Tuesday, 13 September.  Beautiful day!

The first half of today’s ride was full of towns, which slowed me down substantially.  The second half was full of trees, which touched on boring.  There was a little traffic to distract me.  Also a lot of road repairs all day.  At least six instances of one-lane traffic.

Discovered Ed Muskie’s hometown of Rumford with an appropriate memorial.  They also have a statue of Paul Bunyan and his bull “Blue”.  What would have been nice waterfalls is now mostly a hydroelectric plant though they have worked to pretty up the view.  The town unfortunately also has a paper mill.  But it’s in a pretty valley that appears to offer lots of recreational options.

Bangor has a wonderful Land Transportation Museum.  I could have spent hours in it.  An entire row of old snowplows that looked like something out of a Mad Max movie.  Sometimes a claim to fame is just a little lacking in substance: The Museum notes that it’s next to the only “perfect” cloverleaf interchange in Maine.

Getting into Canada was odd.  The entry point brings you in facing west.  There is absolutely no activity on the American side, which I didn’t expect.  Failed to get money, reserve a hotel room or fill up my tank before entering.  Lost cellular service (I’m not paying Verizon $10 a day!).   Had to find a McDonalds or other establishment.  Then had to drive an extra hour east to get a properly priced hotel.  Arrived in the dark, which I try to avoid (fear of moose, etc.).