Back in the USA
2026-08-05
New Brunswick, ME, NH
We continued our trip towards home today, crossing the border at St. Stephen / Calais again. Apparently there is a highway and a town crossing, and last time we took the town crossing. This time Google sent us down the highway, where they had five booths on the non-commercial side. Two of them were open, and zero of them were busy. So we rolled on in and handed over our passports. Among the questions was whether we had any PEI potatoes; he said he had to confiscate them if so. He said it was about some organism (and not about supper). At any rate, we were prescient in PEI and didn't buy any of their new potatoes and thus saved ourselves heartbreak.
Once back in the states, of the first things I checked was the price of gas. I've been in vacation mode and I haven't checked the news since we left (and probably won't until I get home). Apparently the Iran war continues, or some other economic pressure has kept the prices up.
Our exercise stop today is Quoddy Head State Park in Maine, about 2.5 hours from St. John. It is the easternmost point in the Continental US, so thus far road trips have taken us as far east and west (Cape Alava) as possible. Key West would be the southernmost point. Some argue that it's an island, but for me, if you can reach it by car, then it counts. However, go with whatever definition appeals to you. The northernmost point is in Minnesota, and was the result of an error. You have to drive through Canada to get there. But I digress.
The park has a lovely light house. The ones in Canada all had the same low, square timber construction. This is more American style, with the round tower and bright colors.
We did a 3.8 mile hike that started out along the coast for 2.25 miles then came back along an inland trail. The former was a lot of ups and downs, tree roots and rocks. It was slow going. Add to that all the places to look at the rocky coast and it took us quite a while to complete that section. Luckily the return trip was much smoother and quicker.
There was a second optional short hike, but we knew that we were staying at the Franconia Inn again and their front desk closes at 9:00 PM so we had to get moving. Also, we've noticed that in most places (other than Halifax) restaurants have been taking their last seating at 7:00 and closing at 8:00, so we had to be sure to eat on time. Surprisingly I can get food at 8:00 in Elverson, but then it's fast food.
So we set off across Maine and New Hampshire. There is no interstate here; it's a collection of highways and back roads that Google carefully suggested we use. Don't like the speed limit? Wait a minute. I didn't see any speed enforcement, but I didn't go much above the limit to tempt fate. It was tedious paying so much attention to ever-changing speed limts. We stopped in Littleton (which we knew from our last trip) to eat before getting to the inn at 8:44.
Driving Distance:
Hiking Distance: 3.8 miles