Madawaska
& The Four Corners Park

Madawaska is the northernmost town in New England and in the continental U.S. It is opposite Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada, and is connected by the Edmundston-Madawaska Bridge over the St. John River. Home to the 'Four Corners Park', Madawaska is a 'must visit' destination for bikers. The Park was created to honor finishers of this U.S. tour. The tour consists of traveling by motorcycle, to the four corners of the U.S, (Madawaska, Maine; Blaine, Washington; San Ysidro, California and Key West, Florida) in 21 days or less. Over 1,000 bikers visited in 2009 including a father and son from Spain! The Park is also used for local events and gatherings. There is now a kids four corner tour starting at Plourde's Harley Davidson that involves children from the area. Each year they tour the four corners of Madawaska and end at the Four Corners Park where they are recognized for the day's tour. This is a great introduction to this tour for the bikers of the future. The park boasts a large, 12-foot-high by 4-foot-wide solid blue pearl granite monument, a 20-foot-wide water fountain with granite benches and tables. The monument is surrounded by granite pavers engraved with the names of tour finishers. There are pavers available to anyone wishing to pay tribute to someone special, to an organization, an event or to promote a business.

Three years ago, the Four Corner Association was created by Joe LaChance (see page 30) and other dedicated Madawaska residents who wished to promote their town as one of the Four Corners of the United States and to have something special to offer travelers visiting Madawaska.

While in the Madawaska area, take a stroll around town and experience this unique U.S. border town. Known for its thriving potato industry, you will find a multi-cultural charm unlike anywhere else in the country. The majority of Madawaska residents are of Acadian descent, and French is still spoken here. A blend of both languages is common and is called "Valley French."

Whether you're taking the United States tour, or just visiting Maine, ride up to Madawaska and the Four Corners Park part of your destination.

The Park is located on U.S. Route 1 in Madawaska. For more information please visit www.madawaskafourcorners.org.

Fort Kent

Fort Kent is located at the top of Maine in Aroostook County. The area is also the gateway to the North Maine Woods including the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, St. John River, and the Fish River Chain of Lakes. U.S. Route 1 begins in Fort Kent and State Route 161 continues on to Allagash and ends there, along with the pavement. From this point on travel is on dirt roads maintained by the logging industry. Fort Kent is the great outdoors that boasts an abundance of wildlife and activities for all seasons.

When you arrive into Fort Kent take time to enjoy and relax at some of the great parks including Riverside Park located on the banks of the St. John River, and Jalbert Park located on the banks of the Fish River. These are great for picnics, naps or a refreshing dip. Fort Kent is also home to an Olympic biathlete training center,

an annual CAN-AM dogsled race, and the historic Fort Kent Blockhouse. Parlez-vous Français? Sixty-two percent of the residents of Fort Kent speak French. The variety spoken here and most of the St. John River Valley is referred to as "Valley French." Many residents also have American-Canadian dual citizenship.

Caribou

Caribou is located in the geographical center of Aroostook County where the locals take pride in their community and value their quality of life. They are also proud of their rural heritage and are deeply rooted in a long tradition of hard work and quality of life.

Caribou is also known for its natural forests and abundance of wildlife, so keep an eye out for moose, deer, fox, or even a bald eagle, you never know what you may see as you round the next corner. Recreational opportunities are plentiful year-round. If golf is a favorite sport, Caribou offers a course where you can play in two countries on the same course on the same day! Country fairs and festivals take place all-year-long with a variety of sights and activities.

After exploring Caribou, wander through town to shop, explore a museum or take in a country fair. When you're ready for a break, grab a slice of pizza or a nice homecooked meal. Good eats abound from local cafe's to fine dining. After lunch, explore another part of town, or look for a place to stay a day or two. There is so much culture to see and experience here. Lodging accommodations range from motels to quaint B&Bs to comfortable inns and authentic lodges. Stay a day, or stay a week. Whatever your decision may be, there's plenty to do and see in all seasons.

Fort Fairfield

Fort Fairfield is home to the Maine Potato Blossom Festival. Fort Fairfield in the summer adds to your riding pleasure with spectacular views of bright yellow canola flowers or fields covered in multi-colored potato blossoms. The Maine Potato Blossom Festival hosts a multitude of events from music and dancing to mashed potato wrestling and more. Located on the eastern border of Aroostook County it is a neighbor of Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, Canada.

While in Fort Fairfield enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the local restaurants. If a quick snack, beverage or pizza is more to your liking one of the many convenience stores can help you satisfy your needs. Shopping to find something unique? Then be sure to patronize any one of the multiple stores in town. The eclectic shops will excite even the most discriminating shopper. Have you ever golfed in two countries at the same time? Well you can at the Aroostook Valley Country Club in Fort Fairfield.

If you would like to know more about Fort Fairfield, the Maine Potato Blossom Festival or Aroostook County, feel free to contact the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce at (207) 472-3802 or visit www.fortcc.org.

Presque Isle

Presque Isle is the largest 'town' in Maine, and is located in the northernmost county, Aroostook. The town rests on the eastern edge of the Great North Woods, so it is the ideal home base for those who come to Maine to fish, hike, mountain bike, snowmobile or hunt.

If entering Presque Isle from the south, you'll experience breathtaking views of Mount Katahdin. Drive along the County on I-95 or take Route 11, also known as the "Grindstone Scenic Byway." There, travel along Route 1 called the "Million Dollar View Scenic Byway," whose name will not disappoint as you look across to neighboring Canada.

Presque Isle is home to the Northern Maine Regional Airport, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College and the Northern Maine Fairgrounds.

Presque Isle is the starting point for the world's largest scale model of the solar system which runs along U.S. Route 1 to the town of Houlton, 40 miles away. The center of the solar system is the University of Maine at Presque Isle. When planning your next vacation, include Presque Isle, and be sure to include the Aroostook River Fun Run Canoe and Kayak Races, you may even want to try it yourself!