Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 26 : Fall 2015 | Page 54

light to remain on Route 11. In Ashland there
are convenience stores and gas available. From
here you will go to Portage Lake, where you
can stop at the public beach for a break, or
you can have a meal, gas & snacks in town.
As you leave Portage going up the hill, you
will pass through a place known to the locals
as Buffalo. Stop on the top of the hill and get
another partial view of the Fish River chain
of lakes. You will continue north on Route
11 going through Winterville, where you will
cross the Fish River and then come into Eagle
Lake. Be sure to stop in Eagle Lake to take
in the beautiful scenery. Eagle Lake has gas,
convenience stores and restaurants.
From Eagle Lake continue north to Fort Kent,
one of Maine’s best kept secrets. While in Fort
Kent be sure to visit “America’s First Mile,”.
Check out the mural paintings on some of
the old potato houses depicting farming of
years gone by and be sure to see the Fort Kent
Blockhouse.
In Fort Kent you will take Route 1, which
starts in Fort Kent and goes all the way to Key
West Florida. You will head south on Route 1
along the St. John River, separating the U.S.A.
and Canada.

tantalize you with history and unique vistas
unlike anywhere else in Maine. All along
Route 1 check out the interpretative panels
that tell the Acadian History.
From Van Buren you have three choices. If you
have your passport you can cross into Canada
and make your trip a “Two Nation Trip.” In
Canada you can go through Grand Falls and
then head down to Woodstock, where you
can cross back into Maine at Houlton.
Your second option is to head south on Route
1 through Caribou and Presque Isle, “The
County’s” two largest communities. There are
several things to do and sights to see on your
ride south on U.S. Route 1. One of the more
fascinating things to see is a scale model of
our Solar System. The Sun is located at the
University of Maine at Presque Isle. You will
be able to see all of the planets and moons
located along Route 1 ending with Pluto in
Houlton.

The third option would be for you to head
south on U.S. Route 1A from Van Buren
to Mars Hill, where you will pick up Route
1 again. While traveling Route 1A you will
follow the St. John River for a time, travel
through Amish Country, and be along the
You’ll enjoy this easy peaceful ride from Ft. Aroostook River. It is a less traveled route and
Kent to Madawaska. Madawaska is the most a beautiful ride.
northeastern town in the U.S.A. Madawaska
is home to the Four Corners Park, one of only Depending on where you are going and how
four in the country. Be sure to stop in to sign much time you have, I would recommend
the guest book. As you look across the river traveling down Route 1 to Calais then across
you will see Canada. Next continue along the Route 9 to Bangor.
river to trace the great State of Maine border
to Van Buren. Each of these border towns will

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FALL 2015