23 July 2007

I went so far over yesterday, I was determined to take my time this morning, as I didn't have all that far to go to make it to Madawaska. Even so, I was on the road before 0815; I had to pause for a train just as I got out of town. I was afraid I wouldn't have quite enough gas to make it all the way to Madawaska, so I stopped about half way and put in $5 worth.

For some reason, I didn't find the towns in Maine as incredibly frustrating as I did 20 years ago, perhaps because I knew what to expect. (They have the longest 25 mph zones of anywhere I've ever been--you'd think there were mobs of kids, or herds of elderly staggering around.)

I got to Madawaska just before noon, found the gas station with no problem; the young attendant asked if I was a "Four Corners" guy; I confirmed it and we exchanged some pleasantries.

I went down the road a ways to where they're building a "Four Corners" monument, drove up and parked on the site and took some pictures.

Then to the post office to finish the paperwork and mail it. Seemed anti-climactic to be done, but I couldn't think of any reason to hang around...

Headed south on a different road, ME 11. Quite curvy, with lots of elevation changes (and 45 mph speed limit) to start; it straightened out a bit after a while, but the speed limit never got above 50. I speculate it must not be patrolled because big rigs were moving at 60+.

I planned on stopping fairly early; MapSource had identified a motel in Patten, but I didn't see it when I went through. And the GPS wasn't finding anything else. I figured on taking I-95 south once I got to it, and looking for motels at its exits. But just as I got to I-95, there was a motel. ($51, and it has Wi-Fi, which was a surprise). Drove down the road a bit for groceries ($12).

State: Maine
295 GPS miles (7898 total), 47.4 moving average, 67.3 max.
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