MAINE: my final frontier. These are the voyages of the Scooter Vespa 250 i.e. Super. Its continuing mission - to explore America's most heavily forested state - to roam the vast coastline, numberless lakes, and mighty mountains. To boldly go where no scooter has gone before!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Now this was a genuine treat!!

Just a week ago, I posted pictures of deep, dismal snow:

The temperature on this ride was in the high 20s

Now look at this delightful photo of my very accurate Vespa thermometer:

 

From a favorite spot to view a large part of Sebago Lake, a pair of young ladies walk along the shore

While the clouds look menacing, it never rained on this marvelously mild Monday afternoon

The field of blue here isn't water - it is a yard full of cocooned boats, waiting impatiently for the spring

Notice how little ice covers the lake - and how perilously thin it is

The ice is only safe for birds

I must post this picture again in closing - 62 degrees at 1:11 pm on January 14, 2013!

 

19 comments:

  1. Global warming at its finest? :) Is this a record for the day, do you know?

    No matter, what will be will be, but the temps are marvelous for sneaking out for a ride.

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    1. Lori,

      This was indeed the record! Portland reached 59, topping the old record for the date of 53. I was riding away from the coast, in Windham, when I snapped the temp pic.

      Tom

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  2. 60's?? Almost too good. We were very proud of our low 40's last week.

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    1. Coop,

      It was too good to last very long. Our forecast is for 1 to 5 inches of snow tomorrow, changing to rain, with temps around freezing. For the weekend, what they call "seasonable temps;" that is, cold, cold, cold.

      Tom

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  3. Thomas:

    we don't even get up to the 60's in Springtime. You're teasing us . . .

    even your snow has nearly melted away

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    Replies
    1. Bob,

      The tease was the record high temperatures. The reality is coming in the form of more snow tonight.

      Tom

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  4. I was in Toronto this past weekend: 59F on Sunday.

    Here in Montreal, over the holidays we got a record dump of snow (45cm). Went for a walk today at lunch down Ste-Catherine street: no snow to be seen.

    Strange winter indeed.

    BTW: you may get some visitors next summer.

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    Replies
    1. David,

      Strange winter indeed! But spring is coming soon; with good luck, we will have a not-strange summer. And it's good to know that you're likely to visit us this summer! Keep in touch with your plans - Mike will lay out some trips, and I will lead us all astray!

      Tom

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  5. Gorgeous pictures of the lake. I am jealous of your temps. We are lucky to get above freezing the last week or so. I guess I shouldn't complain as we have no snow.

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    1. Trobairitz,

      Thank you - it was a great day at the lake - but that was then. Now it's freezing and snowy again. Another 8 inches, just to remind us that Maine winters - if they end - rarely do so before April!

      Tom

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  6. Tom, I've got to ask. Is your header photo taken near Bar Harbor? I'm curious because I've got a photo of a road that runs along the water like this with the large blocks as guard rails. Mine was from a long time ago but it seems to me that mine was taken near the National Park and memory tells me that I rode up a peak nearby.

    My OM-1 was normally filled with Kodachrome, I wasn't always working so I never took as many photos then as I do now.

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    1. Coop,

      The header pic is looking across Moose Pond in Bridgton at Shawnee Peak (formerly Pleasant Mountain) and its skiing area.

      Tom

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  7. I can tell you are having a great time with your new camera and toys. Love the saturation of the third photo.

    Even though the temps are nice, doesn't it feel a little spooky for you this time of year? Or do you normally get a January thaw?

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  8. Martha,

    Yes, we almost always have a few days in mid-January when the temps rise into the 40s or 50s. This was a marvelous freak of nature, lasting just one day - but what a day!
    And it's true that my new camera is a wonderful toy. I use an iPad app called Snapseed, which isn't too complicated for me. I used to have Photoshop, and I never really understood all the filters and such.

    By the way, Maine is always open for visitors and new residents.

    Tom

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  9. Martha,

    My pleasure. Please stay in touch.

    Tom

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  11. Do you ride all winter or just when it warms up. My Vespa is sleeping in the back until warmer weather arrives (like in 52 days). You may want to have a look at my blog as well at www.vespaadventures.ca. I am planning a trip to Jacksonville then Orlando early summer or late spring. I ride a GTV-300

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    1. Peter,

      I ride year-road, but only when the roads are clear! I can dress very warmly, but will not ride if the road is wobbly.

      I looked at your blog - you are truly an adventurer. I can ride 6 hours, but I need to be in my own home when the ride is over.

      I ride an '09 Vespa 250' and it is a great machine, but Vespa stopped making that model, so my next one will surely be a 300.

      Tom

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