VIDEO: Camp of the Dead

 

It wasn’t as scary as the name implies. No zombies were sighted — if you don’t count the staggering, vacant faces gathered ’round the coffee pot Saturday morning, waiting for the perk to begin. It was just a motorcycle campout on the Dead River in T3R4.

Bill, followed by Pieman Paul, John and the others. by Darren Fishell

Bill, followed by Pieman Paul, John and the others. by Darren Fishell

It was a record turnout for these loosely organized, recurring gatherings of three-wheeling sidecar adventure seekers. On Saturday, we had 11 bikes, 33 wheels on the ground, 14 people and one dog rambling through the golden woods. The leaves were all kinds of gorgeous. Rusting reds, glowing yellows and burning oranges clung to the branches or scattered in the dust we raised on the gravel roads around Flagstaff Lake. It was chilly, but not cold. In the morning, fog arose on the river next to our campsite, engulfing the fishermen standing knee-deep in the water.

Arriving after dark on Friday night, I was greeted with a welcomed bowl of much-needed beef stew courtesy of Navy Mike. He came all the way up from Connecticut. Thermos and Scott cooked us bacon, eggs and pancakes each morning. Navy Mike and Keith slung the java. For our evening meal on Saturday, Thermos brought tacos and all the fixings. Pete made spaghetti and garlic bread on Sunday. When camping with these guys, I’ve long since stopped bringing my own food. They never disappoint.

Mr. Fishell in the sidecar, amongst the scenery. by Troy R. Bennett

Mr. Fishell in the sidecar, amongst the scenery. by Troy R. Bennett

My buddy and BDN co-worker, Darren, joined us for Saturday’s ride. He rode in the monkey chair and took lots of great photos, as you can see. We jaunted through the forest south of our campsite and eventually circumnavigated Flagstaff.

On Sunday, I led the group to Grand Falls on the Dead River. A gate across the track obliged us to walk the last mile in, but it was worth it. The falls are kind of a mini Niagara and quite impressive. I bet they’re spectacular in the spring. While admiring the rushing water, a couple named Becky and Brett tied the knot. We clapped and wished them the best.

Becky and Brett tie the knot by Grand Falls. by Troy R. Bennett

Becky and Brett tie the knot by Grand Falls. by Troy R. Bennett

Camp broke up Monday morning. Tents and sleeping bags were rolled up and bikes scattered down the road. It was my birthday and I meandered home. On the way, I stopped at Ira Mountain. It appears to be a housing development in the Carrabassett Valley on the side of said hill. They cut a road to the summit and invited folks in for free. Just a ways up, they’ve started to build a strange piece of art. It’s a deep hole, big enough for cars to drive into, lined with house-sized rocks. There’s giant-stepped walkways and a kind of half fortress, too. It defies description, really.

I rode up to the top of Ira Mountain on the way home and got a nifty view of the Carrabassett River Valley. by Troy R. Bennett

I rode up to the top of Ira Mountain on the way home and got a nifty view of the Carrabassett River Valley. by Troy R. Bennett

I made it home by dark. My wife ordered me a pizza and gave me a card that sang and played a banjo tune. I thought, “Who could complain about a weekend like this.”

So, I didn’t.

(Way more photos down below)

The 2014 Maine Camp of the Dead, nestled in the woods. by Darren Fishell

The 2014 Maine Camp of the Dead, nestled in the woods. by Darren Fishell

The gang, all assembled by the banks of the Dead River in T3R4 for the first annual Maine Camp of the Dead. by Troy R. Bennett

The gang, all assembled by the banks of the Dead River in T3R4 for the first annual Maine Camp of the Dead. by Troy R. Bennett

All headed that way. by Darren Fishell

All headed that way. by Darren Fishell

Me, filming the action. by Darren Fishell

Me, filming the action. by Darren Fishell

The color was fantastic. by Darren Fishell

The color was fantastic. by Darren Fishell

More gorgeous scenery in western Maine. by Darren Fishell

More gorgeous scenery in western Maine. by Darren Fishell

There they go. by Darren Fishell

There they go. by Darren Fishell

Me, with a camera on my head. by Darren Fishell

Me, with a camera on my head. by Darren Fishell

Not sure what these guys were up to ouit there in the woods. by Darren Fishell

Not sure what these guys were up to ouit there in the woods. by Darren Fishell

It was an all-time record for our gang: 11 bikes, 14 people and one dog, out for a ride through the woods of western Maine. by Troy R. Bennett

It was an all-time record for our gang: 11 bikes, 14 people and one dog, out for a ride through the woods of western Maine. by Troy R. Bennett

Look out! The Ural hoards are coming! by Troy R. Bennett

Look out! The Ural hoards are coming! by Troy R. Bennett

A roadside break for pictures, smokes and a pee. by Troy R. Bennett

A roadside break for pictures, smokes and a pee. by Troy R. Bennett

Johnny Sideburns flies the chair. by Troy R. Bennett

Johnny Sideburns flies the chair. by Troy R. Bennett

Lying around the campfire. by Troy R. Bennett

Lying around the campfire. by Troy R. Bennett

Slim Jim Mike pleads innocence. by Troy R. Bennett

Slim Jim Mike pleads innocence. by Troy R. Bennett

Pieman Paul. by Troy R. Bennett

Pieman Paul. by Troy R. Bennett

Fire, for warmth and more lies. by Troy R. Bennett

Fire, for warmth and more lies. by Troy R. Bennett

Morning on the dead river. by Troy R. Bennett

Morning on the dead river. by Troy R. Bennett

Fishermen on the Dead River. by Troy R. Bennett

Fishermen on the Dead River. by Troy R. Bennett

Fishermen on the Dead River. by Troy R. Bennett

Fishermen on the Dead River. by Troy R. Bennett

Buddy takes a nap. by Troy R. Bennett

Buddy takes a nap. by Troy R. Bennett

Pete keeps on riding. by Troy R. Bennett

Pete keeps on riding. by Troy R. Bennett

Thermos, with Navy Mike in the tub, streaks by a painted view of Flagstaff Lake. by Troy R. Bennett

Thermos, with Navy Mike in the tub, streaks by a painted view of Flagstaff Lake. by Troy R. Bennett

Slim Jim Mike rides the road. by Troy R. Bennett

Slim Jim Mike rides the road. by Troy R. Bennett

A fly fisherman plus the waters below Grand Falls in T3R4. by Troy R. Bennett

A fly fisherman plus the waters below Grand Falls in T3R4. by Troy R. Bennett

Grand Falls, on the Dead River, is pretty impressive and deep in the woods. by Troy R. Bennett

Grand Falls, on the Dead River, is pretty impressive and deep in the woods. by Troy R. Bennett

Johnny Sideburns climbs a pine tree to get a better shot of the falls. by Troy R. Bennett

Johnny Sideburns climbs a pine tree to get a better shot of the falls. by Troy R. Bennett

Grand Falls on the Dead River. by Troy R. Bennett

Grand Falls on the Dead River. by Troy R. Bennett

John gets the shot. by Troy R. Bennett

John gets the shot. by Troy R. Bennett

We stumbled upon Becky and Brett, tying the knot by Grand Falls. by Troy R. Bennett

We stumbled upon Becky and Brett, tying the knot by Grand Falls. by Troy R. Bennett

Troy R. Bennett

About Troy R. Bennett

Troy R. Bennett is a Buxton native and longtime Portland resident whose photojournalism has appeared in media outlets all over the world.