Day 8, September 6, Saturday

Apologies for the color, I guess my cut & paste wacked out.  The whole entry is off.  Sorry.

Wow, the 3rd checkpoint has been completed in Madawaska, Maine.

Madawaska

Madawaska, Maine serves as one of the Four Corners of the United States, as it is the most Northeasterly town in the country. It is situated on the International Border, across from Edmundston, the largest city in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada. Madawaska is the industrial center of the St. John Valley and Home to the internationally known Fraser Paper, Inc., the Northern Trading Cosmetic Company, and a exceedingly hardworking and dedicated labor force. Madawaska holds great potential for economic opportunity and growth. 

The town is home to a strong agricultural community, which is responsible for growing famous Maine potatoes, known all over for their consistently high quality. With each fall brings another potato harvest, when local schools provide release time for students to help with the work. 

Maine State records show two separate acts of incorporation for the town of Madawaska, the first in l831 and the second in 1869. The original territory encompassed an area more than 4,200 miles, known as the Madawaska Settlement. It was more than 118 times the size of the ordinary Maine or United States Township; no other town of such magnitude has ever been created in Maine or any other state. The name "Madawaska" was actually derived from the Iroquois Indian word, which literally translated means "Land of the Porcupine". 

Today, Madawaska is a vibrant community of just under 5,000 people, most of whom are of Acadian descent and speak fluent French. Year round festivals and events including, the Acadian Festival, and the International Snowmobile Festival are not to be missed.

They arrived after dark, very carefully, after being warned by a local that the last 20 miles to be on the lookout for moose.  So in the late dusk, they rode and when they got into Madawaska, they found there are only 2 motels, the first one was booked, and the last one had 2 rooms, which they took.  I commented on their taking 2 rooms and not sharing, and Terry said they only had single beds and Mark was bigger than him and he didn't want the floor.

They completed their paperwork over dinner, did their pictures in the dark, and found out the town is all in support of the 4 corners tour.  They even made a park in its honor and everyone in town knows about the "4 corners"!

Madawaska Four Corners Monument Park - Main Street  
The main goal of creating a Four Corner Park and Monument is to attract tourism. It is also to promote our town as the most Northeastern town and one of the four corners of the United States.  The project committee plans to prepare an actual implementation plan during the winter of 2005.  Work could begin once the ground is thawed and completion of the park is expected for spring 2006.  For more information on the Four Corners Monument Park go to: www.madawaska.org          

Well, I guess that article is a bit old.  The park is complete and Terry and Mark both went there and took some pictures, again, this was about 9ish their time.  

As they stand now, they plan to ride into Canada and over to Thunder Bay on Lake Superior, then decide whether to continue on in Canada, or drop back down into the states.