Granny Gear AdventuresThe Adventures of Oma and Nana

Feb 15th Our 2024 Excellent Adventure – The East Coast Greenway from Kittery to Bucksport, Maine

Nana and Oma Conquer Maine! A Hilarious Spin on the East Coast Greenway

Hold onto your helmets, folks, because Nana and Oma have done it again! Fresh off their 2024 “Excellent Adventure,” these two dynamos have successfully cycled the Maine section of the legendary East Coast Greenway, from the charming Kittery Point all the way to the delightful Bucksport. And let me tell you, their journey was anything but boring!

Their grand adventure kicked off in Kittery, where they were welcomed with open arms (and a delicious dinner!) by the wonderful pastors Mark and Cheryl. After a quick spin to soak in the historic sights – think lighthouses and old forts – they were ready to tackle the miles ahead.

Monday saw them bravely pedaling through a light drizzle, conquering nearly 60 miles and charming towns like Kennebunk and Biddeford. They even squeezed in a scenic evening stroll, proving that these ladies have energy to spare! Their campsite that night at Wild Duck Campground was surely a welcome respite after a day of conquering the Maine terrain.

Tuesday brought more miles and, according to our intrepid travelers, “lots and lots of hills!” Nana even had to give her trusty steed a little push up one particularly stubborn incline – a true testament to their determination (and maybe a little bit of stubbornness!). The riverfront views in Portland and the serene Marshes Cranes offered beautiful distractions along the way, leading them to their cozy stop at Cherwoski Campground near the Wiscasset airport.

Now, Wednesday… Wednesday was a day for the adventure books! Let’s just say Nana and Oma got slightly off course. Multiple times. A bad campground address led them astray, resulting in a comical (in hindsight!) after-dark bike abandonment and a rescue mission by a very patient friend. Their intended destination was Camden State Park, and while the park itself is lovely, finding the correct entrance proved to be a mini-adventure in itself. Apparently, there are two entrances, and our dynamic duo had the address for the closed one. Classic!

Their detour down “Old Country Road” deserves its own ballad. Picture this: a paved road morphing into gravel, then dirt, then a path, complete with a sign warning about a “deaf mule”! Needless to say, a U-turn was in order. We can only imagine the stories they’ll be telling about that little escapade!

Thursday was declared a well-deserved rest day, but not before a morning bike ride to retrieve their temporarily abandoned steeds. The reward? A glorious “real food” breakfast in town – blueberry pancakes, eggs, biscuits, sausage, and even a potato! Fuel fit for conquering the rest of Maine, or at least a leisurely kayak tour around the harbor. The sunny afternoon on the water was followed by a romantic (and slightly damp) Schooner Sunset Sail, where they met the hilarious Jim and Bob, who kept them in stitches despite the unexpected rain shower that soaked their gear back at camp.

Finally, Friday arrived, and with it, the triumphant final leg to Bucksport! Despite a hefty 2,730 feet of climbing, Nana and Oma powered through, passing through charming towns like Belfast and Searsport before reaching their sweet reward: ice cream in Bucksport! This marked the completion of their Maine Greenway adventure, a significant milestone as they aim to conquer all 15 states of the East Coast Greenway.

But every adventure comes with lessons learned, and Nana and Oma are wise beyond their cycling years. Their takeaways for next year’s expeditions include:

• Whistles are a must! For those moments when voices just don’t carry.
• Paper maps are your friend! Because sometimes, technology has a mind of its own.
• Stick to the Greenway signs, no matter what! Shortcuts are rarely short or cut.
• Greenway signs can play hide-and-seek. Keep those eyes peeled!
• GPS isn’t always your best guide. Especially when it leads you down a dirt path meant for deaf mules.

So here’s to Nana and Oma, the cycling superheroes who prove that age is just a number and a little bit of getting lost only makes the adventure more memorable. We can’t wait to hear about their next state conquest! What state do you think they’ll tackle next? Let us know in the comments below!

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