2nd Annual Midcoast Mountains Ramble

The Way Life Should Be!

by Don McGilvery, aka NINE44T

What could be better than this? Start up your Porsche, head out in splendid early-morning sun, meet a great bunch of friends, bomb around in fun cars, enjoy the best of Maine's coastal roads and scenery, then tour of a jewel of a museum--all in the same day. In short, this is what you missed if you didn't show up for our second annual Midcoast Mountains Ramble.

We met at the infamous Moody's Dinner in Waldoboro to attack a gigantic home-cooked breakfast. Before we knew it, we had 13 cars and 21 club members ready to enjoy the event. For the second year in a row we were blessed with an absolutely perfect day to sample some of the best sports-car roads in coastal Maine.

DER members and the Porsche marque were both well represented. Steve and Kyle Atwell brought their pristine silver '97 993. Russ Radcliffe drove his silver '86 944 Turbo (and now backup track car). William and Ann Covington showed up in their early 80s 911SC. Rod Carr and Margaret Goodspeed were wheeling their '87 944 Turbo. Rand and Kathy Surgi appeared in their well-traveled '71 911T, aka "Old 911."  Don and Moria Michaud borrowed the Atwell's black early 944. Rejean and Diane Tremblay dropped the top on their '80 911 Cab. William Komulainen represented the Boxster contingent. Doug Omatick drive his '86 944.  The inevitable bright Guards Red cars included David Rand in his '90 C4, and Sally Sprafka in her '86 Carrera track/street machine aka "FST WMN." Brian and Ingrid Poulin popped the roof off their freshly restored early 911 Targa, while I rounded out the Turbo troops in "NINE44T."

The crew roared off to the first stop in Union, where we made several laps around the lovely Village Green. A baker's dozen Porsches blatting around the little town drew enthusiastic thumbs-ups from the locals. The route instructions included clear and comical details on the twisty back roads, as in "L onto 235, go to Lincolnville Center, watch for whoop-de-doos and possible airborne Porsches."

The pace slowed on traffic-laden US Route 1, where we paid for all the back-roads fun, but soon we dodged off US 1 and into the Bayside area of Northport. We parked all in a row amid Bayside's fantastic antique bungalows, and strolled around dreaming about a romantic getaway in one of these quaint ocean-view cottages. Lunch was at the Lobster Pound Restaurant in Lincolnville Beach, where we gorged on great seafood gazing at yet another amazing ocean view. The ample portions and low-key atmosphere reminded us of a Maine that's fast becoming an endangered species.

After decimating the local lobster population, it was off to our final destination, the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Museum volunteer Jim Westervelt treated us to a two-hour guided tour that included a sneak peek at the soon-to-open exhibit of gorgeous "Woodys" donated from the MBNA collection. If you haven't been to OHTM yet (or if it's been a few years since your last visit) you really should make this a destination. The museum has grown and offers a very interesting car collection of early horseless carriages, prewar gangster cars, several gleaming Benzes, and numerous classic sports cars. Consider showing your Porsche at one of their regular events (call 594-4418 for schedule info). The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable and helpful, assuring you an unforgettable experience.

Judging from the participants' smiles at the end of the day, you missed a great time if you stayed home from the Midcoast Mountains Ramble. I encourage you to put this event on your calendar for next year. 

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