Drum roll please. After 19 days of motorcycle madness (by some accounts), and a shakedown by US border guards (who ended up quite friendly after inspecting our bikes), we reached our goal: Madawaska, Maine, a lovely little border town very much like Blaine, Washington, where we began. A mere 12484 kms (7,757 miles) or 657 kilometers per day (408 miles per day).
We left Sherbrooke this morning at 7, the usual time, and rode off into a cool (13 degrees C) and yet promising day, a relief from dark clouds and rain of yesterday. Heading north toward Drummonville we turned east into clear blue skies and traveled along the St. Lawrence to Riviere-du-Loop (familiar from our ferry crossing from St. Simeon last year) where we stopped for lunch on the main street of the seemingly suffering town (shops closed and for lease - "a louer"). For posterity sake we had previously enjoyed our FIRST Tim Hortons coffee at a gas stop in the mid-morning (I know Jim this seems cruel and unusual but we celebrated this for you). We were told by a Quebec biker there that showing our Canadian flags characterized us as Canadians and NOT Quebeckers and that was possibly why not many other bikers waved at us as was customary elsewhere.
Upon arriving at the US Customs (backed up onto the steel-mesh bridge across the river separating Fredericton NB from Madawaska ME - did you notice that both towns have 4 syllables?) our passports were taken and we were told to park the bikes and go into the Customs office to answer questions. After much clicking of computer keys and stern looks we were required to surrender our bike keys so they could be searched (as only then would we get our passports back). After 5 minutes the officer with my keys (we each had our own dedicated officer) came back in and said he needed a college degree to get it open. This made me wonder how many bikes he had searched, but I showed him the latch and we were soon on our way (realizing as they must that we were surely no drug dealers or terrorists).
A few short blocks away was our goal: the 4 Corners USA Park, dedicated to those who rode the 4 Corners tour. It was the consummation of considerable effort and determination and we felt elated and with a real sense of accomplishment. The Park was a real testimony to those who had gone before.
It has been a great trip. We are truly blessed. God is great and we are thankful for a safe and trouble-free trip. We had no mechanical problems (other than a few "wardrobe failures" that were inconsequential).
Despite this goal having been met the blog will continue. Due to having two extra days from finishing early after a night at Martin's Motel at Madawaska Maine we are headed off tomorrow morning around the Gaspe Penisula. Stay tuned.