I used to think that I could visit a place once and that would be enough; a new year always meant new travel destinations. I learned (or maybe I should say I decided) a long time ago that it's more than acceptable to return to places that I've enjoyed in the past. There are sights to see again, sights to see in different light or in different conditions, and brand new things to see too.
I visited Downeast Maine in 2005. And I stopped at Acadia National Park in September on my way home from Prince Edward Island. But somehow, I haven't absorbed enough of that area, and it's more than possible that I'll never get tired of visiting there. I don't really need a reason to go back there, but if I needed a reason (or excuse)... I want to visit the puffins again with my new toy - a Canon Digital Rebel XT (a digital SLR) - in hand. That's enough for me - I'm going back!
I promise, I'm going to explore someplace new when I head out on my bike in September...
This will be a quick four-day trip, and I've decided that it feels right to do it as a series of day trips. Friday, Sunday, and Monday will be days for wandering on my bike; Saturday is my planned visit with the puffins. (Or maybe I should say hoped for, since the boat trip is definitely dependent on the ocean conditions.) Even then, I'll have the afternoon to wander on my bike. I hope to wander on some roads that are new to me, but I will be repeating last year's rides in Acadia National Park too, both Park Loop Road in the main part of the park, and the road around the Schoodic Peninsula.
I find it interesting that when I'm riding around home I often repeat the same routes. If I'm on a tour, I tend to ride a big multi-day circle or I ride point-to-point. Sometimes I do an out-and-back tour, but the other two options are more common. When I repeat rides at home, sometimes I flip the ride around; things do look different when you approach them from a different direction. That's not possible at Acadia though since both of the roads I'll be rolling down are one-way loops. I really enjoy the two loops in Acadia; I hope that riding them more than once will satisfy my Acadia itch for now. My goal is to keep an eye out for interesting things along the road, and to enjoy the scenery in possibly different lighting conditions.
It's time to absorb the sights and sounds of Downeast Maine; it's time to ride.
It's my turn to go to Acadia with Denise!
Both of my compatriot's (Denise's other bikes) have already been there. They were able to visit during her spring & fall tours last year. That made sense since Denise was touring - and they are both touring bikes while I am set up as a road bike. Yes, I do sport a rear rack, and I know that Denise plans to use both her TailRider (for the camera) and a single almost empty rear pannier (for sandals to be used for traipsing around on the coastal rocks instead of using cycling shoes for that non-cycling pastime). But that's not much weight at all. And I really do want to explore Downeast Maine. I'm so excited!
Oh, you want to know where my picture was taken? It was somewhere along the southwest coast of Maine, probably near Kittery Point or one of the Yorks. That makes a good wander for a day trip since we live in northeast Massachusetts. And now I'm going to get to see Downeast Maine too!
Yes Rover, of course you're coming too. After all, you told me last year that you liked riding in Maine, and you enjoyed our short 2-day trip (last month) from home to Kittery and back again, right? I'm counting on you to take pictures while we're riding. And yes, I promise to stock some chocolate for you. I know that you prefer quality dark chocolate, but energy bars with a touch of chocolate are OK with you too, right?
What? You don't talk to your travel mascot?
Those of you who don't know me (and maybe those who do!) may be questioning my conversations with my bicycles and with Rover. Shh! Don't hurt their feelings by telling them that you don't believe they can communicate with me. Rover always tells me he'll take notes for me, but he usually forgets because he is so fascinated by the sights he sees as he looks around. He's trying to learn how to use the camera, but honestly I think it's a little too big for him.
