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!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Preview of the "Shrimp Run"

On July 27, 2013, "Ski's Shrimp Run" will begin in the parking lot of the Sea Dog Pub in Topsham, Maine. Arrive around 10 AM, embark on a 32 mile ride at noon. Read all about this scooter rally at Ski's Shrimp Run on Facebook.

For those coming from a distance, space at the Thomas Point Campground will be available. Mike and I rode up there last Sunday - Mike planned the ride, so the 45 mile, 2 hour round trip measured 85 miles and five hours. But it was a beautiful day for a ride, so we didn't mind a minute of the afternoon.

 

First things first - Mike and I take pictures of us taking a photo of the other.

 

We parked in the driveway of the farmhouse next to the campground. Built in 1830, this marvelous brick home with attached barn is in mint condition.

 

Across the road, even the bird house is freshly painted and ready for residents

 

A dozen apartments, low rent, pay heat and utilities, no pets

 

This snow will melt, the meadow will turn gorgeous green, and by June, it'll most likely be full

A variety of sculptures dot the landscape

 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Well, at least it's melting fast...

We all knew it was coming, but since our weather prognosticators have been so wrong so often over the past winter, we hoped that the forecast of a foot of snow on the first day of Spring would be as fantastical as many of the previous mistakes.

 

Well, this time they were correct. Happy Spring - now dig out the shovels!

I'm on the outside looking in...

...at a well-used snowblower and a neglected Vespa.

It's like looking at an archeological dig - layers of past storms, reminders that this has been a winter of too much snow

The driveway is clear...
The street is passable...

...but my first load of firewood for next winter has arrived, and Kathy is home from work, so I'll ride tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Well, at least the snow is gone!

The tide was extra-high in the Scarborough Marsh, and the sky threatening, but at least the snow is gone.

And what is this? A skateboard on the beach!? At least this guy isn't trying to ride it. What's next - some goofball riding a scooter on the sands of Old Orchard Beach?

This surfer contemplated the cold, windy, dismal sea...

...and wisely said, hell no!

 

This couple made the same decision after a couple of minutes watching the waves pound the Pier

In about six weeks, this coaster will be open for the season. But on this dark day, it's just a forlorn reminder that summer is so very short along the coast of Maine - and that winter is so very, very long!

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Absolute Joy

It's not all that often that we get to experience utter and total joy. Mike and I watched a young boy express that wonderful emotion during a visit to Doc's Cafe in Cumberland.

 

This kid came to Doc's on a Sunday morning with his father and sister. Dad ordered cinnamon buns for the trio, asking that the children's pastry be cut up. When his was delivered, the boy actually applauded the sticky treat!