Maine - Sept/Oct 07 (1)

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Sat, Sept. 22nd 07

Today began the first day of our Maine adventure. The goals; to visit two friends in Peru, ME, to collect National Park stamps along the way and, hopefully, catch the fall leaf season throughout the New England states. Secondary goals include riding two lane roads as much as possible and to add to my sign collection.

To date I have visited more than enough National Parks and states to earn the Ironbutt GOLD Master Traveler Award, with one exception. I need a National Park Stamp from the state of Maine. Hopefully we will accomplish that when we visit Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, ME.

My wife and I left Paducah at daybreak and rode to the Beaver Dam, KY rest area before we stopped for breakfast and a break. We rode slightly more than four hundred miles the first day. The weather was beautiful, although a bit hot towards the end. We arrived in Huntington, WV early with plenty of time to rest.

The oil refinery at Ashland, KY (as seen from WV) Carolyn, taking a break in the misty West Virginia mountains. Fall View, West Virginia Our first National Park for this trip was New River Gorge at Glen Jean, WV on Day Two.This bridge is amazing. It is so high people base jump off of it each year on "Bridge Day" Leaving West Virginia we made our way into Virginia to The Shenandoah National Park at Front Royal, VA. This was our third trip to The Shenandoah so we only rode about half of the Skyway.

The Dickey Ridge Visitor CenterDay Three: We crossed back into West Virgina to pick up Harper's Ferry National Park. Just a few miles later we entered Maryland and on to Antietam National Battlefield. Antietam is the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought by US forces. Twenty three thousand people lost their lives during the three day battle. Antietam is a solemn place that reminds us that true freedom for everyone in this country comes at a very high price.

“There are no gains without pains.” ~ Benjamin Franklin ~