Hey YB, ya mind a few questions ?

[Dan-bury]

 A few of us are leaving CT Wednesday AM and head for Reds Eats in Wiscasset, then probably shack up in Ellsworth for the night. Next morning up Cadillac Mt, over to Winter Harbor and then across to Conyay NH.

In Ellsworh are the Hotels busy ? (should I book a room ahead)
Any tips as to routes across to Conway from Winter Harbor ?

Thanks in advance, although I will still thank you again

[ybnorml]

A few of us are leaving CT Wednesday AM and head for Reds Eats in Wiscasset, then probably shack up in Ellsworth for the night. Next morning up Cadillac Mt, over to Winter Harbor and then across to Conyay NH.

In Ellsworh are the Hotels busy ? (should I book a room ahead)
Any tips as to routes across to Conway from Winter Harbor ?

Thanks in advance, although I will still thank you again

I don't believe you will have any issues with motel accommodations in Ellsworth Dan...It wouldn't hurt to call ahead and see what they have to offer, price comparing one to another.

As far as going up Cadillac...reservations are REQUIRED, and certain time slots go fast. It is no longer the ride up Cadillac as we once knew....No reservations, no ride up....

Winter Harbor to Conway, N.H. ....Rt 1 North to Milbridge, then a short 6 mile ride on a side road to Cherryfield where you would pick up Rt 193 taking you through Deblois and ending up on Rt 9...From there go west into Brewer / Bangor where you can get on Rt 2 west to Bethel, and into Gorham, N.H.

I would NOT travel from Winter Harbor back to Ellsworth, then to Bangor and Rt. 2.....Too much stupid tourist traffic on a congested road from Ellsworth to Bangor...

Rt 2 is a wide open 2 lane hiway once you get past Newport....You will have Mexico / Rumford to contend with, but that minimal....

Hope you guys enjoy your ride and stay safe....

[Dan-bury]

Oh crap THANK YOU for mentioning that!! I forgot about National Park reservations. No time slots available when we planned to be there.
Maybe we will just go to Reds for lunch and head to Conway from there.

Thanks for saving my butt, the guys would have never let me live that on e down if I lead them up there just to get turned away.

[ybnorml]

Oh crap THANK YOU for mentioning that!! I forgot about National Park reservations. No time slots available when we planned to be there.
Maybe we will just go to Reds for lunch and head to Conway from there.

Thanks for saving my butt, the guys would have never let me live that on e down if I lead them up there just to get turned away.

The park service started that reservation required policy last year I think Dan, may have been the year before that.  It's an asinine policy....Book ahead of time for a day and time slot, not knowing if the sun will be shining or it will be a lightning storm...

Haven't been to Reds in a few years..Always seems to be a long line forming every time we ride by...

[Dan-bury]

Yeah, trying to book a half hour time slot when i'm two days away isn't easy.
One of the guys has been trying to eat at Reds for a couple years but as you said, long lines. So we're hopeful 2 or 3;00 on a Wednesday wont be too bad.  If it is then we wait (we will complain like the old men we are but we will wait) 

[GaryC]

We went to Red's a few weeks ago on a Wednesday, around 1:30 PM. There was a line to the corner and we usually just suck it up and wait. This time we decided to try the place across the street. It was good but did not compare to Red's. Lesson learned.
The locals really hate Red's. There is even a I hate Red's Eats web site where people take pictures of themselves giving the place the finger. Seen people do it a few times while we were waiting in line.
We do love the lobster roll so we still go a couple of times a year.

Dan, how did you fair through the storm?

Enjoy your trip and lobster roll.

[ybnorml]

Laurel and I tried the place across the road too Gary....
Nah, we didn't think it was comparable either.
One of the times we were waiting in a long line at Red's, one of the workers came out to the line waiting and gave everyone a numbered ticket. If your number was drawn you had a choice of either a Red's hat, a red's book, or a free lobster roll..Laurel's number was drawn and she chose the lobster roll !!
The lobster rolls are expensive, but so are the lobster rolls around here...Probably $30 or so each...
Then again, I pay $10 for a draft craft beer....

[Dan-bury]

It's nice to hear all the good reviews for Red's.

Gary, our town was hit with a good amount of flooding but my home and shop are both at high enough elevation that it is never an issue, thanks for asking.

Terry, I believe the Winter Harbor area is still ride-able without reservations so we will head up that way before heading to NH.   I put your round about way out of Winter Harbor in my Nav and will defiantly take your advice. Thank you.

[ybnorml]

Glad to hear your home and shop escaped unscathed Dan...

As far as Winter Harbor goes, Schoodic Peninsula is part of Acadia National Park...I'm not sure if a park pass is required or not. If so, you can purchase a Day Pass at that time.  

After making the loop around and through the park and on your way towards Rt. 1, you will come to an intersection with a small restaurant on your left...Pickled Wrinkle....Gotta stop in for a bite !!
https://thepickledwrinkle.com/

Hope all you guys enjoy your ride and stay safe....

P.S.     Slow down as you ride through Wonsqueak on your way to the Pickled Wrinkle, or you will miss it !!!

[ybnorml]

Dan....On the far west end of Rt 2 in Maine there is a small bbq trailer, orange in color and in a dirt parking lot of a whole foods store...Smoking Good BBQ...Hopefully you guys are hungry, cause it's worth a stop...Directly across the road from an Irving Gas Station...Smoking Good BBQ will be on the right hand side of the road...

https://www.smokingoodbarbecue.com/

[RickT2004]

Ah Mexico Maine, friends have a cottage on Roxbury Lake about 15 minutes outside of Mexico. Total population can't be mote than 5,000. While shopping at the Walmart, my friends car plate gets paged to come to the service counter, it seems she parked with one tire on the line in the handicapped zone. The officer told her to move the car off the line. Talk about all the time in the world and nothing to do. 

[ybnorml]

Mexico / Rumford are sketchy little mill towns Rick....Lot of attitude in a small area....