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SPRING 2018 ISSUE 01 / VOL . 03
Route 2 ); we collided at Charlemont as I was trying to photograph the Mohawk “ Hail to the Sunrise ” statue . Hoping to get north of the storm , I went up Route 8A toward Vermont and crossed the latest covered bridge , built about 10 years ago , across the North River . The oldtimers understand the primary practicality of a covered bridge ; it will last longer than an open bridge . Crossing into Vermont , we joined up with the scenic Route 100 in Jacksonville as the rain continued .
All right , all right , I know when to be discreet and when to be valorous . Trying to outrun the storm , I headed east on Vermont Route 9 , going over Hogback Saddle , but the rain kept pace . Crossing the Connecticut River into New Hampshire , I rode along to Keene to check into the motorcycle-friendly Best Western . Which did have a nice public house attached , meaning I did not have to go out for dinner . A glass or two of Sam Adams , a plate of sausages and mashed , and a hockey game kept me amused .
Come dawn , still very wet . And the forecaster said it would be wet all day . No point in hanging around , so I kitted up and kept going east on New Hampshire Route 9 . Not far from Hillsborough , I saw a makeshift sign reading : THE TENT 4 MILES . Then 3 miles , 2 , 1 , and finally the tent , or rather three tents , on the north side of the road . The Cornerstone Motorcycle Ministry has been doing this for 35 years , setting up the tents and offering free food and coffee to the bikers headed for Laconia Motorcycle Week . No permits are needed as they neither sell anything nor stay longer than 10 days . The presidents of the New York and New Hampshire chapters were doing the cooking , with mounds of hash browns , sausages and eggs cooked to order .
Taking Exit 20 off Interstate 93 , Laconia was right