When we finally arrived, we got a tarp set up but opted to get some warm food into us before proceeding with tent assembly. A short walk up to the restaurant and we soon had food in front of us, and hot toddy's (of a sort) in front of us.
After a bit, we headed back and got our tents set up, rearranged some of the over-cover, cleaned up with hot showers (separately, of course) and reveled the evening away at the on-site party headquarters.
The next day, the rain had abated a bit and we went in search of some nice roads, as well as possibly a brewhouse or two. We did the obligatory ride out to the ocean but the parking enforcement officer informed us that since we weren't residents, we weren't allowed to park in the parking spots. What the frik. It was a gloomy, overcast day, the parking area was almost devoid of other cars, but nevertheless, we had to push on.
And push on we did - up to Portland to see what we could find. The sun had made some appearances and seemed to be gaining strength as the day wore on. And this seemed to bring out the open house brewery events. What that meant is that as we were riding along trying to find certain places, we kept stumbling upon these little micro brewery places that had outdoor seating, roped off on sidewalks or in the parking area. Well all right! Let's check these places out!
We didn't really fit in too well - the environment in many of these places seemed to be pretty earthy crunchy/tree huggy, but I tell ya; these folks like their beer! So while we did get our fair share of sidelong glances, we focused on enjoying the day, and the offerings.
We headed back to base camp before we got too silly, got cleaned up and then hung out at the main bar again for the evening. We imbibed, we laughed, we danced with some of the fillies, and it was a great time.
Sunday morning came too soon for my head, but there was nothing for it; it was time to pack up camp and head home. I parted with Ed and Greg when we got near Boston, as I needed to drop my bike off at the dealership for it's appointed service. The handoff went smoothly, and I was soon ambling my way home on the loaner (an Electra Ultra this time).
Today was back to work, but I've got tomorrow through Thursday off and am heading up to NH to do some riding and recharging. The dreaded budget season is fast approaching and nobody at my work is looking forward to that monstrosity. But I digress.
Bentley's once again delivered a grand time. I do think that we're done with the tenting thing, though. Three years in a row now, the weather hasn't really treated us very well. I think next year we'll have to look into renting one of the cabins they have up there. Beds, solid walls, and a weatherproof top (roof). Sounds like the way to go.
Pics!
Our arrival - ok, this is down the street at the service plaza where we filled up, but you get the idea.
The tarps have been assembled and the bikes are parked.
Click on the pic to expand it. This is what we'd been driving through for about an hour and a half.
I don't drink coffee; I can't stand the flavor of it. But toss in some JD and it's the cure for a bone-deep chill.
Back at the site and tents have been set up. Then it was back to the party...
They were doing a Miller Lite promotion and these two girls were walking around with cups of it, just giving it away. They said they got to go home when it was all gone. (I'm a gentleman, but I have my limits. I didn't help them end their night - that Miller Lite stuff is vile.)
This guy was just hanging out back by himself, not bothering anyone. Apparently that wasn't good enough for my compatriots. Ed seemed content to fondle the guys chin, while Greg was...wait..what? What the hell, Greg! :-)
There were a few other folks that were tenting also, and they had this guy with them. I asked that the story/significance was, and they didn't know. Just somehow along the line, this thing had become a part of the troupe, and went where they did.
The obligatory beach pics. Very gloomy this year.
On our way to a distillery, we happened to come across Big Bear HD, and they were having an open house. Free burgers, pulled pork, etc.
Oh, and free drafts!
Back out on the road, we found the location of the distillery, but there was a microbrewery next to it with some of that outdoor seating I mentioned earlier. So we stopped in to sample the wares.
The trip was a success on another front, too; we found an open American Legion!! (We had to do a walk-around before finally discovering that the place was indeed open, and the entrance was tucked out in the back.)
Here was the front. It was an impressive, albeit old building.
Our next stop was a place whose name had intrigued us; One Eye Open Brewing.
Yeah, well unfortunately they didn't have a tasting room. In fact, it was basically a couple of young guys brewing beer in their backyard garage. Didn't seem very sanitary in the least, so I was kinda glad they didn't have offerings available.
Down the street, though; salvation. Rising Tide brewery and once again; outdoor seating. I could get used to this!
This place had a distillery next to it also, but as it turned out, they had JUST moved, that very day.
Not deterred, Greg mapped it out for us once again and we were soon walking in the front door, being greeted with this happy guy...
A quick glance around and I spotted this little gem from Monty Python...
They're still in the process of getting settled into their new (larger) location, but they were more than happy to take the time to show us around and give us their background.
Mmmm....wide open vats that oozed scents of molasses...
Look at the size of this modular still! (They had an enormous pot still off to the side, too.)
This was pretty cool; a full window opening, filled with empty whiskey bottles.
On our way back to Bentley's we passed an antique auto dealership so we u-turned it and checked out some of the sights. Pretty cool cars here!
Back at the site, we set to laying out some of our clothes to try and reduce the amount of wet laundry we'd have to pack up the next morning.
This was our official Riders Vest pole (Bentley's doesn't allow colors of any kind so the vests had to stay at the site).
Yep; full white trashery has been achieved.
But it was definitely worth all the wet. It was Ed's first time and he seems all on board with making this an annual thing with us, so hopefully we'll get a few more for next year. Because it's a great time, and it's really not that far away.
So if you're reading this and you haven't been yet, change that.
Ride Hard, Take Chances
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