hopefully.

Best Regards,

JVH