Friday, 26 May 2006

Camden Hills State Park to Balsam Cove campground

I had another restless and struggled to wake up in the morning. I did have a dream where I met Margaret Thatcher on a train and harangued her about all the despicable things she'd done; miner's strike, poll tax, sinking the Belgrano, Gen. Pinochet, etc. As you can imagine it was quite a long dream.

It was a beautiful sunny morning with a chill in the air. From the State park I had to cycle back to Camden to pick up my route again, so I took the opportunity to stop off for a pot of tea while I was there. I found that the library didn't open until 9:30 and I didn't want to hang around, so I set off north on the SR 52. I was soon grateful for the shade on my side of the road as I cycled the uphill parts. The SR 52 is quite scenic, especially the first part next to Lake Megunticook.

Within 2 hours I had reached Belfast where there was a conveniently located supermarket, so I stopped to do a big shop ($18.93) It took me quite a while to find everything that I wanted. By the time I emerged it was noon and had clouded over. I left the route to cycle into the centre of Belfast and have a look around. I did some blog at the library but again couldn't upload any photos, so I spent some time looking through some plant/wild flower ID books to try to find some of the things I'd seen. After that I went to Chase's Daily, a funky little restaurant/cafe for a latte. then there was just time for a quick tour down by the whark and then it was up to the bridge and over to East Belfast. This is obviously a summer tourist route as the road is lined with Inns, motels and restaurants, arts and crafts, gift and antique shops. I think model lighthouses must be the New England equivalent of the garden gnome.

At Searsport I found an internet place where I could upload my photos, so 20th to 23rd should all now be available... The day was cool and cloudy and threatening to rain, but it bever quite arrived. the route from Belfast was all on the US 1 which was quite busy; there were a lot of [big] caravans and campervans with people heading off for the Memorial Day weekend. I'm not sure I'd want to cycle this route in the summer season which starts mid-June to July and the traffic is nose-to-tail.

I crossed the Penobscot River on the old Verona Bridge - there were some great views of the new bridge under construction (with its as yet unconnected spans) and of Buscksport to the north, but the roadworks and the weather were against me. The was no foot or cycle-way on the bridge so I could not stop for photos, and the sky was a dull grey anyway. I must have spent all of a couple of minutes on Verona Island as the road turns straight away onto a second bridge that crosses back to the mainland at Bucksport. A couple of miles out of Bucksport I stopped at a little bar 'n' grill for a coffee. It was the sort of place the Terminator goes into to get his clothes. You know the place is tough when the tiles are screwed to the walls in the restroom.

I carried on along the US 1 for a few more miles until I saw a sign for Balsam Cove campground; it wasn't marked on my map but it was a mile and a half from the US 1 so I thought it would be nice and quiet. I headed down the eerily quiet backroad until I reached a sign for the campground. I then followed a rough track through the woods for another half a mile (beginning to sound a bit like Deliverance?) until I reached the campsite office. It may have looked a little rough and ready, a bit like a travellers camp (which I suppose it is) but at $18 ($19.26 inc. tax) it suited my needs. the shower was hot and there was a laundry room where I could give my clothes a much needed wash. What a way to spend a Friday evening.

Distance: 48.3 miles
Cycling time: 4:54
Total distance: 406.5 miles