Mr. and Mrs. Pants' New England Adventure Summer 2024

[FJRoss]

I agree with most of the above having been to NH a large number of times.
Can't really comment on the food in restaurants. For the most part, I eat at a campsite or some sort of fast food joint as my trips are generally of short duration and are always camping.
I like ice cream but (unlike 'Pants), I am not a fanatic.

I have seen a few deer, a number of bears, a couple of moose and tons of wild turkeys.

All in all, it is a pretty good place to go riding. Not mentioned (and especially in the northern parts) is the general lack of heavy traffic. Tourist areas, of course, are the exception and sometimes you have to pick the right roads at the right times. The next few weeks will be busier with distracted leaf-peepers so watch out for them.

[Hppants]

September 24, 2024

Having a garage with our ABB is such a blessing. All the toys were warm and dry last night.



Today's forecast is cloudy and cool (on the Pants' temperature comfort scale), but continued dry. Dan and I had breakfast and then hit the road (figuratively speaking).



The camera strap got in my way on this one. Dan is cleverly hidden behind my helmet.



No picnic today - we stopped in Cornish, ME for lunch. Hot Pastrami sandwich was pretty good.



From there, Hwy 160 is a great riding road, Hwy 5 not so much (more broken and in need of repair in places). I need to rotate the camera clockwise a little bit.



Had to settle for a Klondike bar at this neat little store in the middle of nowhere, Maine.





Get your big thumb out of the way, Pants....



Thank you for riding with me, Dan.



In Bethal, ME, we turned left on Hwy 2 and made a little better time.



Good views while riding on this road.



A little more color is now visible in the upper elevations down here.



All day, I've been riding like crap. Just not totally up on my game, and not really feeling it much. Mid morning, I decided to slow it down and concentrate a bit more. Doesn't matter - riding is riding and it's all good.



We got back to the ABB about 5:30 pm. Over happy hour with Tammy, I cooked up a simple meal of shrimp fajatis, which went down like aspirin tablets (no food porn, sorry). I then poured Dan and I a couple fingers of fire water, and we sat down to solve the meaning of life.

The next morning, with some rain coming, and the smell of the home barn pressing, Dan loaded up and headed home. I was glad to know via text that he arrived home safely. I enjoyed riding with my friend, and Tammy and I really enjoyed his company.

Stay thirsty, my friends....

[Hppants]

I agree with most of the above having been to NH a large number of times.
Can't really comment on the food in restaurants. For the most part, I eat at a campsite or some sort of fast food joint as my trips are generally of short duration and are always camping.
I like ice cream but (unlike 'Pants), I am not a fanatic.

I have seen a few deer, a number of bears, a couple of moose and tons of wild turkeys.

All in all, it is a pretty good place to go riding. Not mentioned (and especially in the northern parts) is the general lack of heavy traffic. Tourist areas, of course, are the exception and sometimes you have to pick the right roads at the right times. The next few weeks will be busier with distracted leaf-peepers so watch out for them.

I do stand corrected, re: turkeys. I have seen a lot of them on the roadside.

And I also agree re: not much traffic, and should have made a point to mention that because its very relevant. During the week (Monday - Thursday), the roads are very quiet. The Lakes Region is busier in general, and pretty bad on the weekends.

[Cav47]

While in Bethel Maine, you were 10 miles from the Puzzle Mountain Bakery and Pie stand. It is just North of Newry. Highway 26 runs north and then back west through Grafton Notch. Spawn and I camped there in Grafton Notch and then hiked some of the AT north of there. We stopped at the Stand on the way to Mt. Washington. My only regret is that we did not have enough room to buy more of the goodies there. Hopefully you can get over that way again before you leave. The hiking over there at Grafton Notch will be challenging for sure.

[Hppants]

September 27, 2024

We've been here 74 days and yesterday was the first day weatherwise that was a total washout - it was cold and rainy when I woke, and stayed that way all day. Or to put it another way, gumbo weather.



I'm still searching, but I have yet to find a smoked pork sausage here to my liking. On the other hand, the crabmeat here is the same crab we have at home (Blue Crab) and the Instant Quick Frozen (IQF) shrimp they get from the Atlantic is good. So I made a seafood gumbo.

The day before yesterday, Tammy and I were walking in the neighborhood and in the distance, we saw a familiar dog we know. I called it's name and it came running toward us. I thought the person walking Oden was its owner (Bill), so I instinctively waived at him and he waived back. As we got closer to each other, I realized that this was not the dog's owner, and I thought it amusing that in spite of that, he was friendly enough to apeace my ignorance anyway. We all introduced ourselves and chatted a minute about nothing. Warren is Bill's friend and neighbor, and like Tammy and I, he enjoys borrowing other people's dogs at times. It's kind of like what I imagine a grandparent being: you enjoy the fun parts, and then give them back when you're done.

I told Warren that with the impending weather, I was planning to make a gumbo tomorrow (yesterday) and he responded with great interest, being a culunary enthusiast (err... red blooded American male). After I prepared the gumbo, I packaged some with rice and potato salad and ran it over to Warren's house. He wasn't home, but I left it at the front door with a note that concluded "Bon Appetite!".

Yesterday morning, Warrren called to thank me for the surprise gumbo delivery. He enjoyed it as I suspected he would, and we got to blabbing about nothing again. When he asked me what I had planned for the day, I told him I was gonna ride the bicycle to a trail and take a walk up top to see how the color is coming. One thing led to another, and it looks like I've made a new friend.



(Note - I failed to ask Warren if he minded his picture being posted anywhere, so that's the one and only shot of him you get).

He's a nice honorable man and unsurprisingly, despite the 2,000 miles that seperates our upbringing, we have a LOT in common.

The color is coming along. Certainly not anywhere near peak yet, but regardless, the view up top of Scaur Rock is quite pleasant.





What I didn't know is that Warren planned a surprise of his own. This morning, he baked some Pumpkin Spice muffins and brought a couple along for us to have after lunch. I think I'll pass on the ice cream today.



Now - if you don't think that I took my filthy fingers and scraped off the icing that stuck to the lid of the muffin container and rubbed it back onto the top of the muffin, well then my friends, you don't know Pants very well at all. Delicious.

After some good conversation, we walked back down the mountain to retrieve the bicycles. Warren needs to head back to tend to some obligations, but Pants still has some gas left in the tank, so back up on the gravel trail I go. Since it rained a good bit yesterday, I wanted to take a peak at the Cascades Path to see if the flow was improved.

Yep - running pretty good this morning.







The ride back down to the ABB was fairly familiar. I did stop at Warren's house to pick up a couple more muffins he saved for Tammy to try. One of our other neighbors uses these 2 props to decorate their house. He/she changes the scene every 2 weeks or so, and I always enjoy seeing what's new. I'd like to meet them and tell them how cool this idea is, but alas, I haven't had the chance yet.



I took a shower and then Tammy and I went down to Campton to pick up some supplies and we ate at a local restaurant there for an early dinner.

Stay thirsty, my friends....

[raYzerman]

So the question is, just how many muffins made it back to Tammy, lol.

[fontanaman]

Just to get you jazzed about peak foliage. Soon the leaves will be popping with color. Here are a couple of photos from last year during my leaf peeping trip. They say we go lucky to see peak foliage.

This photo was shot from the top of Loon Mountain ski hill.



I don't know where the heck where I shot this photo because the camera doesn't have a built in GPS! Clearly it was in the afternoon because the photo is blown out.

[raYzerman]

Not a lot going on here with colours changing....... not even close to any of that.

[Hppants]

September 28, 2024

We've gotten to know Dawn and Steve at the Pizza place. Super nice people and very proud of their work. I've always admired anyone that is proud of their work. I can always see it in the results.

Dawn is an avid Mountain Biker and we've had great fun discussing the riding here. She's been trying to get me to go to some MTB trails that exist off the old Watervilley Valley Road since we got here. I dunno why I've not tried it yet, I guess I was busier trying everything else. Well, today is the day.

Since I didn't know what I was getting in to, I thought I might be out of gas for the 3 mile road ride back going uphill, so I took the truck to the trailhead. Dawn said just ride the old WVV road trail about 3 miles and I'll see the good stuff on either side.

Holy cow, was she right!



Someone has gone through painstaking effort to bring some kind of machine here to design and groom these trails just for us. There are four tracks that I could find. Each one winds its way down one side of the mountain and ends up at the same place. Then you have about 5-7 minutes of moderate climb back to the start.



It's lke the most perfect, all-natural rollercoaster.





Quite simply, this was the MOST fun I have ever had on a MTB.



I did at least 2 laps on each track and then rode back to the truck. About 20 miles at 1300 feet. Not the best workout I've had here, but definitely the most fun!

Today in the town square is the Chili Cooking Competition.



I asked the Pizza peeps if I could compete, but apparently this is limited to the local restaurants and caterers. So then I asked if they'd hire me for a day and let me cook our entry and they politely declined. So Tammy and I bought tickets and had lunch.



People always get crazy with this kind of stuff. There was a "Cajun Chili" entry, cooked from a lady that was from Baton Rouge. It tasted good, but it wasn't chili. It was Red Beans and Rice, with some chili powder in it.



We sampled them all and voted for our favorite.



As luck would have it, there was a car show in the square.

(All Metal - IYKYK)



This showing had some oddities you don't see very often. A survivor 1977 Cutlass with the swivel bucket seats.



This '66 Fairlane (390, 4-spd) was one of my favorites. A beautifully restored driver with some period correct modifications.



You don't see this at every car show....



And you don't see this either: a NUMBERS MATCHING GT350. I doubt $200,000 would buy this car today.



This is a '41 Cab Over Engine truck. It sits on a Dodge Ram Pickup chassis and is powered by a MID-Engine mounted LT-1 Corvette motor. All of the bed metal work is hand done. This is rolling art, my friends.



I talked to its owner a short while. He's done a camaro and a chevelle and a square front pickup truck. This time, he wanted to challenge himself and I say he's clearly succeeded.



A beautiful fall day in New England.



This is a tribute car: A '70 mustang made to LOOK like a Mach 1.



If you are my age, this is your jam. Who doesn't like a split bumper, candy-apple red camaro?



Good, clean fun.



Tammy was patient while I slogged through all of the cars. She entered the charity raffle and found some of our friends to chat with. We really feel like we are part of the community.

We took the long way back to the ABB and I watched college football the rest of the day.

Stay thirsty, my friends....

[fontanaman]

I recall the derogatory term for this AMC was Spacer.

[El Toro Joe]

I recall the derogatory term for this AMC was Spacer.

A curvaceous Gremlin...

[raYzerman]

Ha, in 1981, I started working for AMC.... I believe the Pacer may have been built in Kenosha, WI or Milwaukee... meanwhile we built Eagles, Concords and some Gremlins... The Matador was built in Milwaukee. In 1985 I headed up a team that built the very first YJ Jeep, successor to the CJ-7 when they moved production to our plant. So, we built 21 of the Jeeps by hand from the ground up. I occasionally used one of the monster spotwelders and frequenly had burn holes in my polyester pants, lol.

AMC was the best company I ever worked for. Everyone like the family it was, nothing like it. The little company that could. We have an AMC alumni luncheon every year in November... guess where I'm going Nov. 21....

[Hppants]

I should have took pictures of the other two, but actually, at the car show, there were three (3) AMC vehicles. In addition to the Pacer, there was a '74 Gremlin with 37K original miles, and an Eagle (year not remembered) with feaux wood grain on the side. I talked with the Eagle owner and noted: "I've been to a LOT of car shows in my time, what's with the AMCs?" He had no answer as apparently, it was pure coindence.

[Hppants]

September 29, 2024

I posted on the New England Dual Sport Riders Group that I was gonna run the Flatlander Route in my region today, and invited anyone interested to join me. No takers, no problem. I'm going anyway.

Today, I'm going to run the Flatlander, but where I've found what I believe to be better alternative roads along the route, take these and see how it flows. I thought I'd offer ADV Rider some suggestions for a future route update. Might as well give something back.

It's Sunday, but out here on the Gravel, you'd never know it. Always plenty of room for everyone here.



Mt. Chocoura is one of my favorites in the White Mountains. Sadly, I haven't walked it yet, but there's still time.



The color continues to come, a little more everyday.



A few leaves are now falling, and it's fun to ride through a tunnel of trees and enjoy nature's "Confetti"



It bears repeating, my friends. This region of New Hampshire is a very special place. We are going to miss this terribly.



This is Foss Mountain Road, a part of the Flatlander Route. It's a little bit more technical than other roads, but the Bush Piggie snorts it up just fine.





I stay on the route to the Maine border and call it "good enough", then turn around and run it backwards with my GPS track on for notes later. The ride back was just as nice. I like my route modifications for a number of reasons - I'll throw them up on ADV Rider and we'll see.





A couple of weeks ago, I texted the owner of Papa Beans Ice Cream (who is technically "Mama Beans") and requested a batch of my favorite flavor she offers. Thank you, Ms. Beans!!





Made it back to the ABB after about 140 miles for the day - more "riding" and less "sniffing" to be sure. Leftover Seafoo Gumbo for dinner (it taste better when re-heated), and early to bed to dream about my good fortune. What a great life I have. Thankful and humble, indeed!

Stay thirsty, my friends....

[gixxerjasen]

That ice cream looks amazing, what happened to the thumb?

[Cav47]

That ice cream looks amazing, what happened to the thumb?

Prob fighting a bear. Either for those Berries or in a love tussle.

[fontanaman]

That ice cream looks amazing, what happened to the thumb?

Prob fighting a bear. Either for those Berries or in a love tussle.

Know how much Pants likes his ice cream, the bear lost.

[Hppants]

September 30, 2024

Today, we will check off another important item on Tammy's list. We are going to ride the Conway Scenic Railroad. I purposely waited for this item, thinking that we could make it a leaf peeping trip as well. I bought tickets yesterday and our train leaves the station at noon. We hit the road early to enjoy the 90 minute ride on the way.

The Kanc is quiet this morning. The color here is much better than it was even a couple days ago.



We stopped at Banners for a big brunch, thinking we would just skip the overpriced box lunch on the train.



With still an hour or so to kill, I stopped at the outlet mall for Tammy to do some shopping. She wanted some kind of purse at the purse store. I'll wait in the truck.

You don't see this every day. Apparently the driver got the brake and accelerator mixed up? For the absolute record, I'm not judging. Very recently, I pulled a dumbass move behind the steering wheel. I get it.



We get to the station and soon, it's "All Aboard!!!"





The train eases out of town and very soon, the views start appearing.



It's about 70 degrees and that breeze is delightful



We start climbing toward Crawford Notch and the color comes to us right on cue!





The train stops for a short visit on the top of Crawford Notch at the Highlands Center, an old Depot. I like the composition of this picture.



What a glorious day!



From Crawford Notch, we continued West a short distance to the village of Bretton Woods, so the Engineer can use the Siding (second railroad track) to move the engines to the other side of the train. The conductor allowed me to watch this - pretty cool. It made me think of my dad - he loves trains and he would really enjoy this. I miss him.



Soon we were running back toward Crawford Notch. Tammy is having a great time.



For the return run, we decided to sit on the other side of the car to see the views there. Good choice!



At Crawford Notch, the engineer slowed the train to a crawl so we could enjoy the view. I gotta say, this alone was worth the price of the tickets.







Making memories.





Normally on this type of adventure, I'm driving. It was really nice to let someone else handle that and just enjoy the show.

We got back to Conway about 5 pm. Tammy bought a Christmas tree ornament to commerate our day. The drive back was more deliberate, with me wanting to get off the road before dark for obvious reasons.

At Date Days go, I'd put this one up there.



Stay thirsty, my friends.....

[bungie4]

I saw the vidya that goes with this on FB. It put a smile on my face.

[fontanaman]

Outstanding. Happy you get to experience the fall foliage in New Hampshire.