FINDING ADVENTURE
By Dean Sprague
Sunday morning September 7th, day two of our T-Series trip to Maine. We were heading for Auburn, Maine to attend the GOF (Gathering of the Faithful). 2014 was the 50th anniversary of the founding of the New England MGT Register. Bobby and I were driving my 1953 MGTD with Dave and Kathy in their 1946 MGTC. We hoped that today would be less eventful than the day before. At least no more rain, smoking dashes or flat tires.
We left Winchester, Virginia about 8:30AM after enjoying one of those wonderful one star motel complementary “continental breakfasts”. OK a little facetious. We headed “cross country” on very interesting back roads in Virginia, Maryland (briefly) and Pennsylvania. Kathy’s mapping took us on roads that only a GPS (and Kathy) could find. Many of them weren’t even marked but somehow we always landed in the right place. We stopped at a wonderful restaurant for lunch just outside Allentown, PA -- the Hometown Diner. It was a local icon; they had one of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten. Of course our cars created a mini car show everywhere we stopped. This was no exception. I think when people see old MGs with North Carolina plates this far away from home it creates some interest. The comments never seem to change: “I used to own one of those or I always wanted one of those or I had to friend who had one of those”. I am amazed at the positive impression MG still has on the American scene. There weren’t that many of them built but I think every one of them is fondly remembered.
We finished our lunch break and continued on back roads thru New Jersey and into New York for our day two destination, Fishkill, NY. Of course we stopped a couple of times for fuel and a much-needed walk around and, of course, more Advil. We found a 50s type diner just in front of our motel and as luck would have it they were having a car show. It was mostly domestic hot rods and muscle cars but fun anyway. Bobby and I shared stories about each car we owned, wanted to own or had friends who had one (sound familiar?). Anyway dinner was excellent and plentiful and the desserts were fabulous. You know those decadent huge pies and pastry so good you wish you had made it your entree.
I made my usual inspection of the TD. This was probably the 10th time I checked the oil and other fluids and again everything was still setting on full. I immediately removed and inspected the dipstick – surely something was amiss. I couldn’t believe you could drive an English car this far and not use or drip ANY oil. Maybe if I shook the car I could hear the oil slosh. Well, just a thought.
We had a great breakfast at this motel and left a little earlier since Bobby and I were heading all the way to my hometown Belfast, Maine. We stayed at my Uncle Roger’s place for a few days prior to the GOF. Dave and Kathy stayed with friends in New Hampshire (their old stomping ground).
We continued on back roads up the eastern side of New York into Connecticut near the Lime Rock racetrack but sadly, not enough time for a side trip. We headed into the Berkshires of Massachusetts and on into Vermont. Kathy took us on a portion of Vermont’s famous scenic highway 100 (breath taking) then turned on highway 9 across the Green Mountains into New Hampshire. We stopped for a pit stop in Keene, NH where the Ahrendts headed for Nashua, NH and we headed north for Maine. Kathy gave us explicit instructions so of course within an hour we were lost. Not sure who was at fault but since I was driving we get to blame Bobby. We finally ended up on an expressway outside of Concord NH that took us down to Interstate 95 then north into Kittery Maine where we stopped for fuel. I fueled the car while Bobby went in for drinks. All went well (or so I thought) and we were back on the road.
I knew my way from here so we put the maps away. We pulled into my uncle’s place in Belfast just about dusk. We had just finished dinner when I get a call from my wife Bev. Apparently my debit card number was stolen. Thank goodness she was tracking my expenditures (or maybe activities) and found I had just charged $150 at a Wal-Mart in Macon. GA. I know TD’s aren’t that fast so I learned something. When you run your card thru a reader at a gas pump or anywhere look for something out of the ordinary. If anything that looks loose, larger or just different you should pay inside and report it. My bank caught it right after Bev did and froze the card so all was well except I lost access to my bank account. It was credit card time.
Since Bobby had never been to New England let alone Maine we started his indoctrination with a lobster dinner, which of course, blossomed into several more. They don’t taste the same outside of Maine. My Dad used to say: “You could take a perfectly good Maine lobster out of The Great State of Maine and it will spoil him some wicked”. Actually, I have found that to be true. They just taste better when cooked in sea water right out of the traps. Of course, we did the tourist thing traveling all over the place and as an added “bonus” Bobby got to meet a ton of my relatives. This of course included eating mostly more lobster. We made a day trip with my Uncle down the Maine coast to the Owls Head Transportation Museum. If you ever get to Maine this museum is a must see. They had active ground vehicle and aviation workshops plus hundreds of restored vehicles and exhibits. This season’s special exhibit featured one of the most valuable MG collections found anywhere in the world. Many rare one and two of a kind 1930’s era type MGs made it a very special day. What great timing!
We also stopped at the famous Moody’s Diner (books have been written about it) for some great Maine home cooking. We went to the Penobscot Marine Museum, Camden Hills State Park, Rockport harbor (home of Andre the seal) and many other locations and towns. I wouldn’t say we converted Bobby into a “Mainah” but I know we have a new Maine lobster lover. Stay Tuned . . .Part three will include the GOF and the trip home.
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