Day 10: Bucksport

Day 10: Bucksport

June 22, 2016

Miles: 38

Camden to Bucksport

Breakfast at the Inn was fantastic. I ordered oatmeal and Steve had a deep pan blueberry pancake that he thoroughly enjoyed. After breakfast we lounged around the room for a while. We weren't in too much of a rush getting out. We had decided the night before we would ride to Bucksport about 38 miles. Steve finished reading his book and I looked at the maps and made reservations for the next three nights. We needed to secure something in Bar Harbor because we plan to stay an extra day. Arcadia National Park is just a few miles from town center and we want to explore it on our rest day.

Number 3 Pan

The ride today started off hilly, but initilly not that steep.   As we continued to ride, we hit one 14% grade hill after the next.

Ready to Climb

The first 18 miles were gruelling, though, it is all good because we need to be in good shape for Nova Scotia.  Apparently, some of the hills on the island are between 14 % - 18%. 

Steve always seems to snap me dragging behind

Steve's pushing lots of weight up that hill

Tough one

At the top and happy

About 2 miles outside Belfast, a little port town, and where we wanted to stop for lunch, we saw lawn sculptures that were very interesting looking.  The artist, Norman Tinker, happened to be sitting on his porch at the time.  We said hello and asked if we could take pictures.  He asked if they would be published in the New York Times?  Sadly, we told him no, just on our blog.  Norman was a very interesting man.  For twenty years, while at this home (orginally from Connecticut), he has been make his art.  He showed us around his yard to look at other sculptures that were in the back yard too.

Sculptures made of ordinary junk Norman got from the junk yard

At least 50 scultures

I liked this one on the left

We stayed a bit to talk to Norman.  He was enjoying us admiring his art, and we found him interesting as well.   Norman asked Steve to give him a hand.  This piece he finished 15 years ago, then one day decided he wanted to modify it.  That day was today.

 Here is Norman and me.

Making use of old Bed Springs

We were hungry by the time we rolled into Belfast. Steve ordered a Piggy Burger.  Yes, a Piggy Burger for $6.99.  It was a bacon cheese burger with pulled pork and cole slaw on top.  He loved it!

Very good value meals

 I order chicken breast sandwich minus the bun.  It was very good and hit the spot.

Yummy!

When we left Belfast the rain rolled in.  Light at first, but shortly after it started raining hard.   We stayed the course and rode through it.  Luckily we had the wind in our favor and oddly, the hills were much gentler.  Other than it being a bit nippy, the rest was doable.

Foorbridge leaving Belfast

After about 13 miles, we noticed an opening in the sky behind us so we decided to stop at a convenience store to warm up and grab a hot coffee.  We were hoping the storm would pass us by, which it did.

Rain is slowing down as predicted

Here is Jennette, the store owner.  Steve was interested in her coin dispenser, so she dismantled it to show him. She was really into it, and coins in general, so she and Steve had a lot to talk about. 

We had about 7 miles remaining and two bridges to cross.  We rode over this bridge in the distance to get to the Island of Verona, which is the way to Bucksport.

This is Fort Knox in the distance, built for the Civil War, but never used.  It was the first fort built of granite, and not wood, in Maine. 

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970

Here I am at dinner.  This restaurant was conveniently located across from Fort Knox Motel where we are staying.  I ordered haddock fish tacos with corn tortillas and Steve salmon and squash mashed potatoes.  Both meals very good!

We are off to Bar Harbor tomorrow.  About 48 miles from Bucksport.  We are planning an early start. Weather forecast looks good - 75 degrees and the wind sould be blowing from the SW.  We are not sure the grade of the hills, but if they are like the past two days, it may be a slow ride tomorrow!