New England Pie-O-Rama, revisited

This morning the mercury decided to hover just under the freezing mark, but the roads were still clear of snow and salt. What better way to spent the day than to revisit the New England Pie-O-Rama.

Although this was my third or fourth time playing, I don't seem to tire of the game. Ride, eat a pie, ride some more - lovely, isn't it?

Granted, the temperature could have been a tad warmer, but then the warm pies and coffee wouldn't have tasted as good as it did.

Well, the sun never did peek out from behind the clouds today, but as soon as I was done with my chores, I geared up and push the bike out. Five minutes on choke, and the machine was ready for an adventure. :)

I left the house and took the long way to Keene, NH in search of some pie. Along the way I spotted a few patches of black ice, snow on the sides of the road aplenty, and more hunters' trucks than I cared to count. Upon my arrival in Keene, I quickly discovered that there was no exciting pie to be had, so I got on the bike and headed east on rte 101. This is where I found my first pie for the day.

Audrey's Cafe in Marlborough, NH

This is a cozy little place that makes awesome breakfast and lunch meals. It's very casual and country at the same time, with dark exposed beams standing solid against the white ceiling. While I haven't been there in about a year, I did remember the friendly service and good food I have encountered there in the past, and today was no exception.

The pie choices were many, but feeling rather cold, I chose a freshly baked (still warm) Pecan Maple Pie. It hit the spot!

The crust was solid and crumbled in the mouth. This pie was made using NH real maple syrup, and the Pecans were in abundance. With a steaming mug of coffee, this pie made me feeling all warm and happy on the inside. It was probably the second best pie I have found on my Pie-O-Rama travels, being rivaled only by the personal Pie-ette at Sunflowers Cafe. I would rate it 9/10

Next, I decided to continue east, and I found myself on Temple Mountain. It was rather cold, and there was ice all over the dirt parking lot. Heading down from the mountain towards Wilton, I started feeling pretty chilly, especially above the 60MPH mark.

Thus, it was a welcomed sight when I saw the sign for Gary's Harvest Restaurant.

This was my first time there, and I will likely return to sample their offerings. A small, clean, no-frills kind of a place with pleasant service. I was immediately branded as the "brave guy on a motorcycle" by several elderly patrons.

The pie choices were Chocolate Cream, Blueberry, Lemon Meringue, and Pumpkin. Still feeling full from the Pecan Maple at Audrey's, I chose the pumpkin pie.

The pie was actually larger and thicker than what I had anticipated (which did not prevent me from finishing it - for research purposes, of course). The crust was buttery and the pie had just the right spiciness to it. Not too bland, and not too spicy. It was rather good. I would rate it 7/10.

Stuffed and loaded with caffeine, I decided to head home on some backroads. Ended up riding through Temple to Greenville to New Ipswich and then 123/124 homeward. Again, some patches of black ice, but nothing too crazy.

All in all,a good day, a good ride, and some delicious research.