Call me Johnny Utah

Point Break

30 days after I left Los Angeles I was heading into the state of Maine with 45 degree air trying to creep through any imperfection in my hand made riding suit. I found myself following Erica who was leading to a surf shop in Kennebunk, ME where the owner had contacted Erica via an online forum with a place to stay and gear to surf. I have never surfed before.

It was around 6pm by the time we arrived and introductions were postponed because we were going to try and surf before it had gotten to late out. Before I was even able to extend my hand to greet the couple that offered to shelter us I was handed a wetsuit. I know people surf in chilly weather but it must have been in the 40s as the sun was going down and I'm sure the Atlantic wasn't going to be much warmer.

Nanci and Marc didn't waste any time getting Erica and I to the beach. I was handed a a long surf board and Nancy gave me a brief explanation of what I should do. Then I found myself running into 50 degree water with no real idea of where I was or what I was doing.

It was great.

Erica trying to get her suit on moments before running into the water.

By the time I wrestled my long board past the breakers my feet and hands had already adjusted to the water temperature and I felt completely comfortable. Though the waves weren't very large that night they were still big enough to surf. You just had to wait for the right ones and with only the moon light lighting the horizon it was a bit difficult to see them coming.

The way I spotted the right wave was when Marc and Nanci would shout "Go Jeff, paddle..." I paddled and caught my first wave and jumped up on the massive beginner board that I was handed and surfed into the shore. All I thought was, "great another expensive hobby."

Leaving Vermont

Helen and Shawn road us out the Kancamagus Highway towards Maine.

Maple Creamies

Shawn and Helen in front of their home located in Montpelier, VT.

After a long cold day in the rain, Erica and I received a warm welcome from a loving couple, three dogs, five cats, and two ponies. Shawn and Helen live in a beautiful home that was converted from a 180 year old farm house. They both enjoy taking weeks at a time touring on their individual BMW R1200GS's (see the Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman photo from my first post) and taking care of fellow adventurers as ourselves. They opened both their door and refrigerator to Erica and me that night.

The next morning with Maine in our sights and french toast in our stomachs, Erica and I say our goodbyes and think about the road ahead. Until, we noticed that Erica's BMW was leaking engine coolant and our plans changed instantly. Shawn and Erica pulled the bike into the barn to diagnose the problem. After a few phones calls, spilled coolant, and a futile attempt at leaving again we ended spending the day in Montpelier and the second night with Shawn and Helen, which I was excited about.

Montpelier, we have a problem.

Vermont is definitely a state that takes care of their own and produces some of the finest maple syrups, cheeses, and ice cream around. Shawn took us around the Capital of Vermont as sort of an impromptu tour. It ended with Maple Creamy ice cream cones from Morse Sugar Farm, so good.

A Vermonter staple

Helen's two ponies

Kittens are ridiculously cute

With a bit more confidence in the condition of Erica's bike we will set out towards Portland, ME where she can get her bike looked at while we spend a couple days exploring Maine. Thanks again Shawn and Helen for taking care of Erica and me as if we were your own.

Late night blogging. Photo by Erica.

Express site seeing

Still have a smile on my face.

Erica and I plan on riding to Maine together and then just go our separate ways. Everyday we have ridden together has been wet and in the 50s. It does get hard to stay positive when the clouds are pouring down on you relentlessly and the water starts to seep through your gloves and you wish that you had waterproof boots instead of the ones that looked cooler. Spirits could have been higher as we plowed through upstate New York towards the Adirondack Region. Neither of us looked forward to camping in the rain so Erica contacted a fellow ADV rider (advrider.com) who had been following a forum she started about her trip. Shawn and Helen offered their warm and dry home to us, but it was in Montpelier, VT, and we were in the Adirondacks, and it was getting late. It was either set up the tent in the rain or push through a couple hours of night riding while it was wet out. We made it through the ride to Vermont that day after about 11 hrs of saddle time.

Even though we didn't have much time to explore the Adirondack Park Preserve it seemed like no matter which road you took it supplied amazing views of the forest and lakes that are scattered all over the park.

On the beaten path in the Adirondack Park Preserve.

Roadside view

Our side is better

Niagara Falls

Bike maintenance

According to the weather radar it didn't matter which direction we travelled in because it seemed to be raining everywhere in the Northeast for the next week or so. We continued north to Niagara Falls to see 'em from the American side and again when we got there the weather cleared for a couple hours while we walked around Niagara Reservation State Park. We stayed at the Hamlin Park Beach on Lake Ontario that night just east of where the Falls are at.

Father keeps an eye on his son who looks out over the Falls.

Pit stop along the way.

A farm along the route in upstate New York.

Campsite in Hamlin State Park, NY.

Sunrise over Lake Ontario

Sunrise at Hamlin Beach

Allegheny National Forest

What started out that morning in Jellystone Park as a light sprinkle turned into the worst rain storm I have ridden through yet. From Mill Run we rode north into the Allegheny National Forest and had some deserved fun exploring a few dirt roads and a short break in the weather.

Allegheny National Forest

More desktop shots

Beverly's Diner, New Bethlehem, PA. The ribbon means they've returned from service over seas.

Erica and I decided to stay in Jamestown, NY and instead of roughing it under the stars we roughed it in a local motel. Also allowing me to dry my clothes that got pretty wet under my waterproof riding suit.

Erica in the rain

Budget Inn. Great parking.

Heading east for the 2nd time

Blogging in traffic trying to get out of Ohio.

With some great route suggestions from Matthew (same friend who helped switch my tire a couple weeks earlier) Erica and I set out with a general idea of where we wanted to end up that night. She thought it would be a great idea to travel into southern Pennsylvania and visit two homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright which are now National Historical Landmarks. Unfortunately, we arrived in Mill Run, PA a bit later than we had hoped and would have to camp out there in order to visit the houses during business hours.

We spent the rest of the evening cruising around Ohiopyle, PA (I know, right) and walking along the Youghiogheny River (I don't know either).

We found the giraffe Matthew.

Youghiogheny River

Camped at the award winning Jellystone Park. Hooray for leisure systems!

Setting up camp for the night.

We woke the next morning to rain. And it didn't stop.

Fallingwater

Chairs at Fallingwater

Driveway to Kentuck Knob