Day 4 Saturday 9/18

Miles: 67.1
Total Miles: 258.9
Final Destination: Epping, NH (Pictured with friend Scott James)
Today was a beautiful day after a cccchilly night. My feet were freezing in the tent, woke up twice, had to just ignore it.
Got on the road @ 6:30 am because I wanted to meet my Friend Lou Brown (pictured getting some ice cream) in Portsmouth @ noon. Had a wonderful breakfast at the Maine Diner which was spotlighted on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Great food!
I rode most of the morning along the Maine coast at the waters edge (pictured). I had the warm sun on my body, the ocean breaze and I was listening to one of my favorite Jazz groups (Spiro Gyra) on the Ipod. Can't get much better...
Put my first of 13 states behind me today. Left Maine and crossed the Kittery Bridge (pictured). I'll have to do that 12 more times before I reach my destination, seems so far right now.
Rode the afternoon with friend Lou Brown. It was really nice having some companionship after a morning alone. I much prefer to ride with someone, the conversation makes the time go by and you really get to know the person. Lou's great. Talked about bikes, church, common friends, Bar Harbor, etc.
One of the great things about touring is you find some of the best out-of-the-way places. Today Lou and I discovered Harvey's Farm (Pictured red barn) in Epping, NH. Family owned farm that has the freshest soft ice cream. It literally comes right from the cow into the machines and comes out deliciously creamy. Had a cup of their cookies and cream (that comes out of the machine!). Mmmmmm
Staying at te James' tonight. Another warm soft bed, Ahhhh
Til Tomorrow...
PS. Red's Eats (pictured) is a famous lobster roll place in Wiscasset Maine. Adrian and I stood in line for 15 minutes then bailed and went next door and ate. The people we were standing behind didn't get their meal for another hour! Is anything worth that wait?

Day 3

Miles: 59.8
Total miles: 191.8
Final destination: West Kennebunk, ME
Today was the last day I biked with Adrian (sad!). It was so wonderful having such a good friend in the Lord with me for my first three days. A real gift. I will continue to look for houses with character and ride my "squeaky" bike for the rest of my trip. Thanks for the good times A. 
We awoke and had breakfast at the motel we stayed in. The owner came out and sat with us and as we chatted. Then I asked the simple question, "So, how did you get into the business." 35 minutes later we had discovered that he has been in the B & B business for 28 years because of a joke that went too far! Long story short, the town of Freeport told him he couldn't and he said "yes I can!" amazing what people will do for pride!
We ate at an interesting lunch spot in the little town of Standish. It was an old building converted into an eating establishment. Three stories with the first a restaurant, the second floor a pub with large screen TVs and a bar and the third floor was used for special events. The interesting thing was that the third floor room was designed as a dance floor when it was built and the whole floor is suspended on giant springs to help the stress on the building! I of course climbed up there and jumped up and down on it and sure enough it was true! I stood there and imagined all the people waltzing in the 19th century, doing the Lindy in the roaring 20's and girls in poodle skirts hopping there in the 50's. What a great history that room probably has. If the wall could only talk!
Speaking of the walls, they have preserved some pencil drawings on the original plaster of a now famous artist. Apparently just doodles, but from an important person. They have plexiglas over it and everything. What a great place to stumble over!!
No bike mishaps today. I think I have solved my fender issue of yesterday. 
Well, as i write I am at Happy Valley campground, tent set up, bike locked up and about to call it a night 9:30pm. 
Til tomorrow...

Day 2

Miles today: 68
Total miles: 131
Final destination: Freeport ME
First of all, thank you to Paul and Donna (Adrian's parents) for putting us up last night. Diner, a warm bed and breakfast was wonderful!
Today was fairly uneventful. It was a beautiful day to ride, bright sunshine mid-60's. Stopped for lunch in Wiscasset @ Red's. It is famous for their lobster role. We waited in line for 20 minutes and the line barely moved so we jumped ship and went across the street for a bowl of pasta (mmmmm, carbs!). Sorry to have missed it, but we watched our lace in line and it took over an hour for the line where we were to reach the window and be served! Thankful we bailed! Lobster rolls another time I guess.
Bike ran fine today. Had a slight mishap with the front fender, though. Bent it up pretty badly when my foot caught it at an intersection. Have to go back tonight and fix it.
Also had the best pizza I think I have ever had in my life for dinner. It was a tomato, sausage, bacon, garlic and feta pie here in Freeport. Amazing! (it also could be because I burned 6,000 calories today and was famished). Either way, I enjoyed it.
No picture today, not near a computer. Hope to upload a bunch tomorrow, have some great ones!
Tomorrow's destination...Kennebunk ME
Til tomorrow...

Day 1

Distance: 63 miles
Final Destination: Rockport, ME
It was terrible leaving my family this morning. Lump in throat and all we road away.
Day was pretty uneventful with the exception of Adrian losing a couple of bolts on his rear bike rack and breaking two spokes on his rear wheel (see picture, ugh!)
Beautiful day for biking (mid-60's) partly sunny.
Met two women on recumbent bikes who were just finishing up a trans-american 2.5 month bike trip. Made my 5-weeker seem more doable (Thanks for the encouragement Lord!)
Seems Adrian's family lives close to where we were going to camp, so...
A nice warm bed tonight!
Til tomorrow
Blake

T-Minus zero days and counting...

Some dear friends came over last night while we were out at dinner as a family and created this start line for me from my driveway. Wonderful people!
Today's destination is Camden, Maine. Just looked at the weather and cool in the name of the game with thunderstorms possible tomorrow night, Ahhh! What a way to start.