The Viking Run, Day 11 - Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Mt. Washington Auto Road

I have a lot to cover since my last entry. A couple of days ago I took the bike up the Mt. Washington auto road and it was amazing. The road is 7 miles long with absolute drop offs at the edge and some very steep sections. The weather at the base of the mountains was 74 degrees and it was 55 degrees at the top, which really wasn't that bad. I had almost considered not going up, but knew I would regret it I had I road all the way to New Hampshire, got to the base of the mountain and then said, "nah". So happy I did. Mt. Washington will be such a fond memory for years to come.

When I left Mt. Washington, I rode north a bit and then headed to the east for Maine. Northern Maine was beautiful. I don't know what people do there for employment but it would be a pretty place to live. Maine as it turns out is a big state and it took quite some time just to get to the middle. The middle being Bangor. I decided to take a bit of a detour and head in to Bangor, just to find Stephen King's house and get a picture for Rachel. It would turn out however that Bangor too is such a nice town. It reminded me so much of Birmingham.

Stephen King's House, Bangor, ME

Bar Harbor, Maine

Acadia National Park

From Bangor it was about a 45 minute run down to Bar Harbor, where I spent the evening. The following morning I took a ride around the island and through much of Acadia National Park, with the exception of going up Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest place on the island. You had to preregister your vehicle and I didn't know that so I stuck to the coast. I stopped in the town of Bar Harbor and got some lunch so I could kill time waiting on the ferry. I couldn't decide between the Maine blueberry pancakes pr an omelet so I got both. I sat and relaxed there for a good bit of time with an OJ and coffee, then it was off to the ferry.

The CAT ferry

The ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia takes about three hours. The ride is ferry comfortable with huge seats and table options. There is a bar and food counters as well as a gift shop and business center. There was even a couple of guys on board in the forward lounge playing Celtic music, they were good. The ferry travels at about 40 miles an hour and we had very calm seas so you barely knew you were on a boat. About an hour outside Yarmouth we hit an incredibly thick fog. When we pulled in to Yarmouth, you couldn't even see the dock until we were right up on it. Once off the boat we waited in line to clear Canadian customs, the guy directing traffic came up and shook my hand and sent me to the front of the line because of my Marine Corps license plate frame. 

Once off the boat in Yarmouth and officially on Canadian soil, it was a quick 15 minute run up the road to an AirBnB on a beautiful lake. I had a pleasant night speaking with the owner and got some good rest for what would be today's ride to Halifax. 

AirBnB in Yarmouth

This morning I got up, washed the motorcycle and headed out to follow the southern coast of Nova Scotia along what is known as the Lighthouse Trail. I can't say much for the lighthouses, there are plenty to see but many are on islands and hard to get to, others are no more than beacons and some are in disrepair. The most grand of them is the lighthouse at Peggy's Cove. I have pictures of it, but won't be sharing. There were so many tourists there that the rocks and town and lighthouse were engulfed with people. I didn't even like being there. For that many tourist ruining what could be a beautiful photo backdrop, I could have stayed in Orlando.

From Peggy's Cove I was ready to get off the bike. An hour north lay Halifax. I had one stop I wanted to make as I entered the city. The old cemetery where they laid to rest many of the passengers from the wreak of the Titanic. Bodies that washed ashore on Nova Scotia, most of whom to this day are still unknown. 

 

The Viking Run, Day 8 - North Conway, NH

 Tonight I am in North Conway, New Hampshire, having left Boston this morning. The day before yesterday as I rolled in to Boston I stopped in Concord and walked to the North Bridge where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired, A great place in american history, very happy to have seen it. 

The U.S.S. Constitution

I pent yesterday visiting a couple of sights in Boston. Much like Philly, I really had only one reason for visiting that town, and that was to see the U.S.S. Constitution. When I was a kid, maybe 9 or 10, I had these two small 8X10 paints of ships on my wall, maybe they came from a garage sale. One was of a wailing ship and the other was of a ship firing off some canons, the plaque on the frame said "Old Ironsides" on it. I remember asking my dad if it was a real ship and why they called it that. Of course, he new, and explained the entire story to me of how the shots from the British canons would bounce off the side of her hull. I was enthralled with that ship ever since. So when I new I was going to be in this area, as badly as I did not want to ride in Boston, I had to make the stop and see the famous ship. See the ship moored at the dock, seeing its true size and finally going on board...you're in history at that point. Hundreds of years of history. The men that had walked those decks and sailed her and the conversations and battles. It's almost overwhelming when you think about it. I loved finally seeing "Old Ironsides" in person. It was a dream realized.

Fenway Park

So as I said, I really only had one reason to go to Boston, but timing worked in my favor and with an entire night to kill, the Braves were in town to play the Red Sox. Now I don't care about the braves or the Red Sox, I'm a Rangers fan, but it is Fenway Park. And that was something I couldn't pass up. So I bought the cheapst ticket I could find and went to the ball game. I had a great time. I haven't seen live baseball in forever and forgot how much I loved it. The ball park is an absolute gem. Right in the middle of town and the Sox fans, gotta give credit, they love their ballpark and their team. It was a grand night and I had the most fun.

The Old Cemetery, Ipswich, MA

On the way out of Beantown this morning, I had overcast skies and 73 degrees. It was a wonderful break from the 99 and 95 degree temps I have been riding in all week. I had a planned stop in Ipswich to try to locate the grave marker for what would be my 6th great grandfather (I think). It proved incredibly difficult, the markers there are from the sixteen, seventeen and eighteen hundreds and are so worn and hard to read, and there are too many there so without an idea of where to look it became futile to spend any more time there. 

The White Trellis Inn, North Conway, NH Dai

Tonight I have stopped at the White Trellis Inn in North Conway. Tomorrow I will attempt to ride the bike up Mount Washington, and then it's off to Bar Harbor. My last stop before crossing over to Canada.

The Viking Run, Day 5 - Philadelphia, PA

The Tun Tavern

I really only had one primary reason for riding through Philadelphia and that was to stand next to a bronze plaque on the side of the street. The site of the Tun Tavern, the birthplace of the Marine Corps. 

JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
(Philadelphia) Friday, November 10, 1775

Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.

 

The Viking Run, Day 4 - Washington D. C.

 

The United States Capitol

Today I spent the day in our nation's capitol. I/ve been to D.C. multiple times in the past, seen many of the sights. Today I didn't plan to stray too much from what I already know. I had never been to the Iwo Jima memorial so that would be new. My only other plan was to go to The Wall, the air and space museum and go watch the sunset parade at 8th and I. 

The Marine Corps War Memorial

The memorial was nice, I walked from the hotel there, took about 15 minutes and man was it hot. The day was going to be a scorcher. It was actually hotter here the last two days than it is in Florida. So I decided to rent one of these Capitol bikes that they have posted all over the city. That proved to be the right mode of transportation as it really cut down on the walking, which by the way I put in more than 14 thousand steps today. 

Benjamin Franklin Nimox

A quick ride over the Potomac and I made my second destination, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I arrived at "the Wall" with a purpose; and while I had done this once already once before, finding Benny's name would have more meaning this time. Found there on panel 22E, line 111 was Benjamin's name. It was a heavy moment for me. I never met and know nothing about Benny, but he was my dad's closest friend in the early days of of Vietnam, and that makes him important to me as well.

The Lincoln Memorial

It would later turn out that the air and space museum has been closed and entirely moved out to Dullas. So that scratched that idea. So I decided to ride up capitol hill and visit the Library of Congress. Something I'v done before but I really think it's a stunning piece of architecture and wanted to see it again. From the LoC i went to the Museum of American History and there, they had the best part, the American Pop Culture section closed for renovations. It had been a long day and I had about 3 hours to kill before heading to Headquarters Marin Corps, also known as 8th and I. When I walked out of American History the sky was angry. Rain was starting to fall and the thunder and lightening were moving in. I decided that the parade was unlikely and called an Uber to get me back to the hotel. Yeah, it wasn't a perfect day in D.C., but I can't complain. I didn't miss anything I haven't seen. 

So tomorrow I'm back on the bike for a 150 mile jaunt up to Philly. It's gonna be a long day.

The Viking Run, Day 3 - Quantico, VA

 

The National Museum of the Marine Corps

Today I visited the USMC Museum in Quantico. It is something I have wanted to do for a very long time, and was completely worth the wait. 

I was smiling from the moment I pulled in and saw the long drive up to the building. When I walked inside, i was in awe. It was a pleasant day to visit as there wasn't many other people taking in the sights. There were however quite a few active duty Marines there, it looked like either some promotions or meritorious masts were be given out.

The Mount Suribachi flag from Iwo Jima

The exhibits are superb and as expected in the order of the chronological history of the Marine Corps. 

Devil Dog

There is so much to see and read and take in. And they really do a spectacular job of covering so many aspects of the Corps' history.

Flying Leathernecks

Starting with the Tun Tavern and running right up through Marine astronauts. I found the section on Vietnam and Marine aviators, starting of course with 1st Lt. A.A. Cunningham.

Marines in Vietnam

The section on Vietnam covered all of the actions I heard and knew of, Con Thien, Hue, Saigon, Da Nang, the DMZ and the Perfume River. It would have been really cool to have walked that segment with my dad.

VMAQ-2 Charlie Yankee and the EA6-B Prowler

I had walked the entire museum, or so I had thought when I went to the second floor for lunch at the Tun Tavern, which was really good actually. After lunch I walked the perimeter of the mezzanine and at the bottom of one small display case was a stuffed Charlie Yankee rabbit from VMAQ-2, the Playboys and one of my old squadrons from the Corps. Yeah, that made an already great day that much better.

As I walked around the museum I thought to myself about the fact i was finally there, how the trip was now in full motion based on the plans I had made and how if I were to jump back on a southbound train, I would actually be happy with just having been to the museum. 

Once a Marine...Always a Marine

Day three down and it was awesome. There are many more to come, can they all be like today? 

Semper Fi

The Viking Run, Day 2 - Quantico, VA

 Are we off to a rocky start? (exhale) So last night, in the middle of the night as everyone was slumbering on the train, we hit a car that was crossing the tracks, Interesting thing about that is, no one knew. We spent two hours sitting still in the middle of the night, slept right through it. So no one was injured in the collision and the train was able to continue on, albeit two hours behind schedule. Which put us in to Lorton station at noon rather than 1000. This wouldn't be a problem as I'm not on a clock and it would allow me to not have to wait to check in to the hotel once disembarked and on the bike. Then I could leave bags at the room and change, then head over to the USMC museum. But au contraire mon frere; 45 minutes out from Lorton station I get an Instagram message that the museum is closed due to a county wide water outage. Yeah, so plans made for day one nixed. 

Middle of the night on the Autotrain

Ok, so hopefully the museum is open tomorrow. If so, it opens at 0900 and it's only a 45 minute ride up the road to my next hotel, so I should be able to take in a good portion of the museum, I could even stay through closing at 1700 I suppose. Not a horrible way to recover. 

USMC Museum Closure

So let's talk hotels for a second. I'm at the Ramada across the highway from the museum. It's ok, it's stay worthy, but not desirable. I didn't want to get back out on the road, traffic is also less than desirable, so I thought I'd order in some food. There is an advertisement on the hotel key card for a local pizza/pasta place and it said 10% off. I called and they said that was for the hotel employees, WTF? Ok so fine, I'll order anyway, we're on the phone already. Food arrives in 45 minutes as promised, and BANG, a long black hair in my fettuccine alfredo!! 

Tomorrow is a new day. It'll be better. Ummm...it is expected to rain though....

The Viking Run, Day 1- Amtrak from Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA.

 

New Smyrna Beach, FL

It has begun. The day has finally arrived and I am in motion. I left home this morning at 1030 on a quick commute to Constant Aviation. I stopped in to say goodbye for now and departed there for the Amtrak Autotrain station in Sanford. For the last several days I don't think I could have paced the floor more or looked at my bike and gear trying to figure out if I had packed everything or put things in the proper order. Time will tell I suppose. I said goodbye to Whiskey (the dog) and walked out the door to the bike, which had been loaded up and packed for two days. Jacket, helmet and gloves on I pressed the starter and a commitment was made. A commitment between me and this machine that we will treat each other right for the next 39 days. I swore to do my part...the bike didn't say much. I pulled out of the driveway, it was sunny and hot. The weight of the bike seemed balanced and that was it, out of the neighborhood and down the road we went. 

Constant Aviation

About half way to Constant and I started to ruminate about the fact that I was finally in motion. On the bike, comfortable and beginning to feel at ease. Kentucky was a precursor to what lay ahead. And now finally, my brain is in travel mode. It's been planned, edited and re-planed. What's in the luggage and saddlebags is what I got. It's time to start checking boxes.

Amtrak Autotrain, Sanford, FL

So now, here I am on the train. The bike is back there somewhere and we are quite comfortably covering the miles to Lorton, Virginia. We are expected to arrive at 1000 tomorrow and at this moment, we just passed the Naval Air Station in JAX. The sun is shinning and its raining. I would expect that we will be crossing in to Georgia in the next half hour or so. The train is 3/4 of a mile long. There is just shy of 300 people on board. There are 197 cars and two motorcycles in the 21 train cars behind me. 

It's a great start!