My return to touring --- 6 days riding in Downeast Maine

[DeniseGoldberg]

Just over a week to go...

I'm (finally!) about to re-enter the world of touring on my bicycle. I'll be headed to Maine for what was intended to be a long weekend on my bike, but somehow it morphed into the better part of a week of cycling, with a day off to go visit puffins on an island off the coast (the ocean permitting, of course).

I'll be keeping a journal of my trip, and I've just made it available. You can find it at http://denise2005downeast.crazyguyonabike.com. Right now it contains my thoughts leading up to and planning the tour, along with an overview of my plans.

I intend to update the journal while I'm on the road, but there will be several nights when that won't be possible. And pictures will have to wait until I get home again.

I'd be honored if you'll follow along with me in my journal. I'll be on the road (and on my bike) from June 24th through the 29th.

--- Denise

[spazzdog]

Good luck and good riding to you!

spazz

[SadieKate]

Do you suppose we could see the voyage by following your tres chic purple armwarmers by satellite?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Do you suppose we could see the voyage by following your tres chic purple armwarmers by satellite?

Well, I was kind of hoping for bare arms weather - but you know I'll have those purple armwarmers with me just in case! I don't suppose you have a satellite tracking attachment for me, do you?

--- Denise

[Veronica]

Where exactly are you going?

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Where exactly are you going?

V.

I'll be driving to Ellsworth and switching to my trusty purple steed there.

1. Day 1, June 24th. Ellsworth to Bar Harbor, then a loop around the east side of Mt. Desert Island, back to Bar Harbor for the night
2. Day 2, June 25th. Cross the island to the west, loop around the west side of Mt. Desert Island, back to Ellsworth
3. Day 3, June 26th. From Ellsworth to the east along Frenchman's Bay, down and around the Schoodic Penninsula, overnight in Prospect Harbor
4. Day 4, June 27th. Wander along the coast (with a few inland roads), still heading east to Jonesport
5. Day 5, June 28th. A boat tour to Machias Seal Island to visit the puffins in the morning, then probably some unloaded riding in the area in the afternoon. One more night in Jonesport.
6. Day 6, June 29th. Last day of riding, Jonesport to Ellsworth

I'll spend one more night in Ellsworth, then drive home the next day.

[Veronica]

I want to be Denise right now. I'm getting hungry for lobster rolls.

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

If you'd like to see photos from my tour, you can find them in my smugmug gallery "Wandering by bike in Downeast Maine - June 2005" at http://denise.smugmug.com/Travel/89603.

I've split the photos into 4 separate galleries with the hopes that you would be able to enjoy the different parts of my trip. The galleries are:

• From Ellsworth to Mt. Desert Island & to the east along the coast.
• Acadia National Park - including both the main part of the park on Mt. Desert Island, and the Schoodic Penninsula which is a little further to the east
• Puffins and razorbills and terns! From my visit to Machias Seal Island. The birds were incredible!
• Campobello Island - a quick venture into New Brunswick, Canada to visit FDRs summer home and to just explore the island. Interesting that the only bridge to this island in Canada is from the United States.

--- Denise

[DeniseGoldberg]

I've finished adding photos to my journal, and while there is some overlap between the photos in my smugmug gallery and those in the journal - there are also photos in both places that are not in the other.

http://denise2005downeast.crazyguyonabike.com

--- Denise

[JanT]

I always enjoy your photos--great nature photography! Your pictures take us along for the ride. Thanks for sharing.