Coastal Highway 1…east side

One of my Best Drives Ever!

Several months ago, I recall a post where I said that the most unique stuff along the highway can be found in the desert. Well, I am not so sure about my claim any more. Recently, I took a drive down Coastal Highway 1…east side of USA. I started the drive in Fort Kent, Maine, northernmost city in Maine. Then, I traveled south where I ignored most of the coastal beauty in search of weird stuff…

Watch out for Moose!

I left Fort Kent fairly early on a foggy morning. And, as if the fog was not enough, there were moose warning signs just about everywhere. Not just the simple moose crossing signs, but some high end signs with detectors and flashing lights…

I think the signs with lights had some kind of moose detector on them. Most of the time, the lights were out. However, every now and then, the lights would kick on. I thought for sure I would see a moose. These signs were so frequent and some areas were so foggy, I assumed my chances of survival were minimal. However, to make a long story short, I did not see any moose…not one. It was quite disappointing. So, as a consolation prize for my readers, I offer up the most interesting animal photo that I took that day. I had never seen road kill porcupine before. On that morning, I got to see two…I only stopped for one of them.

Potatoes and Blueberries were in season

I learned that they grow lots of potatoes and blueberries in northern Maine. Apparently, my drive was at the height of the season. I did not buy any produce that morning. But, the opportunities were plentiful. I guess the thing to do in northern Maine is to put a self service fruit/vegetable stand at the edge of your farm, right next to the highway…

As I said, no one staffs these many stands. The local farmers just load them up with produce…and it’s the honor system. Take your bag of potatoes and put you money in the box. I doubt this approach would work in too many places. But, if self service “kiosks” are not your thing, some of the produce sellers on Highway 1 were a bit grander. I give you Wild Blueberry Land… a must stop on Highway 1…

Weed Trail

I am sure everyone has heard of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Drive anywhere between Lexington and Louisville and you will be overwhelmed (in a very good way) by the sheer number of bourbon distilleries. Well, if you travel down Coastal Highway 1 in Maine, you will be pleasantly surprised by the crazy number of recreational marijuana dispensaries. These northern Maine folks really like to get stoned. Furthermore, the dispensaries are fun and have personality…so I am told. These are not sterile, pharmacy like medical dispensaries…so I am told. Rather, these establishments are charming, unique, and colorful buildings that are very inviting to travelers…so I am told.

While doing weed research for this post, I discovered there is something in California called the “Cannabis Trail.” So, to avoid confusion, please let me be the first one (as far as you know) to refer to Maine’s Highway 1 as the Weed Trail.

Maine’s Solar System

The Presque Isle campus of the University of Maine is along highway 1. The folks at this campus are credited with establishing the largest 3-D scale model of the solar system in the western hemisphere. I assume that means there is a bigger one in the eastern hemisphere. Anyway, you have to stop by Folsom Hall on the UM Presque Isle campus to begin the solar system fun. As near as I can figure, Folsom Hall represents the sun. Now, believe it or not, I had trouble finding the sun. Basically, at full scale, the sun is a bit to big for a complete model. Instead, you see partial arcs of the sun spread throughout the hall. You have to use your imagination, to fill in the arcs to visualize the full sized sun.

I am not sure that I did an adequate job explaining their “sun.” But, be that as it may, it gets much clearer after that. So, remember this is a scale model. Therefore, you have to drive down the highway to see the all the planets. First, you drive 0.3 miles down highway 1 and there you will find Mercury. Then, another 0.3 miles later, you will find Venus. At the one mile mark, it’s good old Earth…

I will won’t show you every planet, as I trust you get the idea. But, do not forget this is a scale model and the universe is kind of big. So, at 5.2 miles from the “sun” I found Jupiter. And ultimately, 40 miles down highway 1, I found Pluto, the pathetic dwarf planet not worthy of full planetary honors…

The Final Four Quick Ones

First, watch out for the logging trucks. They are far more dangerous than the moose. Secondly, on Highway 1 you can get gas at Dunkin’ Donuts. Who knew?

Thirdly, it took me a while to figure this one out. But eventually, I figured out those things in the water were oyster or clam farms. I was not sure which, but it was definitely shellfish related. And finally, I can not help but get drawn in by restaurants with lobsters on the roof. However, take it from me, this is the most expensive tourist trap restaurant that I have ever been victimized by….Taste of Maine. Be sure to learn from my mistake and drive on by.

Enough Already

See, I told you there were all sorts of weird things along this highway. My entire drive was about 8 hours over two different days. I really liked the sites out in the desert, but coastal Highway 1…east side is even better. Now, I set my sights on coastal Highway 1…west side. But, that’s a blog mission for another time. Have a wonderful day. PT

I hope you have enjoyed reading “Coastal Highway 1…east side” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks

Here was my desert road trip https://travelingwithpt.com/unique-stuff-in-the-arizona-desert/

Here’s a nice summary of many of the attractions along Maine’s coastal Highway 1 https://newengland.com/travel/maine/best-maine-coastal-route-1-2014/