Day 5

June 8, 2009

Well, after a full day of rest at the Blue Moose, I force myself to get back on the trail.
This time, I decide to follow in the tracks of some ATV trails.
ATV clubs are a REALLY big deal around here and I'm getting REALLY tired of walking on the highway, so the trail is a welcome change.
By the time I start to get in the vicinity of Houlton, I spot a sign that points to the Stardust Motel.
It advertises that you can ride your snowmobile right up to your front door.
I don't quite have one of these, but I figure if it's good enough for them, then I'll give it a shot.
So, with the idea that the road must not be far off, I follow the sign's suggestion in search of Houlton and the Stardust Motel.
After 5 to 10 minutes, I began to think, "I should've bought a squirrel!"
(If this reference troubles you, go rent 'Rat Race'.)
But, thankfully, the trail finally comes out on Highway 1 just at the edge of town and right next to the border patrol.
I've been told that they're pretty strict and I'll probably get harassed quite a few times as I'm so close to Canada. But, so far, they don't seem to care one way or the other.
Which is interesting, considering the time the Canadian Border Patrol accosted me in Detroit and made me delete some of the pictures from my camera. But, that's a different story for a different time.
So, I follow the road south until I come to a Subway right across the street from the Visitor Center and my first Walmart of the trip.
The Subway is in conjunction with a gas station that carries an interesting window washing policy (see photo). Things are a BIT different up in these parts.
I pop into the Walmart to pick up a lighter and some safety pins and I finally get the opportunity to head west.
After only a mile or two, I ditch and pitch to the right of the road, just on the edge of the tree line.
Hopefully, nobody will wake me up in the middle of the night with a shotgun telling me to get off their land.