Damariscotta, ME to Searsport, ME 55 Miles July 31

We are only 65 miles from our destination of Bar Harbor and feeling more excited and giddy each day. But, the adventure continues to the last. We stayed on Highway 1 today to avoid the worn, torn, hilly Highway 52 which our route suggested. We had gentler hills than the last two days, but more traffic than we are used to. Carol was especially unnerved when our nice wide shoulder completely disappeared, and the trucks kept coming. Being from LA, I am used to traffic, besides we did have forest on the side of the road as opposed to the cliffs of Highway 1 in California.

One especially beautiful town we passed through today was Camden. With its compact center and narrow streets it felt quite European. We had a picnic lunch on the lovely "Green". As we rode through and out of town we couldn't help noticing that the curbs lining the blacktop sidewalks and streets were actually made of granite. We have enjoyed seeing granite everywhere in New Hampshire and Maine. People use granite posts as decoration in their yards and gardens. Today we passed a business which carves granite memorial stones and they even had one that was shaped like a shiney black motorcycle.

We were able to see the beach in Lincolnville and celebrate the fact we have ridden "from sea to shining sea". Our last ten miles today were in light rain, but we still arrived in Searsport in good spirits. We were met by Pastor Stephen McCloud of the United Methodist Church. He and his fiance are both pastors and seminary students. But he took time out of his busy schedule to make sure we had everything we need. We were offered a shower in his home, and given a warm dry place to sleep upstairs in the sanctuary because it is the one part of the church that has carpeting. The only drawback is that the beautiful stained glass window facing the street is lit up at night from the inside. But, we are prepared to cope with anything. I try to pack items which will be used in more than one way and I could never take a trip without my bandanna. This keeps the sun off of my neck, can be soaked in water to keep me cool, can be used as a washcloth or a towel and will be used tonight to keep the light out of my eyes in the sanctuary of the United Methodist Church.

We are ready for our ride into Bar Harbor tomorrow.