Almost There

Almost There 

We had three wonderful days at the Hamilton Farm. Chris and Patti are gracious host. Patti is an awesome cook and farm foreman. Chris is a great wrangler and tour guide. 

Our digs were located in the barn’s loft. Quiet, relaxing and cool. It rained the first and last nights and our heads were inches away from the roof. The pitter patter lulled us to sleep. 

On Thursday we met Andrew, a fellow tourer whom Patti and Chris met earlier. He’s a sojourner exploring the world. I’m a bit envious of his freedom and yet awestruck knowing I could not follow his footsteps. 

Each night Chris would build a fire in the back yard after Patti created feasts that we ate outside on the deck. 

Friday we moved sheep helping Patti in her pasture rotation system. Then it was off to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse and then a search for fresh lobster. Being successful we feasted on lobster steamed on the back porch. I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed it! That night’s fire was cut short by the rain and off to the loft we went. 

Our bodies and souls being refreshed, Saturday we said our goodbyes guaranteeing ourselves we would see one another again. In fact we should catch up to Andrew for lunch tomorrow. We hit the road to Rockland and stayed with Ron and Denise, another Warm Shower host. We pitched our tent with a view that overlooked the bay. Ron was gracious enough to loan us his car so we could explore local lighthouses and ate the best hamburger ever at the Owlshead General Store. Later that night Ron interviewed us for his weekly community radio program “On the Road Again”. 

We woke this morning to a glowing sunrise out ur tent door. After a quick oatmeal breakfast we loaded up and following Ron’s advise we followed the established 1A national bike route north along the coast, eventually taking us back to Belfast. There by accident we found the Crumbs Provisions cafe on Front Street down by the water. What a gem. The sign said “limited breakfast menu” but we found it all we needed and more. Rhonda’s muffin and yogurt parfait was delicious. My buttermilk biscuit sandwich with frittata was excellent. And the coffee tasty. The owner asked the standard questions and when she learned where we started she got her father, the bus boy, to come over. Dad is also a cyclist of some accomplishment. We had a great conversation with a couple extra servings of coffee. 

Then we were off again. We were 36 miles in and needed another 27 before camp. We wound our way through Camden , a beautiful village on the bay. Then up and around on small roads that avoided holiday traffic. There were several cyclists out for day rides. We met Jeff and Barb from Camden who rode with us for several miles. What a treat. Great conversation and encouragement to finish he tour. 

Now we sit in camp at Balsam Cove Campground. It’s not quite 7 here and is as dark as it was at 10pm three months ago in Washington. Time to secure camp and find the tent. 

We have one more day of touring. Almost there.