Day 4

Newton, New Jersey, to Kent, Massachusettes
180 Miles
1163 Total Miles

It was a another quiet restful night.

We checked the skies immediately and saw more clouds, some of them pretty dark. While checking out we asked the motel clerk about a good place to have breakfast. She pointed us toward a diner down the road named "Diner."

Diner served a great lox and bagels. We figured that if the President of the United States could spare a turkey's life every Thanksgiving, we could spare a pig's life on 4th of July weekend.

We checked out our road maps and decided to ride into New York to check out the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains.

After breakfast we set out in search of a post office. Jim wanted to mail a toy airplane he bought for his grandson Tyler Drake. We found a post office, surprisingly open the day after July 4th, and pulled into the parking lot.

While removing our helmets, earphones, gloves, etc., we were approached by an older gentlemen, a fellow named Don Beck. He wanted to know where we were from and where we were going. After "Nashville" and "Nova Scotia," we started talking about what route we should be taking. Actually, we didn't talk about anything. He did all the talking. We just stood there and listened. He begin outlining a shortcut we should take that included "turn right at the red barn, go between the barn and the farmhouse, turn left at the third intersection, go through four redights, when the road splits take the left split, turn right at the green farmhouse right after the third redlight, etc." Jim quickly fled, moving as rapidly as he could into the post office. Bo tried to listen attentively but ran out of steam. His eyes glazed over and he tried to gave as many visual cues as he could that indicated he was paying attention. When Jim returned to the parking lot Don was into his third discourse on the shortcut.

Jim and the Sandman

Then Mr. Beck dropped a bombshell.

"I'm famous, you know. I'm the sandman."

Bo Looked at Jim, Jim looked at Bo and both of them looked at Mr. Beck.

"I've been to over 1500 beaches. I'm going to be in the Guiness Book of World Records."

And then we heard another discourse, this time on the many beaches he had visited throughout the world. He didn't mention all 1500 beaches by name but he tried.

When Bo excused himself and rode off to fuel up his bike at a gas station on the next block, Don was telling Jim once again how his shortcut, which occupied at least 25 minutes of our time, could save us at least 5 minutes.

We tore ourselves away from Mr. Beck and rode toward the Catskills. During a pit stop in New York we discovered we were only 35 miles from Orange County Chopper, the home of TV's Teutel family. They star in a reality show about building choppers.

So we really had no choice. We turned to the east and got on the interstate.

We arrived at Orange County Choppers to find a sparkling new showroom and motorcycle accessory store, Many of the choppers featured on the show were on display. Jim picked up a t-shirt and Bo gazed adoringly at a blue and white New York Yankee themed chopper with autographs of the entire team on the tank.

Bo with the Yankee bike

While in the parking lot preparing to leave Jim noticed that Bo's headlights were not working. A quick GPS check showed a BMW motorcycle dealer ony 37 miles away in Danville, Connecticut. So, we continued on our eastern path, toward Cliff's Cycle Revolution and away from the Catskill's. Forty-five minutes later we pulled into Cliff's parking lot. Cliff, of course, had moved to a new location ten miles away. The window sign announcing the move thoughtfully included the new address. We plugged the address into the GPS and after another 15 minutes were arrived at Cliff's. The dealership sells BMW, Ducati and MV Agusta motorcycles.

The service staff took the bike and left us free to roam the showroom. Bo bought some wicking riding clothes and Jim purchased a t-shirt.

We were now pretty far from the Catskills and decided to take a different route. Bob, the general manager, spent 20 minutes with Bo going over maps and giving ride recommendations. He even printed out a highlighted map of his recommended route.

Bo's bike being wheeled out of the service bay

The service staff then told us the problem with the lights was minor and the fix was very easy. Ten minutes later it was done. They said there would be no charge.

What an incredibly positive experience. Our hat's are off to Cliff's Cycle Revolution.

Our new route took us north on U.S. Highway 7. It follows the path of the Housatonic River through the many small towns and villages of eastern Connecticut and Massachusetts. It was our introduction to the New England experience; quaint town squares, historic inns, lovely old homes and quiet, reserved people who are bemused by talkative southern accents.

We stopped for gas in Massachusetts at a little locally-owned market. The store clerk, who looked a lot like Yoda, took a liking to Jim and offered up free coffee. Bo entered the store unaware of Yoda and Jim's blossoming friendship and poured himself a cup. The clerk finished checking out a customer and Bo approached the cash register. The clerk and Bo exchanged stares for an uncomfortable 30 seconds. Bo finally said "coffee." The response: "No thanks, I've had some already." He then rung up he sale but neglected to mention the cost. The staring contest continued. Once again, Bo broke the ice: "Well, I'll tell you what. You tell me how much it costs and I'll pay for it." Bo did something wrong while in the store but still hasn't a clue about what it was. Hopefully, this had no effect on his admiration of Jim.

We left Yoda in our rear view mirrors and headed north. We took a slight detour to cross a covered bridge.

Jim on the covered bridge

For the second day in a row we rode under threatening skies. We frequently found ourselves riding through areas where it had rained only minutes before. Yet we remained dry. Finally, the skies darkened to the point that w decided to cut the day short and find a place to stay.

We found a Quality Inn that boasted the Bombay Bar & Grill and is site next to a lovely lake. Jim asked if the rooms facing the lake had balconies. the clerk said they did not so we took a room facing the parking lot. That way we could keep an eye on our bikes.

We enjoyed a fine Indian dinner and then walked to over to the lake. We noticed several guest enjoying a view of the lake from their balconies.

We plan to have an easy day tomorrow. We're not far from Manchester, New Hampshire. We hope the weather clears up so we can have a stress-free ride through Vermont and into New Hampshire. We meet Bill Thompson there and, on the 7th, head toward Nova Scotia.