Two forum Members, SteveSimpson6 and I, attended this event last month. The first I heard of this event was from Steve who learned from another friend who was signed up that there was a team cancellation. Only 10, 2 vehicle teams were going to be part of this soiree, in addition to the groups members who were there to supervise and monitor the days travels.
Their description of this gathering is repeated below...
"Northeast Overland is proud to present its first annual Moose on the Loose expedition adventure in the State of Maine, 19-22 June, 2014.
The background for this adventure is set in Maine’s own North Maine Woods, a 3.5 Million acre area that encompasses the northwestern most part of Maine on the Canadian Border. This area is some of the most remote in the country and sustainability for days upon days is the setting for an epic adventure that some may not return the same from.
This expedition will challenge both man and vehicle as we wind our way throughout hundreds of miles of tote roads, logging roads, two tracks and the like. The stability and capability of both machine and driver will be tested as there is literally nothing along the way that can provide help or solace in a time of need. All items should be carefully thought of when brought along as the balance of items that will break vs. the extra load and space they take up is a futile battle in ones mind. One should have a fully capable rig and ensure that most wear item parts are replaced prior to their eventual demise if they are worn or not up for the task of the harsh environment that this neck of the woods can offer.
The terrain will challenge everything your vehicle has on it from electrical to suspension, from washboard sections for miles to water crossings that could leave your rig stranded and abandoned for days.
But the trip is one for the ages. The rewards of scenic views from atop of mountainous ranges where your vision can soak up hundreds of miles of untouched territory, to the rich history of some of the planned stops along the way that will be embedded in your mind for years.
This expedition is a culmination of many trips that the NEO staff has attended for years and we’ve decided to combine the knowledge of all parties and create a challenge that we believe will be epic."
The description piqued my curiosity and since I've never really traveled in no more that coastal Maine in 1982 in my 1981 Mazda RX7 with my spouse of (then) 2 years I thought it deserved a second look.
Coveted event cap issued to survivors.
Steve and I only live about a mile from each other in the same county in Virginia. We left the day before at 0430 with a destination set for Bar Harbor, Maine, otherwise known as "Bah Habah." According to Google it would be the best part of 800 miles and about 12 hours of driving. No worries...
On our way to Maine what did we learn about the East coast and Interstate 95...
But that was a small penalty to be paid for the trip up... the scenery was great and the people in New Jersey were nicer than what I had heard. For example when we stopped for gas off the NJ Turnpike some nice young lady at the gas station insisted on filling the fuel tanks for me and Steve. Wasn't that courteous of her? Plus, there was the promise of delicious boiled crustaceans at the end of this trip so we could not delay and we would not be deterred.
As we entered Maine it was considerably less travelled and by the time we hit the secondary roads to Bar Harbor I was actually a little concerned that 7:00 pm was be time for the locals here. The streets were empty and most all businesses were closed along Route 3 into our destination.
Gratefully we saw the site our stomach were growling for... Lunt's Gateway Lobster Pound just before the Trenton Bridge. Executing our well-practiced precision parking maneuvers we located a secure site to leave our trucks and proceeded to the restaurant but on ly after interrogating 2 elderly couples - probably well into their 50's - about their meals and they gave us no indication to go elsewhere.
It was at this time we entered the establishment and Steve preceded to inspect the kitchen.
The beast in the front was in my cross-hairs... notice the claws had to be restrained with 2 bands each - earlier that day it was used to split 2 cords of wood which fueled the water kettles. The chef's name for it was "the Kraken."
Next we enjoyed this Lobster Stew, filled with chunks of succulent lobster meat and better described as "Lobster Cream and Butter."
But what happened to "the Kraken" you're wondering... after his 20 minute hot bath he arrived looking like this...
Most all of you have seen the Food Channel program "Man vs Food" so I'll spare you the carnage, but all I can say is after polishing off this 4 pound lobster I deserve a T-shirt and my picture should be on the wall there.
Later we will continue our adventures starting with a local National Park...
Their description of this gathering is repeated below...
"Northeast Overland is proud to present its first annual Moose on the Loose expedition adventure in the State of Maine, 19-22 June, 2014.
The background for this adventure is set in Maine’s own North Maine Woods, a 3.5 Million acre area that encompasses the northwestern most part of Maine on the Canadian Border. This area is some of the most remote in the country and sustainability for days upon days is the setting for an epic adventure that some may not return the same from.
This expedition will challenge both man and vehicle as we wind our way throughout hundreds of miles of tote roads, logging roads, two tracks and the like. The stability and capability of both machine and driver will be tested as there is literally nothing along the way that can provide help or solace in a time of need. All items should be carefully thought of when brought along as the balance of items that will break vs. the extra load and space they take up is a futile battle in ones mind. One should have a fully capable rig and ensure that most wear item parts are replaced prior to their eventual demise if they are worn or not up for the task of the harsh environment that this neck of the woods can offer.
The terrain will challenge everything your vehicle has on it from electrical to suspension, from washboard sections for miles to water crossings that could leave your rig stranded and abandoned for days.
But the trip is one for the ages. The rewards of scenic views from atop of mountainous ranges where your vision can soak up hundreds of miles of untouched territory, to the rich history of some of the planned stops along the way that will be embedded in your mind for years.
This expedition is a culmination of many trips that the NEO staff has attended for years and we’ve decided to combine the knowledge of all parties and create a challenge that we believe will be epic."
The description piqued my curiosity and since I've never really traveled in no more that coastal Maine in 1982 in my 1981 Mazda RX7 with my spouse of (then) 2 years I thought it deserved a second look.
Coveted event cap issued to survivors.
Steve and I only live about a mile from each other in the same county in Virginia. We left the day before at 0430 with a destination set for Bar Harbor, Maine, otherwise known as "Bah Habah." According to Google it would be the best part of 800 miles and about 12 hours of driving. No worries...
On our way to Maine what did we learn about the East coast and Interstate 95...
- you get penalized with highway and bridge tolls starting in Baltimore;
- by the time we made it up there our pockets were lighter by nearly $80.00;
- a beautiful skyline of NYC can be witnessed in Newark just as the A-300 jetwash rocks your truck into another lane as it touches down at Newark International Airport;
- the most challenging offroad experience in an urban setting I've ever had commences with the toll plaza for the George Washington Bridge and continues on I-95 through the Bronx;
- the Cross Bronx Expressway isn't all that bloody express-ilicious;
- a lot of New Yorkers, judging by their hand gestures, thought my slow moving truck was "Number 1."
But that was a small penalty to be paid for the trip up... the scenery was great and the people in New Jersey were nicer than what I had heard. For example when we stopped for gas off the NJ Turnpike some nice young lady at the gas station insisted on filling the fuel tanks for me and Steve. Wasn't that courteous of her? Plus, there was the promise of delicious boiled crustaceans at the end of this trip so we could not delay and we would not be deterred.
As we entered Maine it was considerably less travelled and by the time we hit the secondary roads to Bar Harbor I was actually a little concerned that 7:00 pm was be time for the locals here. The streets were empty and most all businesses were closed along Route 3 into our destination.
Gratefully we saw the site our stomach were growling for... Lunt's Gateway Lobster Pound just before the Trenton Bridge. Executing our well-practiced precision parking maneuvers we located a secure site to leave our trucks and proceeded to the restaurant but on ly after interrogating 2 elderly couples - probably well into their 50's - about their meals and they gave us no indication to go elsewhere.
It was at this time we entered the establishment and Steve preceded to inspect the kitchen.
The beast in the front was in my cross-hairs... notice the claws had to be restrained with 2 bands each - earlier that day it was used to split 2 cords of wood which fueled the water kettles. The chef's name for it was "the Kraken."
Next we enjoyed this Lobster Stew, filled with chunks of succulent lobster meat and better described as "Lobster Cream and Butter."
But what happened to "the Kraken" you're wondering... after his 20 minute hot bath he arrived looking like this...
Most all of you have seen the Food Channel program "Man vs Food" so I'll spare you the carnage, but all I can say is after polishing off this 4 pound lobster I deserve a T-shirt and my picture should be on the wall there.
Later we will continue our adventures starting with a local National Park...
