Day 5 - 138 miles

We made it! Got an early start headed out on Hwy 4 then Hwy 25 all the way to Portland ME. Pulled in to Ocean Pier 12 and got in line for loading onto the huge CAT ferry. Three fellow BMW riders from New York were also headed to Nova Scotia. They were loaded down with gear and had traveled a lot. After strapping down the bike in the belly of the CAT we headed upstairs to one of the many lounges with a great view of the ocean. This is a very cool ferry - has a bar - lots of eating choices and very comfortable. So we settled in for a 5 hour ride. Pretty choppy ocean which made us both nod out for a while or maybe it was the beer. Very foggy so the ferry has to sound its horn every 5 minutes.

Spencer got a little seasick toward the end but rallied in time to disembark and go thru customs. We are now safely in our hotel washing clothes and making plans for tomorrow. Spencer and I both have a little monkey butt from riding a long time with wet pants.

SSB

It was a good thing we pressed on another hour yesterday because it allowed us to get off comfortably at 8:30 this morning. After an initial direction juggling, we headed east into New Hampshire then Maine. Along rocky river bottoms, bogs, and beautiful lakes dotted with vacationers. Signs telling us to watch for moose (but not deer?).

Tanking up before the final leg to Portland, we put in our liners as the temperature was in the 60's. Traffic increased the closer we got to town and I got a little anxious about the time. VB did good on directions as we pulled into the pier with hours to spare.

As we waited for the CAT, a trio of guys on BMW's from Troy, NY pulled up. We exchanged stories and inspected gear. It's always fun to connect.

Lashing down the bike was exciting to me but the 5 1/2 hour crossing grew monotanious as fog, rain, and rougher seas gave me the queezies. A trip to the back showed the huge wake the boat was making. Cruising at 40 mph, this monster was faster than ski boats I have been behind. A sandwich, beer, chips and shut eye gave some relief. We chatted and listened to others talk around us. Beautiful big boat with few passengers.

In port, we showed them our passports and declaration paper and headed to the Best Western for a shower, laundry, and some strategizing. My mission tomorrow is to find a rain suit so I can enjoy the coastal roads.