country road take me home

Our motorcycles sit tucked in the barn most of the time, since motorcycling isn’t really a family hobby. But once it awhile, Marty and I head out off the island onto back roads. Daisy did this drawing for Marty for Father’s Day of my GB500, which is an ’89 Honda bought new in 1991 in San Francisco.

We did an impromptu ride to my native state, New Hampshire, a few weeks ago. This water tower is on Route 113 near Brownville, Maine.

Our destination was the Indian Head Resort, up the highway from where I grew up at the Red Doors Motel in Lincoln. I’d always been curious about these little cottages. They are neat as a pin. That’s the Indian Head profile in the background.

We rode out past Lost River and over the Easton Road, and back through Franconia Notch, a sweet loop of White Mountains. We also rode the Cannon Mt. Aerial Tramway.

My father worked at Cannon as a ski instructor when I was a kid. I always feel at home on that mountain.

After hiking the rim trail at the top, we stopped in on my friend Jody before heading back to Maine. The bikes went back into the barn until last week, when we made our anniversary moto trip, this time stopping in Wayne, Maine at the Mahoney house on Androscoggin Lake.

I’ve known Kathy Mahoney since my early days illustrating in Boston. She’s deciding what to do with her father’s home, and finding objects and memories of a lifetime. She walked us down to the water’s edge.

It’s a tranquil place, and this boater conjured visions of her father, Jack, who was a retired U. S. Fish & Wildlife analyst, veteran outdoorsman, and advocate of Maine’s natural resources.

I spied this little card Kathy made for him on his still-cluttered desk.

She uncovered a box of cards and letters from me. It’s still true: you’re not getting older, you’re getting less naive.

With the Blue Moon approaching, this was an apt find from the past, a collage card of mine.

Here’s a pencil portrait I did; Kathy looks just as beautiful now!

On this trip, I only managed one sketch, a quick one of a plant that had survived neglect over the winter.

We left Wayne after strolling about the water ways in the village. We stopped along Route 219 for a stretch and to admire this red barn.

Our anniversary destination was the Mill Hill Inn in Bethel, a renovated barn filled with art and good vibes.

We celebrated with the exchange of cards, of course! Marty did this one:

Mine also featured numbers.

We enjoyed delicious dinners at both 22 Broad Street and the Sudbury Inn while in Bethel. And amazing breakfasts and raspberry pie to die for at the Mill Hill. Love that all the plates are made by the innkeeper, Woody.

We rode to Grafton Notch and stopped at Screw Auger Falls.

The rock formations are crazy!

Found a church to pose with: our vows have stuck for 27 years, not bad.

We ate lunch just north of Errol, New Hampshire at Log Haven, alongside a club of ATV guys, the Silver Riders. Route 16 has views and curves to match.

Before leaving Bethel we stopped in on my cousin, Peter McDonough, a veteran skier and painter. He has a couple of watercolors in progress over vintage wallpaper in his old farmhouse on Route 2.

He gave me this rug hand hooked by my grandfather, Roland Hogan. I am beyond thrilled to be in possession of this heirloom! Thanks, Pete!

We spotted this oddity near the post office in Woodstock, Maine, honoring the last crank operated phone service in the US. Hello!

Kathy took this shot as we left her place on our return ride, Marty in the lead with all the baggage.

We rode back through Monmouth, Durham, and Freeport, past farm fields and yard sales. Here we are parked in the car ferry line at Casco Bay Lines. Yes, it is this packed on a Friday night, parallel to a concert on the pier.

We made it home without donning rain suits even once! And look what awaited me? A fine present too bulky to pack.

Thanks, Marty! This motorcycle girl is ready to ride anywhere with you.