Swooping.Me
Pemaquid Point
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What a great day for a bike ride in Maine. We swooped down through Whitefield to Damariscotta picking up Route 130 In Bristol. The roads were awesome with little traffic and great curves. The blast out to Yellow Head, which few people know it as, is better known simply as Pemaquid Point, or just Pemaquid. There’s a lot to do in the area and, while still a popular tourist spot, it seems to be at that mid-coast point of full-blown tourist and the working harbors further north.
We were a bit disappointed that we couldn’t get a look at Pemaquid Beach. They wouldn’t let us in without paying despite the fact we weren’t swimming and only staying long enough for a couple pictures. We ran into the same attitude at the Pemaquid Point Museum at the lighthouse. Come on folks, we are a tourist state … bend those rules a bit.
The trip back took us up the east side of Yellow Head through New Harbor, Chamberlain and Bremen but that’s for another Swooping.Me blog post.
Great day, great ride, great company!
Wayne, Maine
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Here’s a quick Swoop to Wayne, Maine as an all-video presentation.
Naples, Maine
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Jumped on Maine Route 11 in Lewiston and headed south through Mechanic Falls to Naples, Me. A great Maine lake-town that has done wonders with their downtown.
Complain all you want about state government and DOT but they did a magnificent job a few years back with the construction of a new bridge that allows boats to pass between Long Lake and Brandy Pond.
Plenty of places to eat and visit along the causeway but I was drawn to Rad Jet Ski Rentals. They had jet skies, hydro bikes, kayaks and pontoon boats for rent.
The town is good to motorcycle visitors with special parking slots. Some big cruisers shown above with a couple sport bikes. There were bikes all over. Rick’s Cafe with outside dining sits in the background.
Headed north on Maine Route 117 to find the head of Long Lake. It’s in the little town of Harrison with a major public boat landing. I met Ashley Clark who is a Courtesy Inspector making sure nasty Milfoil doesn’t enter the lake from out-of-state boats.
Christmas Cove
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Traveled US Route 1 north into Wiscasset. Wow, I couldn’t believe the line for “Red’s Eats” lunch stand near the bridge. People were lined up on the sidewalk down across the railroad tracks. I didn’t stop but I’m sure lobster rolls were flying out of there.
Continued over the bridge and headed to Newcastle then hung a right on Route 129 into Damariscotta for the swoop down the Pemaquid Peninsula. Hit the outskirts of Bristol but stayed on 129 towards Walpole and South Bristol. The road was pretty good with decent twisties but couldn’t see much ocean until reaching South Bristol.
There’s a small drawbridge in the center of South Bristol connecting the mainland to Rutherford Island. It was a very Maine port with a cove that runs east to west under the bridge. It’s called The Gut. Waiting a few minutes due to construction on the bridge and enjoyed the view and fresh salt air. It was warm.
Once on Rutherford Island, continued out towards the point capturing fantastic views of Christmas Cove to the west. Came upon a sharp “C” curve across a narrow that had a couple houses. The view out to the east of the open ocean (John’s Bay) was unique. Hugh white breakers were crashing over rocks at the tip of Hay Island. Stayed there at least a half hour just watching in amazement. Video captures some of it including being blown off bike by a gust.
Explored all the little narrow roads on the point catching great views of the ocean, particularly of the boats in Christmas Cove. There are no stores or inns out there but beautiful houses that I assume are very expensive just for the location. Particularly liked a small beach just as you turn on Sand Cove Road. At the foot of a hill, there’s a small parking area. It’s not really a swimmers beach but serene for those who want to sit on the sand and gaze out over the ocean.
There were a number of “Private Road” signs on long driveways but I didn’t get a sense people of the area were snobs. The few I waved and spoke to were friendly.
Swans Island
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Grabbed a bite in Ellsworth then shot south on route 3 (a.k.a. The Bar Harbor Rd). The salt air got heavy close to Trenton and there were some heavy aircraft at Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport; big jets like Delta Airlines size but all private. Betting one owned by John Travolta and maybe another by Martha Stewart. Each own homes on Mt. Desert Island.
Avoided the heavy traffic once on MDI. Instead, headed down route 102 west of Somes Harbor until reaching Echo Lake, one of the many entrances to Acadia National Park. Swooped through Southwest Harbor but took a wrong turn headed to Bass Harbor. Route 102A, rather than 102, along Seawall Road but that was okay as it circled around to Bass Harbor. It also allowed for a good view of the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
Found the ferry terminal for the 45 minute ride over to Swans Island. The round trip cost for passenger and motorcycle: $48. That’s the same for passenger and car! (Come on Maine, you gotta fix that. All other places charge less for motorcycles!)
Leaving Bass Harbor
The ferry folks were friendly and the boat, although small, seemed rather new and very well kept. I guess it’s those extra bucks from motorcycles.
What a great day for a boat ride. The weather couldn’t have been better. Puffy clouds in the sky and smooth waters. Met a few non-natives on the ferry who have been visiting the island for years, one for 30 and another couple for 37 years. Wow! Also met a guy with a Yankees hat on – when asked if he had to pay extra because of the hat, he replied he got on for free! (There’s always one wherever you go.)
Came off the ferry on the western side of Mackerel Cove and set off to explore the island. Headed across the island on Atlantic Road to downtown Swan Island located on the inside of Burnt Coat Harbor. The road was a bit rough but narrow with plenty of twisties. The ups and downs of the terrain were a bit surprising. Swans Island certainly isn’t flat. I did notice the roads were filled with tire rubber marks like kids had been squealing tires all over the island. Later, I learned this is sort of a “rite of passage” of islanders. It’s been going on for a few generations now. Whatever!
There really isn’t much to downtown. In fact, it’s just a group of houses and a lot of boats. Shot back to the other side of the harbor and toured the coastal hills along Minturn. Great scenery including some fantastic houses and one very interesting mailbox dressed as a lobsta.
A Few Canoes in Somes Harbor
Bryant Pond, Me
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Left state Route 100 south of Augusta onto Route 133 towards Wayne. Rolled into the beautiful village wedged between Androscoggin and Pocassett Lakes.
Just past Wayne, turned left onto Route 219 and enjoyed some gentle twisties. Got to the bridge over the Androscoggin River between Leeds and Turner and saw young people swimming and playing in the rapids just off the bridge. It looked fun.
Androscoggin River between Leeds and Turner
Continued on Route 219 through Sumner and past Bear and Pleasant Ponds. Got a little tangled looking for Route 26 but stumbled upon what I thought were Reindeer but as I got closer, I read it was an Elk Farm.
Eventually found Route 26 in West Paris and headed north. Reached Woodstock where a sculpture was erected for the founders of the Bryant Pond Telephone Company. That was the last company in the country to convert hand crank telephones. The last hand crank telephone call was made Oct 11, 1983.
Not far from there came the entrance to Bryant Pond and the Bryant Pond Conservation School or what is now known as University of Maine 4H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Many junior high school kids went there (including me) to learn about nature, conservation and Maine’s environment. If they can teach junior high age kids anything, they have quite a program. It’s a great place.
Dining Hall
Dorms
Old Cottage/Outdoor Classroom
Docks
View Across Pond
Potts Harbor 1-2-3
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Calling this Potts Harbor 1-2-3 because there are three primary points of land at the end of Harpswell Neck jutting into Potts Harbor: Basin Point, Ash Point and Potts Point. Also, the state highway from Brunswick down the Neck is Maine Route 123.
Swooped down the west side of Merry Meeting Bay into Brunswick. After a quick bite, found Route 123 which weaves through the Bowdoin College campus. The road down Harpswell Neck is very nice but could have done with less traffic. Hey, but it’s August!
The first of the three points (West to East) is Basin Point. It has a marina (Dolphin Marina) and restaurant (Erica’s) at the tip of the land. There’s money around as there’s some very nice boats at the dock.
Just around a couple bends, Ash Point is across from Basin Point. It’s more of a working harbor. Small but with a great view of the water pouring out of the “basin” at low tide. It actually creates whitewater rapids.
Met a few lobstermen along the way.
Back out to Route 123 to the final and furthest spec of land known as Potts Point. Magnificent houses along the way with great ocean views.
A little point off Potts Point is Cemetary Point. The dead have a great view.
Cemetary Point
Skowhegan, Maine
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Took Exit 130 off I95 to Route 104 to Skowhegan. Ran into construction so had to cut across to US 201. Noticed one of Maine’s (and the country’s) last drive-in theatres. The Skowhegan Drive-In is still going strong with double-features every weekend.
A bit further down US 201, found the New Balance Outlet Store. The factory is across the street. New Balance is the only major athletic shoe still made in the US, right in Skowhegan.
Visited the famous Swinging Bridge which stretches from the island in the middle of town to the south side. The suspension design jiggles, cracks and swings just by walking across it. No worries. it’s been there forever.
The famous Skowhegan Indian is still in the middle of town but is going through a make-over this summer. Much of it is covered by staging but he’s still standing tall and proud.
Through town on US Route 2, Coburn Park is almost hidden but should not be missed. Along with a music shell and plenty of picnic spots is a pond with a fountain. The roadways have some nice twisties but watch out for the speed bumps.
Had to visit the best little grocery store in Maine. It’s George’s Banana Stand on North Ave. and is now owned by an old high school buddy, Randy Wright. Their old bumper stickers read “I saw George’s Banana Stand in Skowhegan, Maine.”
It was also fair week in Skowhegan. The Skowhegan State Fair boosts of being the oldest continuous agricultural fair in America. Wow!
Finished off the swoop with a visit to the Margaret Chase Smith Library on Norridgewock Ave. Chase was a long-serving US Senator originally from Skowhegan. She was the first woman in the Senate and first to be nominated for President at a national convention.
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